Muslims seek better relations after police apology
-14/06/06
Following the harrowing a
Muslims seek better relations after police apology
-14/06/06
Following the harrowing account given by two young Muslims yesterday (13 June 2006) of the 250-strong police anti-terror raid on a Forest Gate household earlier this month, the Metropolitan Police have issued a statement apologising for ìfor the hurt that we may have causedî.
Local Muslims welcomed the statement by Andy Hayman and immediately said that it was important to try to mend any distrust in order to find ways of enhancing their own security and that of the wider public in relation both to those genuinely suspected of plotting to use terror tactics and to anti-Muslim sentiment in some sections of society.
Police had initially declined to comment or respond after 23-year-old British Muslim Mohammed Abdul Kahar, who was arrested and then released with his younger brother, Abul Koyair, described to the worldís media how he was shot in the chest, abused and beaten by armed officers.
The detailed accounts given of the raid by the evidently bewildered young men at a press conference in Emmanuel Anglican Church, Forest Gate, in East London, differed significantly from the more sketchy police comments so far about the incident.
The matter is now under investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission and the Met is reluctant to say anything further. However, the matter of some kind of explanation or expression of regret has become an important issue for the Kahar family and its supporters.
Mr Kahar had earlier told how he thought the house was being robbed and feared he and his family would be killed by armed men ñ who he did not recognise as law officers. He said suing the police ìis not even in our heads at the momentî, adding he was more interested in an apology.
Last night a qualified apology was made by Assistant Commissioner Andy Hayman of the Metropolitan Police Specialist Operations.
Mr Hayman said: ìI am aware that in mounting this operation we have caused disruption and inconvenience to many residents in Newham and more importantly those that reside at 46 and 48 Lansdowne Road. I apologise for the hurt that we may have caused.î
The Assistant Commissioner added: ìWhile we have not found evidence of what we were looking for [a chemical device] at the house, the intelligence received did raise serious concerns for public safety. On that basis we had no choice but to mount a robust operation, which required a fast armed response.î
Mr Hayman referred anyone with concerns about the raid to those conducting the independent investigation into the shooting.
Legal observers say that the reference to hurt which ìmay have been causedî is a precautionary formality to avoid explicit acknowledgement of liability in advance of any possible compensation claim ñ which the brothersí lawyers are saying they should not rule out.
Metropolitan Police Authority member Murad Qureshi, himself a Muslim, said: ìI welcome the statement made by Andy Hayman.î
A spokesperson from the local mosque and community centre, asked by the BBC about reaction in community, said that while the raid had caused alarm, there was also understanding of the need to take action against those who might be planning bombings.
He stressed that the best way to go about this was through direct community liaison and cooperation, and a willingness on the part of the authorities to learn lessons from mistakes.
A similar point was made by a representative of the Black Police Officersí Association. One of the ironies of the raid is that Mr Kahar had himself recently applied to be a Community Support Officer.
Journalist, ex-Daily Express writer and Muslim convert Yvonne Ridley ñ speaking after the Forest Gate raid at a meeting organised by George Gallowayís Respect Party ñ had earlier said that Muslims were being terrorised and should withhold cooperation from the police.
But although there has been severe criticism of the action in Lansdowne Road, and a desire for a thorough enquiry and response, most Muslims in the area seemed to be taking a different viewpoint, reporters on the ground said.
Local faith leaders, including clergy from the churches in the neighbourhood, have also been seeking to calm the situation.
[Also on Ekklesia: Church hosts media conference for Muslim terror raid brothers 13/06/06; Call made for Muslim community not to cooperate with police 07/06/06; Muslim Council of Britain chooses new head 05/06/06; Muslims are concerned at UK anti-terror tactics 03/06/06; Beyond the politics of fear An Ekklesia response to the London bombings; Concerns grow over Stockwell killing; Church report backs shoot-to-kill policy; Religious leaders call for action after shooting of innocent man; Muslim tells Christians ‘War on Terror’ seems like ‘War on Islam’; Ex-spy wages peace on terror in the Middle East; Canterbury Cathedral invited to turn tables on war games; Christian peacemakers protest on third anniversary of Iraq invasion; Canterbury Cathedral urged to turn wargame row into peace pledge; Global faith gathering tackles religious roots of terror; Six point alternative to war]
Muslims seek better relations after police apology
-14/06/06
Following the harrowing account given by two young Muslims yesterday (13 June 2006) of the 250-strong police anti-terror raid on a Forest Gate household earlier this month, the Metropolitan Police have issued a statement apologising for ìfor the hurt that we may have causedî.
