'At first,' adds Zulfi Bukhari, CEO of the Muslim Public Affairs Committee, 'I welcomed Bari's appointment because he's a thoughtful man and not an arrogant master of the universe like some of the others in the MCB, but he has simply become their mouthpiece. At least Sir Iqbal was his own man.

'Thank goodness it wasn’t Ramazan when I heard this I nearly chocked on my cornflakes, and the expletives that followed would have made a Punjabi taxi driver blush! The reason was the first part was mine and, I welcomed Bari’s appointment I saw him as thoughtful and not arrogant, and some in the MCB do act like masters of the universe but to say he is “their mouthpiece”!? Not me guv, and then add “At least Iqbal was his own man!” what, “at least what!” I never said that!

A dripping of milk and semi chewed cornflakes had to be wiped from my toddlers face, he gurgled at the new feeding technique I am sure he thought I was pioneering, spitting food at him at high velocity and seeing how much he would eat. Thank goodness for wet-ones.

I had been misquoted and worse then damaging myself, I had unwittingly damaged the MCB and Dr Abdul Bari, and for that I apologise unreservedly and without hesitation. Let’s make the situation between MPACUK and the MCB clearer and then the relationship between Dr Bari the CEO of the MCB and myself (Zulfi Bukhari) the CEO of MPACUK. And that should put into context the truth of the matter.

MPACUK have for years avoided criticising the MCB in public (and in fact defended them countless times) not because they are above criticism but because regardless of their limitations they are trying at least to make a difference and with that they have our support. MPACUK have a policy not to hold to account those who are trying to improve, it’s the ones who aren’t that we have an issue with. The MCB are under the cosh by the government and the Zionist media because the MCB’s disapproval of its laws aimed at the Muslims, the war in Iraq and for its refusal to attend Holocaust Memorial Day, because of the way that Zionist have politicised the event to support Israel. And on all of these issues MPAC stand shoulder to shoulder with the MCB and there isn’t a cigarette papers difference between us.

The relationship between the two heads of the organisations is one of respect and collaboration. Yes it is both early days to see how well we can work together but our goals are the same our tactics are different but that is irrelevant we understand and respect each other. To confirm it was not my intention to compare him to his predecessor or question his independence or decision making capability.

Then I read “But what is the line of Jamaati Islam? In essence, they believe in three things: an Islamic state, the use of Jihadi ideology to bring this about, and the application of Sharia law. 'They are not radical like Al-Muhajiroun or groups like that, and they totally oppose violence, but their aims are unmistakably political and for Islam to become the dominant political and legal system in the world,' says Zulfi Bukhari.

I chocked again and my son gurgled again. Wet-ones came out and I cleaned the boy up, and he then started to eat the wet one.

I made it clear that they (Jamaati Islam) were not radical or violent, but did not nor would ever state that ‘they want to dominate the political or legal system of the world’. It's absurd and not a view MPACUK or myself would ever state privately or publicly. Our view on Jamaati Islam and in fact all the fiqhs is that they need to improve their ability to defend the Ummah. I would never have smeared the Jamaati Islam, they are true and devout Muslims, not secret agents of a world conspiracy.

Once again I apologise on my behalf and I apologise on MPACUK’s behalf. It won’t happen again. I would also like to thank a Mulana from Preston Brother Ismaeel Nakhuda who has held MPACUK to account, and hope that this has gone some way to put the record straight.  

I have taken the line since taking over the helm at MPACUK that we have under Asghar’s leadership been too soft on certain groups and individuals who have betrayed the Ummah for their own self interest, that we should get tougher and hold more and more people to account and therefore drive improvement using public scrutiny. In this case however I have been misquoted and our friends at the MCB and Jamaati Islam have been hurt. Please forgive me, if you cannot, on the back of this apology please contact us and let us know what we have to do to make amends and we will Insha Allah do our best.

Channel 4, Monday 30th October, 8pm.

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