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Jailed Taliban fanatic - Halifax muslims and Calderdale Council reaction
THE Halifax mosque where Ditta worshipped distanced itself from the potential terrorist.
Mohammed Iqbal, general secretary of Jamiat Ahl-e-Hadith, at Hopwood Lane, said Ditta was known to have prayed there.
"But he was not a regular and I do not know his background," he said. "People here were upset and shocked at the arrest but they did not know what happened."
He said Ditta would not have been drawn into radical beliefs from attending the mosque. "Nobody can preach without our permission," he said.
Any speaker would be vetted and the mosque taught tolerance, said Mr Iqbal.
The Muslim Association of Calderdale also condemned Ditta.
"These evil deeds make victims of us all," said general secretary Amjid Mahmood.
"We must, and will, be united in common determination that terror cannot succeed.
"Let us be absolutely clear – those who seek to kill or maim innocent people are the enemies of us all."
Imam Hafiz Zaheer Iqbal Khan is the founder of the Jamia Muhammadia Nooria Halifax religious education institution in Gibraltar Road, Halifax, and a former Chief Imam at the Rhodes Street Mosque, Halifax.
Through an interpreter he said Ditta was regularly seen out but was not affiliated to the mosque.
Imam Khan said: "My feelings were of shock and distress that there was an individual in our community who had this type of ideology."
He added: "The track record speaks for itself. We live harmoniously with our white counterparts. Terrorism has nothing to do with Islam, which means peace."
A spokesman for Calderdale Council said agencies worked closely to prevent extremist activity while respecting people's rights to express their opinions.
A number of public meetings had been held to explain how this balance was maintained and to engage public co-operation.
"Calderdale Council sees long-term work to build bridges between communities and to assist dialogue as an important part of preventing violent extremism."
Council leader Ann McAllister said: "I am delighted by the support we have had from communities across Calderdale in this work."
A series of forums were being set up where sensitive and challenging issues could be discussed.
These forums would allow people to meet and engage with people from different backgrounds.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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