riyad ul haq has warned muslims about the threat al-aqsa faces few years ago. he recently did an talk again called "the forgotten haram"..

sheikh raed salah in palestine has been warning muslims since febuary that the zionists plan to divide al-aqsa and commence building the temple.

this is what this is about, al-aqsa is in danger

It's all because "They dare to speak out". This attack by the Times reminded me about a previous post on the MPAC site:

MPACUK has always said that individual Zionists may harm Muslims, but in reality, any major attack on a Muslim group or leader is co-ordinated, even if it seems like it's coming from an individual. The attack on Ken Livingstone for example has all the hallmarks of a planned and co-ordinated attack. It may have taken months if not years to plan and organise, the public may have seen a furore around him then, but you can bet your bottom dollar that was the tip of the ice berg. (http://mpacuk.org/content/view/2187/34/)

Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq has been speaking for years about the significance of Masjid al Aqsa and about the importance of political (NOT VIOLENT) activism here in the UK. But the right wing press has waited years to come out with such an attempted defamation strategy.

They are lowering the bar each time. This is obviously a pre-planned, premeditated attack. Its no less than an attack.

An attack on the 'Ulema is as good as an attack on Islam and the Muslims. They want to do away with Islam and replace it with "British Islam" and "Traditional Sunni Islam". I am sure you've all been noticing this over the years - This is more dangerous.

We live in a non-muslim country and I expect no less of them, though behaviour like this so sudden is uncomfortable.

What worries me is that when you get Muslims who feel uncomfortable and distancing themselves from Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq.

The aricles have been written in such a way that they make it out to be as if Shaykh Riyadh is in control of 600 masjids???

I've not heard the teachings and lectures of Sheikh Riyadh ul Haq, so don't know if these attacks on his character are justified or not.

However, as Muslims we do need to accept the fact that for the past few decades, if not longer, there have been some scholars preaching a hard-line, intolerant version of Islam, and we need to put a stop to it.

I completely agree with this statement. The Times article was Islamophobic scaremongering - Muslims, even if you're only talking about a particular sect, are not a single monolithic entity!

Our way of life is different to non-belivievers. Such as : intermingling of sexes, drinking, homosexuality, listening to music etc

One who does such actions is a sinner and is condemned by Allah and his Messenger. As Muslims should we distance ourselves from Such teachings? If one doesn't then he is then regarded as an extremist, by Muslims even who then regard him as a hate preacher.

Shaykh Riyadh ul Haq is well within his right to exercise his right to freedom of expression.

For many centuries there has been the repeated claim that the Jews / Zionists intend to re-establish the Temple on the site of the Al Aqsa mosque. Since 1967 the Israeli / Zionist state has been in absolute control of Jerusalem / Al Quds. Yet the only construction work carried out within the precincts of the Temple Mount has been under the direction and initiation of the Ulema. The works that the israelis have undertaken has either been archeological or structural shoring up of the walls which have been subject to subsidence. There are some Jews (less than 1,000) who promote the idea of the rebuilding the Temple, and a small group of them march each year to state their case, and each year they are stopped by the Israeli police.
While it may surprise everyone here Israeli planning law, inherited, from the British, does not allow for the demolition if religious or historical buildings.
The Zionists are bad enough without silly stories.

In my opinion all his lectures are addressing to the muslim brothers.

Even If he is mentioning Christians or Jews all are in the context with the history back ground.