BENADOR: TOMMY ROBINSON QUITS EDL: SURRENDER OR VICTORY?

By Eliana Benador 

Ever since he created the English Defence League back in 2009, Tommy Robinson, from Luton, UK, has become a legendary figure in the fight against Islam’s invasion of the West, and most particularly, Great Britain.

Tommy Robinson, a pseudonym for his real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, has said in an interview : "I have been considering this move for a long time because I recognise that, although street demonstrations have brought us to this point, they are no longer productive. I acknowledge the dangers of far-right extremism and the ongoing need to counter Islamist ideology not with violence but with better, democratic ideas."

Interestingly, seems that Robinson’s enlightenment has come through the Quilliam Foundation in London, a counter extremism organization led by Maajid Nawaz, formerly of the pro-caliphate organization Hizb ut-Tahrir and a former terrorist, now the author of “Radical -My Journey from Islamist Extremism to a Democratic Awakening.”  

Mohammed Shafiq, chief executive of the Ramadhan Foundation, said he had met Robinson last week, when he shared he “... was leaving the EDL because he couldn't control the extremist group," Shafiq said, adding that:   "At no stage did he reject his previous disgusting attacks on Islam and Muslims or apologize to the British people for the millions wasted policing their protests."

On his side, Nick Lowles, director of Hope Not Hate, which campaigns against extremism, said: "We celebrate Quilliam's efforts here but only a complete renunciation of the violence and hatred the EDL leaders have promoted, and a turning away from the anti-Muslim rhetoric they have championed, will be enough for the many thousands who have suffered from the EDL's ugly actions over the past three years."  Lowles, however, failed to assure that his organization demand and will demand Muslim Islamists to stop the usual hate they traditionally teach in their mosques.  

In his statement, Robinson said he acknowledged the "dangers of far-right extremism". However, he still believes in the need to counter Islamist ideology – "not with violence but with better, democratic ideas.”

Ironically, on this same day, MI5 Chief, Andrew Parker has issued a warning to the British public on the Islamist threat, on his first address since he took over his functions last April.   Among others, his concerns coincide with those of Western governments - that British-based jihadists will one day return from the killing fields of Syria and turn their new-found skills on the population back home.

Speaking on the BBC's 5 Live radio later, Tommy Robinson said he was tired of being associated with "morons" who advocate violence against Muslims.  "When some moron lifts up his top and has got a picture of a mosque saying boom and it's all over the national newspapers - it's me.

SOCIAL PRESSURE

It is understandable that in the life of a parent, one’s children take precedence.  So, it is with respect that one has to receive the news of this change of heart from one of Britain’s most courageous leaders in this beginning of the XXIst century.  

Robinson explains:   "It's when I pick up my kids from school the parents are looking at me, judging me on that. That's not what I stood for. My decision is to be true to what I stand for and whilst I want to lead a revolution against Islamist ideology I don't want to lead a revolution against Muslims. I believe the revolution needs to come from within the Islamic community and they need to stand up and I believe this is a step forward not a step back."

ROBINSON, DEMOCRACY vs ISLAMISM

Tommy Robinson’s gamble is a great moment in History.  It is obvious the man is honest and has thought his decision thoroughly, but there remain many questions.

Maajid Nawaz has been part of Hizbu al-Tahrir. Hizb means party in Arabic and while in some countries they have organized a party, in others they have not, its agenda advocates the  re-establishment of the caliphate to provide stability and security to both Muslims and non-Muslims in the predominantly Muslim regions of the world.   Indeed, establishing the caliphate is a religious duty, "an obligation that Allah has decreed for Muslims and commanded them to fulfill. He warned of the punishment awaiting those who neglect this duty.

Quoting the work of Hizb ut-Tahrir founder, Taqiuddin al-Nabhani suggests that once Hizb ut-Tahrir has succeeded in creating a unified, transnational Islamic state it should aim at expanding the state into non-Muslim areas.  

And, with taqqiya always in mind, the West must always ask, how sincere is someone as Maajid Nawaz, Robinson’s new partner, has he renegated the above, is he against Muslim world domination and aims at stopping it?  

Tommy Robinson believes in Democracy.  

Muslims intellectuals and pragmatics alike count on Democracy. 

One day, in the not too distant future, when they will have the majority, they will be free to do as they please.  

Meanwhile, they have gotten a great ally who has made a tough decision and has gone from being one of most courageous and patriotic British leaders in recent times, to becoming the partner of former Muslim terrorists fighting terrorism in general but who have yet to speak in no uncertain terms against Islam world domination.

Copyright ©Eliana Benador

Eliana Benador is a global strategist, a political operative and a human rights activist. She has been the founder of Benador Associates. She has represented dissidents abroad from Iraq, Iran, the Copts and others. Her blog is Eliana’s Choice.  You may follow her on Twitter, join her fan page on Facebook and you may find her also on LinkedIn.