Hizb ut-Tahrir – Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)

R.E.A.L. Demonstration/Outreach to Hizb ut-Tahrir at DC Area Conference

On June 14, 2015, Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) held a demonstration and human rights outreach in defense of Democracy, Equality, and Universal Human Rights, outside of the extremist convention by the Hizb ut-Tahrir America organization in a Virginia suburb of our nation’s capital.

June 14, 2015 - Demonstration in Support of Democracy and Universal Human Rights by R.E.A.L. at Hizb ut-Tahrir America Extremist Conference in the Washington, DC Suburb of Springfield, Virginia — June 14, 2015 – Demonstration in Support of Democracy and Universal Human Rights by R.E.A.L. at Hizb ut-Tahrir America Extremist Conference in the Washington, DC Suburb of Springfield, Virginia

R.E.A.L. has protested the extremist views of Hizb ut-Tahrir in Chicago at other national conferences and around the world since 2009. R.E.A.L. has challenged Hizb ut-Tahrir and its supporters at such conferences to reconsider their calls to deny universal human rights and equality for other people, and their calls for a global caliphate “Khilafah” to persecute other Muslims and people with different views.

We have seen that ISIS has also promoted such a “Khilafah” and we have seen and documented the violence and oppression that the ISIS terrorist group has used in promoting its “Khilafah” approach to public oppression.

It is and has been R.E.A.L.’s position that we must consistently support the Universal Human Rights for all people of all identity groups around the world, including defending their rights to freedom, equality, dignity, and security.

It is and has been R.E.A.L.’s position that those promoting a global caliphate government will defy such universal human rights and will actively seek to deny human rights for others. As in the case of Hizb ut-Tahrir, they actively reject democracy, they actively reject women’s rights, and they actively reject religious freedom for others. R.E.A.L.’s Jeffrey Imm saw Hizb ut-Tahrir extremist documents being distributed at the first Hizb ut-Tahrir America convention in Chicago suburbs (Oak Brook, Illinois) which called in writing for the death penalty for those who chose another religion and left Islam.

We believe that our Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) Article 18, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Part III Article 18, not only gives us freedom of religion, but also gives us freedom of conscience, and the right for those who choose to be religious to change their religion, or to change their views.

We reject the extremist views of Hizb ut-Tahrir and Hizb ut-Tahrir America. We call for others who are passionate to stand up in defense of Democracy and in defense of our universal human rights.

Every day is another good day for all of us to be…

Responsible for Equality And Liberty.

Women’s Equality Denied as Human Rights by Extremist Group Hizb ut-Tahrir

The notorious extremist group Hizb ut-Tahrir is planning an anti-women’s rights event on March 28, 2015 to promote the concept that women should be denied equality as part of our shared universal human rights, and that legal and human rights efforts for gender equality are wrong. The Hizb ut-Tahrir (HuT) extremist group’s press release for their anti-women’s rights event mocks International Women’s Day (March 8) and denounces gender equality as a universal human right.

HT-Rejects-Gender-Equality — Extremist Group Hizb ut-Tahrir Rejects Universal Human Rights for Women and Gender Equality (Source: HT YouTube Video)

The HuT extremist group has been notorious for its calls to deny human equality, religious freedom, and to publicly call for the death penalty for those who it considers “apostates” from Islam. HuT has been promoting a video for this conference, where it calls for the end of gender equality and seeks to define its own version of humanity’s universal human rights where gender equality is not a part of our shared universal human rights.

The HuT organization is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, and claims to have supporters in 50 countries with a million members. Like ISIS, the HuT organization’s goals are to create a multiple nation “caliphate,” where the only law would be their extremist interpretation of theocratic law, denying shared human rights.

The extremist HuT organization seeks to rationalize its call to reject democracy and human rights based on its interpretation of Islam and Sharia law, but it fails to note the reference to “Sharia law” in the Qur’an (sura 45:18) merely calls for the pursuit of “the right path,” not a call to subjugate women. Interpretations of this reject the spirit of Islam and unquestioningly reject our shared universal human rights.

The HuT March 28 event calling for a denial of gender equality as a universal human right will include UK HuT national women’s officer Nazreen Nawaz, who has appeared on UK television shows to promote the HuT extremist ideology. Her 2009 appearance was shared by White House advisor Dalia Mogahed, as per our report on this. The adviser did not challenge HuT’s extremist views.

HuT seeks to promote its own version of violent jihad, and has a history of association with violent individuals. A recent video of HuT cleric Ismail al-Wahwah making vile anti-Semitic comments demonizing Jewish people and claiming that they will “pay with blood” has been revealed by the news media.

Australian terrorist Man Haron Monis, has reportedly been associated with HuT, and had a front-row seat at a HuT event, after their talk “Honor Killings are Morally Justified” was canceled. Monis’ attack and hostage taking of the public at a Lindt chocolate shop, led to two dead hostages, Ms. Katrina Dawson and Mr. Tori Johnson. Monis also pledged allegiance to the ISIS group during his terrorist attack .

Bae-Jieun-runs-from-terrorist — Lindt Terror Attack: Bae Jieun Flees from Terrorist Man Horan Monis who Supported Hizb ut-Tahrir (Source: AFP)

CAGE research director, Asim Qureshi, who has referred to ISIS killer Mohammed Emwazi as a “beautiful young man” also has been active in HuT events in front of the U.S. embassy in London, calling for violent jihad.

