Talk:Mohammed Ansar

Bio

Ansar's autobiography has claimed:
"Mohammed is a public speaker, visiting university lecturer and appears regularly on television and radio. He runs a private consulting practice, is a community organiser and on outspoken civil rights activist. An experienced diversity expert and legal advocate, he is also involved in interfaith and education."
Only one reference is given for the above claims; that of community organiser, while the link to his private consulting practice is no longer active.

Education

Mohammed Ansar's original bio on wikipedia claimed that he was educated at Watford Boys Grammar School. On the The Jinn and Tonic Show, Mohammed Ansar claimed that: "And actually for somebody who is quite a rationalist, quite a scientific background, I studied, erm, you know, Physics to quite some standard ..."

Social Media

Ansar's original wikipedia entry claimed: "He is particularly active on Twitter (as @MoAnsar) and has a popular blog called ‘Ansar’s on a Postcard’."

Blog

Mohammed Ansar began publishing to his blog on 15 April 2006. A total of four entries for that year were published over that weekend of 15-16 April, three on the Saturday, one on the Sunday: Truth About Islam (15/04/2006 6:39pm); Image of Islam I (15/04/2006 7:04pm); Why Christians Can't Read the Bible (15/04/2006 7:08pm) Image of Islam II (16/04/2006 5:04pm). The blog then remained dormant until 8th August 2011, when he reveals in a blogpost entitled Pheonix from the flames;; that he "Recently, I've taken to resurrecting a two year old stagnant Twitter account".

Twitter

On 8th August 2011, Mohammed Ansar claimed to have recently resurrected his "two year old stagnant Twitter account". Ansar's first tweet appears to have been on 6 March 2010:

@MoAnsar: "Open for business."

Ansar's earliest tweets, from his twitturrection in June 2011 were to: the Guardian/Al Jazeera journalist Riazat Butt, the Guardian journalist Polly Curtis, New Statesman journalist Mehdi Hasan.

Aliases

In December 2006, Mohammed Ansar appears to have used the name Avenger on Daniel Pipes forum,to reproduce a plagiarised reproduction of Dr. Zakir Naik's claim that Shir HaShirim (Song of Songs) contained a reference to the Islamic prophet Muhammad. In April 2006, a blogpost on Ansar's blog with the exact same text. In September 2012, a variation of this name, Avenger 786 on Wikipedia argued that the Wikipedia article on Mohammed Ansar should remain. In April 2012, wikipedia user Avenger786 received praise from Mohammed Ansar article's creator:

"Many thanks for fleshing out this article so well and so quickly...! I've never seen an article come together so quickly. Kudos! kencf0618 (talk) 04:10, 24 April 2012 (UTC)"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User_talk:Avenger786#Mohammed_Ansar</ref>

It is therefore worth considering the possibility that Avenger and Avenger786 are aliases used by Mohammed Ansar.

Public Speaker and Visiting University Lecturer

Visiting University Lecturer

The original wikipedia profile stated that Ansar was a "visiting university lecturer" but in the discussion about the deletion of the wikipedia article, no reference was provided to support this claim Ansar's wix profile states: "visiting lecturer on Islamophobia, Islam in contemporary Britain and Theology". Ansar's twitter profile currently claims that he is a "Visiting Lecturer".
The evidence will now be examined below.

University of Winchester

There is no evidence on the University of Winchester's website that Ansar was a visiting university lecturer at the University. To be a visiting lecturer, the minimum required qualification is "a degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline and a post graduate qualification is desirable". There is no indication that he has been educated beyond Grammar school level in any of his online bios.

Peter Symonds College

Peter Symonds College is a 6th form college, so perhaps Mohammed Ansar gained some form of Level 3 qualification there. Alternatively, Ansar may not have been educated at Peter Symonds College, although the South East England Faiths Forum board member bio states that: "he established the first multifaith chaplaincy at the largest college in the country and still runs a weekly session with his students.". Peter Symonds college is not the largest in the country, so perhaps this is a typo, and instead the bio meant to say that Peter Symonds College is the largest in the county of Hampshire.
As mentioned in the wikipedia AfD on Mohammed Ansar, "The use of the label 'lecturer' is misleading in this case as it implies academic qualifications." and therefore this has been deleted from the bio.

Visiting Lecturer In Theology

Since April 2012, Ansar has claimed several times to be either a theologian or a lecturing theologian: . No reference has been made by Ansar publicly as to his theological qualifications and no record exists on any university website for a visiting lecturer in Theology of that name.

Talks and Debates at various Universities

Southampton University Islamic Society

In January 2011, Ansar chaired a debate hosted at Southampton University Islamic Society between Clive Thorn and Adnan Rashid of the iERA/Hittin Institute.

On 25 September 2012, Ansar announced he was "speaking at the University of Southampton this Friday", 28th September 2012.

University College London Union Debating Society

In January 2013, Ansar was one of four guest speakers participating in a debate organised by University College London Union's Debating Society, entitled This house believes that religion does more harm than good.

York Islamic Society

In February 2013, Ansar delivered a "talk" for York Islamic Society entitled Islam and Britain and the Muslim Civil Rights Crisis . The lecture opened with a conspiracy theory about Muslims having intermarried with native Americans before the arrival of Columbus in 1492.

Lovell Lecture

In April 2013, Mo Ansar announced that he'd been "invited to give this year's Lovell Lecture to be held at Winchester Cathedral in October.". This refers to the annual Lovell Interfaith Lecture organised jointly by Winchester University, Winchester Cathedral and the Lovell Family, and ought not to be confused with the annual Lovell Lecture held at Jodrell Bank in honour of Sir Bernard Lovell. On 8 October 2013, Mo Ansar gave a lecture at Winchester Cathedral entitled 'Facing Secularism Together'. He was presented to the audience as: "a political and social commentator who regularly appears on British television and radio and has extensive experience in countering extremism".

Directorships

Ansar has held, in total, three directorships since July 2008: two incarnations of Ansar Consulting Ltd, and; his first, a limited company named Securum Ltd.

Ansar Consulting

As discussed above, the link given to Ansar's private consulting practice, Ansar Consulting, is no longer active. A google search shows that it exists as an entity in social media: on twitter as @AnsarConsulting, and; on facebook as Ansar Consulting. A search in companies records shows that Ansar Consulting Ltd was struck off and dissolved on 26th February 2013 and had never submitted documentation since its incorporation on 15 July 2011. Additionally, a previous limited company, also named Ansar Consulting Ltd was incorporated 18 August 2008, and struck off and dissolved 26 March 2010. This earlier incarnation had also failed to submit the required documentation.
As Ansar's private consulting practice was struck off in February 2013, the reference has been changed to the past tense, and the link changed to the data held about the company, instead of the defunct website.

Securum Limited

"Securum Ltd was incorporated on 22 Jul 2008 and is located in London. The company's status is listed as "Dissolved" and it had 3 directors at the time it closed. It was founded by Mr Jabraan Azlam, Mr Mohammed Ansar, Mr Shahid Zeeb. Securum Ltd does not have any subsidiaries. "

Mohammed Ansar co-directed Securum Limited with Mr Shahid Zeeb and Mr Jabraan Azlam:

"Mohammed Ansar is an experienced business professional and senior manager. His work history includes more than a decade as a senior manager for top 5 UK banking institution mohammed.ansar@securum.co.uk

Shahid Zeeb has worked in the security industry for over 10 years. As a seasoned professional he has worked in offering consultation and advice on both a personal and corporate level shahid.zeeb@securum.co.uk

Jabraan Azlam is an experienced security professional with a specialisation in static site security and management of staff jabraan.azlam@securum.co.uk".

Ansar's description of himself as a senior manager is not borne out by the citation from an employment tribunal, where Ansar represented himself against Lloyds Bank PLC. In that citation, the only senior managers mentioned in that top 5 banking institution were those superior to Ansar himself. Securum Ltd was struck off and dissolved on 2 March 2010 after it failed to file the required documents.

Securum co-directors

Shahid Zeeb

Ansar's co-director Shahid Zeeb had, for two days in March 2008, been a co-director of Hanson Leisure Ltd, a retailer of "alcoholic & other beverages".

"Shahid Zeeb has worked in the security industry for over 10 years. As a seasoned professional he has worked in offering consultation and advice on both a personal and corporate level".

Jabraan Azlam

"Jabraan Azlam is an experienced security professional with a specialisation in static site security and management of staff".

Ansar's other co-director, Jabraan Azlam, was alleged to be Mohammed Ansar's brother. Following a search of the British Births register, it has now been confirmed that they are maternal half-brothers.
Jabraan Azlam (born Jobraan Azlam, 1986 Watford) was one of the six Khan Line drug gang members arrested on 6 June 2011.
On 26 March 2012, Azlam was sentenced to four years for his involvement in the Khan Line drug gang as a drug runner, to which he pleaded guilty:

"[...] Jabraan Azlam, who pleaded guilty to the conspiracy on re-arraignment [...] was sentenced to four years' imprisonment."

"Jabraan Azlam was dealt with as a runner, pure and simple, without the element of additional trust which was identified in Kazim's case. Moreover, he was entitled to significantly greater credit for his guilty plea."

Community Organiser

The reference on the original wikipedia page that supported the claim that Mohammed Ansar is a community organiser leads to a different Mohammed Ansar, who lives in Oldham, not the Mohammed Ansar originating from Watford and now living in Hampshire. The Oldham-based Mohammed Ansar was more recently quoted in the following reference.
Contemporary Anarchist 17:38, 18 April 2013 (UTC)

Southampton Flood Relief Campaign

In September 2010, Ansar is listed in the Southampton Echo as an organiser for the Southampton Flood Relief Campaign"The Southampton Flood Relief Campaign which began with a few families in Chandler’s Ford, has spawned a Southampton and Hampshire-wide scheme that organiser Mohammed Ansar hopes will involve everyone from schools to the Women’s Institute."

Muslim Council of Southampton

In July 2011, Ansar was described by the Reverts website as "currently part of the Muslim Council of Southampton". The Muslim Council of Southampton's website is http://mcs-online.org. No mention of Ansar could be found on its website.
Contemporary Anarchist 00:31, 19 April 2013 (UTC)

Civil Rights Activist

Anti-War

On 20th January 2013, Mohammed Ansar tweeted an image taken by photographer Michael Yon. The image had been doctored to show captions that bore no relation to the meaning of the image, which showed an Iraqi girl who later died from injuries inflicted by an suicide bomber.

@MoAnsar: ""We were told we were fighting terrorists" pic.twitter.com/cZ6tAd4xdh"

@TheJamesBrandon: "@MoAnsar Are you entirely stupid? The pic u re-tweeted was of a girl killed by a suicide bomber - the soldier was helping her! @Michael_Yon"

@TheJamesBrandon: "@MoAnsar Read story behind the pic here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Yon#2005_.E2.80.93_Little_Girl_story_and_photograph … And then please retract yr tweet and apologise. @Michael_Yon @GhaffarH"

@CunningtoP: "@MoAnsar Mo, I think you need to re-think this one. Sorry mate."

@MoAnsar: "@CunningtoP What, why? Its a provocative image, and a real quote."

@CunningtoP: "@MoAnsar It is out of context re. the words attached. I am with the message but the wrong picture has been used. I think you know...."

@MoAnsar: "@TheJamesBrandon Apologise to who, and for what, you loon?!"

@TheJamesBrandon: "@MoAnsar For a start, you can apologise to @michael_yon who took the pic- I'm sure he doesn't want it turned into cheap, anti-US propaganda."

@MoAnsar: "@TheJamesBrandon That it? Ridiculous."

@TheJamesBrandon: "@MoAnsar Of course! I'm offended by your tweet but I'm hardly going to call for you be beheaded am I? @GhaffarH @MaajidNawaz"

@MoAnsar: "@TheJamesBrandon You're a little weird."

@DougieFFC: "@MoAnsar @TheJamesBrandon how do you not grasp how disingenuous what you just did is? Where's your sense of decency? Then you abuse him!"

@TheJamesBrandon: "@MoAnsar Resorting to random ad-hominems already? Yawn."

Ban the EDL

Ansar began a petition to ban the EDL. The petition received 6,448 signatures by its close on 08/11/2011:

The Government should ban the EDL

Responsible department: Home Office

The EDL peddle hatred amongst the people of the UK however the Government has so far refused to ban them.

After the tragic events in Oslo and Utoya, we the people recognise that far right groups who share in part, or in whole, in this dangerous and evil ideology should not be allowed to exist in good society.

Petitions and submissions have been made to the Home Secretary over the last two years and it is now time our Government acted.

Gender Segregation in public spaces

Ansar recently campaigned in support of iERA's gender segregation in public spaces, and racially stigmatised the opposition to public gender segregation as a White versus Muslim - Men versus Women argument: "the human rights of Muslim women must give way to the rights of white men".

On 23 December 2013:

@sunny_hundal: "Student Rights may have a xenophobic agenda (allied to Henry Jackson Society after all), but lefties look silly when they ignore broader pt

‏@SaraKhanInspire "@sunny_hundal not just silly but that they don't give a damn about listening to the voices of Muslim women who opposed segregation."

@sunny_hundal "@SaraKhanInspire EXACTLY"

‏@mehdirhasan "@sunny_hundal @SaraKhanInspire But it's not just Student Rights, is it? Did you see last Sunday's (not yesterday's) blizzard of columns?"

‏@sunny_hundal "@mehdirhasan @SaraKhanInspire yes, saw the blizzard of columns. And yet lefties STILL running away from any talk of segregation taking place"

‏@mehdirhasan "@sunny_hundal @SaraKhanInspire Not sure that's what's happening tbh. And yes v possible to be opposed to both sexism and Islamophobia.

@sunny_hundal "@mehdirhasan @SaraKhanInspire Exactly. So it may be more productive to talk about why segregation happens than being obsessed by SR here."

@mehdirhasan "@sunny_hundal @SaraKhanInspire I'm not obsessed by them. But I am with the mainstream media coverage of these things, as you know."

‏@sunny_hundal "@mehdirhasan @SaraKhanInspire that's like saying you're more interested in why ppl not talking about Syria, then plight of Syrians directly."

‏@mehdirhasan "@sunny_hundal @SaraKhanInspire Well, @mrianleslie makes the point better than me, towards the end: http://www.newstatesman.com/religion/2013/12/furore-over-mss-muslim-staff-policy-shows-islamophobia-problem …"

‏@sunny_hundal "@mehdirhasan @SaraKhanInspire well that's a silly example in your defence since 1) lots of examples cited 2) segregation issue getting worse"

@mehdirhasan "@sunny_hundal @sarakhaninspire really? What's your evidence? And are you really so naive as to believe that press care about women's rights?"

@sunny_hundal "@mehdirhasan @SaraKhanInspire The question is not whether press care about womens rights.The Q is whether segregation furthers womens rights"

@MoAnsar: "@sunny_hundal Let's please stop pretending its forcible segregation; mischaracterising the debate is unhelpful and part of the problem."

@RazaSaab: ".@MoAnsar If I can't sit in a particular section of the lecture hall, cuz of my gender, then yes, it is forcible segregation. @sunny_hundal"

@jchabeeb: "@MoAnsar @sunny_hundal Segregation is segregation"

Hamza Kashgari

On 7 May 2012, Mo Ansar supported the jailing of Hamza Kashgari:

@ruwaydamustafah: "Saudi authorities don't imprison a man who hit his wife but order him to read books but they imprisoned hamza kashgari for tweeting."

@mosansar: "In fairness, an Islamic studies grad + writer, he was provoking the government by intentionally blaspheming.

@ruwaydamustafah: "I don't think it was blasphemous. Just a confused teenager expressing himself. Shouldn't have been imprisoned."

@moansar: "You so know he was a uni graduate of Islamic studies, published journalist + writer? He knew the law and was making a point"

@ruwaydamustafah: "He retracted all his tweets after they became viral."

@moansar: "He left it out there and I tweeted /discussed with a number of Saudis who didn't deny he was 'doing a David Gale'."

@moansar: "You're absolutely right about the Saudi issue, I'm not a fan of the blasphemy law, but he was taking the proverbials"

LGBT Activist

Mohammed Ansar claims to be an LGBT activist.

Promotion of IERA Alert after conference cancellation in Toronto due to 'LGBT Groups' spreading 'fear'

On 14 October 2011 between 9:46am and 3:31pm, Mo Ansar, via IERA's Yusuf Chambers, tweeted an action alert from IERA regarded the cancellation of their conference in Toronto ([http://archive.is/SaTSZ archived):

@moansar: "Sheraton Hotel, Toronto cancels Muslim conference after Jewish Defence League & LGBT groups spread fear us1.campaign-archive2.com/?u=ebb500c4922…"

@moansar: "@OUTtv Is this true: us1.campaign-archive2.com/?u=ebb500c4922… LGBT groups in Canada force cancellation of Muslim conference?"

Ansar has since deleted his tweets promoting the IERA's action alert.

Views on homosexuality

Mohammed Ansar's views on homosexuality were first broached on twitter on 28 January 2012:

@carrothead: "@MoAnsar What is your view on homosexuality?"

@MoAnsar: "@CarrotHead Hate the sin not the sinner."

Mo Ansar has since deleted his retweet of the question, and the tweet containing his views.

Claims of having founded an organisation on Equality

@MoAnsar 3:21AM: "@TarekFatah Brother, I founded an organisation on Equality - championing the cause of gender dysphoria, gay and lesbians as well as others."

