Today, MCB Deputy Secretary-General Mohammed Kozbar sent the following letter to the editor in response to the article “‘Anti-discrimination’ culture is forcing a new totalitarianism” (The Times, 21st July 2023), requesting it be published in full.
Sir,
In calling out the denial of banking services to Nigel Farage in her article (‘Anti-discrimination’ culture is forcing a new totalitarianism, 21st July 2023), Melanie Phillips also highlights similar treatment faced by Christian’s and Jews. This too is shocking, but it is curious why the experience of dozens of Muslims are excluded. This is reflected in much of the media reporting about the recent Coutts scandal.
Yet, for dozens of Muslim community leaders, the arbitrary closure of banking services on tenuous grounds is par for the course. One poignant example of this injustice is the arbitrary closure of Finsbury Park Mosque’s bank account in 2014 based on false allegations, for which they have been awarded libel damages and an apology by Thompson Reuters, whose false assessment of the Mosque drove the bank’s decision.
While it is heartening that our leaders and influencers are now sitting up and taking notice, their objections would be more powerful if their concern extended beyond the rich and powerful.
Mohammed Kozbar
Deputy Secretary-General, Muslim Council of Britain