Hizb ut-Tahrir, an Islamist group calling for the establishment of a Muslim caliphate, had to protest along nearby South Audley St, after Egyptians refused to allow them to join their solidarity protest at the Egyptian embassy. London, UK. 29/01/2011
Hizb Ut-Tahrir Britain arrived to take part in an emergency picket at the Egyptian Embassy, but there they met a group of Egyptians "from different political & ideological backgrounds" had already planned to hold a peaceful protest to "show solidarity & support of our fellow Egyptians in our beloved country" who have been protesting in Egypt since Tuesday. Hizb Ut-Tahrir were apparently told very firmly that the embassy protest - like the Egyptian revolution - was to be entirely non-sectarian and that they were not welcome there.
So Hizb ut-Tahrir were forced instead to hold their own separate demonstration around a hundred yards away around the corner along South Audley St, where they were spread out along the pavement between South Street and Hill Street. As always at their events, everyone was dressed in black and the men and women were segregated. The men filled most of the pavement along South Audley St, with just a few women at one end, with most of them around the corner eastwards on South Street, away from the loudspeakers and the embassy. It seemed a clear demonstration of the lack of equality they would like to impose.
While I was there none of the speeches were in English, though I could pick out the occasional word. But as always they were calling for the establishment of a Muslim Khilafah (caliphate), the "real change" which they see as the answer to everything.
Most Egyptians want to get rid of what they feel is an oppressive regime and want a free and democratic nation, a secular state where there is no discrimination based on gender, religion or political views. They find the idea of a caliphate as oppressive as the present corrupt regime.
Hizb Ut-Tahrir Britain were also planning to demonstrate later in the day a short distance away outside the Hilton Hotel in Park Lane against the "two years Fascist Rule" by the Hasina Government in Bangladesh. Although many might agree with their complaints about the arrests, detention without trial and attacks on the opposition there, there are probably few who would find living under the kind of Islamic Khalifah they propose a welcome alternative.
While I was there - not the
While I was there - not the whole time - there were no speeches in English, but that wasn't important as I read the web site regularly and previously have attended quite a few Hizb ut-Tahrir demonstrations and reported their views accurately in articles here and elsewhere, although I certainly don't agree with them. If you've been reading the accounts from Egypt over the past few days you will know that organised Muslim groups have not been greatly involved in what is happening and that there is little appetite for Muslim rule in the country.
There were about 200 people in the penned area in front of the Embassy, mainly Egyptian by the time I left the area, some of them were Muslims. There demonstration was only due to start at 12.00 so there were not very many there at 11.00 as you say. They told me that people from the Hizb ut-Tahrir demonstration had talked to them when they arrived and had been told to go away, and another journalist who had been there and watched this confirmed the story. It isn't the only group they have turned away by the way.
There were no barriers forming a cordon on the side of the street where Hizb ut-Tahrir were, as you can see from the photographs, so your comment makes me think you were not actually present. The embassy was not visible to any of those taking part and the centre of the demonstration where the speakers were was the distance I stated or more from the embassy.
You may not like what I wrote but it remains an accurate report of what I saw and heard. You can also read my report on the demonstration opposite the Embassy - and see the pictures - on Demotix.
http://www.demotix.com/news/573091/egyptian-embassy-protest-supports-revolution
You will find rather more than five people in them!
What are you talking about? I
What are you talking about? I was there were three speech's in English, there were hundreds of men an women, and there were only about five Egyptian, secular nationalists waving a flag Directly outside the Embassy. The demonstration was only about 20 paces away from the embassy and that was become that was the fixed area clearly that the police had cordoned off. Not a single Egyptian nor Muslim with any sense would agree with you. Pathetic!
Thanks.
Thanks.
Hi Peter. Excellent coverage
Hi Peter. Excellent coverage like many times before. I think this is an important story, usually untold by the media and often ignored by politicians around Europe.
Great job!