Villification of the religious by the religious

It is infinitely more difficult to recognise and counter nonviolent extremism, yet it is no less sinister, no less threatening, its potential to cause harm no less dire.

It is unconscionable at any time — yet how much more so at this time of heightened concern for our country’s security — that a public figure can brazenly and outrageously incite such hatred.

Wahwah’s poisonous rant ought to be condemned by all who care about protecting our democratic way of life.

His diatribe was not anti-Israel sentiment, as some supporters ­insist, but vile and crude Jew-­hatred reminiscent of last year’s anti-Israel rallies that descended into blatant anti-Semitism, complete with Nazi swastikas and placards evoking racist images that had nothing to do with the Middle East.

It could be argued that his rant constitutes racial vilification; that needs to be explored.The issue is that our society comprises 200 cultures living overwhelmingly in peace in an ­environment where civility, res­pect and diversity are the norm; but we dare not take those values for granted. To do so is to put our way of life at risk.

Wahwah’s speech was deliv­ered in Arabic and a subtitled video released last week in the ­expectation that it would galvanise attention, such is the potential harm its message conveys. That didn’t happen.

It is inconceivable that some choose to defend and offer excu­ses for Hizb ut-Tahrir, which Wahwah represents.All people of goodwill have an obligation to speak out on these issues. We are either opposed to giving platforms to hatred and ­bigotry or we are not. There is a stark choice to be made.