London: Qureshi calling for jihad in front of U.S. Embassy (Source: YouTube) — Hizb ut-Tahrir London Event: Asim Qureshi calling for jihad in front of U.S. Embassy (Source: YouTube)

Counterterrorist research organizations have reported that HuT has developed an armed wing called “Harakat ul-Muhojirinfi Britaniya,” and news media have reported concerns that HuT’s involvement in Southeast Asia could lead to greater extremist terrorism than that of ISIS.

R.E.A.L. has repeatedly protested the anti-human rights and anti-democracy efforts of the HuT extremist group, including R.E.A.L. demonstrations in Chicago and in R.E.A.L. demonstrations in Washington, D.C.

We challenge the violent and anti-human rights message of the HuT, which is demonstrated in its images such as a beheaded statue of liberty. This provides a graphic representation of their rejection to equality and liberty for women.

Hizb ut-Tahrir Caliphate conference shows "beheaded" Statue of Liberty and "burning" NYC — Hizb ut-Tahrir Caliphate conference shows “beheaded” Statue of Liberty and “burning” NYC

R.E.A.L. leaders have publicly witnessed the efforts of HuT to call for the death of those who religious views that disagreed with in HuT America documents being distributed at a HuT America (HTA) conference in a Chicago suburb. R.E.A.L. also witnessed the role of women in HuT, assigned to remain in the back of the conference room and delegated to be the inferior to their male counterparts.

july19-ht-women-in-back — Hizb ut-Tahrir America event – can’t see the women in the back? That was the POINT – this is the reality HuT truly seeks for women

R.E.A.L. believes our struggle with extremist groups of every kind — who reject our equality and dignity of women and men, of all religions, of all races, of all ethnic groups, of all sexual orientation, and of all identity groups – begins with an uncompromising and unequivocal position on the equality and human rights for all human beings. We believe that without such a position on these rights, and especially women’s rights, that we are not only losing the struggle of ideas against such extremist groups, we are surrendering that struggle.

The women of the world deserve our support and our defense of the human rights to decide whatever choice they may make – as long as it is their choice – not someone else’s dictate.

Women’s Rights are Human Rights. Gender Equality is Human Equality. These are and will be essential parts of our universal human rights, everywhere, and for every woman.

Turkey: Hizb ut-Tahrir Member Charged in “Honor Killing” of Sister

Turkish news media is reporting on an “honor killing” of a 17 year old girl, Seyma G., by her brother “Y.G.” The brother accused with the murder was a member of the anti-democracy group Hizb ut-Tahrir. The murdered girl, Seyma G. had reportedly been staying in a shelter for women, fleeing family abuse.

The international group Hizb ut-Tahrir is against democracy and freedom, seeks the creation of a global Islamic caliphate, and calls for the “death penalty” for “traitors” who leave Islam. The Hizb ut-Tahrir America organization had a conference scheduled for July 11, 2010 in a Chicago area suburb, that was canceled by Marriott Hotels. See additional reports by Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) on Hizb ut-Tahrir at http://bit.ly/htwatch.

Turkish media Today’s Zaman reports: “Girl’s murder by brother was ‘honor killing” ‘states that “The police statement also noted that Y.G. was a member of Hizb ut-Tahrir (Party of Liberation), an outlawed fundamentalist organization. Y.G., who was detained during the Diyarbakir police investigation, was questioned and then jailed on July 16.”

Hurriyet Daily News reports that: “A 17-year-old woman found dead one month ago was allegedly murdered by her 15-year-old brother in an ‘honor killing’ after she left the women’s shelter where she was staying, daily Radikal reported Wednesday.”… “The body of Seyma G. was found half buried in the ground in the southeastern province of Diyarbakir, while subsequent tests revealed that she had been strangled to death. Her brother Y.G. was caught by police and then arrested July 16.” “The victim had reportedly been staying in a women’s shelter after being subjected to violence at home. Family members allegedly found her after they learned she had left the shelter.” “Her brother, who is accused in the murder, had previously been detained for being a member of the illegal Muslim organization Hizb ut-Tahrir.”

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) rejects violence and threats of violence, including those who rationalize “honor killings” and related threats with claims that such violence is justified by one’s culture or religion. R.E.A.L. rejects such rationalizations for hate and violence. R.E.A.L. supports our universal human rights for women and for all human beings.

We urge all to Choose Love, Not Hate – Love Wins.

Hizb ut-Tahrir Event Canceled – R.E.A.L Challenges HT at Lincoln Memorial

On the night of July 10, 2010, the anti-democracy organization Hizb ut-Tahrir America canceled its event scheduled for the month of July in suburban Chicago. The next day, on July 11, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC, Muslim and non-Muslim supporters of the volunteer human rights group Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) stood together on a hot July afternoon to publicly challenge Hizb ut-Tahrir America on its views, with R.E.A.L. promoting democracy and human rights and rejecting Hizb ut-Tahrir’s intolerance to religious freedom, rejecting Hizb ut-Tahrir’s anti-democracy views, and rejecting Hizb ut-Tahrir’s promotion of the barbaric act of stoning. Human rights volunteers against stoning challenged Hizb ut-Tahrir’s previous demonstrations where the anti-democracy Hizb ut-Tahrir group promoted stoning on June 22 and on World AIDS Day.

