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British Muslims for Secular Democracy (bmsd) response to the murder of Marwa Al-Sherbini in Germany

09/07/2009
British Muslims for Secular Democracy (bmsd) strongly condemns the murder of Marwa Al-Sherbini, a four months-pregnant Muslim woman in Germany who was testifying against her neighbour in a Dresden courtroom, recalling how he had insulted her for the wearing the traditional hijab (headscarf) in Summer 2008 during a playground dispute involving her child. The same man stabbed Egyptian-born Ms Al-Sherbini 18 times, in front of her husband and three-year-old son. Her attacker was described by the prosecutor in the case as having a "deep hatred against Muslims" - he had called her a terrorist and once attempted to remove her headscarf.
 
bmsd calls on the German authorities to publicly condemn the attack and to undertake a full investigation into this horrific crime. We note and are
alarmed at the escalation of violence against Muslims and hate speech across Europe more generally, and call on European governments to tighten enforcement mechanisms within existing hate crime legislation. bmsd believes that such hate crimes not only makes minority communities fearful of their surroundings but also provides extremist elements an opportunity to exploit such sad incidents to their advantage.

Dr Shaaz Mahboob of bmsd said, "We are disappointed that much of the media coverage of the murder has concentrated on court security procedures instead of the racial and religious motivation behind the attack, and urge public agencies to take a stronger stance against anti-Muslim discourse. We also encourage media representatives to be objective when covering incidents of this nature, as well as pro-actively promoting positive images of the millions of law-abiding, hard working European Muslims in the media".

 

 

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Notes to the editors:  

  1. bmsd is made up of a group of Muslim democrats of diverse ethnic and social backgrounds, who support a clear separation between religion and the State.  
  2. bmsd’s mission statement:   “To promote civic engagement, social inclusion, responsible citizenship and good governance particularly within constituent Muslim communities of Britain; in order to build an understanding of the shared values between all citizens to enable them to live in an inclusive, pluralist, secular and confident Britain.”   
  3. bmsd claims no mandate or false representative status. Our primary concern is democratic engagement not detailed theological analysis or debate. The level and depth of commitment to the doctrinal core and orthodoxy of the faith varies among Muslims as much as it does in members of other faith groups. bmsd founders wish to create a platform for alternative, diverse Muslim views, essential for a progressive, multi-layered, democratic identity that is not in conflict with itself or fellow citizens.  
  4. For details please visit http://www.bmsd.org.uk  
  5. For any further queries, please contact:  Dr Shaaz Mahboob on  shaaz@bmsd.org.uk or 07961365751 or Tehmina Kazi on 0207 631 4175