Are you a candidate for Mayoral or local elections? Accordingly are you a competitor to Livingstone?
Answer
Thank you for your question.
I
am candidate for the Assembly seat in the City and East London constituency of the GLA.
I am not standing against Ken Livingstone, he is standing for Mayor. My party, Respect is not fielding a candidate for Mayor, as we are supporting Ken againd Boris Johnson.
Thanks.
Name
Mosad Idris
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
Do you rely only on Muslims to pass these elections?
Answer
Thank you for your question.
No. We live in the most multicultural part of the UK in East London.
The GLA East London Constituency has approximately 450,000 voters, only a small fraction of that are Muslim by faith.
Name
Sam M.Nrimr
- France
Profession
Phd student
Question
What are your plans towards a more secularized Newham? In France's experience, local candidates always try to change paris to an Islamic country...using their authority?
Answer
Thank you for your question.
The UK is a secular democracy. We are working within this framework to serve people of all faiths and none. That is my Islamic duty in the West.
Name
Siddique
- United Kingdom
Profession
Newham - Student
Question
Mr, Hanif..
Salamu Alikum
Did you set your policy and priorities? And why do you think shall I vote for you?
Jazak Allah Khayran and Good Luck
Answer
Thank you for your question.
If you live within my constituency which incorporates the Boroughs of the City of London, Tower Hamlets, Newham and Barking & Dagenham, I would hope you will vote for me and Respect.
Our first priority is to provide an effective voice for East London on the Assembly. The current incumbent, is a party man, and has not been a strong voice for this area. Only looking after his party interests.
The GLA spends over £11 billion pounds each year, and very little of this comes our way.
We live on the doorsteps of Canary Wharf and the City, the financial centre of the world in many respects; however, the East End is one of the most deprived areas of the country, with child poverty rates amongst the highest in the country. This is not acceptable in the 4th richest country in the world.
Amongst our other priorities are:
1.An emergency council house building programme, which is relevant, affordable and appropriate to east Londoners, i.e. family homes. No more luxury 1-2 bedroom apartments, costing ridiculous amounts, which are of no use to the working class communities of East London.
2.A lasting legacy from the Olympics, which will see local people in professional jobs, before, during and beyond 2012. All Olympic housing to be given back to local people and managed by locally elected people and Councils.
You can find more information about my policies on my website or my party’s website: www.abdulmuhit.co.uk and www.respectrenewal.org
We have the right policies and the right kind of people to represent the interests of ordinary people in East London, so I hope you will vote, and encourage others to do the same.
Name
Edrees Morad
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
I believe British Muslims will all back you…and I know the are backing Livingston, do you think you both could work together to make a better London…or Respect won’t be open to collaboration with Livingstone?
Answer
Thank you for your question.
Respect has chosen to back Ken. We do not agree with everything he does these days. However, we believe he has been a good Mayor overall, and if Boris Johnson wins, it will be a blow for multiculturalism, and bad for the whole of London, particularly the ethnic minorities, amongst whom the Muslim community is a big section.
We will back Ken and work with him when he does the right things, but make no mistake, we will oppose and hold him to account when he strays and his party interests overtake those of the interests of Londoners.
That’s why we are appealing for Londoners, to vote for Ken for Mayor, Respect (George Galloway) for the List (orange/peach ballot paper No. 11) and in City & East London for me, number 1 on the yellow ballot paper.
Name
K.Maknold
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
Throughout scanning your website, we found that most of your events are only concerning Muslims and condemning wars…are they only your targets?
Answer
Thank you for your question.
It’s impossible to operate in an exclusive political bubble just concentrating on one community because you will no doubt be aware, politics in this country does not work this way.
We are a campaigning party which campaigns for all sorts of issues. If you browse through my website and that of my party once again, you will find that your conclusion may not be correct.
Yes we are anti-war, and proud of it, we will defend any minority community under attack, without fear or favour, whether it wins us votes or not, and if a certain community in our areas of operation is open to a disproportionate amount of discrimination, yes you will see a level of campaigning which may not be the same as another areas where issues may be different.
Please have another look. Thanks.
Name
Hamed Khan
-
Profession
Question
What are your plans on new mosques in Newham (East London)? And do you have similar ideas among your agenda?
Answer
Thank you for your question.
We believe every community has the right to worship in whatever way they wish, and to facilitate this activity, if they wish to build appropriate places of worship, they should be allowed, using the normal channels, available to them, through appropriate planning processes in their respective areas.
Name
Soliman Saeid
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
Do you have an agenda tackling the illegal immigration? And do you go wit the government agenda in this regard?
Answer
Thank you for your question.
Unfortunately, the London Assembly’s remit does not reach as far as immigration. I hope you will allow me to concentrate on questions related to the GLA, to make this discussion most fruitful.
Please get in touch with me through my website or my party’s head office for information on our immigration policies.
Name
Pro George Galloway
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
What is the role played by George Galloway when in comes to you as a candidate? Do you adopt the same ideas and opinions?
And why isn’t George Galloway a candidate for mayoral election in the GLA?
Thanks...
Answer
Thank you for your question.
