Dear Ed, THE MP for Poplar & Canning Town has sought to defend his ill-judged actions by seeking to smear the Islamic Forum of Europe. Jim Fitzpatrick has asserted that the private decision of a family to hold a segregated religious wedding ceremony was due to the alleged intolerance and separatism and militancy of the Islamic Forum of Europe

Dear Ed,

THE MP for Poplar & Canning Town has sought to defend his ill-judged and ungracious actions by seeking to smear the Islamic Forum of Europe.

Jim Fitzpatrick has repeatedly asserted that the private decision of a family to hold a segregated religious wedding ceremony was due to the alleged intolerance and separatism and militancy of the Islamic Forum of Europe. He provides no evidence.

Mr Fitzpatrick's actions have been proved to be a reactionary outburst, especially since the custom is common and not exclusive to Muslims.

The Islamic Forum is a social association that draws its ethos from the Islamic faith. We work within the community and people of all faiths and none.

We hold no political affiliation, but members are encouraged to be civic-minded and are free to join any mainstream party of their choice.

If mainstream Muslim groups cannot or should not influence the social and political life of the local Muslim community, would Mr Fitzpatrick rather Muslim extremists be left to promote the clash of civilisations?

Muhammad Habibur-Rahman, President

Islamic Forum of Europe

Whitechapel Road, Whitechapel