Congressman Brad Sherman' Press Release

July 21, 2005

Contact: Michael Briggs
202/225-5911

 

Sherman Urges U.K. to Bar Radical Sheik

Congressman Asks British to Stop Cleric who Espouses Terrorism

WASHINGTON - Congressman Brad Sherman on Thursday urged House colleagues to join him in calling on Great Britain to keep out of England a radical sheik who has advocated terrorism.

Sheik Yussuf al-Qaradawi, a Qatari-based cleric, has hailed those who commit suicide bombings, called for the murder of Jews, and advocated the use of children in terrorist attacks. In an interview about Palestinian suicide operations against Israelis, he told the BBC in 2004 that he "considers this type of martyrdom operation as an evidence of God's justice"

He is scheduled to appear at an August 7 conference in Manchester. "His presence there would send the wrong message and undercut the efforts of moderate voices seeking to marginalize those who advocate terror in the name of their faith," Sherman said.

Sherman drafted a letter to Prime Minister Tony Blair and circulated it to other members of Congress for their signatures. "Mr. Prime Minister," the letter said, "we applaud the leadership you have demonstrated in urging your countrymen to denounce all forms of terrorism. We urge you to use whatever authority at your disposal to prevent this cleric from entering the United Kingdom."

The letter also expressed sadness at recent terrorist attacks in London, and extended sympathy to the British people. In what may have been copycat attacks just two weeks after the London terror bombings claimed 56 lives, assailants attempted to set off explosives at three subway trains and a bus on Thursday. "Our hearts go out to the British people," Sherman said.

British Home Secretary Charles Clarke said earlier this week that extremist preachers who glorify terrorism could be subject to new restrictions his office is prepared to implement. He also said he would consider using his powers to ban al-Qaradawi from the country, the London Telegraph reported.

Sherman's effort was welcomed by a leader of The Simon Wiesenthal Center, one of the largest international Jewish human rights organizations. "We applaud Congressman Sherman and his colleagues for taking a leadership role in urging a unified stance against all suicide terrorism," said Rabbi Abraham Cooper, the center's associate dean.

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