Statement of the Chair regarding ''The Grand Mufti Of UK''

My attention has recently been drawn to a letter published in the Times on 4 February 2011 which shows me as a signatory to the letter giving support to the appointment of a person as “Grand Mufti of the UK”.

I am surprised and saddened since on being approached to be a signatory, I had made it clear that I could not and would not be a signatory to such letter. My name was therefore used improperly and without my authority and permission. I have since written to the Times. For the sake of clarity I should like to place it on record that the post as well as the appointment of a person to the post of “Grand Mufti of the UK” has neither the support nor the endorsement of the MINAB”, said Maulana Imam Shahid Raza OBE, the Chairman of the MINAB.