Muslims arrested for hate pamphlet

Five British Muslims have become the first people to be prosecuted under laws against the incitement of hatred on the grounds of sexuality.

Ihjaz Alie, Mehboob Hussain, Umer Javed, Razwan Javed, and Kabir Ahmed were arrested after they distributed a pamphlet called The Death Penalty, which called for the execution of homosexuals, outside the Jamia Mosque in Derby in July 2010.

The pamphlets were also placed in letterboxes. Police began an investigation after complaints from members of the public.

“This is the first-ever prosecution for this offence and it is the result of close working between the Crown Prosecution Service and Derbyshire Police,” Crown Prosecutor Sue Hemmings said.

In July around a dozen Muslim protestors picketed a gay Pride event in Derby but were admonished by the secretary of the Jamia Mosque.

“The views of the protesters do not represent all the Muslim community — they are a very small minority and they give the majority of Muslims a bad name. I think we should live and let live,” he said.