A Christian minister is bringing a legal test case to try to prevent a radical Islamic preacher coming to Britain.
By Robert Mendick, Chief reporter
Dr Zakir Naik, an Indian-based television preacher, was banned from entering the UK by Theresa May, the Home Secretary The Reverend Mahboob Masih will lodge papers in the High Court this week alleging that Dr Zakir Naik, an Indian-based television preacher, is "extremely dangerous to community cohesion, religious tolerance and race relations".
He will claim that the courts should give greater respect to Christian values and declares in High Court papers that Britain's judges have adopted an "over sensitivity to Islamic sensibilities due to the threat of violence".
Dr Naik had been due to lecture at a series of major venues including Wembley Arena and the Birmingham NEC in the summer but was banned from entering the UK by Theresa May, the Home Secretary, just two days before his arrival.
Dr Naik is now taking the Home Secretary to court for a judicial review of that decision.
The Rev Masih's highly unusual intervention is intended to bolster the Government's case to keep Dr Naik out of the UK.
The Church of Scotland minister will argue he has the right to make his legal protest because he previously lost his job as presenter of a community radio station after a disccusion about Dr Naik's preachings.
In his submission to the high Court, the rev Masih, who is the minister in West Kirk, East Kilbride, claims Dr Naik has "made offensive comments on Judaism. Christianity, Hinduism Buddhism and other religious beliefs".
He adds in his submission: "In my view and in the light of my experience of work in the Asian community in Britain, he should be completely barred from all western capitals until he has moderated his uncivilised behaviour, his distorted views on Western life, cultural values and ended his inflammatory oratory style."
His case is being brought by the Christian Legal Centre, who have hired the religious and human rights barrister Paul Diamond.
Mrs May cited reported comments from Dr Naik such as "every Muslim should be a terrorist" and, on Osama bin Laden, that "if he is fighting the enemies of Islam, I am for him" when she decided to ban him on the grounds his presence "would not be conducive to the public good".
But lawyers for Dr Naik will argue at a judicial review hearing set to begin in ten days' time that it was unfair to ban him at such short notice.
He also claims that comments attributed to him were made several years ago and even predated the granting of an earlier five-year multi-entry visa by the Home office in 2008.
His lawyers will also point out that there remains wide support for his visit even among senior Home office officials, including approval for his tour from a senior Whitehall security adviser.
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