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)'s Jeffrey Imm Leads Challenge to Hizb ut-Tahrir -- Hizb ut-Tahrir America Cancel Chicago Conference

R.E.A.L.'s Jeffrey Imm Speaks Out on Muslims that Promote Democracy and Freedom and Reject Hizb ut-Tahrir's Intolerance — R.E.A.L.'s Jeffrey Imm on Muslims that Promote Democracy and Freedom , Rejecting Hizb ut-Tahrir's Views

To counter Hizb ut-Tahrir’s statements that its anti-democracy view represented an “Islamic” position, Muslim supporters of R.E.A.L. rejected Hizb ut-Tahrir’s positions. At the Washington DC Lincoln Memorial where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke out in support of racial equality, R.E.A.L. founder Jeffrey Imm read statements from pro-democracy, pro-human rights Islamic groups in the United States, which he called “Muslims in support of democracy and freedom,” including the American Islamic Forum for Democracy (AIFD), the American Islamic Congress, the Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV), and others.

Jeffrey Imm also read to those at the Lincoln Memorial the comments by Muslims who were former members of Hizb ut-Tahrir and who have since rejected Hizb ut-Tahrir’s extremist and intolerant views, such as Hadiya Masieh and Ed Husain. On July 4, Muslim woman Hidiya Masieh told the Guardian newspaper that “The 7/7 bombers and the people I knew at HT were two sides of the same coin… HT says it does not believe in violence, but the violence was never condemned….” Ed Husain has written that “Hizb ut-Tahrir calls for an expansionist, violent, totalitarian Islamist state,” and that the “rhetoric of jihad introduced by Hizb ut-Tahrir in my days was the preamble to 7/7 and several other attempted attacks.”

Muslims Ed Husain and Hadiya Masieh: Former Hizb ut-Tahrir Members Who Reject HT's Extremist Views (Ed Husain - Left - Photo: the Independent, Hadiya Masieh - Right - Photo: the Guardian)

The UK branch of Hizb ut-Tahrir was built up by Omar Bakri Muhammad, who then formed the Al-Muhajiroun that held demonstrations in support of the 9/11 attackers as the “Magnificent 19.” The New Stateman has reported that intelligence sources state that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed spent time with Hizb ut-Tahrir, and that Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was “former member of the Jordanian branch of Hizb.” BBC Newsnight has previously reported that Hizb ut-Tahrir’s “website promotes racism and anti-Semitic hatred, calls suicide bombers martyrs, and urges Muslims to kill Jewish people.” The Daily Telegraph has reported that “Omar Shariff, the first UK suicide bomber, who blew himself up in a Tel Aviv bar in 2003, is alleged to have been radicalised by Hizb ut Tahrir.” In 2007, the Daily Telegraph also reported that “Ata Abu-Rishta, the global leader of Hizb ut Tahrir… called for the ‘destruction’ of Hindus living in Kashmir, Russians in Chechnya and Jews in Israel.”

R.E.A.L. has also previously reported on the British Muslims for Secular Democracy (BMSD) which seeks to promote democracy and human rights as an alternative to political groups such as Hizb ut-Tahrir that reject such freedoms.

Muslim Tehmina Kazi, BMSD Director, Promotes Secular Democracy and Human Rights

On June 28, 2010, the volunteer human rights group R.E.A.L. first reported that the Oak Brook Marriott had decided not to host the Hizb ut-Tahrir America event this year, and on July 1, 2010 Hizb ut-Tahrir America confirmed this. R.E.A.L. had reached out to the Oak Brook Marriott and others in the Chicago area to inform them of the activities and positions of Hizb ut-Tahrir. At the beginning of July, Hizb ut-Tahrir was still planning to relocate to another facility on July 18 or July 25. However, on July 10, Hizb ut-Tahrir America announced the cancellation of its national conference. In June 2009, Hizb ut-Tahrir America attempted to hold their event at a Chicago-area Islamic school, before the school understood the nature of Hizb ut-Tahrir’s event and the Islamic school refused to host the event.

R.E.A.L. did not seek the Hizb ut-Tahrir America conference to be canceled, but believes that it is our responsibility to speak out and to challenge groups that seek to attack our universal human rights and seek to attack freedom of religion. R.E.A.L believes it is our responsibility to challenge groups that call for the “death penalty” for those who seek religious freedom or call for stoning or violence against other identity groups. R.E.A.L. supports all individuals’ freedom of assembly, and we have offered Hizb ut-Tahrir the opportunity to join our July 11 public event at the Lincoln Memorial, and have extended an offer to Hizb ut-Tahrir America to publicly debate R.E.A.L. on democracy and religious freedom. Hizb ut-Tahrir America did not appear at our July 11 event, and has not replied to our offer of a public debate.

A year ago on July 19, 2009, R.E.A.L. led a pro-democracy, pro freedom demonstration outside the Hizb ut-Tahrir July 2009 convention at the Oak Lawn Hilton in suburban Chicago.

R.E.A.L. reported last July 2009, how Hizb ut-Tahrir America distributed brochures calling for the “death penalty” for those who sought religious freedom. At Hizb ut-Tahrir America’s July 19, 2009 event in Chicago, they distributed a pamphlet (page 62) that supports killing those individuals who leave Islam as guilty of “treason and a political attack on the Khilafah.” The Hizb ut-Tahrir America website promoting this year’s conference in Chicago promotes links to the main Hizb ut-Tahrir website, Khilafah.com, where this pamphlet is still distributed online by Hizb ut-Tahrir, even after the cancellation of its latest U.S. conference.

