As the above material gives the full background, I will avoid repeating it. Instead, I just want to set out my own views.
We live in Britain, and enjoy full freedom of speech subject only to limitations for matters such as incitement to commit crimes or conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace. Accordingly, nobody has a right to seek to silence Usama Hasan or to issue death threats against him.
It is the responsibility of the police to provide protection for Usama Hasan and his family.
Those who issue such threats should be prosecuted if within the jurisdiction of the UK or if they are in a country from which they can be extradited to the UK.
Such threats have no place in Islam.
The reputation of Islam amongst non-Muslims is damaged by the conduct of people who issue such threats and seek to close down freedom of thought and discussion amongst Muslims.
All right thinking Muslims need to stand up and be counted in resisting such attempts at intimidation.
If you are on Facebook, there is a group you can join to show your support for Usama Hasan and to defend freedom of thought and conscience.
The Disqus comments facility below allows you to comment on this page. Please respect others when commenting.
You can login using any of your Twitter, Facebook, Google+ or Disqus identities.
Even if you are not registered on any of these, you can still post a comment.
A comment on the above page was received via my blog. Following the introduction of Disqus comments, my blog has been discontinued so the comment is reproduced here. If you wish to make further comments, please use the Disqus comments facility above.
Rizwan Sayed says:
10/03/2011 at 09:51
I completely agree with your comments. Muslims have absolutely no right to give such death threats. There is no compulsion in matters of deen - people need to be attracted to Islam and not repelled by such behaviour.