George Galloway and I are standing on the same platform, same party. So our policies are the same.
He is standing on the London wide List and I am concentrating on the City & East Constituency.
He is supporting my campaign and as a result my campaign is getting a huge boost and gathering momentum.
However, any help in the campaign will be much appreciated as we are not as well resourced as the bigger parties.
George is not standing for Mayor, he is supporting Ken.
Thanks
Name
Suhaib - Online Campaigns
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
Salmu Alikum Mr. Hanif,
Would you please give us a brief hint about each and every campaign on your website that you are sponsoring? As they are only the logos?
Answer
Thank you for your question.
If you don’t mind, can I suggest you follow the link on my website to these campaigns. That will probably be more fruitful for you as they are linked to the main campaign sites.
We are involved in and support these campaigns, amongst others. Please refer to my website and my party’s website for more details.
Thanks.
Name
Jack T.K
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
Don’t you believe having you as a candidate for borough in London will be a threat to the national security of London? We are sick of Muslims and terrorisms and we do not need more?
Sorry for bothering, but in our democratic country, we used to say the truth no matter how it will cost us...Jack
Answer
Thank you for your question.
I don’t think you will know the truth even if it hit you in the face. Please be careful of accusing people of serious crimes as terrorism.
By accusing me and people like me of terrorism, just proves you are an ignorant Islamophobe, who should be integrating a bit more into London cosmopolitan life, that way you will find, how wonderful life can be by having a diverse group of friends.
Thanks.
Name
Mahmoud
- Egypt
Profession
Sales Manager
Question
Salamou Alikoum Mr. Hanif.
Jazak ALLAHo Khayran for being here.
I'd like to ask about the future of Islamic Minority in UK. What do you think will be there status? Do you think they can reach further than being mayors or even ministers and can one day be Prime Minster?
Answer
Thank you for your question.
This is a very important question and one I feel I cannot do justice to in this brief moment. I will just touch on a couple of points, but be aware this will only be scratching the surface.
The Muslim community has advance a great deal in the last decade or two.
Political engagement is encouraging. We already have two Muslim junior Ministers in the current government. The political system in this country allows people of all backgrounds, advance in most fields. But of course, it is a difficult struggle, and if you are patient enough, there is always a possibility.
The bigger question is whether Muslims can remain independent minded while reaching high offices. That is a serious and difficult discussion maybe for another time.
Thanks.
Name
Al-Fatih Mohamed
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
I wonder, inshaaAllah, after you succeeded in these elections, would you have any authority to share your ideas with the MPs before issuing the laws…as British Muslims are really suffering from the anti-terrorism act, which is full of discriminatory laws….like what happened with Samina Malik?
Answer
Thank you for your question.
If elected my voice will become stronger, and as a result the campaign against discriminatory laws and practices against Muslims and other ethnic minorities will become stronger.
As Assembly members we do not have legislative powers of that nature, but we can definitely raise our voice and contribute more effectively to the debate surrounding these issues. And more than ever before we need more voices like George Galloway if we are to avoid more division, and hatred within our communities in the UK.
Thanks.
Name
Sarina W. Eldoum
-
Profession
Teacher
Question
As a citizen of Newham, how could I ask you for your help and to which extent will you be able to receive our questions and solve our problems?
PS: I am not a Muslim.
Answer
Thank you for your question.
I am obliged as both an elected representative, and as a person of the Muslim faith to serve people regardless of religion or background.
I will be delighted to listen to your problems and assist you in whatever way I can. If I am unable to deal with a particular issue, I will refer you to the most appropriate agency who can.
You will be able to find my contact details on my website.
Thanks.
Name
Fawaz Kalbany
-
Profession
INdian in UK
Question
What do you think of Hizb Tahrir in UK? Do you have any sort of cooperation with them?
Answer
Thank you for your question.
We are open to co-operation with any group which works to unite people, and encourage positive engagement within the society we live in and has a positive and flexible attitudes in dealing with the problems we face in our communities.
Thanks.
Name
Will it be a fair elections?
-
Profession
Question
What are your expectations for May the 1st elections? How would things go?
Answer
Thank you for your question.
We are confident of a breakthrough in London. However, there is also a danger of the fascist BNP making gains in this election.
So we are encouraging a high turnout.
The GLA elections are very complicated as you will vote 3 times. Once for Mayor. Once for the Constituency seat, this is where I am standing, in the City & East London area.
My ballot paper will be yellow and I am Number 1 on the paper. The 3rd paper is for the London wide List, where George Galloway is heading the Respect team. That’s on the orange/peach ballot paper, Number 11.
We are always on the lookout for volunteers and helpers. We have only 7 days left and one weekend. We have a wonderful chance of winning this seat and any help to achieve this historic victory will be highly appreciated.
For more information or if you would like to get involved please visit: www.abdulmuhit.co.uk
Thanks.
Name
Radwa Khorshid
-
Profession
Question
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Answer
This session has come to an end.
We would like to thank Hanif Abdulmuhit for speaking to IslamOnline.net viewers today, and we also thank all those who participated in this dialogue.
We apologize for not being able to accommodate any further questions. We request our readers to join us in the upcoming sessions.