R.E.A.L. has reported on Hizb ut-Tahrir’s other attacks on religious freedom, pluralism, democracy, and women’s rights. R.E.A.L. has also reported on the effort by Hizb ut-Tahrir to protest and demand the closure of the Gereja Kristen Indonesia (GKI) Taman Yasmin Church church in Indonesia, with hundreds of Hizb ut-Tahrir protesters seeking to deny freedom of worship to Christians there.

According to the Bangladesh press, Hizb ut-Tahrir’s intolerance has included death threats against university officials. BD News 24 reported “Hizb ut-Tahrir threatens Dhaka University’s vice chancellor with death,” stating in November 2009 that “The Dhaka University’s vice chancellor received death threats on Sunday from banned Islamist outfit Hizb ut-Tahrir.”

In its manifesto, Hizb ut-Tahrir rejects democracy as because it “is the rule of people, for the people, by the people” (page 24 – alternate link). Hizb ut-Tahrir has called for Muslims to boycott voting.

On July 4, 2010, in Australia, Hizb ut-Tahrir members have called for Australian Muslims to reject democracy as “forbidden” and as “uni-Islamic,” and have called upon Muslim women to reject women’s equality movements. British Hizb ut-Tahrir leader Buhan Hanif, who spoke at the July 2009 Hizb ut-Tahrir event in Chicago at the Oak Lawn Hilton, told Australian Muslims that he rejected Muslim political involvement that is based on “secular and erroneous concepts such as democracy and freedom” (see HT video).

UK Hizb ut-Tahrir Leader Burhan Hanif Urges Australian Muslims to Reject Democracy (Photo: YouTube) — UK Hizb ut-Tahrir Leader Burhan Hanif Urges Australian Muslims to Reject Democracy -- Spoke at 2009 Chicago Hizb ut-Tahrir America Conference (Photo: YouTube)

On International Women’s Day 2010, Hizb ut-Tahrir used the day to once again to women’s gender equality movements and to instead demand that women seek to become part of an Islamic caliphate instead, arguing that “Women faced the protection of their honour under the khilafah.” At the July 4, 2010 Australia conference, Australian Hizb ut-Tahrir speaker Reem Allouche stated that women’s rights and equality should not be based on “secular liberalism.” Consistently, at Hizb ut-Tahrir America events in the Chicago area in July 2009 and December 2009, women are given their “place,” in the back of the room.

Anti-Democracy Hizb ut-Tahrir America December 20, 2009 Meeting at Govt-Managed Facility in Lombard, Illinois -- Women Segregated and Only Permitted to Sit in the Back of the Room

On World AIDS Awareness Day, The Jakarta Globe reported that “Ahead of World AIDS Day on Tuesday, members of the group Hizbut Tahrir took to the streets in several major cities, including Jakarta, Solo, Yogyakarta and Makassar in South Sulawesi. ‘We urge everybody to support the application of Shariah in an Islamic caliphate so that, God willing, all of us will be free from the threat of HIV/AIDS,’ Hizbut Tahrir spokeswoman Febrianti Abassuni said in a statement.” Calling “homosexuals the agents of immorality,” Hizb ut-Tahrir called for an end to programs providing condoms in Indonesia.

World AIDS Day: Hizb ut-Tahrir Demonstrates Against Homosexuals, Calls for Global Extremist Caliphate (AFP/File/Bay Ismoyo) — World AIDS Day: Hizb ut-Tahrir Demonstrates Against Homosexuals, Calls for Global Islamic Caliphate (AFP/File/Bay Ismoyo)

On the Hizb ut-Tahrir Indonesia web site, Hizb ut-Tahrir contributors condemned World AIDS awareness day on “every December 1st as the International AIDS Day was not to eliminate AIDS, but to preserve and nourish AIDS promiscuity.” The Hizb ut-Tahrir web site also stated that “So in addition to the state must pay the state AIDS drug research mencarian shall take firm action against any perpetrator punished adultery with stoning to death for those who are married and whip a hundred times for the adulterer who had never married. Also ta’zir law for drug users. In the guarantee people will think a thousand times to do similar things so that transmission of HIV / AIDS can be prevented.”

Hizb ut-Tahrir Web Site on World AIDS Day - Calls for Stoning and Whipping (Hizb ut-Tahrir Indonesia Web Site)

On June 22, 2010, Hizb ut-Tahrir held another major demonstration calling for stoning, during its protests against “liberalism” on the Internet. AFP reported that: “About 1,000 protesters led by radical group Hizbut Tahrir shouted ‘Allahu akbar’ (God is greater) and brandished black flags and banners with slogans such as ‘Arrest those who commit promiscuous sex’….”Hizbut Tahrir spokesman Mohammed Ismail Yusanto said the Internet was a threat to Islamic values in the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country. He said Islamic or sharia law should be applied across the archipelago of some 240 million people, including the stoning to death of adulterers. ”

“Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia coordinator Fadilah Karimah, 32, said she would like to see adulterers buried up to their necks in public places and pelted with stones until dead. ‘Those people who have sex before marriage should be caned with a stick 100 times in public. Adulterers should be half-buried and stoned to death,’ she told AFP at the rally.”

