Anjem Choudary
Anjem Choudary

Radical preacher Anjem Choudary has called on all Muslims in Britain to destroy their Remembrance Day poppies.

The Islamist, who was born and educated in the UK, sent a stream of messages to his 2,500 Twitter followers, with the tagline BIN YOUR POPPY.

The tweets included:

Choudary, a prominent figure in banned groups such as Islam4UK and Muslims Against Crusades, has repeatedly courted controversy with his militant Islamic stance. He has previously stated that Islam plans to dominate Britain and America, that Shariah law zones should be established across the UK, and that Norwegian nationals should be taken hostage in retribution for the massacre perpetrated by anti-Islam campaigner Anders Breivik.

His latest outburst prompted a torrent of criticism on Twitter. One user wrote: "Why are you in England, if wearing Poppy's offends you so much @anjemchoudary ? You offend me, if only I could bin you."

Another commented: "anjem choudary you belong in a moral dustbin with the rubbish that follows you and agrees with you."

Rather than post an offensive message, one tweeter posted a picture of Choudary taken during his days as a student, in which the preacher is surrounded by pornography and empty beer cans. The images, which was picked up and published by a national British newspaper, alludes to the accusations of hypocrisy which have dogged Choudary's preaching career.

The Muslim Council of Britain, which attends Remembrance Day parades alongside British dignitaries, declined to comment specifically on Choudary's latest outburst. However a spokesman said:

"There are many Muslims who serve in the Armed Forces today, they follow generations of Muslims who have sacrificed their lives in two World Wars. Remembrance Sunday should serve as a reminder to all of us that all faith communities, including Muslims, laid down their lives for this country."

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