Anti-extremism
campaigners condemn 'provocative' act in Tower Hamlets
Flag contains script
used by all Muslims but design often used by jihadists
Emblem has caused
offence and the local council intervened to remove it
Local campaigners had
already pulled it down but Palestinian flag remains
A controversial black and white flag
similar to one championed by Muslim extremists has been hoisted over an east
London estate.
The emblem was hung alongside the
Palestinian flag in Poplar, Tower Hamlets - often referred to as an 'Islamic
Republic' in the capital.
Anti-extremist campaigners said today
the raising of the black flag was a 'provocative' act and undermined legitimate
anger about the crisis in Gaza.
One man who objected to it says he was
confronted by a gang of youths who asked him: 'Are you a Jew?'.
When he said: 'Would it make a
difference?' they responded: 'Yes it f****** would', according to the Guardian.
The black and white flag has the
Shahadatayn - the declaration of faith that all Muslims say - written on it,
which translates as 'There is no god but God, Muhammad is the
messenger of God'.
But in recent years versions has been
hijacked by extremist supporters of the Taliban, Hamas, al-Shabaab, Al Qaeda
and ISIS.
It is not clear who raised the flag on
the Will Crooks Estate - named after the local MP and noted Victorian-era
anti-poverty campaigner - but it has caused offence.
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