(Washington Institute for Near East Policy) Simon Henderson - One of London's avowed criteria for banning religious extremists is whether the individuals in question are banned by the U.S. government, with the British Home Secretary rendering final judgment on specific cases. Despite this declared policy, Britain permitted Tariq Ramadan, an Islamist professor whose U.S. entry visa was revoked in 2004, to speak at a London conference this week. His trip was paid for by the British police, who consider him a moderating force. Britain is also reportedly expected to permit Yusuf al-Qaradawi - a Muslim cleric who defends suicide bombings and who was banned from the U.S. after the September 11 attacks - to attend a conference in September if he chooses to accept the organizers' invitation. He previously visited London in 2004 as a guest of Mayor Ken Livingstone.
2005-07-22 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive