Mayor's statement at MQT on the visit of Dr Al Qaradawi

Speaking at Mayor's Question Time today, Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London said:

"Last week I welcomed Sheikh Yusuf Al Qaradawi, President of the European Council of Fatwa and Research, to London.  Professor Qaradawi is widely respected as one of the most eminent and moderate Muslim scholars in the world.  I welcomed him to London just as I would the leader of any of the other great world religions to promote understanding between London’s diverse communities.  I welcome dialogue with all religious leaders in London without necessarily agreeing with all of their views.

"I was appalled by the outpouring of lies and Islamaphobia against Professor Al Qaradawi in the tabloid media."

GLA press release, 15 July 2004