At the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC on July 11, 2010, human rights protesters opposed to stoning also condemned these repeated calls by Hizb ut-Tahrir in support of the barbaric practice of stoning. Some of the human rights protesters had been working together in calling for an end to the stoning of Iranian woman Sakineh Mohammedi Ashtiani, who was condemned to stoning by the Islamic Republic of Iran, before international human rights pressure has impact Iran to consider changing its verdict. R.E.A.L.’s Jeffrey Imm told of one of a case of stoning of a 13 year old girl in Somalia who had been raped, that was also convicted for “adultery.” The human rights activists view the barbaric practice of stoning to be inhumane and a violation of human rights anywhere in the world, and unequivocally reject stoning and those groups that promote stoning.

Human rights volunteers condemned the demonstrations by Hizb ut-Tahrir supporting calls for barbaric stoning of individuals.

Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool: R.E.A.L. and Human Rights Supporters Challenge Hizb ut-Tahrir and Stoning

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For additional reports and human rights activism challenging Hizb ut-Tahrir, see http://bit.ly/htwatch

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Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) supports the unqualified, universal human rights for all people everywhere, including the rights and dignity for women and people of every identity group. R.E.A.L. support for our universal human rights includes our commitment to freedom of religion, freedom of worship, freedom of conscience, and freedom of expression. We support democracy and democratic values not as “Western values,” but as values that are the right for every human being of every identity group and every religion around the world.

We believe that such support for our universal human rights begins with love for our fellow human beings.

We urge all to Choose Love, Not Hate – Love Wins.

What We Believe - Responsible for Equality And Liberty's Jeffrey Imm Demonstrating Outside Hizb ut-Tahrir America's July 19, 2009 Chicago Event

UK: July 7 Bombings Persuaded Muslim Woman to Leave Hizb ut-Tahrir

In CNN’s report on UK security and those remembering the July 7, 2005 bombings in London, it also reports on one British Muslim woman, Hadiya Masieh, who left the anti-democracy group Hizb ut-Tahrir as a result.

CNN reports in its story “Former top anti-terror cop: London should fear more terror attacks”:
— “But for one young British Muslim woman, who was herself radicalized after joining extremist group Hizb ut Tahrir at college, seeing the July 7 attacks for herself on television proved to be the high watermark for her radical beliefs.”
— “‘I think it was a wake-up call,’ Hadiya Masieh told CNN. ‘I was heavily pregnant with my third child when I was in the waiting room of the hospital watching the screen. I just felt like hiding. I wanted to distance myself from those people who created that atrocity.'”
— “She and her husband, who also belonged to Hizb ut Tahrir, now work to foster better relations between faiths. In her latest project she helped set up a screening of a movie she hopes will break down barriers. The film, ‘Arranged,’ depicts a blossoming friendship between a Muslim woman and an orthodox Jewish woman.”
— “‘At the end of the day, if we have an understanding of each other I think this will eradicate any feelings of animosity and hatred.'”

See also Guardian / Observer: Hadiya Masieh: How 7 July bombings made me question my beliefs
— “Hadiya Masieh was recruited by Hizb ut-Tahrir radicals, but 7/7 bombings five years ago opened her eyes”
— “‘The 7/7 bombers and the people I knew at HT were two sides of the same coin,’ she says. ‘HT says it does not believe in violence, but the violence was never condemned; they just didn’t think it would achieve anything.’ She told the organisation that she no longer believed what it preached and she left.”

British Muslim Woman Hadiyah Masieh was a Member of Hizb ut-Tahrir, But Rejected Its Views After July 7 Attacks (Photo: Guardian/Observer)

CNN: A radical mother transformed
— on Hadiya Masieh departure from Hizb ut-Tahrir

CNN Video Interview of Hadiya Masieh

In July 2007, Muslim Ed Husain reported on his previous involvement with Hizb ut-Tahrir, and stated that “Hizb ut-Tahrir calls for an expansionist, violent, totalitarian Islamist state,” and that the “rhetoric of jihad introduced by Hizb ut-Tahrir in my days was the preamble to 7/7 and several other attempted attacks.”

Previously, the BBC News, BBC Video, Daily Telegraph, and Guardian news have reported on the activities of Hizb ut-Tahrir in the United Kingdom.

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Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) supports our universal human rights, freedom, democracy, and human dignity.

We continue to invite Hizb ut-Tahrir to debate us on this subject in a public forum before the American people, and we invite them to join one of our public events, including our July 11 event at the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool steps in Washington DC.

We offer an outstretched hand, not an upraised fist, to all of our fellow human beings, including those we disagree with.

We urge all to Choose Love, Not Hate – Love Wins.

Hizb ut-Tahrir Attacks Democracy, Freedom in Australia

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) supports the unqualified, universal human rights for all people everywhere, including freedom of religion, freedom of worship, freedom of conscience, and freedom of expression. We view democracy and religious pluralism not as western values, but as rights and dignities for all human beings. We challenge the views of Hizb ut-Tahrir which opposes democracy and such universal human rights.

The anti-democracy organization Hizb ut-Tahrir (HT) held a conference in Australia on July 4, 2010 at the Grand Westella reception center, 12 Bridge Street, Lidcombe, in New South Wales, Australia, which frequently holds wedding receptions. The HT conference was “The Struggle for Islam in the West.” Hizb ut-Tahrir rejects democracy, rejects the women’s equality movement, and calls for the “death penalty” for those who leave Islam. On June 22, 2010, the Hizb ut-Tahrir Indonesia group was publicly demonstrating for the stoning of individuals. (See also additional R.E.A.L. postings on Hizb ut-Tahrir.)

