8:02am Wednesday 26th March 2008
By Jane Lavender
BOXER Amir Khan's supporters have hit back at claims that he is setting a bad example to Muslims by wearing the Union Flag on his shorts.
The attack on 21-year-old Amir was launched by exiled radical cleric Omar Bakri Mohammad.
But his comments were branded "bizarre" by the Muslim Council of Britain.
Inayat Bunglawala, assistant secretary general of the Council, said Amir was 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."
Bakri is reported to have said: "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 Mohammed.
"The ideal situation would be to have a Muslim team not registered to any state so he can represent the Islamic community."
Omar Bakri lives in Lebanon after leaving London in 2005.
Mr Bunglawala said: "He doesn't live in this country and frankly his views are of no concern to British Muslims."
Frank Warren, Amir's boxing promoter, also leapt to the defence of the Olympic silver medalist.
He said: "Like any decent person in this country, I am shocked and annoyed by the comments directed at Amir.
"Amir is the face of modern multi-cultural Britain and, as a premier sportsman, the young generation look up to him as a role model.
"He likes to keep his religion private and personal, but I know he is extremely proud to be British and represent his country in the boxing ring and he is equally proud of his Pakistani heritage."
Amir is due to fight Martin Kristjansen for the WBO Lightweight Championship of the World in Bolton on April 5.
The fight is being billed as "National Pride" on posters and Amir's website shows him draped in a Union Jack.
Mr Warren said: "Not only has Amir achieved great success as boxer but he has done so much outside the ring for his local community.
"Only recently, he set up a community centre and boxing gym to help get kids off the streets and focus their energy into sport."
Muslim leaders and politicians from Bolton have also rubbished Omar Bakri's claims.
Yaseer Ahmed, from the Bolton Council of Mosques, said: "Amir Khan is entitled to wear whatever he wants. It's his own personal choice.
"Being Muslim doesn't affect your Britishness. You can be British and a Muslim.
"If he is proud to be British, that's a good thing."
Bolton South-east MP Dr Brian Iddon said Omar Bakri was "out of order" for his comments about the boxer.
He 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 he complaining then?"
Communities Secretary Hazel Blears said: "This latest rant is beyond the pale and people of all communities will see it for what it is - hate-fuelled nonsense.
"Amir is a credit to this country and exactly the kind of role model our young people need."
Khan's manager Asif Vali declined to comment other than saying: "Amir's got a fight in 10 days' time. We're concentrating on that."
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