A MUSLIM organisation has dedicated itself to fighting extremism in Southend and around the UK for almost a decade.

Southend-Upon-Sunnah was formed in 2013 as a group of Muslims growing up in Southend decided they wanted to eradicate all “heinous and barbaric acts” of terrorism.

Sunnah are the traditions and practices of the Islamic prophet, Muhammad, that constitute a model for Muslims to follow.

Akmal Aziz, 29, one of the founding members, says the group has worked hard over the last eight years to disseminate literature and give talks denouncing all forms of extremism.

“We are calling against extremism of every kind, whether it be associated with people who call themselves Muslim and associate themselves to Islam or whether its right-wing extremism,” Akmal explained.

“We warn against all forms of extremism and teach that Islam, in its origin, does not call to extremism.”

Echo:

Delivering Eid prayers in Garon Park. Pic: Akmal Aziz

Southend-Upon-Sunnah are holding a free online lecture on Tuesday, October 26 following the tragic killing of Sir David Amess MP in Leigh.

Ali Harbi Ali, 25, appeared at the Old Bailey by video-link from high security Belmarsh prison on Friday, October 22, charged with murder and preparing acts of terrorism between May 1, 2019, and September this year.

He is accused of stabbing to death the Southend West MP and father-of-five.

“Following the awful killing of Sir David Amess we thought it fitting to hold a lecture calling out extremist violence,” Akmal said.

The idea to form the group came to Akmal following a pilgrimage to Mecca, in Saudi Arabia, knows as ‘Umrah’.

“Around 2011 I went to Saudi Arabia for Umrah and from there I started to learn more about Islam and decided I wanted to create a group which called to the correct understanding of the religion.

Echo:

The upcoming lecture. Pic: Akmal Aziz

“From there, I got together with a group of people, one my cousin and a couple of friends, and set up this organisation and stated to give free lectures to the local community in Southend.”

As part of their work, the group have hand out free literature and anti-ISIS leaflets at mosques and across the borough. The organisation has given over 800 leaflets Essex Police and the Prevent, the UK’s counterterrorism programme.

Run by six committee members, including Akmal, Southend-Upon-Sunnah held Eid prayers at Garon Park twice a year with up to 150 people attending, with more turning up every year.

Akmal continued: “There are so many different viewpoints that people take in Islam, and I wanted to return back to the source, return back to how it was originally portrayed by the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.

“We are not afraid to speak out openly, refute extremism openly. We are not apologists. We openly refute it, and we don’t mind what kind of backlash we get.”