Muslims back Holocaust memorial

[Behind the Aegis]

Britain's Muslim leaders are considering ending their controversial boycott of Holocaust Memorial Day when the national commemoration is held next month.

The Muslim Council of Britain has long argued that HMD is 'exclusive' to Jews and that an EU genocide memorial day would better represent all victims of crimes against humanity. This year the council's leadership snubbed the HMD ceremony in Westminster marking the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

But Sir Iqbal Sacranie, secretary general of the council, signalled the organisation's position has now softened and he is actively considering attending the next national event at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff on 26 January, where guests are likely to include Tony Blair.

'This is being discussed at the moment within the MCB,' he said. 'A meeting is taking place in the next 10 days and then we'll able to tell you our decision on this. We want to make sure how inclusive it can be. Once the inclusivity is there, we have no problem with it.'

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