MANCHESTER: Baroness Sayeeda Warsi was attacked with eggs on November 30 while doing a circuit of the English town Luton, just outside London. The protesters, who were all male, accused Baroness Warsi of not being a proper Muslim and said that she does not “represent Islam.â€Â They also said that she supported the death of Muslims in Afghanistan. The Baroness, who is the Conservative Minister for Community Cohesion and Social Action, had stopped to speak to the group of men, attempting to engage them in a conversation. It was to little avail. She was then taken in to a nearby shop to clear the eggs that had been thrown at her. She told the local media that had gathered nearby that it was valuable for them to witness the attack as it demonstrates the types of people that do not represent Islam or “real British Muslims.†She commented that it is behavior like this that brings Muslims into “huge disrepute.†One of the demonstrators, Sayful Islam, told reporters that Baroness Warsi “is not a practicing Muslim. Clearly by looking at her she does not represent Muslims.†The Baroness was wearing trousers and a sweater, but has her hair uncovered as she does not wear the veil, like a number of British Muslims. Sayful Islam added that the protesters were “against everything she stands for.†The Baroness added to reporters that “I stood up to this group and said I challenge your views,†adding that “they just weren't prepared to listen. They shouted. I said if you want to have this debate, listen.” Earlier this year, Warsi was named the most powerful British Muslim woman at an event hosted by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission. BM
