Asylum seekers in hotels ‘could be recruited by extremist groups’

We keep telling the authorities that these dinghies crossing the channel daily are bringing in an army of military service age males, mostly Muslims. Most of whom are economic migrants not asylum seekers. Since when was Albania a war zone? Now it looks like our fears do have foundation. From the Telegraph

Officials in the Midlands city of Stoke-on-Trent have become increasingly concerned about the resurgence of Hizb ut-Tahrir, a group that promotes the creation of an Islamic state. It is banned in more than a dozen countries but not in the UK.

The group has been holding sessions in a converted warehouse a short walk from two hotels housing asylum seekers, and sources said they feared the proximity would provide individuals with extreme but not illegal views “easy access” to vulnerable migrants.

It is understood that at meetings with police and council officials working on Prevent, the government’s counter-terrorism strategy, the group’s activites were discussed and concerns raised about whether asylum-seekers could be exploited.

“There have been informed conversations with Prevent teams about the issue”, said a source. “There is a fear when they are operating that close they have easy access and vice-versa. We want to avoid the risk of a tinderbox between extremists and the far-Right, who are also operating in the city”. Oh – so that’s the reason the authorities are worried; not public security. The far right. Or as we call ourselves, not far right- just not far wrong.

Another community source said Hizb ut-Tahrir had been active a number of years ago before going under the radar, expressing alarm at the way in which it had recently re-emerged in the city.

Farak Mohammed, the organiser of the events, also runs a gym and martial arts centre within a few hundred metres of one of the hotels, which The Telegraph is choosing not to name. Go on – dare yer…

The group’s purpose is to re-establish the caliphate in the Middle East with Sharia law, and experts have claimed it is a gateway to violent extremism. My next post will be about some of the things Hizb ut-Tahrir has been saying in Australia recently. 

Dr Paul Stott, the head of security and extremism at Policy Exchange, a think tank, said Hizb ut-Tahrir appeared to be changing its recruitment tactics.

“Hizb ut-Tahrir in the UK has often recruited from middle class second or third generation British Muslims, frequently university students or young professionals,” he said. “In focusing on asylum seekers, Hizb ut-Tahrir demonstrates a degree of flexibility, and a discerning approach to recognising ideal recruits – young men, most with time on their hands, who are a long way from home and are trying to establish themselves in an unfamiliar environment. It’s the classic definition of a captive audience. If that is combined with support work for the migrants, and access to gyms and martial arts, Hizb ut-Tahrir will be in a position to play an important role in some people’s lives.”