Posted on 01/20/2003 6:26:30 PM PST by SeeRushToldU_So
HATE-FILLED Muslim cleric Abu Hamza is being urged to quit the country — before Britain kicks him out.
Furious opponents, including Muslims, rounded on the hook-handed fanatic yesterday after ricin plot suspects were held at his mosque.
Their calls piled pressure on Home Secretary David Blunkett, who has already ordered cops to nail the 45-year-old Egyptian firebrand — wanted in Yemen over an alleged terrorist bomb plot.
Seven asylum seekers were arrested in the 2am raid on North London’s Finsbury Park mosque. One is thought to be a “major player” in terror group al-Qa’ida.
Police also found a stun gun and a CS gas canister.
Last night it emerged Hamza’s British citizenship could be revoked under the new Nationality Immigration and Asylum Act, due to become law this spring.
Hamza, who lost an eye and both hands fighting the Russians in Afghanistan, became a citizen after wedding Briton Valerie Fleming in 1984.
But a Home Office spokeswoman said: “The Secretary of State may deprive a person of citizenship status if satisfied that person has done anything seriously prejudicial to the vital interests of the UK.”
However, she stressed any foreigner deprived of British citizenship must have an alternative state to go to first.
Hamza accused cops of “Rambo” tactics after 150 swarmed into the mosque hunting members of a gang producing killer poison ricin.
But fellow Muslim leader Dr Mohammed Sekkoum led angry calls for his expulsion.
Dr Sekkoum, leader of the Algerian Refugee Council, raged: “The police should shut down the mosque and remove Hamza and his followers from the country.”
Iqbal Sacranie, secretary general of the influential Muslim Council of Great Britain, said: “It amazes the Muslim community no action has been taken against a man who’s made the utterances this man has.
“These fringe elements feed Islamaphobia.”
Labour MP Andrew Dismore, who has monitored Hamza’s activities for more than three years, said: “It would be no loss if he was no longer here. There’s sufficient evidence for him to be charged with incitement.”
Anti-crime crusader Norman Brennan added: “My message to him is simple — get out.”
(Excerpt) Read more at thesun.co.uk ...
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