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« Cleric: Muslims gaining strength in United StatesPresident Ahmadinejad reaching out to Turkey »Hizb Ut Tahrir Britain
Conference Report By Sonia S. Azam
Saturday 4 August 2007
Khilafah – the Need and the Method
Organisers - Hizb ut Tahrir UK
Alexandra Palace, London
Speakers & Topics Attended:
The Khilafah & Women - Dr. Nazreen Nawaz
Islam & Global Economic Justice - Sajjad Khan
Good Governance- Burhan Hanif
Sectarianism & Non-Muslims under Khilafah - Jamal Harwood
(The following report is written from a paraphrased viewpoint of Hizb ut Tahrir and its intentions)
Background
Hizb ut Tahrir is a global political party that aims to raise and increase the awareness for the Khilafah (Islamic Institute and Rule), by exposing the ‘myth’ of the War on Terror and the rhetoric behind it. Another purpose of this event is to discuss the many challenges faced by the Muslim Ummah (community of Muslim believers worldwide) and to aim for a greater and lasting unity between believers and by presenting a ‘solution’ to the global problems faced by the world today. Thus, Islam through the restoration of the Khilafah in the Muslim world stands as the one solution that can bring stability and justice to the world.
Tony Blair during his term in office as Prime Minister in the aftermath of July 7 bombings warned that Britain was not only in a fight against terror but is also battling against the evil ideology behind it; declaring that we are involved in a war of ideas. Having announced a ban on the Hizb ut Tahrir peaceful political party, the British government of Tony Blair has stifled free speech, a principle that he was willing to promote by sending out British armies to Iraq and Afghanistan. Even so, Hizb ut Tahrir remain confident that just as the numbers of support for this political party grow around the globe in large numbers so will support amongst Muslims in Britain increase.
Hizb ut Tahrir’s Aim
—-‘In the Muslim world our political aim is for the re-establishment of the Islamic Caliphate. Our vision of the Islamic Caliphate is as an independent state having an elected and accountable ruler, an independent judiciary, political parties, the rule of law and equal rights for minority groups. Citizens of the Caliphate have every right to be involved in politics and accounting the ruler in which the role of the ruler (Khalif) is to be a servant of the masses governing them with justice.’—-
Hizb ut Tahrir’s Method of Work
Established in 1953 as a non-violent Islamic political party, Hizb ut Tahrir had the objective of establishing Islam in state and society in the Muslim world and set out to achieve this by the support and backup of interested Muslims. The party sate that they did not receive welcome from ‘unelected’ dictators in the Muslim world and as a result a number of the group’s members have been arrested and imprisoned (some even claimed to have been tortured and killed for their belief). However, Hizb ut Tahrir have promised to continue to fight back through intellectual advancement, debate and dialogue.
Hizb ut Tahrir’s Work in the UK
The party has a wide scope of varied individuals from different walks of life and from different ethnic backgrounds. Amongst their members in the UK are many of whom hold senior roles from IT, economics, medicine, teaching and engineering. Hizb ut Tahrir’s work in the UK is focusing on directing Muslims to make a positive contribution to society yet to primarily preserve their Islamic identity here. Despite the fact that Hizb ut Tahrir aims is to re-establish the Caliphate they insist that they are not looking to set up such a state here in the UK. By working directly with British Muslims about events in the Muslim world, much of the group’s activities include public protests, petitions, conferences, seminars, and roundtable discussions that have been attended by thousands.
Hizb ut Tahrir believes that the Muslim community with their Islamic values and culture can contribute hugely by solving much of Western society’s problems such as racism, alcohol, drug abuse, family breakdown, and sexual abuse. Thus, declaring that Islam is both the answer and the solution to the West’s decline in morality. Regarding the allegations made toward the political party, it has been said that they incite others to hatred. This notion is utterly rejected by Hizb ut Tahrir, as in the opposition to western foreign policy, the political party states that they do provide a detailed methodology to channel the anger and frustrations of Muslims through intellectual and political work. Therefore they totally refuse to accept the proposal to ban this group on the basis that this is apart of a violent struggle against the British and Western governments; i.e. statements made such as ‘Hizb ut Tahrir is a staging post or a conveyor belt for terrorism’ is rejected as unfounded.
Conference Speech
The Khilafah and Women.
Speaker – Dr. Nazreen Nawaz
A common Western perception regarding the current political and social climate in the Muslim world is that the suffering of women is a result of Islam and its regressive attitudes. Dr. Nazreen Nawaz argues that in fact it is the absence of Islam that creates this appalling situation for women. The return of true Islam through the Khilafah only, will establish women and their role in society as active and effective citizens in the Muslim world. Her conclusion is that the re-establishment on the Khilafah that is based on pure Islam is the only noble solution.
Islam and Global Economic Justice
Speaker - Sajjad Khan
Corruption is widespread in so called Islamic lands; this is because of the lack of Islam not because of the presence of Islam. There are over 800 million Muslims suffering in the Islamic world who are in need of the return of the Khilafah, and we have to respond and stand up against injustice and western interference. We must bring back Islam, Shariah and Khilafah. There needs to be a change in ways of economics, justice and education. Hizb ut Tahrir proposes to put forward an Islamic Economy in the Khilafah in the following:
1. The Islamic Economy through the Khilafah will be subservient to the people within the state
2. The implementation of the re-distribution of wealth and ‘lands’
3. Islamic values will be placed high through spiritual, sacrificial and family based values and principles.
4. Environmental Issues will be researched, explored and put into practice
It is asked that who needs the Khilafah if we have Dubai? In the Islamic Institute there will be no room for greed or personal material gratification.
