Boxer Khan backed after attack by radical muslim cleric
LONDON (AFP) — Boxing hero Amir Khan was hailed as a "wonderful role model" on Tuesday in response to being called an "ignorant deviant" by a Muslim cleric for wearing a Union Jack flag on his shorts.
Radical preacher Omar Bakri Mohammed, who moved to Lebanon in 2005 to avoid deportation from Britain, also told the Sun newspaper that Khan was a bad role model for young Muslims.
"Amir Khan is not a good example," Bakri told the newspaper. "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 Mohammed.
"The ideal situation would be to have a Muslim team not registered to any state so he can represent the Islamic community."
But the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) backed the 2004 Olympic silver medalist, saying: "These comments are typical of Omar Bakri. He doesn't live in this country and frankly his views are of no concern to British Muslims. Khan is a wonderful role model.")
The Commonwealth lightweight champion is a poster boy for Islamic integration and has often spoken about his responsibilites as a British Muslim.
