Lichfield MP Michael Fabricant has condemned a march planned by an Islamic group in protest at the Afghanistan War and British foreign policy.
As part of the planned march by Islam4UK, the group will carry symbolic coffins to highlight Muslim victims of the War through Wootton Bassett.
But the proposal has shocked many in the Wiltshire town which has seen thousands line the streets to pay their respects to soldiers killed in action.
Mr Fabricant’s comments – made in the House of Commons – follow the Prime Minister’s criticism of the “offensive” march.
Addressing the Minister of Justice, Michael Wills MP, Mr Fabricant asked:
“Does the Minister agree with me that democracy needs to be exercised with responsibility? Will he therefore join me in condemning the crass and dreadful plans of Islam4UK to demonstrate in Wootton Bassett against the Afghan war, which would give so much grief and despair to the relatives of the fallen?”
Answering, the Minister of Justice said:
“I agree. Anyone who has attended those repatriation ceremonies, as I have done, will have been humbled by the dignity and respect shown by the people of that town to those who have given their lives in the service of this country. Anything that displays anything other than the utmost sensitivity in such circumstances will, I think, be treated with repugnance by every decent person in this country- including, I should say, all those Muslims who serve so gallantly in our armed services.”
The Lichfield MP is now calling on Islam4UK to take notice of what was said in the House of Commons.
He explained:
“If they do go ahead with this protest, it will not only upset relatives of fallen soldiers, marines, and airmen, it will do much to harm to the British Islamic community as a whole who will inevitably, but wrongly, all be tarred with the same brush. It will damage the cohesion of our society as a whole.”
