UK: Islamic Preacher Anjem Choudary Jailed for Life on Terrorism Offenses

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Above: Anjem Choudary, a member of the pro-Islamic group 'Islam4UK', poses for photographs in front of the Houses of Parliament on January 4, 2010 in London, England. Image copyright: Oli Scarff/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images

The Facts

  • British Muslim preacher Anjem Choudary has been handed a life sentence with a minimum non-parole period of 28 years for directing and encouraging support for the terrorist-designated Muslim group al-Muhajiroun (ALM).

  • Sentencing him at the Woolwich Crown Court on Tuesday, Justice Wall said Choudary "ran the risk of causing or contributing" to "very many" deaths and undermined bonds between Muslims and people of other faiths and none in the UK.

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The Spin

Narrative A

For over two decades, Choudary has acted as a provocateur in support of radical Islam, and only now is he facing punishment. Everything this man stands for runs against British values, and he has worn the label of extremist as a badge of honor. The world cannot ignore the threat terrorist messaging poses, as these violent preachers sow hatred and division. We must always remain vigilant.

The Sun

Narrative B

Choudary would be little more than an internet crackpot if not for the news media that constantly platformed him as a means of spreading fear about British Muslims. His provocative actions sold newspapers, which granted him bigger platforms to spread his fringe terror messaging. We should lament that such an extremist speaker was granted an outsized public presence, which hurt Muslims and the general public.

Guardian

Metaculus Prediction