The Muslim Association of Britain welcomes and fully supports the stand taken by the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), the main umbrella Muslim organisation in Britain, in boycotting the Holocaust Memorial Day functions.

The attack and immense pressure that the MCB has come under as a result wishes to undermine its principled stand that the horrendous crimes committed against the Jews in Europe in the early and mid-20^th century, must be condemned and denounced in the same breath as the crimes committed against innocent people throughout the world today.

MAB concurs fully with the statement of the MCB General Secretary Mr. Iqbal Sacranie, who demanded that the crimes being committed by the Zionist state of Israel against the Palestinians also be condemned and its victims also be commemorated.

Anas Altikriti, speaking on behalf of MAB stated: “MCB has lead the way in this respect, and is speaking on behalf of all British Muslims in that the crimes committed against the Jewish people of Europe several decades ago, must not have us turn a blind eye to the very similar crimes committed by individuals, organisations and states under a variety of pretexts throughout the world. It is saddening to see that as a world community, we have learnt little from the lessons of the past, and we continue to see countless innocent people oppressed and brutalised under a variety of guises.

“The victims of today suffer no less torment or pain than those of the last century, and by commemorating them also, the world will be taking a stand against all crimes against humanity and all acts of injustice, regardless of who the perpetrators or the victims are. “We fully support the MCB in its stand and welcome its initiative in this regard.”

For further information and interviews please contact: Mr Ihtisham Hibatullah: 07786 257120
Muslim Association of Britain

27^th January 2005