E-Paper
Al-Muhajiroun splits
Dissolution of the radical Muslim group may have far reaching impact on Islamic militancy in UK.
In a major development, which will have a far reaching impact on Islamic militancy in the UK, the extremist Muslim group Al-Muhajiroun was dissolved on Wednesday. Its leader Omar Bakri Muhammad, known as the Tottenham Mullah, said the organisation was dissolving and its members would link up with other groups. But official sources believe that the announcement of members joining other outfits was mere face-saving.
A statement on the group's website said: "We have decided that it is time to shed ourselves of titles, bodies and infrastructure to merge together as one global sect against the crusade disbanders and occupiers of Muslim land. Post-9/11 we are in a time of crisis. We need to come together and pool our resources. Globally, we will support Muslims wherever they are." It also claimed that the "going is going to get tougher".
Al-Muhajiroun had attracted scathing criticism when it celebrated 9/11 and described the hijackers as "magnificent". Even the moderate Muslims revolted against the group for supporting terrorism all over the world. The community denounced it as a fringe group that attracted undue attention because of its fanaticism.
The Home Office and the police have been monitoring the group's activities for a long time. Some believe that the sudden and rather unexpected announcement of the disbanding is a tactical move to avoid a forced closure. Omar Bakri could also be attempting to avoid the fate of the other radical cleric Abu Hamza who is likely to be charged under the Terrorism Act and deported.