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03 Jun 2004
Muslims Urged to Vote to Keep Racists Out
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The Muslim Council of Britain has today sent an urgent letter to all of the country's mosques, Islamic associations and institutions urging them to encourage their communities to take the fullest part in the upcoming local and European elections on June 10. With the British European relationship becoming increasingly important, it is necessary that they exercise their right wisely and diligently.
Their participation is very important in order not to let in the racist and Far Right parties simply by default which could happen if people do not vote and there is a low turnout.
" Under the electoral rules, any extremist party, for example the BNP, needs only five percent of the votes to win seats in the Greater London Assembly elections and around 9% of the votes to gain delegates to the European Parliament. The bid by the racist right to seek attention by focussing on anti-Muslim sentiments is a disturbing trend for the health of our democracy and there is no time to sit back and not to exercise our vote, " said Iqbal Sacranie, Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Britain.
"This is the opportunity to support parties which have Muslim friendly policies. Please convey this urgent message in your Friday khutbah and rally the community to take action by voting on Thursday 10 June," said Mr Sacranie.
[Ends]
Note for Editors:
The Muslim Council of Britain's letter to mosques, Islamic associations and institutions can be found online at www.mcb.org.uk/Jun04_letter_mosques.pdf
The BNP's anti-Muslim party political broadcast can still be viewed at the BNP's official website at www.bnp.org.uk
The Arabic word 'Khutbah' in the final paragraph above refers to the weekly Friday 'sermon' that the Imam delivers to the assembled congregation.
The MCB has organised a televised hustings for the Muslim community with all the leading London Mayoral candidates on 4th of June. For more details go to: http://www.mcb.org.uk/MCB_Mayoral hustings.pdf
The Muslim Council of Britain (www.mcb.org.uk) is the UK's representative Muslim umbrella body with over 400 affiliated national, regional and local organisations, mosques, charities and schools.
For further information please contact tel: 07956 353 738, 07939 472 998
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For further information please contact the MCB:
The Muslim Council of Britain,
PO Box 57330,
London,
E1 2WJ
Tel: 0845 26 26 786
Fax: 0207 247 7079
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