Today marks the opening of an annual event known as the “Global Peace & Unity Event” and which features one of the leaders of an obscure Jewish organization which calls for the destruction of Israel. The event website describes itself as follows:
The Global Peace & Unity Event is a unique opportunity for people to empower themselves by taking part in a project to create a progressive and harmonious world. Geared towards Muslims and non-Muslims, it promotes much needed dialogue and offers a chance to change the course of history. Established in 2005, this not-for-profit event has become the definitive landmark in every Muslim family’s calendar. It provides a platform for entertainment, education and exploration to people of all ages and from every background. If you’re keen on soaking up the atmosphere of this enormous gathering; gleaning knowledge from internationally renowned speakers; hearing some of the most influential politicians give their views on Islam, and enjoying the sweet music of the very best Nasheeds – then this event is for you. Being one of the greatest world occasions this year, those who attend can be certain that they are marking a milestone in the history of mankind, as they will be taking part in the promotion of peace, unity and understanding between Muslims and non-Muslims.
Prior such events, which were held 2005-2007, have always featured an interesting assortment of speakers including Jamal Badawi, one of the leaders of the U.S. Muslim Brotherhood, George Galloway, a far-left British MP who has promoted the U.K Muslim Brotherhood, and Sheikh Salman Bin Fahd Al-Oadah, a popular Saudi Salafi preacher and former supporter of Osama Bin Laden. This year’s event appears to have been somewhat “cleaned-up” in that respect and features a much more obscure set of Islamic speakers such as Yusuf Estes, a former U.S. Christian preacher who converted to Islam at age 50 and frequently appears at events associated with the U.S. Muslim Brotherhood . Also speaking is Yusuf Islam, formerly Cat Stevens, who is also strongly tied to the global Muslim Brotherhood. Other Brotherhood-related speakers include:
- Iqbal Sacranie, former head of the Muslim Council of Britain, a U.K. umbrella group dominated by the global Muslim Brotherhood
- Muhammad Abdul Bari, current head of the MCB
- Salma Yaqoob, a U.K. activist whose bid for political office was backed by the Muslim Association of Britain, a U.K. Muslim Brotherhood Group
- John Rees, billed as a “Trotskyist Political Activist” and who frequently acts in political coalitions with the U.K Muslim Brotherhood
However, in what will probably be perceived as a shocking offense to the Jewish community, one of the featured speakers at the Unity event is Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Weiss, identified as Associate Director, Netuei Karta International (Jews United Against Zionism). Netuei Karta is known for its opposition to the establishment of Israel and have said that the creation of Israel “was a heresy made up by the Zionists to undermine the true Jewish life” and that “We will not lose hope and dream of dismantling the state of Israel.” In 2006, Weiss and others from the group attended a Holocaust denial conference in Iran and have issued public statements denying that Iranian President Ahmadinejad was anti-Semitic after calling for destruction of Israel. Netuei Karta rabbis have frequently supported and attended events with global Muslim Brotherhood leader Youssef Qaradawi including a 2005 London press conference where Qaradawi reiterated his support for suicide bombings in Israel.
The featured appearance of Netuei Karta, the only Jewish representatives at the Unity event, did not deter a number of highly prominent U.K. personalities from attending and/or supporting the event including London mayor Boris Johnson who issued a letter of support. Other prominent speakers include:
- Jack Straw, former U.K. minister
- Ian Blair, former Metropolitan Police commissioner
- Lord Nazir Ahmed, first U.K. Muslim to be made a LIfe Peer in the House of Lords
The event is sponsored by the Islam Channel, a U.K. media company which frequently promotes the works of individuals associated with the global Muslim Brotherhood. Interestingly, the CEO of Islam Channel and director of the event is Mohamed Ali Harrath who also appears to be the same individual wanted by Interpol on charges of terrorism in Tunisia. An Internet source of unknown reliability states that Mr. Harrath obtained political asylum in the U.K. and says the charges are old allegations of involvement in “counterfeiting and possibly other offences.” He says that he is innocent.