Ansar's original wikipedia biography claimed that he founded the Hampshire Independent Equality Forum (HIEF).

Claims of having been an LGBT rights activist

Ansar's first claim, made to broadcaster and presenter Nicky Campbell, was written in the past tense on 2nd February 2012:

@moansar: "@NickyAACampbell @bbc5live Despite me having been a LGBT rights activist... who says the West has a monopoly on morality? Impose on Qatar?"

@NickyAACampbell: "@MoAnsar ha some do some don't. Let's have a heated debate!"

Ansar has since deleted his tweet.
The next time this claim was made (to Peter Tatchell), it was made in the present tense, and a timespan was added:

@moansar: "@PeterTatchell I've been campaigning for LGBT rights for years. You need clarify your positions - its not #Islam that is homophobic."

Ansar has since deleted this tweet.
On 1 March 2012, we discover that Ansar has spent "many years fighting for gay rights and anti-discrimination of LGBT":

@MoAnsar: "@BernardMcEldown I was asked and gave my honest response. Sexuality is a personal matter for the home. It is no one else's business. Albeit"

@moansar: "@BernardMcEldown homosexuality is considered sinful in Islam, its never a case of hating the person. I've spent many years fighting.."

@moansar: "@BernardMcEldown ..for gay rights and anti discrimination of LGBT. If sexualisation hetero/bi/gay any, becomes a corrupting influence in"

@moansar: "@BernardMcEldown ..society its a problem. We have a horrific problem of sexualistion of kids for example."

@BernardMcEldown: "@MoAnsar Well its not really a personal matter if people use their faith to jutify their homophobia, and discrimination against gay people!"

@moansar: "@BernardMcEldown Agreed my friend. Discrimination of any group on race, religion, sexuality or other characteristic, is wrong."

@BernardMcEldwon: "@MoAnsar Its nonsence for many religion to claim that homosexuality is a sin. People are born gay, they don't choose it. Hows that a sin?"

@MoAnsar: "@BernardMcEldown Good point. Can't speak for Christianity but the 'type' of homosexuality soecifically condemned in the Scriptures was the.."

@MoAnsar: "@BernardMcEldown ..rampant-out-to-convert-you kind. In Prophetic times there were said to be a people who literally attacked people entering"

@MoAnsar: "@BernardMcEldown ..their citiy limits. We would all agree that kind of stuff isn't right.".

@BernardMcEldown: "@MoAnsar Don't think Gays try to make Straights Gay. There are groups that try to convert gays to be straight. Many religions just hate Gays"

@MoAnsar: "@BernardMcEldown Don't agree. No religions hate gay people. People hate people."

@BernardMcEldown: "@MoAnsar People use their religion to justify their homophobia."

@MoAnsar: "@BernardMcEldown People use religion to justify lots. They are wrong. We shouldn't throw out the religions because people twist them."

@MoAnsar: "Lots of discussion this afternoon. Questions about homosexuality and Islam take off when they know I'm an advocate for gay rights."

@BernardMcEldown: "@MoAnsar NIce one Mo. Thanks for supporting the cause!"

@MoAnsar: "@BernardMcEldown I'm an advocate for anti discrimination, its not the same as promoting the lifestyle."

@BernardMcEldown: "@MoAnsar You use the same language as some Christian Fundamentalists..Being gay is not a 'Lifestyle Choice". They are born gay. Get Over It."

@MoAnsar: "@BernardMcEldown You have become increasingly rude and ill mannered. Disappointed."

@BernardMcEldown: "@MoAnsar Mo there is nothing rude or ill mannered in anything I have tweeted.Seems like you don't like anyone challenging your beliefs?"

@MoAnsar: "@BernardMcEldown I've been courteous towards you entertaining all questions on all issues - until now. Shame on you for claiming that lie."

This discussion resurfaces on 6 April 2012, when Ansar smears McEldown to Yacoob over another matter:

‏@BernardMcEldown: "@SalmaYaqoob Not sure why the BBC are giving that guy all this publicity. Sooner he is sent to the USA the better."

‏@SalmaYaqoob: ".@BernardMcEldown Given yr notion of justice which clearly does not include right to trial to face accusations good job u r a retired cop."

@MoAnsar: "@SalmaYaqoob @BernardMcEldown I enjoyed alot of discussion with Bernard until it got very abusive and had to block him."

On 3 March 2012:

@PiersMorganLive: "It's detrimental, and ultimately destructive." Kirk Cameron on homosexuality: http://on.cnn.com/z2KPyT Watch the interview tonight at 9p"

@BernardMcEldown: "@PiersTonight He sounds like a right Tosser!!"

@moansar: "@BernardMcEldown @PiersTonight Although I'm an advocate against discrimination of LGBT; people do still have the right to personal beliefs."

Then on 9 March 2012, we discover that "many years" has become "almost a decade":

@moansar: "@Nilesby @NSRKhan I've been fighting for LGBT rights for almost a decade. Don't judge Islam by some misguided Muslims."

And by 11 March 2012, "almost a decade" has become "for over 15 years":

@moansar: "@rangeroverheart I've been fighting against discrimination in the courts, public and private sector for over 15 years - for women, LGBT and"

@MoAnsar: "I get criticised for fighting against discrimination directed towards LGBT groups, women & BMEs. NB. Islam is about social justice."

@moansar: "@noisyknits Nothing to do with my work as Chairman of an organisation advocating for LGBT. My public record speaks for itself."

This appears to be referencing [1]Ansar's brief chair of the Hampshire Independent Equality Forum's Steering Group] - an association which ended no later than March 2011, when the Steering Group was disbanded, then later reformed in July 2011 as an Action Group, without Ansar's involvement. Ansar came into contact with Chrysalis during the year 2010-2011. It seems likely that Ansar's involvement with the HIEF's Steering Group in 2010-2011, during which Ansar was briefly chair and later falsely claimed to be it's founder, forms the only known basis of his claim to have worked with Chrysalis. Ansar made this claim as though he were still chair of HIEF. He was not involved with HIEF after the Steering Group's disbandment in early 2011.

@moansar: "@DrLovemason @noisyknits Don't be ridiculous. My blog is what I choose to be. My work with LGBT organisations is no ones business but my own"

On

@moansar: "MT "@Official_EDL: @PeterTatchell Peter if your ever interested in helping out with #EDL LGBT division DM us" < Why would they think that?"

On 18 March 2012, we discover that Mohammed Ansar, sent an email to the famous LGBT and human rights activist Peter Tatchell:

@MoAnsar 10:43AM: "Very difficult to hear the Islamophobe Peter Tatchell speak of morality to animals, when he denies it to Muslims #bbctbq"

@mePadraigReidy 10:47 AM: "@MoAnsar That's an absurd slur, Mo."

@MoAnsar 10:49AM: "@mePadraigReidy I wish it was. It isn't. And you should know by now that I don't lie or slander."

@mePadraigReidy 11:04AM: "@MoAnsar I've never seen any evidence that PT is an Islamophobe. Hardline secularist, yes, but that's not the same thing."

@MoAnsar 11:16AM: "@mePadraigReidy I have direct experience. Read my TL."

@mePadraigReidy 11:22AM: "@MoAnsar I may be wrong here, but isn't a "global Dawah organisation" about a little more than dispelling myths?"

@MoAnsar 11:23AM: "@mePadraigReidy No, that's exactly what it is."

@mePadraigReidy : "@MoAnsar preaching not the same as dispelling myths. Anyway, I've got to dash. Happy Day-after-St-Patrick's Day!"'

@mePadraigReidy: "@MoAnsar can you dm me your email? Would be interested in continuing convo, plus couple other things. Thanks"

@MoAnsar 11:29AM: "@mePadraigReidy Done. And you too. Be good ;)"

@mysteryhousewyf 10:48AM: "@MoAnsar He's an Islamophobe?"

@MoAnsar 10:53AM: "@mysteryhousewyf Unfortunately. Which is also sad since I've been a gay rights advocate for 10yrs."

@mysteryhousewyf 10:54AM: "@MoAnsar Thank you. Do you have a link or a quote that I could read that supports that? (just reading your blog BTW)"

@MoAnsar 10:56AM: "@mysteryhousewyf Happy to discuss, a little later on perhaps. If that's ok."

@mysteryhousewyf 10:59AM: "@MoAnsar That's fine. Understand and much appreciated. Thank you."

@MoAnsar 11:04AM: "@mysteryhousewyf A Muslim organisation called IERA do a massive amount of outreach work to dispel myths and..." "... misconceptions about Muslims which leads to horriric Islamophobia. PT went out of his way to block a conference..." "...being organised by them on combatting Islamophobia. He petitioned the hotel and used his website and influence to..." "...activate a mass movement against IERA and the hotel chain. Appalling use of islamophobic language..." "... and total refusal to engage, discuss at all his actions, or apologise. I sent him a lengthy email to try and mediate."

@mysteryhousewyf 11:24AM: "@MoAnsar Begins with position of acceptance rather than struggle. I read some of your blog and appreciate your many perspectives.Interesting"

@MoAnsar 11:29AM: "@mysteryhousewyf We dispel hate by education and being prepared to challenge our misconceptions and bigotry."

@mysteryhousewyf 11:29AM: "@MoAnsar I hope there will be a resolution even this late in the day. Thank you for speaking with me. I'll read some more. Peace."

@MoAnsar 11:30AM: "@mysteryhousewyf Your hopes, are my hopes. And peace to you too sister."

@noisyknits 10:56AM: "Love the way this muslim tries to turn his homophobia into a state of 'victimhood' RT @MoAnsar Very difficult to hear the Islamophobe @PeterTatchell speak of morality to animals, when he denies it to Muslims #bbctbq"

@MoAnsar 10:57AM: ". @noisyknits I've been an advocate for gay rights and equality for over 10yrs working for charities. Check your facts."

@noisyknits 11:04AM: "@MoAnsar really? Anything documented? Very hard to believe. Why attack @PeterTatchell? He likes Muslims."

@MoAnsar 11:16AM: "@noisyknits When it suits him and his public profile. Read my TL. @PeterTatchell"

@noisyknits 11:18AM: "@MoAnsar and your lack of 'blog evidence' of being a supporter of gay rights?"

@noisyknits 11:20AM: "@MoAnsar can't see anything islamophobic in your TL from @PeterTatchell"

@noisyknits 11:06AM: "@MoAnsar can't see anything on your site... Put something on there about it (or msg a link) and then I'll believe you."

@noisyknits 11:11AM: "I just checked your blog - is that fact enough? No evidence of you being an advocate of gay rights RT @MoAnsar . @noisyknits I've been an advocate for gay rights and equality for over 10yrs working for charities. Check your facts."

@MoAnsar 11:21AM: "@noisyknits Nothing to do with my work as Chairman of an organisation advocating for LGBT. My public record speaks for itself."

@noisyknits 11:23AM: "@MoAnsar can you give examples of your advocacy of gay rights?"

@MoAnsar: "@noisyknits Am I here to somehow justify my public role and good works to you to 'qualify'. Disgusting intolerance. Google it yourself."

@noisyknits 11:29AM: "@MoAnsar I'm disgustingly intolerant? You're claiming something that is contrary to your religion's belief system. This is a major moment in the history of Islam in the UK and you shy away and refuse to take credit? Show the written evidence to prove that you truly are tolerant of sexual minorities."

@drlovemason 11:35AM: "@MoAnsar @noisyknits I think the word 'Disgusting' gives the game away here"

@MoAnsar 11:41AM: "@DrLovemason @noisyknits Don't be ridiculous. My blog is what I choose to be. My work with LGBT organisations is no ones business but my own"

@noisyknits 11:47AM: "@MoAnsar but you claim publicly on twitter that you have a 10yr record of advocating gay rights - if that's no-one else's business why bring it up? @DrLovemason"

@drlovemason 11:48AM: "@MoAnsar @noisyknits you are being asked to substantiate your claim. Indeed we are just trying to "Check your facts""

@noisyknits 11:50AM: "I think it's safe to state that @MoAnsar is lying about his 10yr record of supporting LGBT rights and that his accusation that @PeterTatchell is an Islamophobe is his way of turning his homophobia into 'martyrdom'."

@MoAnsar 12:04PM: "@noisyknits Ok. Now you're banned. And wrong."

@noisyknits 12:29PM: "@MoAnsar how am I wrong?"

@noisyknits 11:39AM: "@MoAnsar googled and guess what? NOTHING linking you with LGBT rights. Just 1 photo of 2 transvestites taken by someone with the same name"

@noisyknits 11:40AM: "@MoAnsar can't you just show some evidence? It would be much nicer to prove your claims than to insult people for questioning them"

@pencilbloke 11:02AM: "@MoAnsar How's he an islamaphobe?"

@MoAnsar 11:16AM: "@PencilBloke Read my TL"

@PencilBloke 11:42AM: "@MoAnsar He called out an IERA conference for having eg Abdullah Hakim Quick, who says gays are taking over, as a speaker. How islamaphobic!"

@MoAnsar 11:54AM: "@PencilBloke His scuttling of the whole ship, activating his base to petition the hotel chain and vitriole on Islam that was the problem..."

@MoAnsar 11:54AM: "@PencilBloke ..Understand if he objectes to a speaker. Hurting all Muslims, all the good work that was being done was reprehensible."

@PencilBloke 12:02PM: "@MoAnsar He objected to specific speakers. Organisation shouldn't invite hateful speakers if it wishes to represent compassionate Muslims."

@christt 11:08AM: "@MoAnsar what a ridiculous thing to say, he doesn't 'deny' morality to anyone. At least if you're going to argue, make it a real one."

@MoAnsar 11:19AM: "@christt Check my TL"

@christt 12:05PM: "@MoAnsar I'm upset that you don't argue more honestly and with greater intellectual integrity, given your position. I wish you did."

@peterrisdon 11:22AM: "@MoAnsar The muslims Tatchell opposes are not victims, they are the 'phobes': aggressors against gay people. @rhysmorgan"

@MoAnsar 11:23AM: "@PeterRisdon @rhysmorgan No. He opposed me. A decade long advocate of gay rights. Go figure."

@rhysmorgan 11:32AM: "@MoAnsar @PeterRisdon So wait, criticism of a religion - particularly Islam - makes you a "-phobe"?!"

@MoAnsar 11:36AM: "@rhysmorgan @PeterRisdon Its a far more complex model including causing alienation, marginalization, discrimn, social exclusn."

@PeterRisdon 11:39AM: "@MoAnsar @rhysmorgan However, if you hold odious views that discriminate against others, you must expect to be opposed and reviled."

@MoAnsar 11:44AM: "@PeterRisdon @rhysmorgan What odious views? BIG assumption. Misconceptions & media myths become discrmn very quickly. As here."

@PeterRisdon 11:46AM: "@MoAnsar @rhysmorgan I don't know your personal stance of course, but unequal treatment of sexes by Sahri'a is repulsive."

@MoAnsar 11:52AM: "@PeterRisdon @rhysmorgan You are talking from ignorance and a lack of understanding."

@PeterRisdon 11:53AM: "@MoAnsar @rhysmorgan So enlighten me. I notice, though, that you don't deny these things."

@rhysmorgan 11:53AM: "@MoAnsar @PeterRisdon Please do elaborate."

@rhysmorgan 11:56AM: "Still incredibly confused about this Peter Tatchell matter. @MoAnsar still hasn't explained exactly how Peter Tatchell is an islamophobe."

@MoAnsar 12:06PM: "@rhysmorgan I can't keep repeating my comments to everyone who asks. Trawl through the TL."

@ChrisGurr 11:40AM: "@MoAnsar you're an idiot." (retweeted by @MoAnsar)

@Frostblade_ 1:41PM: "@MoAnsar Peter Tatchell endorses testing on Muslims? cc @rhysmorgan"

@MaryamNamazie 9:06PM: "@MoAnsar Don't be ridiculous - criticising #islam and #islamism not attack on #Muslims."

@MoAnsar: "Oh dear. Being rounded upon by @petertatchell followers this morning. Get a grip folks."

@pigdowndog 11:46AM: "@MoAnsar @petertatchell I think you may have brought that on yourself old chap."

@MoAnsar 11:51AM: "@Pigdowndog @PeterTatchell I only ever call it as I see it."

@pigdowndog 11:55AM: "@MoAnsar @PeterTatchell I don't know Mr. Tatchell but he doesn't come across as someone who would be a "phobe" about anything."

@MoAnsar: "@Pigdowndog @PeterTatchell Personal experience."

@pigdowndog: "@MoAnsar @PeterTatchell Are you sure he's not unlike me and "phobic", in a gentle manner, about all religions?"

@MoAnsar 12:12PM: "@Pigdowndog We so badly needed a conference to tackle islamophobia. Its real. Not victimhood. @PeterTatchell Derailed the whole bloody thing"

@syed9791 3:05PM: "@MoAnsar it might help if you tweet examples of why you made that comment, personally I feel he was very fair and measured on #bbctbq"

@mysteryhousewyf: "@MoAnsar @Pigdowndog @PeterTatchell I agree - but derailment blame pointing in wrong directions. Phobia = fear. Of what and Why??? Peace."

@MoAnsar: "@mysteryhousewyf @Pigdowndog @PeterTatchell Runnymede have a beautifully complete defn of Islamophobia."

