In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

This is a statement in support of Dr Usama Hasan's right to safety, dignity and expression. IMASE raises this matter to protect the wellbeing of a Muslim scientist and contribute to a just and collective response to undignified and arrogant behaviour within our community.

As an imam, academic and public speaker Usama has been and continues to be a well loved figure amongst generations of people, Muslim and non-Muslim alike. As his positions on various issues have changed, certain sectors of the Muslim community have grown louder, cruder and increasingly wild in their animosity towards him. Over recent months Usama has been subjected to disgraceful victimisation, so much so that threats of violence have been made against him. There are limits to what a believer should have to endure from his fellow brothers in faith.

In recent weeks, the institutional politics of Masjid Tawhid in Leyton, London have been such that pronouncements on evolution, Usama and the events of 22^nd January 2011 have spiralled into the UK national media. IMASE has been witness to the fact that the internal conversation on evolution amongst Muslims here today is highly combustible. This is a matter that demands space, respect, humility and open ears from all participants*.

We reject the malicious campaigns of takfir (declaration of apostasy) levelled against Usama and warn those behind them to reflect on the noble manners that their mothers struggled hard to instil in them, and desist from such behaviour. The situation is dynamic and resists simplistic Moderate vs Extremist characterisation. We reject politically opportunistic and divisive exploitation of these events from all quarters.  As UK taxpayers, we call for the threats against Usama's wellbeing to be investigated and dealt with promptly and justly.

Events at the mosque on 22nd January were a sad reminder of how degraded the Ummah (Muslim community) has become. Remedial action is our joint responsibility.

IMASE calls on:

• Muslims to resist and overcome those who declare Muslims with whom they disagree to be apostates.
• Muslim scholars of all disciplines and persuasions to seriously and practically grapple with narrow mindedness and thuggishness in our communities.
• Those with responsibility in Islamic institutions to exercise their leadership and take firm and just action against malicious, rowdy and gangster-like elements within and surrounding their organisations.

Best regards

The IMASE Team

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*For a report by the IMASE Evolution Initiative please refer to the first issue of Constellations (p79)

10/3 The date of the event has been corrected to 22nd January