Local Muslims welcomed the statement by Andy Hayman and immediately said that it was important to try to mend any distrust in order to find ways of enhancing their own security and that of the wider public in relation both to those genuinely suspected of plotting to use terror tactics and to anti-Muslim sentiment in some sections of society.
Police had initially declined to comment or respond after 23-year-old British Muslim Mohammed Abdul Kahar, who was arrested and then released with his younger brother, Abul Koyair, described to the worldís media how he was shot in the chest, abused and beaten by armed officers.
The detailed accounts given of the raid by the evidently bewildered young men at a press conference in Emmanuel Anglican Church, Forest Gate, in East London, differed significantly from the more sketchy police comments so far about the incident.
The matter is now under investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission and the Met is reluctant to say anything further. However, the matter of some kind of explanation or expression of regret has become an important issue for the Kahar family and its supporters.
Mr Kahar had earlier told how he thought the house was being robbed and feared he and his family would be killed by armed men ñ who he did not recognise as law officers. He said suing the police ìis not even in our heads at the momentî, adding he was more interested in an apology.
Last night a qualified apology was made by Assistant Commissioner Andy Hayman of the Metropolitan Police Specialist Operations.
Mr Hayman said: ìI am aware that in mounting this operation we have caused disruption and inconvenience to many residents in Newham and more importantly those that reside at 46 and 48 Lansdowne Road. I apologise for the hurt that we may have caused.î
The Assistant Commissioner added: ìWhile we have not found evidence of what we were looking for [a chemical device] at the house, the intelligence received did raise serious concerns for public safety. On that basis we had no choice but to mount a robust operation, which required a fast armed response.î
Mr Hayman referred anyone with concerns about the raid to those conducting the independent investigation into the shooting.
Legal observers say that the reference to hurt which ìmay have been causedî is a precautionary formality to avoid explicit acknowledgement of liability in advance of any possible compensation claim ñ which the brothersí lawyers are saying they should not rule out.
Metropolitan Police Authority member Murad Qureshi, himself a Muslim, said: ìI welcome the statement made by Andy Hayman.î
A spokesperson from the local mosque and community centre, asked by the BBC about reaction in community, said that while the raid had caused alarm, there was also understanding of the need to take action against those who might be planning bombings.
He stressed that the best way to go about this was through direct community liaison and cooperation, and a willingness on the part of the authorities to learn lessons from mistakes.
A similar point was made by a representative of the Black Police Officersí Association. One of the ironies of the raid is that Mr Kahar had himself recently applied to be a Community Support Officer.
Journalist, ex-Daily Express writer and Muslim convert Yvonne Ridley ñ speaking after the Forest Gate raid at a meeting organised by George Gallowayís Respect Party ñ had earlier said that Muslims were being terrorised and should withhold cooperation from the police.
But although there has been severe criticism of the action in Lansdowne Road, and a desire for a thorough enquiry and response, most Muslims in the area seemed to be taking a different viewpoint, reporters on the ground said.
Local faith leaders, including clergy from the churches in the neighbourhood, have also been seeking to calm the situation.
[Also on Ekklesia: Church hosts media conference for Muslim terror raid brothers 13/06/06; Call made for Muslim community not to cooperate with police 07/06/06; Muslim Council of Britain chooses new head 05/06/06; Muslims are concerned at UK anti-terror tactics 03/06/06; Beyond the politics of fear An Ekklesia response to the London bombings; Concerns grow over Stockwell killing; Church report backs shoot-to-kill policy; Religious leaders call for action after shooting of innocent man; Muslim tells Christians ‘War on Terror’ seems like ‘War on Islam’; Ex-spy wages peace on terror in the Middle East; Canterbury Cathedral invited to turn tables on war games; Christian peacemakers protest on third anniversary of Iraq invasion; Canterbury Cathedral urged to turn wargame row into peace pledge; Global faith gathering tackles religious roots of terror; Six point alternative to war]