@mysteryhousewyf: "@MoAnsar @PeterTatchell Here it is. The problem is in the language & root of difference. We are limited by word cages. http://www.runnymedetrust.org/uploads/publications/pdfs/islamophobia.pdf …"

@MoAnsar: "@mysteryhousewyf @PeterTatchell I know the report. I've had to speak on it at length. The fact remains that there are many good Muslim..."

@MoAnsar: "@mysteryhousewyf @PeterTatchell ..a misinformed opinion, bigotry and generalisation is precisely what we should oppose. Not do ourselves."

@mysteryhousewyf: "@MoAnsar @PeterTatchell I agree,you are defending that which ismost dear to you.We must all see beyond enemy lines.Everyone fears something."

@MoAnsar: "@mysteryhousewyf @PeterTatchell My lengthy email to PT discussed our commonality and the need to work together to dispel hate."

This was related to Tatchell's opposition to the IERA conference speakers who had called for the execution of gays.

On 31 March 2012:

@moansar: "@jali_gb @noisyknits Am champion of LGBT rights and close friends with gender dysphoria group Chrysallis."

Chrysalis is a Hampshire-based charity "with Meeting Centres for transitioning transgender (transsexual) adults". Mohammed Ansar consistently misspells 'Chrysalis' as 'Crysallis'. His association (on the record) with Chrysalis happened during his year (2010-2011) as member of HIEF Steering Group.

@moansar: "@MsAndrewPreview @bbcbigquestions Ding. Got my vote. Have been advocate for LGBT / broad equalities brief for 15yrs now."

@moansar: "@Synophion Couldnt agree more. I've been an advocate for LGBT rights / anti-discrimination for over a decade."

@moansar: "@CaptainArmband No. I've been actively campaigning for LGBT for over a decade. Next."

@moansar: "@RobbieSingh2 You know little about Islam. For a discourse, be polite. I've been an advocate/activist for LGBT rights for over 10yrs."

@moansar: "@janemcqueen As an advocate of women's and LGBT rights, on the record for over a decade, my curiosity is piqued."

@moansar: "@janemcqueen I've been an advocate for LGBT rights for a number of years, incl working with gender dysphoria community in South."

@moansar: "@FromNusaybah ..you then need to consider if anything else overrides those rights for someone who is LGBT."

@moansar: "@a_e_wallace For the record, Liberty: there is “no evidence” that LGBT people face either discrimination or violence freethoughtblogs.com/butterfliesand…"

@moansar: "@bigladmarkyd Most EDL and nationalists don't even know that Sharia says Muslims MUST give rights to women, LGBT, and people of other faith"

On 22nd April 2012:

@isawfireworks: "@moansar do you support gay marriage & LGBT rights? :)"

@moansar: "@isawfireworks I've been an activist for LGBT rights for over 15 years. Worked closely with the transgender / dysphoria community."

Note how Ansar fails to Ansar the question. Between 2010-2011 (approximately 1 year) Ansar briefly worked alongside a Hampshire-based transgender dysphoria community named Chrysalis during his time as member and briefly chair of Hampshire Independent Equality Forum's Steering Group.

@moansar: "@evaposner Its fair in parts, not in others. As a feminist (islamic) and someone who has fought for LGBT rights, the civil rights issues..."

@moansar: "@MFrancoisCerrah Full house for Tories: Islamophobic, sexist and ageist. And with disability support schemes cut. Just need LGBT."

On 1st May 2012, Ansar's mention of Kenny Everett sparked a conversation on homosexuality and Islam:

@MoAnsar: "The Unforgettable Kenny Everett, ITV now. Not for a delicate disposition but certainly, one of my childhood memories."

@isawfireworks: "@MoAnsar Mo, may I ask you something regarding homosexuality and Islam? A Muslim friend is anti-gay, believes it's haram. Why don't you? <3"

@moansar: "@isawfireworks A simple reason I suppose. What business of it is mine, what someone's sexuality is? Does it make them a bad person,..." "..an oppressor, unjust, cruel, rude mannered, a disbeliever? Where does it rate on the grand scale of things: better or worse" "..than eating pork, drinking or smoking, swearing, saying a nasty word to break someone's heart? Is it worse than disobeying" "..parents? Let God be the judge. Sexuality, in any form, should not be allowed to corrupt society or cause injustice. Is it.." "..the LGBT fraternity sexualising kids and causing 122 sexual assaults and rapes per day in the UK? I'm going on but the..." "..fundamental rule is hate the sin, not the sinner. There should be no oppression of people based on sexuality."

@isawfireworks: "@MoAnsar thank you for that lovely & full response; it's so humbling to know people like you exist & think like you. Love to you."

@moansar: "Aww. Very gracious of you to say. Just make sure you challenge the person on their view (nicely) :)"

‏@juangonzalvez: "@MoAnsar @isawfireworks in every religion homosexuality is forbidden! u cant be a christian and agree with homosexuality. the bible h8s it"

@moansar: "@juangonzalvez @isawfireworks There is a difference in not agreeing, and then oppressing people. Christ asked us to remove the log from..."

And there, that conversation ends.

@moansar: "I'm Muslim and an advocate for LGBT human rights. Get over it. #HDthinking"

This tweet generated 45 responses, including 40 retweets and five favourites. The responses to Ansar's statement never received an answer:

@drbarbara1: "@MoAnsar You're a good guy!"

@fiannabradley: "@MoAnsar Well said. I'm a Catholic...perfect not practising..and I too am an advocate for LGBT human rights."

@BarnabyEdwards: ".@MoAnsar A pro-LGBT Muslim is great news! What's your view on the teenage boys hanged in Iran in 2005 for breaking Sharia law by being gay?"

@ameytahl: "@MoAnsar In the UK there is no danger for taking this position, but in MENA it means death."

@americatheist: "@MoAnsar Really? What do you mean by advocate? Do you voice this everywhere you go with everyone you know? That would be advocating. #Truth"

@sreislamic: "@MoAnsar Does that mean you support same-sex marriage?"

@nimco1986: "@MoAnsar, what do you mean, do you approve of homosexual acts??"

@captainarmband: "@MoAnsar I await you taking to the streets of Saudi with a banner in support of gay rights :)"

On 12 June 2012:

@3C75: "@MoAnsar Homosexuality is a sin in Islam. Fact. Islam is not homophobic. Fact."

@moansar: "@siraajahmad Don't disagree. Does that mean we discriminate against LGBT people, or uphold their rights?"

Promoted the Hizb ut-Tahrir stance on Homosexuality and Gay Marriage

On 7 December 2012:

@tajimustafa 5:44PM: "Will a UK Mosque\Church\.. one day be sued for not carrying out a gay marriage? Creeping compulsion? Many dont believe Cameron's reassurance" (retweeted by @MoAnsar)

@MoAnsar 5:46PM: "@tajimustafa How long until a legal case is brought against a church or mosque? My guess: the paperwork is already filled, ready to go."

@robinince 5:48PM: "@tajimustafa @moansar I presume gay couples would be really keen to be married in a temple by a priest that is against their love"

@MoAnsar 5:49PM: "@robinince @tajimustafa We dont have a clergy. Imam may be willing, committee not, or vice versa. Fact remains, law suits will flow apace."

@robinince 5:50PM: "@MoAnsar @tajimustafa will they? glad you have the power to foresee the future too"

@MoAnsar 5:51PM: "@robinince @tajimustafa I have these magic glasses I got in my Beano."

Post-Dale

On 24 March 2014:

@MoAnsar 3:44PM: "The Islam and homosexuality debate needs to be handled with care and sensitivity. If you're interested in a REAL discussion, great."

@MrMattDunstone 3:50PM: "@MoAnsar so is Iain whatsisface talking rubbish, or are you both being a bit over sensitive over a very sensitive subject?"

@MoAnsar 3:51PM: "@MrMattDunstone Of course, Matt. What else would gay rights groups (and me) be complaining about? Assumptions based on prejudice."

No blog post or links to LGBT activism, "but let them scream", says Mo Ansar

On 25 March 2014:

@raf234 12:53AM: "@MoAnsar Hi Mo, do you have a blog post or links to your work within the LGBT community? It seems your detractors @ QF are questioning it."

@MoAnsar 1:28AM: "@raf234 No, but let them scream."

Parody

In December 2012, Ansar appealed to Tariq Ramadan on twitter to report the Ansar-parody account and encouraged his twitter-followers to report the parody tweep of Ansar that appeared. Ansar claimed that the parody was being "used to attack and undermine a variety of Muslim public figures and scholars". Ansar's inability to single out an offensive tweet from his parody brought criticism. Ansar's parody account appears to have spurred his creation of the following petition.

===Petition for UK Social Media to disclose real identity of user following request by police or legal proceedings===

On 14 January 2012, Ansar created a petition:
"The Government should consult with social media providers to bring in legislation requiring UK users to provide full personal information which is subject to the Data Protection Act until and unless law enforcement agencies or legal proceedings require their disclosure.". The petition has received 50 signatures since its launch and has been re/tweeted at least 120 times, around 34 of which were by Ansar himself. Ansar also promoted the petition on the facebook pages for Muslim Council of Britain, Project Homophobia, Stonewall, and FOSIS.

Petition to have Maajid Nawaz removed as LibDem PPC

The furore began when Maajid Nawaz tweeted a cartoon that had been recently featured on BBC The Big Questions. The cartoon was of Jesus and Muhammad(saw) saying 'Hiya' and 'How ya doin?'. Nawaz stated on twitter that he personally wasn't offended by that particular cartoon. He had previously stated on BBC The Big Questions on 12 January 2014 that:

@BBCBigQuestions: "I do not feel threatened by the gentleman wearing that T-Shirt"

The t-shirt in question showed the cartoon described above. After Nawaz had tweeted his affirmation follow-up to BBC The Big Questions, Ramadan Foundation's Mohammed Shafiq then"accused @MaajidNawaz of denigration simply for saying that HE isn't offended by a cartoon", tweeting:

@mshafiquk 1:35 PM - 17 Jan 2014: "@MrTickle3 @MaajidNawaz @drusamahasan ghustaki Rasool these quillium people"

Ghustak-e-Rasool means : "Denigration of the Prophet (S.A.W.)"

Ansar sticks his oar in

On 17 January 2014, Mohammed Ansar tweeted to Mohammed Shafiq:

@MoAnsar 2:45 PM - 17 Jan 2014: "@mshafiquk He's a joke. Tweeting the J&M cartoons is abysmal. Just appalling."

Nawaz tweeted one cartoon - the one relating to the BBC The Big Questions debate, so when Ansar says "cartoons"(plural), he is lying. Ansar then retweeted a tweet by Shafiq:

@MoAnsar "RT@mshafiquk The offensive cartoon tweeted by the @LibDems parliamentary candidate @MaajidNawaz If this was done by another person what would happen?"

@MoAnsar 3:37 PM - 17 Jan 2014: "@CrinklyCree @mshafiquk A parliamentary candidate has tweeted out something millions will find offensive. A very silly thing to do."

@MoAnsar 3:58 PM - 17 Jan 2014: "@mshafiquk Complaints to the LibDems can be made known here: https://www.libdems.org.uk/contact.aspx"

In a delicious irony, lost to most everyone on twitter at the time of the furore's unfolding, in 2008, Mohammed Shafiq was sacked for deceit as local LibDem vice-chairman in the Rochdale ward of Bamford:

Man exposed for deceit chosen as Lib Dem candidate for Bamford!

"In an astonishing, and most likely self-defeating move, the Lib Dems have chosen the man they recently 'sacked' as local vice-chairman for deceit as their candidate for Bamford ward in the forthcoming local elections!

Mohammed Shafiq was forced to resign as vice-chairman of Rochdale Liberal Democrats in January following comments described by his party colleagues as "misleading and false".

At 4:09pm on Friday 17th January 2014 Mohammed Ansar was quoted in the online newspaper Asian Image (owned by the Newsquest Media Group):

"Even political and social commentator, Mohammed Ansar added to the debate, "A parliamentary candidate has tweeted out something millions will find offensive. A very silly thing to do."

@MoAnsar 11:07 PM - 17 Jan 2014: "Haha. *EVEN*. "@mshafiquk: Maajid Nawaz and Mohammed Shafiq clash over cartoon (From Asian Image) http://mobile.asianimage.co.uk/news/10946140.Maajid_Nawaz_and_Mohammed_Shafiq_clash_over_cartoon/?ref=twtrec …"

On 18 January 2014, Mohammed Shafiq went on a campaign rampage:

@mshafiquk 4:12 PM - 18 Jan 2014: "We will notify all muslim organisations in the UK of his despicable behaviour and also notify Islamic countries."

@Kk61Raoof 4:17 PM - 18 Jan 2014: "have spoken to someone in Pakistan They will have a suprise for him on his next visit!!!! He is used to suprises in Pak"

‏@Saj_Qureshi 4:17 PM - 18 Jan 2014:"Also it would be a good idea to contact Muslim electronic and print media in the UK as they should highlight this issue as well."

@Saj_Qureshi "Specially Urdu language media."

@mshafiquk "@Saj_Qureshi will you help"

@Saj_Qureshi "@mshafiquk I will do my best"

Ansar's petition promotion

On 20 January 2014, Mohammed Ansar promoted a petition located at change.org to request the LibDems to remove Maajid Nawaz as their parliamentary candidate. The petition states:

"the Party must take punitive action ideally through disassociating itself with Mr Nawaz by removing him from his position as PPC for Hampstead and Kilburn."

Between 20 Jan and 25 Jan 2014, the petition was promoted by Mohammed Ansar at least 18 times.

Mohammed Shafiq followed Ansar's lead in tweeting the petition.

From 20 Jan 2014, Mohammed Ansar tweeted:

@MoAnsar 9:01 AM - 20 Jan 2014: "Petition launched to remove controversial Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Hampstead & Kilburn http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/nick-clegg-remove-maajid-nawaz-as-ppc-for-hampstead-kilburn … (via @UnknownSufi)"

@MoAnsar 10:22 AM - 20 Jan 2014: "@PhilipHewlett https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/nick-clegg-remove-maajid-nawaz-as-ppc-for-hampstead-kilburn …"

@MoAnsar 9:38 AM - 20 Jan 2014: Lib Dem failure to robustly police their own candidates and members ahead of 2015, may prove costly and a mistake too far. #FitToRule"

@MoAnsar 9:40 AM - 20 Jan 2014: "@markpack @libdemnewswire @LibDemPress @nick_clegg Any comment, Mark? You can DM me. https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/nick-clegg-remove-maajid-nawaz-as-ppc-for-hampstead-kilburn"

@MoAnsar 9:41 AM - 20 Jan 2014: "@lfeatherstone Lynne, would you be prepared to stand with religious communities over this? https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/nick-clegg-remove-maajid-nawaz-as-ppc-for-hampstead-kilburn"

Ansar then lied about the nature of the tweet from Nawaz:

@MoAnsar 11:26 AM - 20 Jan 2014: "An expert in Muslim extremism standing for political office posts 'Prophet cartoons' and faces backlash. Twitter, you tell me."

In actual fact, the tweet by Nawaz contained ONE particular cartoon from the controversial Jesus and Mo series - the one discussed by Nicky Campbell on his show, BBC The Big Questions. It was that particular cartoon which Nawaz said publicly on television and afterwards on twitter, that neither his faith was threatened by the cartoon, nor was he, as a Muslim, personally offended by it.

Mohammed Ansar then continued to whip up a twitter storm, tweeting over and over the petition asking to remove Nawaz as a LibDem candidate:

@MoAnsar 1:32 PM - 20 Jan 2014: "Petition launched to remove controversial Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Hampstead & Kilburn http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/nick-clegg-remove-maajid-nawaz-as-ppc-for-hampstead-kilburn …"

Ansar also promoted the petition to LBC radio:

@MoAnsar 3:51 PM - 20 Jan 2014: "@lbc973 I wonder if Clegg will take a tougher stand over the Nawaz 'Prophet cartoons' scandal http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/nick-clegg-remove-maajid-nawaz-as-ppc-for-hampstead-kilburn …"

@mshafiquk 4:04 PM - 20 Jan 2014: "Sign the petition to remove @MaajidNawaz as parliamentary candidate. http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/nick-clegg-remove-maajid-nawaz-as-ppc-for-hampstead-kilburn"

On 21 January 2014, Mohammed Ansar promoted the petition again:

@MoAnsar 12:15 PM - 21 Jan 2014: "Calls to remove the PPC for Hampstead & Kilburn for breaching LD rules, rocket to 7,000+ complaints within 24 hrs https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/nick-clegg-remove-maajid-nawaz-as-ppc-for-hampstead-kilburn …"

@MoAnsar 1:25 PM - 21 Jan 2014: "@JuliaHB1 @lbc973 I think NC has another headache on his hands https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/nick-clegg-remove-maajid-nawaz-as-ppc-for-hampstead-kilburn …, approaching 10k sigs, http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/01/20/maajid-nawaz-cartoon_n_4631609.html?utm_hp_ref=uk …"

@MoAnsar 1:27 PM - 21 Jan 2014: "@markpack Hope you're keeping well, Mark. I think it is beyond that: https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/nick-clegg-remove-maajid-nawaz-as-ppc-for-hampstead-kilburn … have a read of the charge sheet."

@MoAnsar 2:56 PM - 21 Jan 2014: " If you read the petition: https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/nick-clegg-remove-maajid-nawaz-as-ppc-for-hampstead-kilburn … the complaints seem to be multifarious. And a case to answer."

