´óÏó´«Ã½

« Previous | Main | Next »

The Quilliam Foundation

William Crawley | 11:48 UK time, Tuesday, 22 April 2008

A new counter extremist think tank is launched today at a press event in the British Museum. The is named after Abdullah William Quilliam (1856-1932), a solicitor from Liverpool who converted to Islam and founded Britain's first mosque. The foundation's director, Maajid Nawaz, was jailed in Egypt with two other British men for belonging to the radical group Hizb ut-Tahrir.

The British Museum is an interesting choice of venue for the launch of the new foundation, as is the decision to honour in the foundation's name. Another organisation, the , has been in existence since 1998, celebrating the life and work of Sheikh Abdullah. They provide a short biography of William Henry Quilliam . I've been fascinated to read more about Quilliam and his conversion to Islam; perhaps we'll have a chance to talk in more detail about his life on this week's Sunday Sequence.

Comments

  • Comment number 1.

    Damn it, I saw this post 51mins too late! I live a few hundreds yards from the British Museum.

  • Comment number 2.

    I'm pleased to read this announcement. Like any other group, majority of Muslims are moderates, but they remain quite like others. Congratulations to Quillium.

    We have a similar group in the Unite States called World Muslim Congress our goal is to created civic societies of coexistence. and www.Foundationforpluralism.com

    thanks

    Mike Ghouse

  • Comment number 3.

    ENOCH WAS RIGHT

  • Comment number 4.

    Puritan, I don't see how your comment is at all helpful. Enoch Powell's rivers of blood speech had to do with immigration. Islam is a religion, not an immigrant. Muslims are also British and many were born and raised in Britain. They have as much a right to live in peace in the UK as any other group. I am glad to see moderate Islamic groups standing up against extremism. I read today that some members of this new think tank have already received threats, which is an indication of the dangers they now face. Let's all applaud the courage of groups like Quilliam for taking the risk of speaking out.

  • Comment number 5.


    Perhaps some of you Christians could remind us how long ago were 'Christian Atheists' in the same boat? 100yrs? 150yrs?

  • Comment number 6.

    Cripes - I agree with something PTL said! This is a new experience for me folks, so forgive me if I'm a bit shaky for the next 24 hours or so ;-)

    I'm assuming by extension of course that PTL at least, if not Puritan, is happy for atheists, Jews, Hindus etc to also live in peace in the UK and Ireland, and to contribute to the ongoing cultural dialogue (such as wot we do here).

    While I see this as welcome, I would also suggest that recent inflammatory comments by Joe Ratzinger have been less than helpful, where he has suggested an alliance of "faiths" to combat those of us who wish to see a secular ethical society. OK, perhaps he was speaking to the crowd, but if "people of faith" wish to see the cause of ethical society advanced, they would do well to be a bit more inclusive.

    -H

    [Will - looks like Peter was right - the bot is rejecting the ampersand sign - can the backroom boffins fix this, because it's really infuriating!!]

  • Comment number 7.

    It looks like this could be one of the first threads where the is a chance of general agreement.

    I see no reason why believers and non-believers alike should not seek a peaceful and equitable society for all.

    There is danger for us all from those who seek to establish philosophies (religious or otherwise) by force.

    I haven't see or read the Ratzinger comments, but an alliance of faiths doesn't seem like a good idea. This would only serve to intensify the fault lines in society. And it would be inherently dishonest. I mean what is he saying, that a Christian (who believes in the uniqueness of Jesus) should defend the right of a Hindu to believe otherwise but not defend the right of an atheist to disbelieve in God?

    Christians are called to seek the peace of the city, and in my view that means peace for everyone.

    BTW Puritan - "ENOCH WAS RIGHT" What was that supposed to mean? I read it and thought, who's Enoch, wasn't he in the bible, what does he have to do with The Quilliam Foundation?

    Puritan we only have words to go on, on this blog, please be more specific.

  • Comment number 8.



    Is Helio also Amenhotep?

  • Comment number 9.

    Hi PB, yes, Helio=Amen, but according to DavidJAgnew, you can't prove it.

    However, all the evidence points in that direction :-)

  • Comment number 10.

    Hi Heliopolitan,

    You are quite correct, on the basis of your written testimony I cannot verify your existence scientifically.

    However I am more than happy to accept your self-revelation.

    Tea? Coffee? Milk? Sugar.


  • Comment number 11.

    Since the Quilliam Foundation have adopted Abdullah Quilliam as their namesake, it is worth looking at his views.



    I wonder if their research skills will be as skewed as their rebranding of this gentleman

  • Comment number 12.

    Hi David,
    Coffee, thanks - black. I would advise you to accept my self-revelation with sensible qualifiers - there is a possibility this is not me, and there is a possibility that you are misunderstanding me, and there is a possibility that I may not actually even *be* in a position to give valid testimony.

    However, please feel free to shoot protons at me :-)

    -H

  • Comment number 13.

    Heliopolitan,

    From your comments tonight you are possibly misunderstanding yourself!

  • Comment number 14.

    Praise where praise due...

    I agree with you PTL-good post.

  • Comment number 15.

    Re Post 3.

    Perhaps the Puritan/Billy has inadvertently posted a comment intended for the "Religion is a social evil" thread?

    If not, this is an exemplary instance of the coincidence of religion and intolerance.

    For anyone unsure who Enoch is, the enilightened Puritan is now telling us that immigrants are unwelcome and referring to the politician Enoch Powell and his infamous "rivers of blood" speech on the subject of immigrants in Britain. Google it...

    To complete the set Billy, can we have a soundbite on homosexuality?

    Or would you rather not underscore the depth and breadth of your "christian" bigotry?

    You make me sick.

  • Comment number 16.

    John Howard Speech about immigrants

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told recently to get out of Australia , as the government targeted radicals in a bid to head off potential terror attacks.

    John Howard (ex PM of Australia) struck a chord with this speech: -

    Quote: 'IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of this nation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or their culture.. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali , we have experienced a surge in patriotism by the majority of Australians.'

    'This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom'

    'We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore, if you wish to become part of our society . Learn the language!'

    'Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Christian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It is certainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture.'

    'We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.'

    'This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining, whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs, or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one other great Australian freedom,

    'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'.'

    'If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to come here. You asked to be here. So accept the country that accepted YOU!'

Ìý

´óÏó´«Ã½ iD

´óÏó´«Ã½ navigation

´óÏó´«Ã½ © 2014 The ´óÏó´«Ã½ is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.

This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.