Will Britain’s ban mean the end of Hizb-ut-Tahrir?

by Zahed Amanullah

After the terrorist attacks on London on July 7th (and the failed ones on July 21st), British politicians and most British Muslims were united in outrage. Most Britons were anxiously waiting for the changes that would come in response to the tragedy (with the Muslims among them bracing themselves for the worst).

Finally, Tony Blair announced (among other things) a ban on two groups, Al-Muhajiroun (which, although defunct, has spawned a shadowy splinter group, The Saviour Sect) and Hizb-ut-Tahrir (could you ban these while you’re at it?). To most Britons (and Muslims), the banning of anything resembling Al-Muhajiroun was no surprise and welcomed (except by founder Sheikh Omar Bakri Mohammad who left Britain shortly after the announcement for a long holiday in Lebanon).

But the ban on Hizb-ut-Tahrir had people across the spectrum scratching their heads. While provocative, worrying, and a bit quixotic (the group aims for a global Islamic state and a resumption of the Caliphate), their most gregarious connection to extremism was the departure of Bakri in 1996 (to form the aformentioned Al-Muhajiroun). Known to most Muslims as the eager leafleters outside mosques (long way to go for that ummah, eh?), the group has been banned in Germany and Russia (and maybe soon Denmark) for alleged anti-Semitism. The group remains legal in Australia and the USA, though a ban of the organisation there may ease public anger after July 7th (Solving the problem? Pfft.). Their bans in several Muslim countries (with Uzbekistan being the most recent example) are usually more a result of the political challenge to autocratic Muslim leaders than involvement in terrorism (though some Muslims disagree).

Naturally, Hizb-ut-Tahrir responded with disgust and reiterated its history of promoting non-violent change around the world (er… except in Palestine). “This is a blurring of the margins of people who are engaged in non-violent political speech,” said Hizb ut-Tahrir spokesman Imran Waheed. “In fact, we are directing people’s anger and frustration into political work.” However, their well documented aversion to integration in British society (or any other) effectively shut the door to preventing an eventual official backlash. Naturally, a ban won’t end the group (as it has failed to do in many countries) and will only push it underground, which is why the move reveals more about the British government’s poor hand than it does about its long term responses to terror. But in the current climate, it should be no surprise if British Muslim groups picking for a fight get one in return.

Zahed Amanullah is associate editor of altmuslim.com. He is based in London, England