Hizb ut-Tahrir Australia's Conference Logo: "The Struggle for Islam in the West" (Photo: HT Australia Web Site)

At the event, Hizb ut-Tahrir promoted its views of seeking the creation of a global Islamic caliphate and denouncing democracy. UK Hizb ut-Tahrir leader Burhan Hanif told Lidcombe, Australia conference participants that that democracy was “haram” (forbidden) and that “We must adhere to Islam and Islam alone.” Buhan Hanif stated that “We should not be conned or succumb to the disingenuous and flawed narrative that the only way to engage politically is through the secular democratic process. It is prohibited and haram.” He rejected Muslim political involvement that is based on “secular and erroneous concepts such as democracy and freedom.”

Australian Hizb ut-Tahrir official Wassim Dourehi also told conference attendees that Muslims must reject “any kafir political party”, and challenged “this godforsaken country,” referring to Australia. Wassim Dourehi stated that “We need to reject this new secular version of Islam… It is a perverted concoction of Western governments. It is a perversion that seeks to wipe away the political aspects of Islam and localise our concerns. We must reject it and challenge the proponents of this aberration of Islam.”

Australia Hizb ut-Tahrir Leader Wassim Doureihi Says Australia "Godforsaken," Denounces "Moderate Islam" (Photo: YouTube)

Australian Hizb ut-Tahrir speaker Reem Allouche stated that women’s rights and equality should not be based on “secular liberalism.” The Australian reported that “A female HT delegate, Reem Allouche, said Australian women should be at the forefront of the struggle by insisting on their right to wear the head-to-toe covering known as the niqab, in the face of legislation proposed by NSW Christian Democratic MP Fred Nile to ban it.”

Hizb ut-Tahrir Speaker Reem Allouche (Photo: YouTube)

According to Nine News, “More than 500 participants at a Hizb Ut-Tahrir conference in Western Sydney heard on Sunday that Australia was a ‘god-forsaken country’ and that moderate Islam was a ‘perverted concoction of western governments’.” The Australian newspaper reported on the conference “Muslims told to shun democracy,” and “Islamist leader Burhan Hanif tells Aussie Muslims to ‘shun democracy’.”

July 4, 2010: Hizb ut-Tahrir Australia Conference Against Democracy, Promoting Islamic Caliphate (Photo: HT Australia Web Site)

Hizb ut-Tahrir Australia representative Uthman Badar told the media that democracy “is more of an illusion,” and that democracy has “short-sold the people.”

Hizb ut-Tahrir Australia’s Uthman Badar was interviewed by A Current Affair’s Tracy Grimshaw about its rejection of democracy. ACA’s Grimshaw stated to Uthman Badar “So you are against democracy but enjoy its privileges to say what you like – against democracy.” A Current Affair also challenged Hizb ut-Tahrir on its recent videos.

Australia: A Current Affair Interviews Hizb ut-Tahrir Australia's Uthman Badar

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Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) supports the unqualified, universal human rights for all people everywhere, including freedom of religion, freedom of worship, freedom of conscience, and freedom of expression. We support democracy and democratic values not as “Western values,” but as values that are the right for every human being of every identity group and every religion around the world.

Indonesia Church Harassed, Appeals to United Nations – Hizb ut-Tahrir Seeks Church Closure

In Indonesia, a Christian church in Bogor, West Java, has been repeatedly harassed, had services disrupted, and has been sealed by local government authorities that seek to disrupt their freedom of worship. The church is now appealing to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief for relief, by filing a religious discrimination appeal.

Compass Direct News has reported on the abuse of worshipers at the Gereja Kristen Indonesia (GKI) Taman Yasmin Church, stating that “Since April 11 the congregation has held services on the roadside in front of the sealed church in stifling heat. The church pastor, the Rev. Ujang Tanusaputra, told Compass that the congregation has held Sunday services six times in front of the building that the mayor of Bogor sealed.”

Reverend Ujang Tanusaputra told Compass that the church had received an official permit from the Bogor City government. However, a group that objected to the presence of church resulted in getting the church sealed by the Bogor government. Despite this, the church won a court lawsuit against the effort to seal the church, but despite all of this, the congregation is not permitted to worship in the building which is 80 percent complete. According to the Compass report, the “construction was going smoothly until a Muslim group began demonstrating and the government sealed the building to appease them.” Reverend Ujang Tanusaputra told Compass “We are going to continue worshiping by the roadside as part of the struggle to remove the seal.” Compass reports that “Tanusaputra said he hopes the Lord will intervene to show that Indonesia is a country where laws are followed and all faiths may freely worship.”

In March 2010, the anti-democracy political organization Hizb ut-Tahrir Indonesia (HTI) organized a protest of hundreds of its members in front of the Bogor City Council protesting the building permit given to the Gereja Kristen Indonesia (GKI) Taman Yasmin Church. Hizb ut-Tahrir Indonesia and other groups together under the Indonesian Muslims Communication Forum (Forkami) have sought to deny the church members freedom of worship in their church in Bogor.

Since April 2010, the church had responded to the pressure by such groups to close their church, by holding worship services in the street.

(See other R.E.A.L. postings on Indonesia.)

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The Hizb ut-Tahrir organization involved in seeking to deny the freedom of worship of Indonesia Christians has ongoing international efforts to attack democracy, religious freedom, and human rights around the world, including a July 4, 2010 event in Australia, and an event planned for July in Chicago.

Hizb ut-Tahrir rejects democracy, rejects the women’s equality movement, and calls for the “death penalty” for those who leave Islam. On June 22, 2010, the Hizb ut-Tahrir Indonesia group was publicly demonstrating for the stoning of individuals. (See also additional R.E.A.L. postings on Hizb ut-Tahrir.)

