Numerous controversies surrounded this years “Global Peace and Unity” held annually in London and described in the past 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.
This year as in years past the Global Peace and Unity (GPU) conference featured many speakers associated with the Global Muslim Brotherhood including:
- Lord Nazir Ahmed
- Iqbal Sacranie, former Muslim Council of Britain Secretary-General
Other scheduled speakers of interest included:
- Mustafa Barghouti, Palestinian civl society leader
- John Rees, UK far-left activist
- Ken Livingston, former London mayor
GPU sponsors/partners included Islamic Relief and the Islam Channel, both associated with the Global Muslim Brotherhood.
UK media reported that Baroness Warsi, described as the most senior Muslim Conservative, had been due to attend the GPU but was reportedly banned from attending by Prime Minister David Cameron “as the party argues on the best strategy to deal with extremism.” The same source reported that Andrew Stunell would be attending as the Minister in charge of integration and inter-faith relations and “will make clear that the Coalition Government will not tolerate extremism, hatred or intolerance in any form.”
UK media also reported that Mr. Stunell spoke at the event and that accessories and items glorifying terrorism were clearly on sale:
A government minister spoke at an event where suicide bomber accessories and items glorifying terrorism were on open sale. Andrew Stunell, the communities minister, addressed the controversial “Global Peace and Unity” (GPU) conference in East London on Sunday. The event’s programme says its official “supporters” include the Metropolitan Police and the City of London Police. A few yards from where Mr Stunell was speaking, a stall sold suicide bomber headbands and T-shirts promoting two banned terror groups. One of the shirts showed a masked terrorist holding a Kalashnikov rifle in one hand and the Quran in the other against a backdrop of the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem. The Daily Telegraph bought one of the shirts. The image is the official logo of the al-Qassam Brigade, the military wing of Hamas, a terrorist group banned across the EU and United States. Underneath, a slogan in Arabic read: “The conscripts of the martyr. Here in response, O Jerusalem.” The al-Qassam Brigade has been responsible for at least 200 civilian deaths in suicide attacks since 2000. Hooded tops with the flag of another proscribed terrorist organisation, Hezbollah – a clenched fist holding a Kalashnikov, and the slogan “Resistance” – were also on sale. Hezbollah has killed many Israelis in rocket attacks. Also available were “shahada headbands” as worn by many Palestinian suicide bombers. “Shahada” in this context means martyrdom. The headbands contain the personal testimony of the suicide bombers.
Also scheduled to speak at this year’s even as he had in 2009 was 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.