@MoAnsar 5:52 PM - 21 Jan 2014: "Corruption in politics starts with politicians thinking they are above the rules. Just say no more. https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/nick-clegg-remove-maajid-nawaz-as-ppc-for-hampstead-kilburn …"

@MoAnsar 11:35 AM - 24 Jan 2014: "@kenanmalik I've only ever called for an investigation based on his impropriety. As per petn, check your footing: http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/nick-clegg-remove-maajid-nawaz-as-ppc-for-hampstead-kilburn?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=petition_message_notice …"

@MoAnsar 11:36 AM - 24 Jan 2014: "The petition against the PPC for Hampstead and Kilburn races to 20,000. See the discussion today on @daily_politics http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/nick-clegg-remove-maajid-nawaz-as-ppc-for-hampstead-kilburn?utm_source=supporter_message&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=petition_message_notice …"

Ansar continued:

@MoAnsar 9:44 PM - 25 Jan 2014: "The petition to deselect the PPC from Hampstead and Kilburn approaches an unprecedented 20,000 complaints: https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/nick-clegg-remove-maajid-nawaz-as-ppc-for-hampstead-kilburn …"

@MoAnsar 9:54 PM - 25 Jan 2014: "@NickyAACampbell Dont forget to share the other one too, for balance https://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/nick-clegg-remove-maajid-nawaz-as-ppc-for-hampstead-kilburn …"

Death threats

Nawaz has received two credible death threats originating from Pakistan due to the misrepresentation of his tweet by Shafiq and others on twitter:

Shafiq's supporters have begun a petition to have Nawaz removed as a Lib Dem candidate for the parliamentary seat, gaining around 700 signatures in a few hours."

Ansar supports petition to remove Nawaz

Ansar told HuffPost UK he backed the petition to remove Nawaz:

"I personally do not find that particular cartoon offensive, but there are others in the series which show Jesus and the Prophet Mohammed in bed together, drinking beer together. This is something many Muslims will find offensive.

"The petition quotes the Lib Dem code of conduct, that 'you must treat others with respect and must not bully, harass or intimidate or bring the Party into disrepute'

"I believe Maajid's behaviour on Twitter was contrary to the code, and we should expect very high standards of behaviour from politicians. I think that, especially with the Lord Rennard investigation, the Lib Dems should be very careful about breaches of the code."

Nicky Campbell warns Mo Ansar

At 19:25 PM on 20 January 2014, Mohammed Ansar posted:

@MoAnsar: "BREAKING:@georgegalloway, @mshafiquk & @moansar challege Lib Dems over Maajid Nawaz conduct http://huff.to/1e581KJ (via @HuffPostUK)"

Broadcaster Nicky Campbell responded:

@NickyAACampbell 7:28 PM - 20 Jan 2014: "@MoAnsar Credible death threats? Take care you don't come over as whipping this up my friend"

Ansar replied:

@MoAnsar: "@NickyAACampbell And to be condemned. As a LEADING extremism expert, he will have absolutely known the response. Reckless or intended?"

Nicky Campbell warned:

@NickyAACampbell: "@MoAnsar careful pal"

Ansar

@MoAnsar: "@NickyAACampbell As someone living under a terror threat, I'd never want to see anyone under any threat - its appalling... [1/2] but once an extremist. Certainly questionable MP material. But you know this, you've seen the unedited footage. [2/2]"

@NickyAACampbell: "@MoAnsar I've read the transcript"

The footage referred to is the entire film footage where Nawaz interviewed Ansar for the 'When Tommy Met Mo' documentary.

As can be seen from the above, Mohammed Ansar had been actively "whipping this up" against Maajid Nawaz for several days. As can be seen from the comments to Nicky Campbell, Ansar certainly holds a grudge against Nawaz.

Ansar's states his objection to political figures offending faith groups

As an aside, Ansar stated that his motivation was:

@MoAnsar 7:20 PM - 20 Jan 2014: "@NazaratHussain My objection would be against any political figure offending any faith groups. I've made no comment about the cartoons."

@MoAnsar 8:30 PM - 20 Jan 2014 : "@adilray @NickyAACampbell You're a little behind the debate, but that's ok. I'd object to any politician sticking it to any faith group."

However, Ansar retweeted in LibDem David Ward's defence: @MoAnsar: "RT @BDS4Justice: Lib Dem MP David Ward defends remarks about Israel guardian.co.uk/politics/2013/… (I hope ppl come to his defense!)"

@MoAnsar 3:35 PM - 26 Jan 2013: "Lib Dem MP, David Ward defends his comments about Israel: http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2013/jan/25/lib-dem-david-ward-israel …"

So clearly there's no substance to Ansar's claim.

Ansar then claimed to Campbell that:

@MoAnsar 7:52 PM - 20 Jan 2014: "@NickyAACampbell The only issue for me is political. The LibDems will need to decide if he is fit to continue to stand as a PPC."

Ansar's Grudge Match

Notably, Ansar has been a promoter of Hizb ut-Tahrir event and publications - the group which Nawaz used to be deeply involved in - and since Ansar's nose was put out of joint by being refused entry to the press conference to announce ex-EDL leader Tommy Robinson's departure from the EDL, there's more than just a political principle behind Ansar's involvement (a principle which Ansar failed to apply when it came to LibDem David Ward). Ansar appears to be attempting to enforce a blasphemy law (which he claims he's not in favour of - see entry on Kashgiri - in the UK political arena. A law which doesn't even apply to Nawaz, as Nawaz, a practicing Muslim, neither denigrated Islam's prophets nor does Nawaz live in a country whose rule of law is governed by theocratic laws.

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Ansar appears on UK Radio

On 21 January 2014, Tom Holland wrote: @holland_tom: "3 excellent reasons for backing @MaajidNawaz against this 1650s'style bigotry: @mshafiquk, @georgegalloway & @moansar http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/01/20/maajid-nawaz-cartoon_n_4631609.html …"

Ansar responded:

@MoAnsar: "@holland_tom @mshafiquk @georgegalloway The only relevant question is whether his behaviour constitutes breach of @LibDems rules. Let's see."

@holland_tom: "@MoAnsar @mrqblank @mshafiquk @georgegalloway @LibDems That is precisely why what you are doing is so dangerous: it's stoking sectarianism."

@MoAnsar: "@holland_tom @mshafiquk @georgegalloway What nonsense, Tom. There are serious questions for the LDs about his suitability as a PPC."

@PeterAttenborou: "@MoAnsar @holland_tom @LibDems We're really in a mess if we think retweeting cartoons is comparable to sexual harassment! @maajidnawaz"

@MoAnsar: "@PeterAttenborou As you will have noted, for me its less about cartoons and more about suitability as a PPC."

PeterAttenborou: "@MoAnsar In a democracy the candidates' suitability is determined by the constituancy electorate."

@MoAnsar: "@PeterAttenborou And the party. Let us not forget that."

On 21 January 2014, both Ansar and Shafiq appeared on BBC radio to discuss their campaign against Maajid Nawaz. Shafiq appeared on BBC Asian Network, and Ansar appeared on BBC London's VanessaOnAir.

BBC Asian Network - The Real Nihal

@mshafiquk: "I'm on @bbcasiannetwork at 10am talking about why I oppose @MaajidNawaz offensive tweets"

@singh_a84: "@mshafiquk @bbcasiannetwork @MaajidNawaz Mo, will you be telling them you called for and endorsed his murder?"

Nihal asked: "Is it wrong for a Muslim to tweet a picture of the Prophet Muhammad? Maajid Nawaz has tweeted that God is greater than to feel threatened by it."
Mohammed Ansar attempted to contribute to the twitter discussion:

@MoAnsar: "@bbcasiannetwork @TherealNihal An expert on 'Muslim extremism', he would have known full well what he was doing. And the potential response."

@zafarc: "@MoAnsar @bbcasiannetwork @TherealNihal that does NOT excuse the ridiculous response!"

@MoAnsar: "@zafarc @bbcasiannetwork @TherealNihal Death threats are abhorrent and disgusting. But he knew what he was doing. #playingpolitics"

@RJCBennett "@MoAnsar @zafarc @bbcasiannetwork @TherealNihal if that is the case then so did the chap who chose to call him a "defamer" in Urdu."

Ansar's contribution to the twitter discussion appears to have been in the hope that he would have been allowed to contribute to the radio discussion:

@MoAnsar: "@bbcasiannetwork @TherealNihal Whenever you're ready."

which seemed to imply that Ansar was waiting to speak live on air. It didn't happen.

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Marriage counsellor

On 2 November 2012, Mohammed Ansar wrote:

Ansar: "As a marriage counsellor and adviser of sorts; in my experience founding relationships on 'falling in love' are really very risky indeed."

Ansar advised a Muslim woman, who had written to him by email for guidance regarding her husband, who had raped her, beaten her, and was emotionally abusive to her. Ansar advised her to remain in the marriage and engage with a marriage guidance counselor.

BBC Radio 5 Live

On 27 Jan 2014, Mo Ansar was invited to speak with Nicky Campbell on his Radio5Live breakfast show.

@MoAnsar: "Tune in to @bbc5live at 7.30am. I'm with @DAaronovitch and @NickyAACampbell on newest LibDem crisis: 20k complaints about PPC, Maajid Nawaz."

@MoAnsar: "Time change. I'll now be on @bbc5live at 7.50am, on the political furore and 20,000 complaints over the conduct of a LibDem candidate."

Listen here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b03s687y/5_live_Breakfast_27_01_2014/
Transcript:
Nicky Campbell: A prospective LibDem candidate who tweeted a cartoon showing Jesus and Mohammed greeting each other has received death threats and is coming under pressure not to run in next year's general election.

Rachel Burden: He's Maajid Nawaz. He's also the founder of the anti-extremist think tank The Quilliam Foundation. And he tweeted the picture after he appeared on BBC One's The Big Questions where he was debating peoples' right to wear t-shirts featuring the Jesus and Mo cartoon:

Maajid Nawaz: "As a Muslim that t-shirt doesn't threaten me whatsoever. It doesn't threaten my God, it doesn't threaten my faith. It doesn't threaten the Qu'ran. It doesn't threaten any aspect of my religion. I do not feel threatened by these gentlemen wearing that t-shirt."

Nicky Campbell: Well Nick Clegg has defended his right to send the personal tweet, but Mohammed Shafiq, also a member of the LibDem Ethnic Minority group, wants him dropped by the party:

Mohammed Shafiq: "I think it's important to recognise that where Maajid Nawaz has the right to tweet that cartoon and tweet the link to that offensive website, equally Muslims have the right to challenge that. And so freedom of speech can't be selective. It can't be he has the right to tweet that original cartoon and we don't have the right to respond. You know, over the last few days I've received death threats. I've received racist abuse and I've received a lot of hate from people who support Maajid Nawaz's stance. I'm not going to blame Maajid Nawaz for that stance. I think where we are now is that the Liberal Democrats recognise that this is a very serious issue. And that potentially, there are a number of seats where there's a strong Muslim presence, including Maajid Nawaz own seat, where we could suffer, and therefore it's right that the party looks at this in a serious way."

Nicky Campbell: Well, let's speak to David Aaronovitch columnist for The Times. Hello David.

David Aaronovitch: Hi there.

Nicky Campbell: and the Muslim commentator Mo Ansar. Hello Mo.

Mo Ansar: Morning Nicky. Morning David.

Nicky Campbell: Mohammed, you've been tweeting about this fairly constantly. Given some of the death that have come Maajid Nawaz's way: "I would be happy to cut off your neck so your kuffr unbeliever friends won't be amused by your humour". Somebody else says "you'll get a welcome in Pakistan". The history of violence against people who have depicted your prophet, aren't you grossly irresponsible, Mohammed Ansar?

Mo Ansar: No, I don't think so. I think firstly, I think anyone who's reasonable, and I do, would condemn those death threats. Of course I condemn the death threats. As you know Nicky personally, I've, er, you know, been, er, been at the top of the Al-Shebab kill list. [Ansar was featured in a photograph along side iERA's Hamza Tzortzis, on a video purported to be from Al Shebab, but no actual direct death threat was made. The police warned him and others he'd been featured on an extremist video]

Nicky Campbell: But we're not talking about you. We're not talking about you. We're talking about ...

Mo Ansar: Anybody .. you've asked me a question I think it's a courtesy just to let me answer it. You've been very effusive in your, you know, retweeting Nick Cohen's piece and giving your support for Maajid. I know you have quite a soft spot for Qulliam. I think we should look at this debate in a balanced way. I think those attacks and threats against Maajid Nawaz, against Mohammed Shafiq, and against myself are absolutely disgusting and a disgrace. However, what you have to recognise is there are a number of complaints about a political candidate who people are concerned about. I think there've been 20,000 complaints registered against him. And these go beyond the issue of free speech and cartoons and people have the right to object in a democratic British liberal pluralist society. And I think the peaceful way to do it is through petition and is through asking the LibDems to, and as I understand, they will do, have an investigation into his conduct. It's becoming of the BBC.

Nicky Campbell: Well the BBC has a clear record on this, as do British broadcasters, by showing Father Ted, Monty Python's Life of Brian and Dave Allen ..

Mo Ansar: I think those programmes are brilliant.

Nicky Campbell: Well what's the problem then with lampooning the prophet, so-called? David Aaronovitch. What do you make of this?

David Aaronovitch: Well, I'd like to invite Mo Ansar to do this following thing. Describe to those listeners who haven't seen the cartoon, the cartoon that is supposedly supposed to get Maajid Nawaz deselected as a candidate for the Liberal Democrats, and who is consequently the subject of this petition which you support, which has 20,000 people on it, some of them from as far away as Saudi Arabia. Perhaps you would like to describe that cartoon to the listeners now, Mo.

Mo Ansar: Er, David, look, er... I, I think ...

David Aaronovitch: Just describe it to the listeners now so that they get a picture of what the offensive cartoon is.

Mo Ansar: No! I'm sure you're most capable of describing it David. Go on. Go ahead. I know you do.

David Aaronovitch: Mo, Mo, you describe it in your words. What is it? What is it.

Mo Ansar: Look, er, yer, look. You are the ... Index On Censorship. I think understand ... sensitive issue. Go for it David. I'm not going to describe the cartoons.

David Aaronovitch: So they understand it. So they understand it. This offensive cartoon which has caused 20,000 people to complain about Maajid Nawaz, so that the listeners who haven't seen it. You describe it.

Mo Ansar: David, if you've read the petition, you will know clearly there are multiple complaints about his conduct and his behaviour.

David Aaronovitch: No. This is about the cartoons. Describe it.

Mo Ansar: No. This is, this is beyond an issue of cartoons. And the efforts of the right to mischaracterise this debate to get their pet projects through and .. it's appalling.

David Aaronovitch: Never mind about the right. Never mind about all the smokescreens that you can attempt to throw up over this. Describe the cartoon which is supposed to be so offensive.

Mo Ansar: David, I'm not sure this makes for either great radio or ..

David Aaronovitch: Why won't you do that?

Mo Ansar: This isn't about cartoons, David.

David Aaronovitch: Everybody can hear Mo, that you won't describe the cartoon you're complaining about.

Mo Ansar: David, I've not come on hear to describe cartoons. You're just trying

David Aaronovitch: Just do it very quickly, so that people know what you're complaining about.

Mo Ansar: As a Tottenham supporter you might be used to playing the man not the ball...

Nicky Campbell: Now hang on. Wait a minute. Gentlemen. Gentlemen. Gentlemen. Gentlemen. Now you're bringing up all sorts of other issues. You have history, Mohammed Ansar, with Maajid Nawaz. You fell out on "When Tommy met Mo" over your interpretations of Sharia. You say you're a fan of Dave Allen, which lampooned Christianity. You say you're a fan of the Life of Brian which lampooned Christianity. What's the problem with lampooning Muhammad and showing an image. Explain. Explain to listeners why you have a problem with that.

Mo Ansar: Who said I had a problem with the cartoons?

David Aaronovitch: [laughs as though crying]

Mo Ansar: I'm just curious. If you've been misadvised. I think the Ethnic Minority Liberal Democrat statement was very very clear, which is that people have come out to condemn the behaviour. Which is, as a political candidate you've got, erm ...

David Aaronovitch: Nicky, Nicky, can I interrupt this? Please.

Mo Ansar: ...over and above freedom of expression.

David Aaronovitch: I said to your researcher there's a real problem with Mo Ansar to do this programme because he is as slippery as an eel. In fact, he is ... eels have nothing on him. He won't even describe the cartoon he's complaining about. Then he says he's not complaining about it. Then he seems to suggest the petition is nothing to do with him. Then he says he doesn't worry about the cartoon at all, it's something else to do with this candidate that he doesn't like.

Mo Ansar: Stop playing the man, David. Play the ball. Why are you talking about ... issues?

David Aaronovitch: The problem ... the problem ..

Mo Ansar: Do people have the right ... do people have the right to complain about a political candidate they feel is inappropriate. Do they? Yes or No?

Nicky Campbell: Let David Aaronovitch finish before I tell our listeners something else.

David Aaronovitch: Well the problem is that I simply don't have the capacity to get hold of him for long enough to find out what his argument actually is.

Nicky Campbell: Okay. Thank you both very much indeed.