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Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) supports our universal human rights, including Article 18 freedom of religion, freedom of worship, and freedom of conscience — for all people – everywhere. Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states: “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.” We support religious pluralism and tolerance around the world.

R.E.A.L. urges all people to Choose Love, Not Hate – Love Wins.

Chicago: Anti-Democracy Hizb ut-Tahrir Group on Cancellation

After Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) reported on June 28 about the cancellation of the Hizb ut-Tahrir America conference at the Oak Brook Marriott – on Thursday night, June 30, Hizb ut-Tahrir notified its supporters, stating:

“Due to unavoidable circumstances, the date and the venue of the Khilafah Conference are being changed. We are currently in the final stages of finalizing the new date and venue. Given the significance of the fall of the Khilafah on 28 Rajab, 1342 Hijri, it is very important that the Khilafah Conference take place in Rajab or around it. The new date of the Khilafah Conference will be either Sunday, July 18, 2010 or Sunday, July 25, 2010. Please keep visiting www.hizb-america.org for more details on the new date and venue of the Khilafah Conference. We will also provide more details on the circumstances leading to the change in date and venue.”

Hizb ut-Tahrir America also states that it will update its Facebook web page for the event “Khilafah Conference (USA) 2010- EMERGING WORLD ORDER.” On the previous Facebook “event listing” for this conference, HT showed that there were over 460 individuals planning to attend.

Hizb ut-Tahrir Event at Chicago Marriott Oak Brook - NOT ANYMORE (Photo: YouTube)

Hizb ut-Tahrir America's 2010 Conference to Promote Islamic Caliphate (Photo: YouTube)

Human rights activists had been informing Chicago area hotels of Hizb ut-Tahrir America’s decision last year to distribute pamphlets calling for the “death penalty” for those who seek freedom of religion to leave Islam. At Hizb ut-Tahrir America’s July 19, 2009 event in Chicago, they distributed a pamphlet (page 62) that supports killing those individuals who leave Islam as guilty of “treason and a political attack on the Khilafah.” The Hizb ut-Tahrir America website promoting this year’s conference in Chicago promotes links to the main Hizb ut-Tahrir website, Khilafah.com, where this pamphlet is still distributed online by Hizb ut-Tahrir.

At the December 2009 event at the Lombard community center, Hizb ut-Tahrir America denounced democracy, denounced “the Kafir,” and urged Muslim attendees “do not take the Jews and Christians for your allies.” HT also blamed U.S. President Obama as part of a plot to take over Muslim-majority nations. Hizb ut-Tahrir rejects democracy because it “is the rule of people, for the people, by the people.” (page 24) Hizb ut-Tahrir has called for Muslims to boycott voting.

Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) continues to challenge Hizb ut-Tahrir’s leadership to debate us before the American people, a challenge that we extended on June 18. R.E.A.L. has not received a reply from Hizb ut-Tahrir. R.E.A.L. will continue with our event on July 11 at 2 PM at the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool steps.

We urge all Americans, especially Muslim Americans, to join us in our nation’s capital on July 11, 2010 (the original date of the Hizb ut-Tahrir) conference to send a message to those who seek to attack democracy and freedom, that we will stand united for such freedoms together – as one nation, one people, – responsible for equality and liberty – for all.

We urge other Muslims and all others in America who also share our commitment for such freedoms, especially for our shared freedoms and democracy to contact Responsible for Equality And Liberty via email at info@realcourage.org .

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See additional R.E.A.L. postings on the anti-democracy Hizb ut-Tahrir movement at:

http://bit.ly/htwatch

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Chicago: Anti-Democracy Hizb ut-Tahrir Event Canceled at Marriott Hotel

The Chicago Marriott Oak Brook hotel states that the July 11 public conference by the Hizb ut-Tahrir America will not be held at that location. The anti-democracy political group, Hizb ut-Tahrir America, had widely promoted the Chicago Marriott Oak Brook hotel as the site for their second public conference, through social media and YouTube. Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) learned today that the Chicago Marriott Oak Brook hotel has decided that the hotel will not to be the site for that event. The Hizb ut-Tahrir America has not yet advised its supporters of the planned change, and is not available for comment.

The Hizb ut-Tahrir America website promoting this year’s conference in Chicago promotes links to the main Hizb ut-Tahrir website, Khilafah.com, where this pamphlet is still distributed online by Hizb ut-Tahrir.

Hizb ut-Tahrir America's 2010 Conference to Promote Islamic Caliphate (Photo: YouTube)

In 2009, Hizb ut-Tahrir America (HT) also had difficulty keeping a conference location for their July 19, 2009 conference. The 2009 HT event was originally scheduled to be held at the Aqsa School, an Islamic school located in Bridgeview, Illinois, until it was canceled on June 29, 2009; this happened after HT’s 2009 conference was clarified as an event to promote the Khilafah (Islamic caliphate). In 2009, CBS News reported that “The school’s business manager Rana Jaber said the group misrepresented the goal of the conference when they booked it as they claimed it was going to be a bazaar type event where tradition food and clothing would be sold.” However, by July 1, 2009, the HT event was eventually relocated to the Oak Lawn, Illinois Hilton, where R.E.A.L. led a pro-democracy demonstration outside the July 19, 2009 event, challenging Hizb ut-Tahrir’s views against democracy, human rights, and religious freedom.

