Islamist group calls for armed resistance

A controversial Islamist organisation is encouraging armed resistance against Scandinavian soldiers, prompting renewed calls to ban the group from Denmark. In an invitation to a debate meeting at Copenhagen’s Royal Library in January, Hizb ut-Tahrir showed photographs of Norwegian, Swedish and Danish coffins on a map of Afghanistan.

The invitation states that the debate will “focus on the duty of armed resistance for Muslims in Afghanistan and surrounding nations.” It goes on to say: “We see this form of resistance as entirely legitimate. In this context, the authorities’ attempts to criminalise and intimidate all war opponents will also be highlighted.”

Spokesman for Hiz ut-Tahrir’s Scandinavian branches, Chadi Freigeh, denied that the message is offensive.

“If anyone should be blamed for the Danish soldiers that are dying in vain in this war, it’s the Danish politicians who have cold heartedly sent them out on a mission that only serves American strategic interests in the region,” Freigeh told public broadcaster DR.

Several countries have already banned Hizb ut-Tahrir, which has a reputation for urging members to overthrow their government and install Sharia law. In the wake of the latest development, representatives for Denmark’s Social Democrats and the Danish People’s Party have called for officials to consider if the group is acting illegally.

“Hizb ut-Tahrir has been embarrassing Denmark for too long for this kind of thing. Now they’re really playing dirty,” Danish People’s Party MP Martin Henriksen said.

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