Mo Ansar: (shouts something unintelligible)

Nicky Campbell. Mohammed Shafiq told us he has promised not to speak about this until after a meeting he's due to have with the LibDem leadership this week. He also says 60 Muslim organisations and Imams have written to Nick Clegg to complain about Nawaz. Mr Nawaz has been advised by the police not to speak to us until he's released a statement.

VanessaOnAir - Part II

On 27 January 2014, Mohammed Ansar and Saif Rahman appeared on Vanessa On Air to discuss Nawaz:

@MarkMachado: ".@VanessaOnAir we will be hearing from @MoAnsar & @SaifRRahman about Majid Nawaz Lib Dem candidacy on @BBCLondon949 from 9am"

Afterwards, Ansar promoted his segment:

@MoAnsar: "LISTEN: The lovely @VanessaOnAir interviews me re Nawaz scandal + the right to complain about political candidates http://youtu.be/xJZZ4QAp41g"

@onetruediamond: "@MoAnsar @VanessaOnAir what scandal?"

@UnknownSufi: "@MoAnsar @VanessaOnAir @LibDems @LibDemPress @libdemvoice @nick_clegg hypocrisy over Maajid Nawaz vs @DavidWardMP suspension over Israel"

@UnknownSufi: "@MoAnsar @VanessaOnAir @LibDems @LibDemPress @libdemvoice @nick_clegg how can a PPC tell public including Christians to "F*** all you'all"?!"

@GleamingRazor: "@UnknownSufi @MoAnsar @VanessaOnAir @LibDems @LibDemPress @libdemvoice @nick_clegg Not about FOS: http://maskedavenger1.wordpress.com/2014/01/23/calm-down-dearits-only-a-cartoonor-is-it/ …"

@UnknownSufi: "@MoAnsar @VanessaOnAir @LibDems @LibDemPress @libdemvoice @nick_clegg Not about FOS http://maskedavenger1.wordpress.com/2014/01/23/calm-down-dearits-only-a-cartoonor-is-it/ …"

@Bangolish: ".@nick_clegg suspends @DavidWardMP for offending Jews but @MaajidNawaz gets a pat on the back! @UnknownSufi @MoAnsar @VanessaOnAir"

Transcript:

Vanessa: "And on the line, ... Mo Ansar ... what do you think ..."

Ansar: "I think we've got a serious sitation on our hands. I think over the last couple of weeks we've seen a real crisis for the Liberal Democrats with ... we just spoke about Lord Rennard last week, didn't we, Vanessa. We've also seen MP in Portsmouth I think Mike Thornton being suspended over complaints and allegations against him, and what's clear now is that the PPC for Hampstead and Kilburn there are a wide-ranging - and it sounds like quite a serious number of complaints, not just about the cartoons but other things are beginning to surface, and it's going to require the LibDems to take a very serious look at this issue."

Vanessa: But let's focus on what we're talking about, which is the cartoon itself. It's not a picture that shows the prophet Muhammad in any demeaning way. This is a picture on a t-shirt. It's not even a picture that has any great levity attached to it. It's not ...

Mo Ansar: Are you sure about that Vanessa?

Vanessa: Well, it's not particularly. My view is I've described it as plainly as I can without putting a slant on it

Mo Ansar: "Did you seen the tweets that went out?"

Vanessa: The tweet that he himself sent? I'm describing the cartoon.

Mo Ansar: "Yeah, yeah"

Vanessa: And it's a black and white, fairly childlike picture of two male characters, and one - it's called Jesus and Mo, so that's how we know who it is, otherwise ...

Mo Ansar: "Vanessa if you don't mind me saying you are lovely and one of my favourite people ever, however I do think we need to be fair about how we represent this"

Vanessa: Okay well you describe it then.

Mo Ansar: "Okay, well, really the important thing is to give the context. Which is that the broadcast - or the tweet that was sent out by the parliamentary candidate had not only the image in it but a link to the website. Okay. And it was clearly more than just saying "I'm not offended by this". Now don't forget, this chap is meant to be Nick Clegg and the government's 'go-to' guy on Muslim extremism and radicalisation."

Vanessa: Hang on a minute, for clarification when you say a link to the website, what, which website?

Mo Ansar: To the Jesus and Mo website. There was a link in his tweet. And I think it might have been that tweet or a subsequent tweet which had a link to that website.

[Note. This is an untruth. The tweet being referred to did not link to the website. It linked to the twitter account: @MaajidNawaz 12 Jan 2014: "This Jesus & Mo @JandMo cartoon is not offensive&I'm sure God is greater than to feel threatened by it الله أكبر منه pic.twitter.com/dEwlapWUSi" The subsequent follow up tweet on 17 Jan 2014 did not mention the website or twitter account.
The only time a link to the website was tweeted was when one of Ansar's closest troll-chums posted a link to the website and accused the cartoonist of portraying Jesus and Mo as gay:

@Zbigniew_G: "@KhanmailG @MaajidNawaz @JandMo can u understand that some would be offended by portraying jesus & mo as being gay? http://www.jesusandmo.net/2014/01/15/weak/ …"]

Vanessa: set up by the cartoonist who drew the image in the first place several Jesus and Mo pictures

Mo Ansar: "And on the website there are Jesus and Mo naked in bed together, having a beer together, eating a pork sandwiches together, using offensive language. And, and from a personal point of view I've had lots of interactions with the author. To be honest with you I don't like him very much personally, but I've never ever objected to his cartoons, to his drawing them, or I've never taken a stance against, you know, his right to draw the cartoons. What you have to remember, and there are so many people forgetting this. this morning, which is if you are a political candidate - as we've seen with Lord Rennard as we've seen with Mike Thornton - you have a duty over and above the normal duty of a normal run of the mill, standard ?? you've got rights and responsibilities. And if, as has been claimed, there has been a breach on multiple counts of the LibDem rules then there needs to be an investigation and ..."

Vanessa: But that's not what Nick Clegg is saying. He's saying the very opposite thing. I've got his comments right here: The LibDems are a party of respect tolerance and liberty, and as such defend Maajid's right to express his views. But as a party of respect tolerance and liberty we fundamental and to conduct debate without causing gratuitous or unnecessary offence"

Mo Ansar: "And I think what Nick and the party is saying is that gratuitous and unnessary offence may well have been caused 'ere. But this is about more than just cartoons. It's about impropriety. We can focus on cartoons today, but that crystallises the conduct of a candidate who we know has links with anti-Muslim groups in the US. We know has links with like, the Henry Jackson Society here. And is being accused of, I think, from my reading of the petition, and I - you know, from what I've read of it. I'm not behind the position. I certainly advocate the position that people who feel aggrieved. People who have grievances about a political candidate in a democratic society should take peaceful and sensible measures, like using a petition, to air those grievances. I don't think it's right and the death threats have been disgusting. I mean, I've been - my family and my children we've been under death threats from Al-Shebab, Al-Qaeda and English Defence League since last year. We're still under, you know, protection now. You know, it's incredibly difficult when you're raising a family and I feel for Maajid. But my deep concern is if you are the government's -you know- Muslim radicalisation guy - you absolutely know full well what you were doing. He was courting controversy. He was trying to make a name for himself. And guess what. He's done it."

Vanessa: Okay thanks Mo very much indeed..

Mo Ansar (talking over Vanessa): "He knew what response he would get."

Vanessa: Thank you very much Mo Ansar there, Muslim commentator.

Note: It is not 'Mike Thornton' - it is Mike Hancock. Perhaps Mohammed Ansar is involved in publicly commentating on LibDem scandals so he can get back at Nawaz.

After the interview, Ansar promoted a recording to George Galloway:

@MoAnsar: "@georgegalloway My call on BBC for a full Liberal Democrat investigation into complaints surfacing re Nawaz: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJZZ4QAp41g&feature=youtube_gdata_player …"

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Legal Advocate

On 10 January 2012, Ansar claimed he was "an anti discrimn legal advocate".

On 12 January 2012, Ansar claims he "took 3 claims to the Court of Appeal". On 12 May 2012, Ansar mentions again that he is "a legal advocate". On 7 June 2012, Ansar admits that his claim to be a legal advocate is not in a professional capacity, and he ups his mendacious misrepresentation regarding the Court of Appeal from three to four: "@ThePeoplesRoar Lay. Advocacy, and legal representation takes many forms. 4 times Court of appeal. RoA isnt experience or competence.". On 16 October 2012, Ansar claimed he'd been "an employment law and equalities advocate for over a decade". On 4 May 2013, Ansar claimed "I've been working in race relations and anti-discrimination advocacy for 15yrs". Many of these claims appear to employ fallacious appeals to authority.

Ansar vs Lloyds TSB Bank PLC

A search of the British and Irish Legal Information Institute database shows three cases relating to Ansar from March to July 2006, all of these detailed the proceedings of Ansar's Employment Appeal Tribunal - Ansar vs Lloyds TSB Bank PLC - where he represented himself, and lost.

"52. We should record that we found that the Claimant before us was clearly an articulate, able and intelligent person. He has through the course of this lengthy hearing mastered the requirements and procedures applied in this Tribunal. We have seen, both in his presentation and general manner before us, and from the evidence, that he is a forceful personality, who is often highly confident in his own abilities and his assessment of any particular circumstances. This confidence, we judge, has caused him to test and push the boundaries of his powers and authority as a regulated adviser, and manipulated circumstances for his own benefit. Examples are his attitude towards the HIF sales in the full knowledge of Mrs Moody's warning, his dishonest letter seeking help from Mr Dowrick in relation to the HIF sales and his preparation of a 40-client list in response to Mrs Gwynn's request for a list of clients who could properly be the subject of exception procedures, in the full knowledge that many did not meet the criteria. We consider that the Claimant's confidence has caused him on occasions to be highly assertive towards senior managers such as Mrs Gwynn and Mrs Moody when putting over his particular view point. We believe that the Claimant's personality and confidence presented challenges for his managers, such as Mrs Gwynn and Mrs Moody, when their views on occasions did not coincide with his. We are satisfied that many of the matters that we have heard relating to the Claimant in this case were escalated to higher levels within the Bank as a consequence of the Claimant's unwillingness to heed guidance and advice from his managers. These matters, we judge, were the cause of the Claimant's problems and not as a result of the Claimant's race."

What is really interesting is how we can see that Ansar's past employment is revealed in the notes to have been that of a "regulated adviser" for Lloyds TSB Financial Consultants Ltd. He was employed as a financial planning manager in the Winchester branch of Lloyds TSB Bank PLC. He reported to senior managers. His job description would likely have been similar to this.

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Sex Education

Avenger786 wrote:"on Sunday Morning Live, Ansar is on the show as a main guest introduced by the presenter as he has written a guide on sex education for schools".

Ahmed: "Ansar is a Muslim commentator who has faced off the English Defence League, he's a former banker, and he's written a sex-education guide for schools, and he has six children."

Ahmed: "Yes, but there's things like Mohammed's guide book for schools <laughs, gesticulates towards Ansar> you must give it to us."

On 22 Jan 2013, Ansar wrote: "On C4, @HackneyAbbott calling for earlier + more sex education, at primary school < Research says different. We need 'morality education'."

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Equality and Diversity

On 17 April 2013, Mohammed Ansar claimed: "I've worked in diversity for around 17yrs ..." On 13 July 2013 Mohammed Ansar downscaled his claim: "I've been working in diversity for over a decade and have constantly progressed this agenda.". On 20 October 2013, after a tweep asked: "Who pays @moansar? #justasking", Mohammed Ansar announced that: "I work as Head of Diversity for an organisation in the South.". On 23 January 2014, Mohammed Ansar claimed to Kenan Malik and Dr. Evans Harris that: "Well, my mere 17 yrs in the field as practitioner and lead no doubt mean I've some way to catch up with you.".
No evidence for Mohammed Ansar's diversity work exists before 2010.

Hampshire Independent Equality Forum (HIEF)

In February 2010, Ansar was a member of the HIEF Steering Group:
"As suggested by Jeff, each member of the Group stated why they wanted to be part of the Steering Group. Madeline said her main focus was on Hampshire; Mohammed said the need for the Forum was obvious in terms of influencing service provision/providers; Jacqui wanted to use her influencing and persuading skills to enable services to be improved for each equality strand; and Derek said his focus was on economics and the need to reduce inequality. Jeff said that he believes in promoting equality for all across all strands and that equality cannot be based on someone else’s oppression.". It was also proposed that steering group members receive basic equality and diversity training.

In May 2010, Ansar was selected to be the Chair of the HIEF Steering Group. Claims made in the original wikipedia entry, which was copied over to anarchopedia, were that Ansar "was a founder and former chairman of the Hampshire Independent Equality Forum, a leading cross-sectoral UK equalities platform". While Ansar was a former chair of HIEF's Steering Group from May 2010, it is unclear as to when he ceased being the steering group's chair, as no mention of him exists after 1 December 2010, when he gave a presentation outlining the year's achievements and future aspirations. HIEF last published minutes were from 27 September 2011, and last publicised event was 13 June 2012. The last e-bulletin was "Bulletin No. 24" sent in February 2013.

There is no firm support for Mohammed Ansar's claim that he was a founder of HIEF; the most that can be said is that he was part of the steering group that developed the HIEF prior to it's relaunch as the HIEF Action Group:

"The need to create such a Forum was identified during research carried out by the Diversity Network Project 2006-2008, a project led by Community Action Hampshire on behalf of the Hampshire Voluntary Sector Consortium. The Forum's development has also been supported through partner work over the last few years with other voluntary and community sector partners and Hampshire County Council."

The HIEF was officially launched on 24th November 2010

"Reports to the Big Lottery Fund indicate that by the close of the first year of the HIEF Steering Group’s life there had been internal difficulties within the Steering Group which led to it being disbanded (by July 2011) and a smaller, more focused Action Group being established."

Other Diversity work

In October 2010, Ansar was one of the keynote speakers at a £25-per-head diversity event, organised by Business Southampton, entitled Equality & Diversity Conference 2010 - How to deliver on diversity and workforce cohesion.
Contemporary Anarchist 21:24, 18 April 2013 (UTC)

Media Appearances (Internet, Newspaper, Public, Radio, Television)

2012

BBC The Big Questions - The Welfare Debate

On 5 February 2012, Ansar appeared as a front row, unbilled guest. Ansar referred to his blog post as an article, and claimed that the consequence of the benefits cap would lead to a form of "ethnic cleansing on our streets". Other billed guests took objection to Ansar's characterisation.

Cambridge Science Festival - Religion versus science: Can we live in a world of overlapping magisteria?

On 19 February 2012, after the twitterspat below, where Ansar called Harris "a little mean" before accusing Harris of having "poor manners", Robin Ince suggested the "two should meet at Cambridge science festival".

Twitterspat

Ansar: "Dawkins believes people label themselves Christian and aren't *really* Christian and skewing the figures. #bbctbq"

Ince: "well that tweet has persuaded me not to watch Big Questions"

Ansar: "Haha! Hope that doesn't count when I'm on it."

Ince: "Ansar so i rely on you and drevanharris to give me some idea what is going on and realise I am better off without it"

Ansar: "Tried talking to DrEvanHarris but he was a little mean. Shame could have had a good chat."

DrEvanHarris: "when did we meet? I think you mean I disagreed with you..."

Ince: "perhaps you two should meet at Cambridge science festival (I will email you Doctor)"

DrEvanHarris: "So I was a "little mean" because I disagreed with you on twitter? Hmm."

Ansar: ""Profound apologies, 'tweeted' . Disagreements are fine, no excuse for poor manners"

Ince: "don't start yet"

On 17 March 2012, Ince questioned: "a panel of the religious and non-religious, including Mohammed Ansar, the Reverend Richard Coles and [Dr Evan Harris], on whether there really is a battle between religion and science as portrayed in the mass media or if the two can survive happily side by side."

BBC Sunday Morning Live

On 24 June 2012, while Ansar appeared on Samira Ahmed's Sunday Morning Live, he was not billed as appearing on the programme: "Samira Ahmed is joined in the studio by Peter Hitchens, historian Francis Beckett, and journalist Christina Patterson".

BBC The Voice of God

On 2 Jul 2012 (repeated 18 March 2013), Ansar appeared on BBC Radio The Voice of God, presented by broadcaster Reverend Richard Coles, introduced as a "Muslim commentator"

Transcript

Coles: "(16:43) Muslim commentator Ansar intoning the opening verses of the Qur'an."

Ansar: "The words of the Qur'an, which are essentially unchanged for the last 1400 years, not a coma, not a word, not a letter, are revelations given to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from God via the archangel Gabriel. We would consider this, without any question, to be the word of God."

Coles: "If not the speech of God, the Qur'an preserves the word of God, and we shall know it by its beauty." So beautiful, in fact, that a couple of lines stayed the murderous hand of Umar ibn Al-Khattab, who intended to kill the prophet, but ended up being converted by them to Islam."

Ansar: "This was considered to be an untouchable, preeminent work of poetry, and even today, if you examine the Qur'an, it is miraculous in its use of poetry, in its construction and in its form, and it is absolutely for people who understand Arabic, a thing which is absolutely unmatched. So learning the Qur'an and transmitting that message to others is hugely significant and hugely important in Islam. We know that in most towns and villages and cities where Muslims are, they have somebody who is considered to be Hafiz. And a Hafiz is somebody who has memorised every line, every word and every page of the Qur'an. Which is actually quite incredible. It's like saying that somebody has memorised the entire New Testament word by word, verse by verse. Somebody said the figure was somewhere in the region of fifty-thousands Hafiz, or Hifz of Qur'an, in the world. Even if every physical copy was taken away tomorrow, we would be able to reproduce copies instantly."

