A RADICAL preacher's claims that Amir Khan, the boxer, was an "ignorant deviant" for wearing the Union flag were last night attacked by leading politicians and Muslims across the country.
The featherweight champion was derided as a bad role model for Muslims by Omar Bakri Mohammad – a preacher who has been in self-imposed exile in Lebanon – after Khan donned the flag-embelished shorts and draped himself in the Union Flag.
Mr Bakr
i Mohammad, 49, a founder of the banned al-Muhajiroun organisation, called the 21-year-old boxing champion "jahil" – ignorant – and a "deviant person".
He added: "I don't think somebody should really look to Amir Khan as a good example for the youth.
"Amir Khan is not a good example for Muslims. He wears shorts with the Union Jack. That is a sin.
"He should not be wearing the flag because sovereignty is for God. His only allegiance should be to the Prophet Muhammad.
"The ideal situation would be to have a Muslim team not registered to any state so he can represent the Islamic community."
Last night, his remarks rekindled the debate over dual nationality.
Khan's spokesman declined to comment, adding: "Amir's got a fight (next month] – we're concentrating on that."
But Hazel Blears, the Communities Secretary, accused Mr Bakri of expressing "hate-fuelled nonsense".
She added: "Amir is a credit to this country and exactly the kind of role model our young people need. Like many people in this country, he is both proud to be British and proud to be a Muslim and his achievements are an inspiration to all."
Osama Saeed, chairman of the Scottish Islamic Foundation, said there was no conflict in people identifying themselves as both British and Muslim.
"Everyone should stop giving Omar Bakri coverage," he said. "Research last year showed that Muslims in Scotland feel more Scottish than the population as a whole."
Meanwhile, Brian Iddon, the Labour MP for Bolton South East, said the exiled preacher, who once urged British Muslims to kill and be killed, was "out of order" for his comments about the boxer.
Mr Iddon said: "Amir Khan is a British Pakistani and his father has been wearing a Union Jack waistcoat regularly since he was at the Olympics, so why wasn't (Mr Bakri Mohammad] complaining then?
"The Khan family have been demonstrating their Britishness for a long time, so he's a bit slow. He's out of order. Amir is a British Pakistani, so he's entitled to wear the Union Jack."
The preacher's comments were branded "bizarre" by the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB).
Inayat Bunglawala, assistant secretary general of MCB said: "Amir Khan is a wonderful role model. He's a hugely successful boxer, proud of being Muslim and British. I can see why that could upset Omar Bakri, but to hundreds of thousands of British Muslims, Amir Khan is a wonderful role model."
"Omar Bakri doesn't live in this country and his views are of no concern to British Muslims."
Amir Khan is draped with the Union Flag in photos on his official website and often wears shorts featuring the flag.
Khan is due to fight Martin Kristjansen for the WBO lightweight championship of the world in his home town of Bolton on 5 April.
The fight is being billed as "National Pride" on an advertisement poster by the promoter Frank Warren.
CONTROVERSIAL VIEWSOMAR Bakri Mohammad has long courted controversy. Dubbed the Tottenham Ayatollah, the Syrian-born preacher has provoked outrage over his supposed incitement of jihad.
He praised the 9/11 hi-jackers as the "Magnificent 19" and was the leader of the radical group Al Muhajiroun until it was disbanded. He sought and was granted asylum in the UK, until his indefinite leave to remain was revoked in 2005.
While his wife and six children continue to live in London, he is exiled in Beirut.
He left for Lebanon after the government unveiled plans to deport extremists and has not been allowed back to Britain.
