Melanie Phillips  piece (“Jihadist group a threat to us all”) published this morning, 06 July 2010, in The Australian is in origin not worthy of a response given the absence therein of any valid rational arguments. However it contains many inaccurate claims and assertions about Hizb ut-Tahrir. Thus, for the public record, we note the following:

1. Hizb ut-Tahrir is a global Islamic political party that works throughout the world with the aim of establishing the Caliphate in the Muslim world. It does so through exclusively ideological and political means, disavowing the use of violence, as a matter of Islamic obligation.

2. The allegations against members of Hizb ut-Tahrir in Russia and Denmark are fabrications on the part of those who originally made them. They are entirely without basis.

3. Hizb ut-Tahrir is firm in its position that the invasion of any Muslim land is rightfully to be repelled as a matter of obligation.

4. Hizb ut-Tahrir is firm in its position that ‘Israel’ is an illegitimate state built on an occupation and dispossession of an entire people. As for Jews their rights as equal citizens are protected under Islam, as they were for centuries under the Caliphate.

5. The ‘conveyor belt to terrorism’ argument is now a broken record, having been comprehensively refuted. The only ‘conveyor belt’ to terror is Western foreign policy with respect to the Muslim world.

6. It is ironic indeed that the advocates of freedom, democracy and secularism are happy to resort to calls for bans when met with ideas different to their own, to which they have no intellectual retort. This only exposes the shallowness of their ideas and their conviction
in them.

Ends.

For further information, questions or comments, please contact Uthman Badar, Media Representative of Hizb ut-Tahrir Australia, on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 0438 000 465. Alternatively, further information is available on our website: www.hizb-australia.org.