Pray! Muslim Group Calls for Franklin Graham to be Banned from UK Festival of Hope Outreach

Will Maule : Sep 10, 2018
Faithwire.com

The Festival of Hope is set to open its doors at Blackpool's Winter Gardens conference center on 21 September.

(United Kingdom)—[Faithwire.com] Evangelist and son of the late Billy Graham, Franklin Graham, is due to travel to the UK this month for a preaching event in the Northern English town of Blackpool. But now, a leading British Muslim organization is calling on the Home Office to deny Graham a travel visa, citing some prior statements he has made which the group believes to be "Islamophobic and homophobic." (Photo: via BillyGraham.org)

The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), along with three members of Parliament, are calling on the Home Office to invoke its rules on refusing visas to those it deems as proponents of "hate speech."

"In the past the government has banned individuals whom they claim are ‘not conducive to the public good.' Mr. Graham's remarks are on record and clearly demonstrate a hatred for Muslims and other minorities," the MCB said in a statement, according to the Guardian.

"We would expect the government to apply its criteria here. If it does not, it will send a clear message that it is not consistent in challenging all forms of bigotry."

In July, the town's local bus company, Blackpool Transport ... banned adverts that were promoting the Gospel event, adding that they were not "consistent with our company values."

Local politician Maria Kirkland said that she would be prepared to break contract with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association "if matters are brought to our attention that could constitute incitement to hatred," with regards to Rev. Graham's preaching visit.

The Anglican bishop of Blackburn, Julian Henderson, whose diocese includes Blackpool, said he took a "neutral" position on Graham's visit. "I must be very clear ... I do not support any kind of hate speech, including the language of Islamophobia, Christianophobia or homophobia," he said. "There is a difference between having a different point of view and expressing hate. Within the Christian ethic there is no room for hate of another person and I do not defend the use of such language."

Fiyaz Mughal, the founder of Tell Mama, an anti-Islamaphobia group, said Graham's views were "regressive" and said he was shocked that the minister was being given any sort of platform in the UK. The Labour MP for Blackpool South, Gordon Marsden, said he would be writing to Sajid Javid, the home secretary, to push for Graham to be banned from British shores.

"It's perfectly possible for the government not to admit someone whose presence is not conducive to the public good," he said. "Graham's visit to Blackpool is likely to cause considerable offense"... Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here.

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