BBC Sunday Morning Live

On 23 Sep 2012, Ansar appeared as a guest on BBC Sunday Morning Live, billed as a "Muslim social and political commentator", to discuss reactions to the Innocence of Muslims film:"

Ahmed: "I want to start with you, Mohammed. Muslims have chosen, in a way, to make a very big deal about a pretty rubbish film. And it has been an overreaction. hasn't it?"

Ansar: "There's no doubt it's a rubbish film, but this isn't Film2012. We're not here to critique the artistic quality of the film. One of the things they're very clear about is they don't understand the context of the hate, of the pain, of the suffering, that Muslims feel in response. Now, Muslims should never go beyond the limits and the boundaries of Islam in terms of peaceful protest and ..."

Ahmed: "But they've done it, haven't they, in plenty of countries."

Ansar: "Some have done it, and I think the question we should be asking is: Some, not all".

Ahmed: "Yeah"

Ansar: "I've seen the film. It was not very funny. It was pretty disgusting. It was awful in some places. And we do have a right to freedom of expression in this country. However, even the European Convention on Human Rights, in article 10.2, sets limits on that freedom of expression and it needs to be used responsibly, and it needs to be used in a measured sense."

Internet Radio - Vox Populi

On 15 November 2012, Ansar appeared as a guest alongside Dan Adler on the internet radio show Vox Populi, hosted by "actor-activist" Sean Astin, to discuss "the current situation in Israel".

BBC Radio 5 Live

On 26 November 2012, Nicky Campbell talked to Ansar about the UK Independence Party, fostering, and multiculturalism.

Brian McLaren - In an evening of music & conversation

On 3 December 2012 in Bristol and 4 December 2012 in Southampton, Ansar joined Brian McLaren "in conversation".

New Statesman - What We Believe

On 19 December 2012, Robin Ince, as a guest editor for New Statesman, continued to discuss the theme of non-overlapping Magisteria. Ince presented Ansar as a broadcaster and social commentator.

2013

BBC Radio 4's Beyond Belief

On 28 January 2013, Ansar, billed as a "social and political commentator", appeared as a guest on Ernie Rea's Beyond Belief radio programme about Anti-semitism in Europe alongside Dr Ed Kessler, Director of the Woolf Institute for the Study of Abrahamic Faiths and Dr Yaakov Wise, from the Centre for Jewish Studies at the University of Manchester. Ansar presented the controversial Egyptian cleric, Yusuf al-Qaradawi, as having a nuanced understanding of anti-Semitism:

"We have somebody who’s been considered a very controversial Muslim scholar in the West, Yusuf al-Qaradawi, who goes to great lengths to ensure that people have a nuanced understanding and saying if you have difficulty with Israeli foreign policy, if you have difficulty with military occupation, this is something distinct from Judaism and Jews. And so regardless of many of his other statements, I think it’s really important that wherever we work we continue to make this distinction."

Despite Ansar's suggestion that al-Qaradawi's other statements be disregarded, a nuanced understanding of al-Qaradawi's attitudes to Jews cannot be achieved if previous statements calling for "total war" between Muslims and Jews are disregarded.

BBC Radio 5 Live - British Involvement in Mali

On 29 January 2013, Ansar, presented as a political and social commentator and Col Bob Stewart, Conservative MP for Beckenham, talked to Tony Livesey about British involvement in Mali.

Transcript

Livesey: "I'll start with you Mohammed Ansar. Do you think we should be sending our non-combat troops to Mali?"

Ansar: "No. Without a shadow of a doubt I don't think we should. I think there is actually very little support from the public; from key politicians. I think the cuts to troops that we're going to be seeing between now and 2015 mean that we have a vastly demoralised and under-resourced army. I think the Prime Minister's speech in Davos at the World Economic Forum, effectively last week now, raised serious concerns about a potential quagmire that we might be entering. So I think Jim Murphy has hit the nail on the head. And just as a last point, we saw General McChrystal and Bob Woodward, who wroteObamawars, comment on the situation in Afghanistan, where one in three of those we were training were leaving to join Al Qaeda and we were spending billions of dollars every month to train up people who are killing our troops."

Livesey: "Bob Stewart, we're better off out of it."

Stewart: "Well I don't think we have a choice, actually. I think what's happened is this place has suddenly hit the headlines, but it's been brewing up for a very long time. And these people, these terrorists, are moving into this ungoverned space in the north of Mali particularly, and from there, most people who look at it, are very concerned that it might just become a place from which we will be attacked. So therefore, the reason why we're there, is not particularly to support the French, but to be in our national interest, to try and stop possible attacks on us from there."

Livesey: "The former head of the army General Sir Mike Jackson suggests that we may face a protracted guerilla warfare. Is that a price worth paying?"

Stewart: "Well I'm afraid that is what David Cameron suggested in the commons last week. And that is why we're there, because actually, we want to actually train up - that's why our troops are going - to train Africans to do the job. Because - I agree in part with your previous speaker - our armed forces are too stretched and we cannot actually continue to police the world."

Livesey: "Okay. Mohammed Ansar do you see, do you accept there is a wider picture to this. And in the short term yes, you can argue that there have been job cuts in the army as well as public sector cutsin Britain, so how can we afford to send military advisors to Mali, but there is a wider issue here of the creeping threat of Islamist terrorists."

Ansar: "Well I think the Prime Minister stated very clearly what his view was on this wider issue. He said: I believe we're in a long struggle against murderous terrorists and a poisonous ideology. He later on went on to talk about the economic potential of west Africa. He went on to talk about Nigerian oil exports and he went on to talk about exploiting and being more transparent with natural resources in sub-Saharan Africa. We have to accept that in the north of that region, we've got Saharan and sub-Saharan Tuareg tribes who are fighting against Malian nationalists - and I'm very uncomfortable with the phrase Islamists - in the south. And really there is going to be no easy way to distinguish between who is a Malian nationalist and who is an Islamist. And effectively what we've seen, with the French going in, and it hasn't been successful at all, it's essentially perpetrated and affected a Tuareg genocide by Malian forces and that is actually what we're seeing on the ground. I think some of the media coverage has been absolutely appallingly sensational."

Livesey: "The French forces claim of course that the Islamists are in retreat. You disagree with that, do you?"

Ansar: "Well, we don't know for sure. I mean, I have to be very clear about this. During the war on terror, and you can make of that whatever you want, the US spent 500 million dollars on securing West Africa as a potential source of extremism and Islamist threat. In 2011 they sent US AID monitors out there to monitor the situation and there, after a year or six months of reporting, decided there were no more than 200-300 extremists across the whole of the Maghreb - across the whole of that region of Africa. Now Bob Woodward has been very clear and General McChrystal has been very clear about Afghanistan. We were in there essentially fighting 32 Al Qaeda terrorists. So it's not beyond the realms of possibility that we're going to join with France and go out to West Africa and fight essentially what, 300 extremists across the whole of the region."

PressTV Islam and Life: How are Western Muslims distorting the true message of Islam?

On 14 February 2013, (recorded 4th February 2013) Ansar appeared as a guest on Tariq Ramadan's Press TV show, Islam and Life, following a series of videos uploaded on YouTube, showing vigilantes calling themselves Muslim Patrol, attempting to enforce their own version of Shariah on passing pedestrians. The acts of these vigilantes were were roundly denounced by Muslim leaders, including the Muslim Council of Britain and the East London Mosque.

BBC The Big Questions: Does Hell Exist?

On 24 February 2013, Mohammed Ansar was one of many guests on BBC The Big Questions: Does Hell Exist?, hosted by Nicky Campbell at a school in Southampton. Ansar was not billed but after being invited by Campbell to answer the question, a ticker briefly introduced him as "Mohammed Ansar - Muslim Interfaith Advisor".

Transcript

Campbell: "Mohammed, you believe obviously that the Qur'an says - it's quite specific about hell - it talks about boiling water and smoke and searing wind, fire of hell is fuelled by bodies of the condemned who receive new skins as soon as the old ones are burned; and there are various pretty gruesome punishments. It's all there"

Ansar: "Not fun".

Campbell: "It's reality, is it?".

Ansar: "One of the things that we've lost I think in recent times in this kind of post-industrial and in particular the twentieth century is the concept of what's unseen. We've become very rationalistic. And one of the things that religion particularly does is it keeps the door open to issues of the spiritual realm and different realms of existence. The Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) likened the realm of the unseen to as if somebody dipped their finger into an ocean, and having taken your finger out, the water that clings to the finger is the experienced - the seen - realm, and the ocean is the unseen realm."

Campbell: "But according to Liz, you're going to need all the water you can get."

Ansar: "But there's a clear difference between the Islamic view of hell and the Christian view of hell. As Muslims we don't believe that hell is a place of eternal damnation, of fire and brimstone, of a place where you will be ..."

Cambell: "Well that sounds pretty nasty ..."

Ansar:"I'm not saying there aren't not-nice things happen in hell, but I'm saying from the Islamic theological perspective, and this is the Islamic narrative, it's somewhere where people would go - essentially it's like a penitentiary - you would go, you would serve out a term there, you would become spiritually cleansed, and then you move to the place of final abode. And it's far more .. I think the model that Islam has is I think far more inclusive, far more understand.."

Campbell: "A more inclusive hell".<Campbell and audience laugh> "That's great".

Ansar appeared offended when Imam Abdullah Hasan, who has a string of verifiable qualifications in Islamic theology and Arabic, criticised Ansar's description of the Islamic perception of Hell, as watering down "fundemantal aspects of our Deen in the 'pretence' of repelling 'sedition' on national TV" and, of wanting to "appear as an 'authority' and a spokesperson for Islam without possessing basic knowledge of the Deen.". Ansar accused Hasan of "backbite and slander", saying: "This is neither the adab nor akhlaq of Muslim behaviour and a grave and worrying thing to see"', and asked that Hasan "be reminded that we cover up the flaws of our brothers and that we remain humble and not amongst the arrogant".

BBC Any Questions

On 3 March 2012, Ansar, billed as a "blogger", appeared alongside Esther McVey, Dr Evan Harris, Toby Young, and . Four questions were asked:
"What does the growth in support for UKIP tell us about the state of British society in 2013";

Ansar: "I think Eastleigh has given us a very interesting picture of where, quite possibly, the future lies in the shape of things to come, for politics, especially up to 2015, including the county elections this summer as well. I wouldn't call it a surge, firstly, for UKIP. I think there is clearly, and I think it's relatively undeniable, that there is a protest vote as part of that component for people going towards UKIP. I think the general public are incredibly disaffected with the current government policies. I think we're unhappy about unemployment, I think we're unhappy about the economy, I think we're unhappy about the outlook and people are talking in terms of a lost generation or even a lost decade. And when you talk about housing, health, the NHS. When you talk about welfare reforms. When you talk about record levels of unemployment. When you see people going to food banks in huge numbers, and when you see the level of detachment that the political classes seem to have, and in fact, are, I can't say putting money in their own pockets, but I can say serving certain interests at the cost of others in society, I'm not surprised people turn to UKIP, I'm really not."

"Has the Lord Rennard scandal been blown out of all proportion?"

You're shaking your head rather vigorously, Ansar: "I think I have to pick up on something Evan said then. It's right, we know that Nick Clegg said he didn't know the allegations and then they was non-specific. Lord Rennard resigned for health reasons, and then it was not exclusively for health reasons, but potentially was linked. I'm wondering at which point, when these complaints, and they were complaints, and they went to the chief whip, as I understand it as well. When these complaints were made in 2003 and 2007, (and I've been working on equalities and diversity issues for the best part of about 18 years now), at what point were the Liberal Democrats going to decide that equalities legislation, or protection from harassment, kicked in. Because it clearly didn't kick in in 2003, where it wasn't decided that an investigation was required. It clearly didn't kick in in 2007 when an investigation was required. And at some point, when Nick Clegg's foggy memory began to clear and sharpen, it seems then it was decided that we need an inquiry, Not only do we need an inquiry, this is now sub judice, and we're not going to talk about it any more."

Dimbleby: "Well it's not formally sub judice"

Ansar: "Well no, it's not formally sub judice, but"

Dimbleby: "I think the leadership has said that they're not going to discuss it, 'cause it's in practical terms from their perspective. An equivalent to sub judice."

?: "There's been 20 interviews by leading party figures on the inquiries being set up and the nature, so it's not being brushed under the carpet."

?: "Absolute rubbish".

Ansar: "But I think there's another dimension as well. There was a story in today's Times which related to this kind-of Rennard hotline which had been set up by Scotland Yard. And they'd opened up for calls for anybody who felt they've been mistreated in some way; who could, in safety and relative anonymity, approach and raise their concerns. And, as far as the story The Times was running today, those concerns have been raised, they've been signposted or channeled toward Liberal Democrat processes, but as far as the story was concerned, those complaints haven't got anywhere either."

"Does the panel think there should be a cap on bankers' bonuses";

Ansar: "It's about time there were more ethical rules around the remuneration of bankers. I think that's the first place. I think the next question is: well what are these bonuses going to look like? Now, if we imagine we have a banker, I don't know, let's call him Fred. And let's say Fred earns about a million pounds in the city. there are around earning a million pounds plus, so a million pounds isn't great shakes by city-standards. The current rules being debated, and I think effectively coming into force from Brussels, are that you can be given up to 1x your annual salary as a bonus. So Fred has this shocking situation where he's going to have find a way to get by on merely 2 million pounds a year. On top of that, however, if the shareholders decide, you can get 2 years times your salary. Which means that Fred's bonus is 2 million pounds on top of his million pound salary. Again a very poor situation, poor state of affairs for Fred as he'll only be able to survive on 3 million pounds a year. However, you can take it a step further, because if you as a company structure your bonus in a way that you give a responsibility around debt or shares you could earn quite a lot more. And I wonder how much sympathy the public has over bankers crying around whether they get one, or two, or three plus million pounds a year as a bonus, when we have record numbers of people being made homeless, when we have record repossessions, when our banks are not lending, and effectively it's the tax payers money which has gone to the banks, who are then making losses and keeping their cushy lifestyles. I'm not too sure"".

"What is the best way to get the best out of school governors who are all volunteers"

Ansar: "Having been a governor of my childrens' primary school for four years, and also sat on the governor services review board, and having also sat on the [Hampshire] County Council Children and Young Peoples' Select Committee, the obvious answer to that is education, oddly enough. We need school governors who are not only passionate about the welfare of the school and the welfare of the children, but define the community that they serve, not only in terms of the school. We know that when a school defines itself as a community: as the internal community within the school; the community outside of the school gates in the wider society; the British community, and; then the international community, those schools are far better in terms of achievement and attainment for the children there. But at the minute, as it stands, we have governors and governing bodies which, sadly too often, are relatively insular. There are no checks and balances in terms of the training level, and the governing bodies are being asked to deliver more and more and under this new kind-of Govian regime of education, are going to be asked to take much more responsibility over things which you would expect a paid board of directors to take on. So I think you have to focus on education, I think governing bodies have to be much more tightly regulated, and I think they have to be far more democratic. But ultimately, they there to serve the children's interests, not the Government's interests, and not the interests of any outside or private interests."

Following his appearance on BBC Any Questions, Ansar publicly characterised Dr. Evan Harris as "an angry atheist". Harris is a humanist and a Vice-President of the British Humanist Association.

BBC World News' Impact

On 29 March 2013, Ansar was due to appear on BBC News 24 to talk about Shortt's book Christianophobia. But he had a heart attack and couldn't appear.

"I'll be doing BBC News 24 tomorrow afternoon at 1:30pm with Rabbi Glasner and Rupert Shortt discussing his book Christianophobia, and religious tolerance generally. Nothing to worry about.... BBC News only goes out to 358 million households worldwide!".

By early afternoon, Ansar altered Rabbi Klausner's name to its correct spelling:

"I'll be on BBC World News tomorrow at 1.30pm discussing Christianophobia with Rupert Shortt and Rabbi Laura Klausner."

The next day, after a serious heart attack, Ansar's blog reverted back to Glasner:

"As lovely as she is, I wasn't sure how Rabbi Glasner was going to get a word in ... ".

The show was eventually broadcast on March 29 (Good Friday) with Dr. Usama Hasan.

BBC Radio Solent

On 3 May 2013, Ansar, introduced as a social and political commentator, appeared alongside Philip Fawkes who won the South Waterside Ward for UKIP, defeating the Tory incumbent.

The Mirror newspaper

On 26 May 2013, Ansar appeared in the Mirror: "Woolwich Attack: English Defence League chief and Muslim share a hug". The accompanying photograph featured Tommy Robinson, leader the English Defence League, with his arm around Ansar. Ansar showed one of his by now unfamous pause-faces to the nation. The "hug" generated a range of comments on twitter.

BBC Radio Wales

On 7 June 2013, Ansar was interviewed by Jason Mohammad, along with Douglas Murray. Ansar discussed how he originally called for the English Defence League to be banned, and how he later came to hold the opinion that dialogue was the way forward.

Mohammad: "Let's talk to the political and social commentator Mohammed Ansar. Mohammed good afternoon to you. Let's start with the EDL shall we? How do we stop white working class men from being radicalised by the far right? So often on this programme we discuss radicalisation of young Muslim men. Let's start with white working class men."

