Muslim clerics to 'celebrate anniversary of terror attacks'
Extremist muslim clerics will meet in London on September 11 to celebrate the anniversary of al Qaida’s attacks on the US, it emerged today.
The conference, which will be attended by the some of the most radical mullahs in the UK, will argue that the atrocities were justified because Muslims must defend themselves against armed aggression.
The meeting will also see the launch of the Islamic Council of Britain – which supports the implementation of sharia law in Britain – and will welcome al Qaida sympathisers as members.
Amongst those attending the conference, being held at Finsbury Park mosque, north London, was Omar Bakri Mohammed, whose al-Muhajiroun group wants to establish a worldwide Islamic state.
Mr Mohammed, 44, who was born in Syria and lives in London, has been investigated by Scotland Yard for racial hatred over anti-semitic comments.
Today he denied the conference was about celebrating the atrocities of September 11.
He said: “The conference is about remembering September 11 and looking at the outcomes and the likely causes of the problems.
“We will look at the way forward in order to prevent this happening again.”
Abu Hamza al-Masri, a cleric at the Finsbury Park mosque, will be co-chairing the conference.
Mr al-Masri, an Egyptian who lost both hands and an eye while fighting in Afghanistan against the Soviet occupation, has been accused of supporting Osama bin Laden.
Radical Muslims speaking at the conference include Yasser al-Siri, 40, an Egyptian-born dissident who was released from custody in July when extradition proceedings by the US were dropped.
