Press Releases

Muslim students call for the immediate release of Sheikh Raed Salah

The Federation of Student Islamic Societies (FOSIS) has expressed its disappointment over the continued detention of Palestinian opposition leader Sheikh Raed Salah.

FOSIS spokesman, Amandla Thomas-Johnson remarked, "The fact that Sheikh Salah was first allowed into the country and then only arrested after an MP had voiced concerns over purported anti-semitic remarks clearly highlights extreme negligence on the part of the British Government, as well as a willingness to cower to the demands of the pro-Israel lobby."

He further added, "The Government's desire to change UK legislation to allow accused war criminals such as former Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni to enter, their inability to present any conclusive evidence against Sheikh Salah, and their wilful denial of legal representation to the Sheikh for four days, brings to light the Government's double standards in dealing with the Palestinian people on one side and the Israeli Government on the other, as well as their increasingly expedient attitude towards British freedoms, democracy and law."

Thomas-Johnson concluded that, "We join Knesset Minister, Taleb a-Sanaa and Gaza Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh in strongly urging the Home Secretary to release Sheikh Salah immediately and to recognise his innocence before he is regarded as guilty."

[ENDS]

1. FOSIS (est. 1963) is the umbrella organisation of student groups in colleges and universities throughout the UK and Ireland, representing the interests of over 100,000 Muslim students.

2. For more information please contact Amandla Thomas-Johnson on 07984296626, email head.media@fosis.org.uk or alternatively visit our website www.fosis.org.uk