Ansar: "I think at the minute we live in a time where the tinder has become incredibly dry over the last few years. We have allowed myths and misconceptions about Islam and Muslims to conflate with arguments around multiculturalism, the political agenda, there's mass dissatisfaction and disenfranchisement due to the economic downtown. And all of these rivers, all of these streams conflating into one lake, which is incredibly unhelpful because what it means is that ... I think there was some recent statistics out for the Islamophobia All Parliamentary Group which said 75% of Britons know little or nothing about Islam and 2/3rds of the ones that do say they only get their information from the media. And if you spend your days reading certain tabloid headlines, looking at the headlines around grooming and terrorism, it's understandable why they would have such misinformation - and I would go further and say disinformation - about Muslims out there.".

Mohammad: "Mohammed, where were you born?".

Ansar: "I was born in Watford, in Hertfordshire. I'm very proud to say so."

Mohammad: "Proud to be British?"

Ansar: "Absolutely."

Mohammad: "You've met and spoken to the EDL. That's a pretty brave thing to do."

Ansar: "I ... Initially, I mean, when the Home Secretary was calling for hate-groups to be proscribed and banned, and people like Al-Muhajiroun and Anjem Choudary's lot were being banned, which I completely agree with. I couldn't understand for the life of me why they had decided not to ban the EDL, who were peddling hate, who are dividing communities, who are really stoking the flames of this storm which is beginning to burn quite brightly across the country. And so, you know, I had initially called for them to be banned. Eventually I decided, look, I can't necessarily agree that banning them is the answer, so we have to get on a level playing field with them, have a face-to-face dialogue. And we have to use in our democratic systems to have the argument, to have the debate, and to answer the questions they had. Some of them are rational, but many of them are irrational fears and we need to address them."

Mohammad: "What was it like discussing it with EDL. Did they have time for you? Did they listen to you?".

Ansar: "I mean, I've had face-to-face dialogue with Tommy Robinson, the leader of the EDL, last year on BBC1. I've had more face-to-face discussions since, and will hopefully have more. He does understand some of these issues. However, I believe that the political rhetoric, the rhetoric of hate and division of the right, has become so intense now, that he's almost at a situation now where he's struggling to roll it back. I'm not saying he's beyond help, as a person of faith I would never say that, and I will continue to reach out and continue to do outreach work with him. What I am concerned about though, is those on the political right, people like Douglas Murray, others, who are conflating Islam and Muslims with the actions of some twisted and deluded criminal individuals. And that kind of stuff is incredibly unhelpful. ".

Mohammad: "How can we deal with radical clerics from the Muslim community?"

Ansar: "There is an - I think there's a vacuum in this country. We have an overwhelming need for dynamic British Muslim leadership. We can't keep sending back to the old country, if you like,- to bring Muslims over here to lead our mosques, our places of worship. We need more social leaders. We need more people of faith coming forward. So there's a gap around education. We need to build better bridges with other different community groups. But it's really important for the government to be tackling extremism in all forms. And whilst we allow people like Anjem Choudary and Tommy Robinson to have huge amounts of air-time given on public platforms to really advocate for their views, people are getting very very skewed view of actually what Britain is. I think we're far more tolerant and far more appreciative of the nuance of the argument and it's almost sickening to see the dumbing down of this debate".

Mohammad: "Let me just ask you, say for example, Nick Griffin, the leader of the BNP. Tommy Robinson, you've mentioned, the leader of the EDL. Should we invite people like that onto a programme like this?"

Ansar: "I think these are really difficult questions. I completely understand why organisations like Hope Note Hate and others in the past have said we don't support any platform for these individuals. However, anybody who saw the Question Time with Nick Griffin would have agreed that he came across incredibly badly and shot himself in the foot, essentially. And sometimes sunlight is the best disinfectant. And we need to shine a light on these people, on their ideologies. Because whether we like it or not, this idea of not engaging hasn't really been successful. The far right have increased across Europe and across the UK. And I think the government, the prime minister, the task force, really needs to start taking positive steps and clamping down on this stuff."

Mohammad: "Let's read out a few comments. ... What do you say to some of the listeners' comments coming in?"

Ansar: "Firstly, some of the radicalised and extremists - and I'll say criminals not terrorists because I think it's important to make the distinction - like the Woolwich killers, they were born and bred here. This kind of language of forcible expulsions and making life hard across the board for Muslims is the kind of disturbing rhetoric we saw in 1930s Germany in pre-Nazi era against the Jewish population there. And I think, my grandfather fought for British forces in the Second World War and many others did to, and we need to remain conscious that we have a long and proud tradition of standing up against fascism and fascist ideologies. If the middle territory in this country has shifted to the right, then that is something we need to address. And it's not helped by political parties also shifting to the right. Those people who have those messages and tweets and phone calls I understand where you're coming from and genuinely feel the anxiety you're feeling, however persecuting muslims across the board is not the answer, we need to tackle this in a sensible and clear headed and cool way."

Mohammad: "Mohammed, you mentioned Douglas Murray, well, Douglas Murray will be joining us in a few minutes. Writer and broadcaster Douglas Murray joining us in a few minutes. Let us know what you think? What would you do? How would you tackle extremism in British Society?

Mohammad: "Let's say good afternoon to the writer and broadcaster Douglas Murray. How do we stop young Muslim people from being radicalised, in your opinion?"

Murray: "Well there are a whole range of things. It's not an easy matter. One thing of course, which gets a lot of attention, is to ensure that figures like Anjem Choudary, whom there's been a lot of focus in recent days, and quite rightly, are not able to freely purvey a hateful message. There's a lot more that needs to be in wider society, including just in civic society. Not in legal terms, just in terms of people, for instance, treating radical Islamic extremism in the same way, and with the same disdain and horror that they treat the British National Party and racism, and so on. So there's a lot to be done. Some of it can be done at community level. Some of it is simply done by good policing and enforcement of the law. But it's not any one of these things. It's a whole toolbox of things."

Mohammad: "You've written recently about Anjem Choudary. Should he be thrown out?"

Murray: "Where to? No. I suggest he should be put in prison. And I've suggested, I think in yesterday's Daily Mail, exactly the laws which I think he's very clearly has broken and which he should go to prison for. There has been a flawed policy in recent years by the security services and the police, of allowing him to be out in the open, partly in order to keep him under observation and to observe those people who would be attracted to him. I think that process has failed. It has failed in two ways. One. One of the murderers of Lee Rigby had obviously been on that radar and has flipped off it, so it's not failsafe. And secondly, allowing this kind of hate preaching to go unchallenged, I think creates a huge gulf between general public and the police, prosecution authorities, and so on. When people see, for instance, an 85 year old grandmother handcuffed outside a mosque saying horrible things, by all accounts, about Muslims, and yet see Anjem Choudary saying all sorts of horrible things about people - all sorts of people, including Muslims, and remaining free."

Mohammad: "Now Douglas we're getting to the crux of where I want to take this next discussion. You have an e-book out now called Islamophilia. What do you mean by the title. Is it the central premise that public figures are scared right now in the UK?"

Murray: "My ebook on Islamophilia - it's a send-up. It's not about Muslims and it's not about Islam. It's about those ridiculous public figures, from presidents and prime ministers and politicians to pop stars and actors and artists and writers, who say only nice things about Islam, where they criticise all other religions, they say only nice things about Islam, largely because they're fearful."

Mohammad: "Mohammed Ansar is listening to you, Douglas. Mohammed Ansar, what do you have to say?"

Ansar: "Douglas is part of the problem, if truth be told. And on a personal basis ... Douglas and I have done television together and he's very personable, and I agree with much of what he says around the details of Anjem Choudary and others. However, comments like "forcibly exporting Muslims who plot, assist or condone violence against the west"; saying that "conditions for Muslims in Europe must be made harder across the board"; that "Europe must look like a less attractive proposition"; making statements that demonise all Muslims and Islam; conflating Islam and extremism, and; even Paul Goodman ... who runs the Conservative Home website has said that Douglas Murray needs to disown his arguments that he's made, and that the conservative and mainstream right have distanced themselves from Douglas Murray. And denying that Islamophobia is a hate crime, denying that Islamophobia is like antisemitism. All of these things are being perpetrated by Douglas, and this is creating a wedge, it's creating fear and hostility. And Douglas, you need to start looking at yourself, my friend, and you need to ...".

Mohammad: "What are you suggesting then? Are you saying that writers like Douglas Murray are responsible for the rise in the number of white working class men and boys who want to join the EDL? Is that what you're saying?"

Ansar: "I think there are people at the minute who make a career out of stopping good people in society coming together to stand up against hate, division and disunity. And Douglas Murray is stoking and is fanning those flames."

Mohammad: "Okay. I need to get Douglas to respond to this. Douglas?"

Murray: "Well first of all, Mohammed Ansar is simply making the most offensive, and most gratuitous and silly argument he can make. But if he wants to take things that he selects about me out of context, I could perfectly well cite MoAnsar - as he calls himself on twitter - a row he had with the historian Tom Holland recently, where Mohammed who said, said recently and I quote: "If slaves were treated justly with full rights and no oppression, why would anyone object?". You know, Mohammed, it's part of the problem this, isn't it? That you come on things like this and present yourself in one light. You pretend that your opponents are all terrible, vicious Islamophobes and racists and far-right and so on, and so forth. But until people like you deal with the primary problem of Islamic extremism, the secondary and undeniable problem of the reaction to that cannot itself be addressed."

Ansar: "Douglas, listen, I have come out repeatedly - in the media, in the television, on the radio - to condemn Islamic extremism, Anjem Choudary, the acts in Woolwich ..."

Murray:"Why is it, why is it you don't mind promoting Hizb ut-Tahrir? Why is it you don't mind promoting the extremist group Hizb ut-Tahrir?"

Ansar: (talking over Murray as he mentions Hizb ut-Tahrir once more) "... Now, now I think, Douglas, Douglas, Douglas, Douglas, I think, Douglas, Douglas, Douglas, Douglas, I think, Douglas, I think you need to - a discussion between me and Tom Holland - he's a friend of mine - and he's come out clearly and said that our discussion was an academic discussion about history in ancient times and slavery in ancient times, look..."

Mohammad: "Douglas, let him finish and I'll get you back in."

Ansar: "Look, I think it's only fair to respond to what you've said, as I've responded to what you've said. Look. The discussion between myself and Tom Holland, and Tom's come out recently, you can look at his tweets, discusses the historical context of slavery in ancient times, and whether it was a good thing, a bad thing and how people were treated, and I have condemned slavery in all its forms across the board. So there's no question there. Now, the argument is this. You are denying that Islamophobia is real, despite the fact that we have Tell MAMA, which is an organisation which monitors Islamophobic hate crimes. Since Woolwich, we've had 200 attacks on Muslims, we've had ten attacks on mosques, one burnt to the ground. Now, we need to stop this nonsensical and tired rhetoric which has been rejected by the mainstream media, rejected by the public and now it's been rejected by the mainstream politicians on the right. You have to accept that Islamophobia and anti-Semitism these are hate-crimes. I'm asking you if you will acknowledge if Islamophobia is real and will you stand against it?"

Murray: "I do not acknowledge it's real and I'll explain why. First of all, the example you just cited of Tell MAMA, you're completely wrong. Last Sunday in the Sunday Telegraph Andrew Gilligan did an expose of the claim you've just made. Most of the things you describe as attacks on Muslims were things put on twitter, on facebook pages, and so on. Now look. I've already put it to you. It's perfectly clear how to unpick this problem. We deal with the primary issue of Islamic extremism, which is a serious problem. Groups like Hizb ut-Tahrir, which you have yourself had no problem about promoting on your twitterfeed as well..."

Ansar: "And how have I promoted them? Sorry? Sorry? How have I promoted them?"

Murray: "Can I just finish? These are part of the problem. You join me in dealing with against Islamic extremism and the reaction to Islamic extremism, this terrible thing which I do acknowledge does exist - there are people who hate Muslims. That is not Islamophobia by the way. Islamophobia is a term that is meant to encompass everything including any criticism of Islam. Now there are people - and I have written and said this - who may well decide they hate Muslims or all Muslims or so on, and I condemn that and I have done repeatedly and will do repeatedly."

Mohammad: "Can I just ask one final question. Douglas, we're running out of time."

Murray: "Only deal with the primary problem and then they can be dealt with and then the reaction to that problem can be dealt with and will fall away ..."

Ansar: "Douglas, Jason, just to say, I have been dealing with Islamic extremism on a national, local and government programmes for the last five or six years. I'm not sure you have ever delivered a programme to actually deal with grassroots level extremism, whereas I have, so actually you should join me."

Mohammad: "We're running out of time, we're running out of time. We're running out of time and I've got the feeling you two guys will just keep going round in circles. I just want to push it on just a little bit further. We had a Sheikh in on the programme two weeks ago, and he came on the programme, and it's not often you hear an an Imam coming on to a live radio programme to discuss whether the Muslim community is doing enough. He stressed, for half an hour, that they are doing their very best to heal rifts within the community and to root out any possible extremists that might exist within the UK Islamic circle and in mosques. Do you trust the Muslim community? Do you think that community is doing enough to root out these extremists?"

Murray: "There's no such thing as an 'a community'. There are communities. All sorts of different voices from within Islam. Some people in this country are undoubtedly doing as much as they can. Some people are doing more than they can. But is there a problem that needs to be tackled more and harder and better and with more people? Yes, undoubtedly. Not enough is being done across the board. I would like to see more. I think we can deal with this problem. We need to deal with the primary problem and then the reactions to that problem will fall away."

Mohammad: "Right. Thank you for your answer. Mohammed?"

Ansar: "Mosques and Muslim communities - and I agree with Douglas on this: that Muslim communities (and we should address them as that) they are across the board working absolute to their limits in terms of tackling this. We're talking about disenfranchisement. below the poverty line. We are talking about white extremism and disenfranchisement. You know, for people like Douglas and mainstream commentators who do not condone across the board acts of islamophobia and deny that it exists is a problem. We need to increase the the intolerance and this lean and this lurch to the far right it must stop and good people across the country I believe they will unite and stop this.

ITV Daybreak

On 10 June 2013, Ansar appeared briefly on ITV's Daybreak.

BBC Radio 4 Sunday

On 23 June 2013, Ansar appeared as a "Sunni religious and political commentator" alongside Sheikh Mohammed al-Hilli, interviewed by William Crawley.

Crawley: "Do you agree with that, Mohammed, that sectarian tensions in Syria driving a wedge into the British Muslim community?"

Ansar: "I think to a degree what we've seen is that over the last decade, I mean, for example in Iraq, we've seen the rising Shia influence. In fact, in 2005 it became first Shia-dominated Arab state since the time of the Fatamids about 800 years ago. We've seen a similar rise of influence in Syria and actually increasing sectarianism across the muslim majority countries in the world. However, I think what we tend to find in the UK is that we do have a uniquely British Islamic identity here and there does seem to be a firebreak between events that are happening in the middle east and here. That isn't to to say we're not on a knife edge. I mean there are organisations and think tanks like the Brookings Institute that will argue there's a new sectarianism which is spreading across the world and is a threat to liberal western democracies. But you've also got other commentators who would suggest that actually this idea of a sectarian master narrative is flawed and that there's just as much intra-Sunni sectarianism if you like and tribal conflict and intercommunal tensions as there are outside of Sunni Islam."

Crawley: "Well Mohammed Ansar, if there are influences coming in from elsewhere, Syria, Pakistan and the like, which might, as you put it, put the British Muslim community on a knife-edge, what would you say could be done to challenge that, to calm those tensions?"

Ansar: "I think we've seen in the aftermath of Woolwich and in other situations for example relating to child grooming offences, issues of civic concern and social ills in society. We've seen recently the coming through muslim organisations, individuals, who work in umbrella organisations, they're working across the board, and these individuals and organisations are incredibly united. There is very little, or none that I have ever seen, any tension with Sunnis and Shias and any divisions within Islam. These muslims are coming together to ..."

Crawley: "Would you now have anti-Shia demonstrations taking place?"

Ansar: "Well I think it would be very unwise to look at the actions of discredited and extremist minority groups, such as that led by extremist Anjem Choudary, and extrapolate that to relate that to the whole of muslims in the UK. One of the things I'd like to say, which is very important, is that sectarianism is forbidden within Islam. It is recognised of course that sects exist and there are subdivisions. However, the prophet (pbuh) in his final sermon was clear to state that every muslim is a brother to every other muslim, and the muslims constitute one brotherhood. And in another verse of the Qur'an, muslims at large have been told very very clearly: "as for those who divide their religion and break into sects, we have no part with them" and so been told very clearly."

Channel 4 - 4Ramadan

In July 2013, Mohammed Ansar appeared in the Channel 4 series entitled 4Ramadan, in the segment Day 1: Mohammed Ansar.

