ISCA - The Islamic Supreme Council of America

Muslim Conference Overshadowed by Arrest

Oliver Wright
The Times (London) September 2, 2002

For the 2,000-odd delegates, the sixth Salafi National Islamic conference in Birmingham was meant to be a chance to listen to scholars, exchange ideas and withdraw from the pressures of everyday life.

But as the meeting drew to a close yesterday many expressed anger that it had been so overshadowed by the arrest of Kerim Chatty in Sweden. At first conference organisers patiently tried to explain the meaning of Salafi, also known as Wahhabi, to their new and unexpected media audience. They were quick to condemn Mr Chatty and hoped the fuss would quickly die down. "We do not know the individual who has been charged and nor do we have any communications with him," Abu Khadeejah, the event's organiser, said. "The religion of Islam does not sanction these types of acts including terrorism, hijackings and suicide bombings. These are not the way to bring about change."

But these attempts were unsuccessful and the attention continued throughout Saturday and yesterday, with television cameras filming delegates. As a result, security at the event had to be tightened and anyone going into the hall where the event was being held was subjected to a full body search. It left many delegates, who had come from across Europe, America and the Middle East, feeling bemused and angry.

"The weekend has been ruined by this one man," one said. "No one knows who he is. He is nothing to do with us. Why is it that we are being brought into all this?"

Another man, who would not give his name, added that the unwanted attention was giving ordinary Muslims a bad name. "We are not terrorists, but we are being blamed for something which we know nothing about," he said. "This is a religious conference and we are not terrorists. We wish that people would just go away."

Even the organisers were getting more frustrated by yesterday after three days of constant scrutiny. Mr Khadeejah added that the conference was open to all and it was not necessary to book in advance. Anyone turning up and paying the Pounds 10 entrance fee could attend.