LM is not easily shocked and astonished by the behaviour of some Muslims however, I make an exception in the case of the disturbing and appalling treatment of Sheikh Mohammed El Salamouni by Regents Park Mosque.
However, following the assault, Regents Park Mosque are now attempting to kick out the Sheikh from his flat in the Mosque and have just obtained an eviction order. In addition, Regents Park are currently also contesting liability over the assault so they have not provided any compensation to a man who has lost his sight while working on their premises.
You might find the above absolutely shocking however it gets worse because of the complete news blackout and silence leaving British Muslims either unaware of the conduct of Regents Park or alternatively they refuse to join a fight over justice for Sheikh Salamouni.
Regents Park Mosque is run by a shadowy Saudi character called Dr Ahmed Dubayan the Director General and one of the most influential Muslims in this country. Dubayan is to be found on all manner of Muslim establishment outfits like for example the
King Fahad Academy and
Chair of Minab's Interfaith Committee which surprise surprise
"welcomes" and "supports" the Prevent spying strategy after taking huge sums of Govt money. However, in terms of irony and given the disgusting treatment of a poor defenceless blind man what has to take the biscuit is that Dubayan is also
Patron of Fight For Sight a charity who have funded research into blindness for 40 years and has the Duke of York as its Royal Patron.
Dr Ahmed Dubayan
I will leave you to judge why a Saudi citizen is allowed by our Government to run the premier Mosque not just in the UK but perhaps in Europe and am keen to establish what role Regents Park may have had in terms of involvement with the Spooks over the discredited Prevent spying Strategy
Sadly you will not find currently any major Muslim organisation come out in support of Sheikh Salamouni. The Islam Channel are silent, and have not covered this story, nothing from the MCB, or MAB or any other major Muslim outfit. London Mosques who beg for money from the Saudi's for their new chandeliers and plush carpets will also remain silent. However, Sheikh Salamouni who is Egyptian and from Al Azhar is finding support from the outstanding Egyptian Association in the UK and with Mubarak gone the new Egyptian Govt are increasingly asserting themselves over this case.
LM urges British Muslims and in particular those of us in London to show our support for the blind Sheikh and to start ensuring Regents Park Mosque is accountable to Muslims here in the UK not to their paymasters overseas. I am reluctant to engage in a Muslim against Muslim battle largely because our enemies will be laughing all the way to the Pub over our inability to unite. However, ultimately when the conduct of one side is so contrary to the norms of behaviour expected of a fellow Muslim who refuse to enter meaningfully into dialogue and resolve this case satisfactorily with compassion then we Muslims must stand up and be counted on the side or justice.
Muslims who support justice for the weak, oppressed and defenceless blind Sheikh Salamouni will be demonstrating outside the London Saudi Embassy this Friday 24 June after Jummah at 2.30pm and I urge all Muslims to join the demo. More details to follow.