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Members of Cardiff’s Muslim community have hit back at a campaign that encourages people not to vote because it “violates the right of Allah”.

“Warning” stickers saying “democracy is a system whereby man violates the right of Allah” and “Islam is the only real workable solution for the UK” appeared in Grangetown and Roath last week.

Those responsible also went to mosques in Cathays and Butetown on Friday to leaflet worshippers.

But Saleem Kidwai, Secretary of the Muslim Council of Wales, said they were given a “tough time”.

“They had a tough time because people didn’t want to listen to them.

'I am sure the turnout will be higher than before'

“These people are individuals. I can say that 99% of the Muslim community are getting active in this election and I am sure that turnout will be much higher than before.”

He said there is a lot of work “behind the scenes”, through mosques and community groups, to encourage voting.

“It’s important to vote because this election is very crucial for everybody including the Muslim community,” he added.

(Image: Greg Pycroft)

He said the Muslim Council has worked with political parties giving input towards their manifestos.

Members of Ahmadiyya Muslim Association have also said they condemn the campaign saying extremism has to be curbed or it could lead to radicalisation.

'Malicious campaign'

Dr Ata Ur Rehman Maaz from the group said: “We dissociate ourselves from this malicious campaign in the strongest possible terms.

“True Islamic teachings as practiced by the prophet Muhammad promote a secular government with equal rights and privileges to its citizens.

“Muslims believe that religion should not be the business of state. Islam offers guiding principles in matters of man’s relations to man.

“We have positively contributed in the British society throughout the last century that we have been citizens of this country. Today we have representatives in all mainstream political parties. We truly believe in the democratic process and will continue to do so.”

Fear of 'youth radicalisation'

They say their youth members have volunteered to take down the posters, warning that if extremism is not curbed it will certainly lead to “further intolerance and youth radicalisation”.

A Cardiff council spokesman said: “The right to vote is historically significant in the United Kingdom.

“Our democratic society continues to move forward and it is fundamentally wrong that anyone tries to influence or change this right by preaching their extreme religious views.

“The council will continue to work with the Electoral Commission to encourage people to give their views through the ballet box.”