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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/3872289.stm

Controversial cleric visits UK


The cleric's supporters regard him as a moderating voice
A controversial Muslim cleric who is banned from entering the US has been given permission to visit Britain.
Egyptian-born Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi has been accused of making anti-Semitic remarks and supporting suicide bombers.

Labour MP Louise Ellman said it would be "an outrage" to let him visit, and create "enormous security problems".

The Liverpool MP accused Dr Al-Qaradawi of encouraging women and children to be suicide bombers and seeking the destruction of Israel.

Mrs Ellman is calling for his speeches to be monitored.


Banned

But the Muslim Association of Britain, which is hosting Dr Al-Qaradawi, regards him as a moderating voice.

The organisation claims that his views on suicide bombers are irrelevant.

On its website, it said Dr Al-Qaradawi arrived in London on Monday for a week-long visit during which he would take part in a number of functions.

That included chairing the European Council of Fatwa and Research, which will open under the auspices of Mayor Ken Livingston at the Greater London Assembly in London on Wednesday, it said.

He is expected to preach at the Regents Park mosque in north London.

Dr Al-Qaradawi, who is based in Doha in Qatar, has been banned from the US since 1999.