In the Firing Line

The Muslim Public Affairs Committee (MPAC) launched a campaign recently on their website to defeat Jack Straw and Lorna Fitzsimmons Labour MP for Rochdale.

And in a move which has been criticised by local members of the community they have moved into the town in the run-up to election.

Speaking to Asian Image, Mudassar Ahmed, an IT consultant and MPAC spokesperson claimed some Muslim leaders in Blackburn were cowardly and selfish in their actions.

"Removing Jack Straw is our key aim. I think Muslims in Blackburn have been apathetic to the situation at hand for far too long.

"Jack Straw has demonstrated a desire to implement policies to the detriment of Muslims around the world. We have the support of locals who are fully behind us and we wouldnt be here if this wasnt the case.

"Straw has a majority of 9,000 and the Muslim vote in Blackburn is powerful. Thousands of Muslims are unhappy about the Governments involvement in Iraq and lack of action in Palestine.

"We have set up offices in Blackburn and some of us have left our jobs to be here until election day.

"It's a tough fight but we are going to try and contact every voter and as many 'movers and shakers' as possible"

And who are Muslim supposed to vote for? "We say they are intelligent enough to scrutinise every political party and choose one that is likely to do the most for Muslims."

"We will be outside the mosques and organising a series of events in the coming months."

Jack Straw MP however was undeterred He said, "It's a free country and I'll be standing on my record of everything I have done for Blackburn and what I can do for the town in the future.

"If they want to campaign against me then its up to them how they do it."

Ibrahim Master said the group seemed to criticise Muslims more than they supported them. "I met a member of this group once and he failed to convince me with his argument.

"Their arguments are based on one policy and one policy only - the war.

"The Labour Party and in particular Jack Straw has done more for Blackburn and Muslims than they would have us think.

"With regards to Palestine this Government is the only one that has called for a Palestinian state.

"This group seems to have another agenda and it has little to do with Islam.

"I have read some of the stuff they have published and they have disparaged the Mosques and Muslims of Lancashire.

"I would say the Muslims of Blackburn are the most active in the UK and are involved in more mainstream activities than any other."

Mr Master said he was disappointed at claims that mosques in Blackburn were party political. "The LCM's influence over mosques is not as blatant as they think.

"Mosques have their own committees and I cannot say whether this group will or will not be allowed in any mosques to promote their cause."

Councillor Mohammed Khan asked what the group wanted Muslim voters to do without any viable options. The Muslim voter is intelligent enough to know exactly what they are doing. It doesnt take a group from another part of the country to tell them what to do.

"Jack Straw has worked hard for the people of this town and you only have to look at his record.

"The best example of this would be the fact that even before he came into power and in years of opposition he fully supported Muslim faith schools because he felt there should be equality and equal opportunity for all.

"He always makes himself available to all his constituents and goes out of his way to help as many people as possible "

Manchesters Afzal Khan who helped set up Muslims for Labour group added, "This group is entitled to their opinion but it is the voters of Blackburn and Rochdale who will decide.

"I would campaign for a third Labour term because as a package the Labour Party is the best party for the Muslims.

"What they need to understand is that it is not Jack Straw or Lorna Fitzsimmons who are responsible for all the actions of the Government. You cant call individuals such as Jack or Lorna anti-Muslim."