There will be no such thing as the booming private sector; as the public sector will be the beneficiary. We will implement Wealth Taxes and re-circulate this within the state for the people. The re-distribution of lands will be applied in circumstances where Muslim lands have not been used or corrected maintained within 3 years, after which the land will be ‘forcefully taken’ and given to those in desperate need of it. The re-distribution of Assets will transferred from the private sector to the public sector for the benefit of public welfare and protection; assets from Oil should go back to the public sector as it’s the wealth of the land therefore the people will benefit.
‘Interest’ of any kind will be totally abolished within the Islamic Institutional State. The Khilafah will present an economy that is open, honest, transparent and accountable to the people and other political party’s within the state.
We aspire to great achievements, and we will start by Economics training internationally for all Muslims. Building and working on intellectual knowledge, science and developing patents in the field of scientific and mechanical inventions. Muslims should be encouraged to come forward confidently and receive assistance in this area in particular. The institute should act as a magnet to draw all Muslims to contribute to the Islamic society and find resources capable of developing skills and knowledge to better and strengthen the Khilafah. Our currency will not be exchanged or have any dealings with the American Dollar. With the leadership of the Caliph, the Khilafah will work with the Islamic currency only. We aim to see Economic Prosperity thrive within the Khilafah as one Nation; we have the resources and capability to do this.
For those members of the Khilafah who live in western countries will not become segregated from the society there but will be encouraged to abide by the rule of law there, all we do is to work for the building and furthering of the Khilafah worldwide for the benefit of the Ummah.
Good Governance
Speaker – Burhan Hanif
It is well known that brutal and totalitarian regimes exist within the Muslim world, some because of corrupt governing and some due to unelected leaders appointed the West and US. With the re-establishment of the Khilafah, the institute will prove to be accountable to other political party’s within in, and to the people who will have elected their chosen representatives. Good governance is desperately needed in Muslim lands and only the Khilafah can provide this. The Khilafah is not a Theocracy, is not a Dictatorship nor is it a Monarchy. Neither will the Islamic institute run as a totalitarian police state but will have similarities to that of a democracy in terms of elections made by the people to elect their representatives and ultimately the Caliph himself. There will not be any periodic elections, which change every so often and where thus the previously elected is left unaccountable, but will provide continuity to governance for the people. Through a Centralized Rule, the Khilafah will ultimately appoint leaders, rulers and governors.
Non-Muslim citizens of the Khilafah will not be obliged to live by its Islamic standards, but will be required to abide by its laws i.e. Sharia Law. If there are serious violations of any law, the Khilafah Courts through good jurisdiction will deal with such incidents justly and fairly.
Sectarianism and Non Muslims under Khilafah
Speaker – Jamal Harwood
The question posed here is what of the non-Muslims who live under Khilafah Rule? Will they be treated as second class citizens? The Khilafah has proved and shown through history that during the Prophets time, Jews and Christians were looked after extremely well. This is something that the Khilafah will continue to implement and preserve. For example; Non-Muslim citizens will be exempt from paying the Zakat (giving of ones income toward charity as a religious duty) neither will they be required to serve in the Khilafah military service. What will be expected from the non-Muslim citizens is that they observe to pay the Jizya Tax when demanded. (This is a compulsory tax system that the Prophet of Islam instituted toward non-Muslim citizens within the community who wished to continue to remain in the land under Islamic Rule and remain to observe their own religion)
How to unify Muslims? The issue with the current sectarianism that is occurring in Iraq is something that has not occurred before with Islamic Rule. This continual divide and conflict has been caused by the occupation and western interference within Iraq. There will be no room sectarianism, for disharmony or conflict between Muslims within the Khilafah. The Islamic State will be for ALL Muslims and there will be provided political platforms to unify and bring together in peace any issues that occur.
OBSERVATIONS
During the arrival of attending this conference it was noticed how well prepared the organizers were in terms of providing accommodation and presentation. Most astounding was the huge attendance levels for the conference, of which many seemed, moderate, friendly and relaxed. Considering that Hizb ut Tahrir is known to some to be an extremist Islamic political party, the support and interest that they received was incredibly unexpected. The crowds were in the thousands and it was observed that majority of the attendance was mostly male however a considerably high number of young women some who looked modern (many with children) was something that proved surprising. Whilst in the conference and during speeches, the listeners in the arena would resound chants of Allah Hu Akbar (God is great) noticeably when a particular speaker would state something in opposition to the policy and dealings of the US and the West in Muslim lands. The messages that were presented seemed at times very determined and robust with much political jargon, yet with a little humor to warm up the audience. The mention of Israel was void, yet the occasional use of the word Palestinians was notable as this seems to be the underlying cause for their motivation.
However, it must not be taken lightly, this Islamic Political Party are extremely serious and focused on the –re-establishment of the Khilafah, by whatever means they use the popularity of their policy is likely to increase even more amongst British Muslims who are being encouraged to participate in increasing the pressure on the UK government in issues that concern them such as foreign policy, I.E. primarily Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan; and may prove to be a difficult party to deal with.
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From one of JOEL RICHARDSON’S observers