UK charges Muslim preacher Anjem Choudary with ‘terror’ offences
Al JazeeraMAR 31 2023
UK: Islamic Preacher Anjem Choudary Jailed for Life on Terrorism Offenses
Above: Anjem Choudary, a member of the pro-Islamic group 'Islam4UK', poses for photographs in front of the Houses of Parliament on January 4, 2010 in London, England. Image copyright: Oli Scarff/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
For over two decades, Choudary has acted as a provocateur in support of radical Islam, and only now is he facing punishment. Everything this man stands for runs against British values, and he has worn the label of extremist as a badge of honor. The world cannot ignore the threat terrorist messaging poses, as these violent preachers sow hatred and division. We must always remain vigilant.
Narrative B
Choudary would be little more than an internet crackpot if not for the news media that constantly platformed him as a means of spreading fear about British Muslims. His provocative actions sold newspapers, which granted him bigger platforms to spread his fringe terror messaging. We should lament that such an extremist speaker was granted an outsized public presence, which hurt Muslims and the general public.