Hizb ut-Tahrir America Widely Promoted the Chicago Marriott Oak Brook as Planned Conference Site - Before It Was Canceled (Photo: YouTube)

When asked by R.E.A.L. today about this year’s Hizb ut-Tahrir event, the Oak Lawn, Illinois Hilton has stated that it is not holding this year’s Hizb ut-Tahrir conference. Other Marriott hotels in Oak Brook are also not holding the event, although apparently there had been consideration to moving the event at one point to August 1, 2010. Marriott event planning reservations stated that Hizb ut-Tahrir does not have a conference planned at their facilities according to their current records. In terms of Starwood facilities, R.E.A.L. has confirmed that the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, and the Chicago Westin are also not holding the July 11, 2010 Hizb ut-Tahrir conference. Starwood national reservations also states that their records show that the Four Points by Sheraton Chicago is not holding the July 11, 2010 Hizb ut-Tahrir conference.

Over the past six months, Hizb ut-Tahrir America has been holding “webinar” Internet-based seminars promoting the Islamic caliphate and jihad. Hizb ut-Tahrir America also held another public conference in another Chicago suburb in December 2009.

On December 20, 2009, Hizb ut-Tahrir America held a smaller conference at a government-managed community center in the Chicago suburb of Lombard. The Lombard city government did not respond to concerns about HT’s distribution of pamphlets in Oak Lawn, Illinois calling for the death penalty for those who seek religious freedom. At the December 2009 event at the Lombard community center, Hizb ut-Tahrir America denounced democracy, denounced “the Kafir,” and urged Muslim attendees “do not take the Jews and Christians for your allies.” HT also blamed U.S. President Obama as part of a plot to take over Muslim-majority nations.

Hizb ut-Tahrir rejects democracy because it “is the rule of people, for the people, by the people.” (page 24) Hizb ut-Tahrir has called for Muslims to boycott voting.

HT has had a history of seeking to promote a global Islamic caliphate government, in seeking to train teenagers for “jihad” (page 37), has reportedly been involved in threats against Jews, Hindus, and has reportedly threatened Muslim university officials. HT also rejects the “gender equality movement” for women’s rights, saying that women must pursue a global Islamic caliphate instead.

British media have reported that intelligence sources state that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed spent time with Hizb ut-Tahrir, and that Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was “former member of the Jordanian branch of Hizb.”

Muslim democratic leader Dr. Zuhdi Jasser has denounced Hizb ut-Tahrir America as “a conveyor belt to terror,” but also stated that we “change the narrative and start to promote groups that are reformist,” and “prove how invalid their [HT’s] ideas are…” Dr. Jasser leads the American Islamic Forum for Democracy (AIFD).

On June 18, we challenged Hizb ut-Tahrir America to a public debate on their view of an Islamic caliphate versus R.E.A.L.’s support for democracy and human rights. They have not replied. We continue to leave that offer open, and we invite them to publicly debate such views at R.E.A.L.’s July 11, 2010 pro-democracy event in Washington D.C.

On July 11, 2010 (the previously scheduled date of the Hizb ut-Tahrir conference in Chicago), Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) has planned a public event at 2 PM at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool steps in Washington DC to promote democracy, equality, and liberty. We choose that spot where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stood – with his courage of compassion years ago – on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Steps, and called out to the American conscience “I have a dream.” We too have a dream of being united in support democracy, equality, and liberty. We know that realizing such a dream entails the responsibility of standing together – not just on what we oppose – but also on what we believe.

We urge all Americans, especially Muslim Americans, to join us in our nation’s capital on July 11, 2010 (the planned date of the Hizb ut-Tahrir) conference to send a message to those who seek to attack democracy and freedom, that we will stand united for such freedoms together – as one nation, one people, – responsible for equality and liberty – for all.

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See additional R.E.A.L. postings on the anti-democracy Hizb ut-Tahrir movement at:

http://bit.ly/htwatch

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Orange Ribbon for Universal Human Rights - Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)

Indonesia: Hizb ut-Tahrir Calls for Stoning

AFP reports of the calls by anti-democracy organization, Hizb ut-Tahrir, in calling for stonings in Indonesia, and viewing the Internet as a threat to Islamic values. (Apparently this excludes the Indonesia Hizb ut-Tahrir web site.) Hizb ut-Tahrir also called for promotion of a global Islamic caliphate. At the Indonesia Hizb ut-Tahrir web site, Hizb ut-Tahrir claimed that 1,500 individuals attended its rally. Hizb ut-Tahrir Indonesia states that “HTI therefore calls upon all parties, especially members of parliament to break down the total current system and replace it with Islamic sharia.”

Indonesia: Hizb ut-Tahrir Calls for Stoning
— AFP: “About 1,000 protesters led by radical group Hizbut Tahrir shouted ‘Allahu akbar’ (God is greater) and brandished black flags and banners with slogans such as ‘Arrest those who commit promiscuous sex'”
— “Hizbut Tahrir spokesman Mohammed Ismail Yusanto said the Internet was a threat to Islamic values in the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country. He said Islamic or sharia law should be applied across the archipelago of some 240 million people, including the stoning to death of adulterers.”
— “Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia coordinator Fadilah Karimah, 32, said she would like to see adulterers buried up to their necks in public places and pelted with stones until dead. ‘Those people who have sex before marriage should be caned with a stick 100 times in public. Adulterers should be half-buried and stoned to death,’ she told AFP at the rally.”