"My name is Mohammed Ansar. I am a political and social commentator. I also work as a, er, diversity manager. I think it's important not to politicise Ramadan. I think we have to acknowledge that we've been under a lot of scrutiny of late, and I'll use the word scrutiny. I don't think it's right to say we've been on the backfoot. But Muslim communities have been under a lot of scrutiny of late. Islam as a way of life expects the highest moral standards and the highest moral judgements to be made by Muslims. And when we fall short of that I think it's quite right that communities across the country, and we ourselves, should hold ourselves to account. Ramadan certainly is an opportunity for communities to regroup. It certainly an opportunity for Muslims to find their sense of self, to find their completeness and their wholeness, and to become very very positive members not only to become members of their community, but of broader civic society. When Muslims act in accordance with Islam, when they act in accordance with the noblest truths, the highest standards, communities everywhere look at them and say "Why aren't we more like that?", and actually during the rest of the year "Wow, Muslims are more like that". Ramadan is a spiritual challenge. It's the ultimate spiritual challenge. For thirty days you have to try to perfect yourself. For thirty days, you have to look inside yourself, look inside your heart, deal with any issues of disgruntlement you've got with people around you or even yourself. For thirty days you're only going to be getting four or five hours of sleep at night. That can be very tough, and so you need to learn to dig deep, because you're going to have to get through it, one way or another."

The Times - Even without Israel, Jews would be a target

In an article on his experiences of antisemitism on 26 September 2013, journalist David Aaronovitch makes reference to Mo Ansar as a "Muslim commentator":

"There is a Muslim commentator I know, have once had lunch with, he’s often on the telly exuding moderation. He’s very worried about Islamophobia. During my appearance two weeks ago on Question Time he tweeted on the programme’s hashtag (ie, very publicly): “Oh goodness, don’t ask David Aaronovitch [if] we should attack a country in the Middle East which will serve an Israeli national interest.”

The Guardian - Mohammed Ansar: My 18 months with former EDL leader Tommy Robinson

On Saturday 19 October 2013, an article written by Mo Ansar about his meetings with the former EDL leader Tommy Robinson, appeared in The Guardian.

SKY - Al Shabaab Video Threatens British Muslims

On 19 October, Mo Ansar appeared on Sky News to give a statement about the offering of police protection to "several high profile British Muslims" who were threatened in a video released online by an Al Shabaab supporter.

"In the hour-long video, a man with a British accent wearing a black mask over his face, accuses British Muslims who spoke out after Drummer Rigby's murder as having "mutilated the teachings of Islam".

" Political commentator Mohammed Ansar, told Sky News he was one of those named in the video and described feeling "sickened and numb". "It's very difficult to look at a video like that which is inciting hatred and violence and terror on British streets," he said. "And you wonder firstly is this a new dimension, attacking British Muslims beyond overseas, beyond British soldiers which has been diabolical."

BBC One - The One Show

On 24 October 2013, Mo Ansar appeared on The One Show to discuss his appearance on the forthcoming BBC documentary "When Tommy Met Mo"

BBC BBC One - Quitting the English Defence League: When Tommy Met Mo

On Monday 28 October 2013, Mo Ansar appeared alongside Tommy Robinson, Mohammec Shafiq, Salma Yacoub, Dr. Usama Hasan, Tom Holland, and Maajid Nawaz. During the documentary, Maajid Nawaz confronted Mo Ansar about Ansar's position on "basic human rights" by the discussion of hudud punishments such as amputation and stoning to death within the Qur'an and Islamic tradition. The ensuing discussion led Nawaz to describe Ansar's position as "morally reprehensible" when Ansar failed to condemn these punishments but evaded answering by talking about how he formed his "theological opinion":

Narrator: "He was keen to challenge Mo. Maajid revealed deep divisions between him and Mo on how to interpret Sharia law".

Maajid Nawaz: "Has there been any evolution in your own thinking as a result of your interactions with Tommy?"

Mo Ansar: "I don't know. Not particularly. I come from a very ... I think I come from a very reasonable place."

Maajid Nawaz: "If your views haven't changed, then I assume, if I may, that your perspective on, say, the Qur'an says:

"the male and female thief, cut their hands off"

"Would you agree with chopping off someone's hand off as a punishment for theft?"

Mo Ansar: "No, I don't agree with chopping off someone's hand as a punishment for theft."

Maajid Nawaz: "If an Islamic state existed, would you agree with chopping off someone's hand off for theft if all the Sharia conditions are met? Please. Yes or No? Yes or No? Yes or No? Please. Answer that. I'll tell you my answer. No. What's yours?"

Mo Ansar: "On some of my theological views, I'm clear. On other theological views I like to hear what the consensus of the scholars would be, and on other theological views I'm not made up."

Maajid Nawaz: "Well, If one were to ask my views on stoning to death, whether now, or in a hypothetical ideal Islamic state, I don't believe it's morally justifiable to defer the answer and say "I'm not sure whether someone should be stoned to death or not." That's morally reprehensible.".

Narrator: "Hearing about how Maajid argued so vehemently against Mo, about basic human rights, was a revelation to Tommy."

Tommy: I didn't think a Muslim would confront Mo Ansar. I thought Mo Ansar was being built as the acceptable face of Islam. And that's everything I think is wrong. So when I saw this and I read more up about Quilliam and I looked at what Quilliam has done. I looked at .. they've actually brought change. I want to bring change. I want to tackle Islamist extremism and neo-nazism extremism. They're opposite sides of the same coin."

On 8 October 2013, upon hearing of Tommy Robinson's defection from the English Defence League to join forces with Quilliam, Mo Ansar tweeted:

"I congratulate @EDLTrobinson on his decision. As @QuilliamF and @MaajidNawaz will acknowledge, these journeys do not happen overnight."

Upon hearing the news of Tommy's defection, Mo Ansar hurried from his Hampshire-based tweet-station to London, but was blocked from entering the media event, held on 8 October 2013, to question Tommy Robinson on his leaving the EDL to work with Quilliam:

Narrator: "One week later, the worlds' media assembled in Bloomsbury to question [Tommy] about why he was leaving the EDL to join forces with a leading Muslim think tank. Mo, having seen the announcement on twitter, cancelled everything and hurried up from Hampshire to be there too.

Mo Ansar: Naturally there are going to be a lot of people who are sceptical about Quilliam and Tommy working together. Only recently we've seen Tommy's behaviour has been perhaps less than noble. And there are going to be questions raised about ... Is this merely a tactical move? Is this a cynical ploy to put himself forward in the eyes of the public? Or is this a genuine attempt?"

Narrator: "But Mo was kept waiting ... And once he'd gained access with the crew, all were thrown out. Tommy texted to explain. He didn't want Mo claiming any credit for this momentous decision."

Mo Ansar: "I'm really disappointed with how things have turned out. I've spent 18 months talking to Tommy and going on a journey to learn about Islam to extend a hand. I thought it was important to develop a dialogue. Part of asking the English Defence League to put down their hate and prejudice was about having a dialogue. And today it's fallen flat on its face."

On 8 October 2013, before Mo Ansar had been thrown out of the media event, he wrote on twitter:

"I congratulate @EDLTrobinson on his decision. As @QuilliamF and @MaajidNawaz will acknowledge, these journeys do not happen overnight.

After he was asked to leave the media event, Mo Ansar tweeted:

"Lastly, I was disgusted by the behaviour of Maajid Nawaz and Tommy today in London. More on this, perhaps later. #OnceAnExtremist"

On 29 October 2013, Mo Ansar responded to William Crawley: @WilliamCrawley: "@MoAnsar Have you met Tommy R since he excluded you from the Quilliam press conference?" @MoAnsar: "@williamcrawley No. My understanding is that he has refused to share a platform."

@MoAnsar: "@williamcrawley And the exclusion was by the head of Quilliam, not Tommy."

Tommy Robinson responded by calling Mo Ansar a liar:

@TRobinsonNewEra: "@MoAnsar @williamcrawley u liar pic.twitter.com/OhTv04IARW"

Robinson's twitter picture showed a screen capture of a letter from Plank PR, who represented the media company who produced the documentary:

"Dear Tommy,

I would like to confirm that our

instruction from our client Mentorn

Media was to set up interviews for both

you and Mo together. Mo advised

production that he wasn't happy to do

this and so we have stepped back from

setting up any interviews today.

If you were told that by Radio 5 live that

the PR company had supplied Mo on

the basis that he did the interview alone

so Tommy couldn't be heard then this

PR Company was not either Plank PR or

the BBC's Press office."

The above letter, dated 28th October 2013 shows that Mo Ansar told the PR company that he was not happy to share a platform with Tommy Robinson 'today' (presumably meaning on the 28th October 2013, not on the 8th October 2013). This shows that Mo Ansar lied when he wrote on twitter that he had not met Tommy Robinson since the Mo Ansar's exclusion from the Quilliam Press conference on 8th November, because Ansar had instructed the PR Company that Ansar was not happy to do so, not that Robinson had refused to share a platform as claimed by Ansar.

Ansar followed up the televised discussion with Maajid Nawaz by tweeting on 29 Oct 13:

"2. No, I don't believe in shariah implementation in the West, nor in stoning/cutting hands etc. Anywhere."

"3. Yes, I believe in and support gay rights. Get over it."

"4. I love Islam. It's a great religion. It has an important place in a modern secular society - transformative, it drives social justice."

On 30 October 2013, Dr. Chris Allen wrote an exaggerated criticism of the documentary:

"The foil for Robinson was 'Mo' - Mo Ansar - a figure who made for uncomfortable viewing throughout but especially so in two scenes: the first, where he was grilled about stoning and chopping off hands by the Quilliam Foundation's Maajid Nawaz; the second, being excluded from the press conference where Robinson spoke about his decision to quit.

In terms of the latter, it seems bizarre that the 'Mo' in the title was so publicly excluded - and humiliated? - from this crucial moment. For me, this was evidence enough that in the bigger picture, he and many of the other British Muslim 'allies' appearing in the film were little more than convenient stooges.

As regards the former, Ansar was a rabbit in the headlights as Nawaz savagely tore into him about his hypothetical views in relation to shariah law, something that would seem to be markedly different to the approach taken by Nawaz about Robinson's actual views about Islam, Muslims and more. "

Claims of misrepresentative editing

On the Daily Politics show, broadcast 29 October 2013, Ansar claimed he'd been subjected to selective editing during his debate with Maajid Nawaz, but on 5th November 2013 on twitter, the narrator, Nicky Campbell, appears to deny that Ansar was selectively edited to appear pro- judicial-amputation, and that Ansar's answers to Maajid Nawaz reflected his opinion at that time, without any revision:

"I will be reading transcript soon I hope. Didn't edit"

On 29 Jan 2014, Nicky Campbell pushed to the heart of the matter regarding the 'cartoon scandal', posting a youtube video of Maajid Nawaz questioning Mohammed Ansar about hudud punishments:

@NickyAACampbell 29 Jan 2014: "When @MaajidNawaz met @MoAnsar . The embarassment at the heart of all this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCKlehpQcBQ …"

Mohammed Ansar responded, threatening to sue Mentorn Media, the company who produced the documentary:

@MoAnsar 29 Jan 2014: "Mentorn will have their case to answer. And whoever edited the discussion. #expensive" (now deleted)

Campbell responded:

@NickyAACampbell: "@MoAnsar I've read the transcript #deeplydissappointing #bringiton equivocation equivocation equivocation"

Campbell then indirectly retweeted Ansar's comment about Mentorn and Ansar's threat to sue:

@NickyAACampbell 29 Jan 2014: "BREAKING - MO TO SUE AFTER TV PROG? "@MoAnsar Mentorn will have their case to answer. And whoever edited the discussion. #expensive"

Ansar then deleted his original tweet threatening to sue Mentorn, but Campbell's indirect retweet remained.
Meanwhile, less than two weeks back in time, Ansar can be seen sucking it up the assistant producer of Mentorn's BBC Question Time, in an advert for a short-term Producer:

@MoAnsar: "@MHunterTV @bbcquestiontime Bah. How hard can it be... <ducks>. All joking aside, you'd be perfect for it Mike. Who do I tell?"

BBC - Daily Politics

On 29 October 2013, Mo Ansar appeared as one of the guests on Daily Politics:

"Mr Ansar told Jo Coburn that Tommy Robinson was a "complex character", and also that there were "soft sides to Tommy, although his rhetoric has been disturbing. She also asked him about equality - women's rights and gay rights - slavery and cutting the hands off thieves."

SKY - Terror Suspect Watched 'To Stop Escape Abroad'

On 4 November 2013, Mo Ansar appeared on Sky News to give a statement about Mohammed Ahmed Mohamed, who "has connections with the Somalian terror group, al Shabaab" and "escaped [Tpim] surveillance by changing into a burka at a mosque".

LBC 97.3 Iain Dale

On 19 December 2013, it appears that Mo Ansar was scheduled to appear on Iain Dale's LBC 97.3 Woolwich Special, but failed to participate:

@MoAnsar: "@IainDale Sorry about tonight. We'll do it properly. Promise. Third time lucky? I'm blaming Ken Clarke who came in and caused a kerfuffle."

@IainDale: "@MoAnsar Really unimpresed to be honest."

@MoAnsar: "@IainDale I can only apologise. Sounded like a great debate. In fairness, these things happen."

Ansar then followed up with a short series of two tweets, where Ansar calls Dale 'the lovely' before going on to promote a free podcast from Ansar's appearance on Dale's show in 2012:

@MoAnsar: "For completely missing the lovely @iaindale tonight, a couple of things from earlier... when I wasn't the most inconsiderate person ever..." ""What is Islam and why is the Prophet Muhammad so important to Muslims?" | http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzVsj1TQITo&feature=youtu.be … | My chat on LBC with @IainDale"

Dale then responded to Ansar's apology:

@IainDale: "@MoAnsar Do they. They seem to happen to you quite a lot. I have a policy of three strikes and you're out."

@MoAnsar: "@IainDale Never missed a gig. Popped my cherry tonight. You're my first. x"

MoAnsar later tweets (for background see https://storify.com/jojowiththeflow/anti-muslim-harassment?utm_medium=sfy.co-twitter&utm_content=storify-pingback&utm_source=t.co&utm_campaign=&awesm=sfy.co_bdlp) "For the record, I have reported @LBC's @IainDale for anti-Muslim harassment and abuse relating to his behaviour on 22nd March 2014" and an alleged letter from him addressed to New Hants Police emerged (see https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=717573001597863&set=o.133462746856628&type=3&theater).

Subsequently Ansar failed to respond to any further questions related to the letter.

2014

BBC - The Big Questions

Mohammed Ansar did not appear on the 12 January 2014 edition of The Big Questions, but did get a brief mention by presenter Nicky Campbell:

Nicky Campbell (41:45): "That's not Mo Ansar".

BBC LONDON LIVE - Vanessa Feltz

Mohammed Ansar appeared on Vanessa Feltz's show as "political and social commentator" discussing the Rennard scandal, the LibDems:

@MoAnsar: "I'll be on @BBCLondon949 shortly with @vanessaonair talking about Rennard, the @LibDems and how not to deal with investigating wrongdoing."

Ansar discussed the Rennard case, and briefly mentioned LibDem candidate Maajid Nawaz, not by name, but by the ward he will be standing in.

The Times - Show us Jesus & Mo. It's the Price of Freedom

On 1st February 2013, Mohammed Ansar was featured in an article by Janice Turner in The Times newspaper as "that hot-air balloon":

"Mr Nawaz’s frustration is understandable. In banning the image, the BBC cast him as the faux-Muslim, his opponents as the rational, majority voice that must be heeded.

How can moderate Muslims be expected to speak out, if they are cast as apostates by national TV? Those who have not yet made up their minds will see angry offence as the default position. They hear it proclaimed by the deceptively reasonable Mohammed Shafiq, the Lib Dem, whose Ramadhan Foundation hosts homophobic speakers, and that hot-air balloon Mo Ansar, who argues that gender-divided public meetings are just like BBQs where guys cluster around the grill while wives chat with the kids. No biggie."

Here are some of those tweets:

@hsmall: "But, @MoAnsar, you do condone gender segregation if it is "soft"? What's"soft" segregation?"

@MoAnsar: "Big garden. Big BBQ. People free to mingle. Men/women gen. hanging abt together."

@sundersays: "I agree few people have problem w that, as opposed to organised 'voluntary' segregation"

@MoAnsar: "Truth be told, if you had to call it something, it was prob. close to that."

@BinaShah: "Disingenous to compare a cute BBQ to separate seating areas in a university event"

And of the article itself:

@MoAnsar: ""@PaulAston9: Why don't u order all muslims to shove a Koran up there arse and set light to it"< another fan; phaps @VictoriaPeckham reader?"

@VictoriaPeckham: ".@MoAnsar I wondered when and how you would twist my criticism of your views into an attack on all Muslims. You are nothing if not reliable."

The Independent - Freedom of speech: Is it my right to offend you?

On 2nd February 2014, Mohammed Ansar was featured in an article by Archie Bland in The Independent newspaper as a "self-styled community leader":

"And then there's Mohammed "Mo" Ansar, a self-styled community leader without quite enough evidence that the community in question agrees.

He, too, has been one of the most prominent of Nawaz's critics. But Ansar has history with Nawaz, who stole his thunder by orchestrating the announcement of Tommy Robinson's departure from the English Defence League when Ansar had just spent 18 months making a documentary with him. Did that history play a part? Who knows. It is, at the very least, worth bearing in mind."

BBC Wales - Jason Mohammed

On 4 April 2014, Mohammed Ansar appeared on BBC Wales to discuss 6he Radicalisation Of Young British Muslims:

@MoAnsar: "My discussions with @jasonmbbc on radicalisation, Quilliam, anti-Muslim witch-hunts and McCarthyism https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIbqwxxALr8 … #RT"