Muslims speak over BNP slurs

Andy Walker | Friday, 4 November 2005 Source: Solihull Times

THE CHAIRMAN of the Solihull Muslim Community Association (SMCA) has said the British National Party dragged up old news for a recent political flyer.

Earlier this week the BNP posted leaflets through borough households detailing the party's opposition against the building of a mosque in Solihull.

The document also included a printout from SMCA's website highlighting the point that the group had found a suitable plot.

But SMCA chairman, Dr Issam Ghannam, insists the information is old and the association can't afford their own venue.

"They (BNP) are too outdated and they are trying to make news but there is no news," he said.

"We have looked at sites but it is beyond our finances. There's not many of us here and to buy a large area to build on would cost us millions."

Dr Ghannam also insisted that a mosque wasn't crucial but that Solihull's 10,000 Muslims are in need of a community centre.

"There are 32 halls in Solihull but they are all hired out, we need our own place. The Conservatives have a base, Labour has a base and that is what we need. If anybody knows of a place we would like to know" he said.

SMCA, which was established in 1987, currently meets at St Peter's Catholic School and Dr Ghannam added the association do not listen to the BNP.

"We do not pay attention to them, we have no time to waste with them. The local election showed that most people aren't listening to the BNP and we are not worried."

Simon Darby, BNP's West Midlands Organiser, said: "We are not putting these things out, out of spite or to cause trouble. But it is to help preserve our way of life and our culture."