Asharq Al-Awsat has obtained a copy of the private correspondence between Lebanese Islamist Omar Bakri Muhammad Fustuq, who lives in Lebanon, and the British embassy in Beirut. The embassy has categorically rejected granting him an entry visa to visit his six children and wife who live in the British capital, London, until further notice. A letter issued by the British embassy in Beirut, a copy of which was received by Asharq Al Awsat from Bakri by e-mail, stated, "The ban on your entry into Britain remains valid, as it has been since the decision of the British Home Office on 12 August 2005." the statement also said, "Any application you will submit in the future to enter Britain will be like the previous one. Most likely, you will not be allowed to enter Britain."
Asharq Al-Awsat spoke to Bakri in a telephone interview in which he stated that "The British embassy has even refused to give me an appointment for an interview. For this reason, all contacts were made by telephone and e-mail. I had expected that the British authorities would refuse to grant me a visa for a short visit in order to be next to my daughter during her surgery, in view of the embarrassment that my visit may cause, if it is accompanied by a media clamor."
Bakri also revealed that members of the British media have come to Beirut and monitored the moves and contacts he made to get an appointment to visit the consulate. The Lebanese Islamist expressed the belief that the real reason for banning him from entering Britain is his religious position, namely that, "the British, US, and other foreign forces in Afghanistan and Iraq are occupier and enemy forces. The Muslims in Afghanistan and Iraq have the right to, and even should, confront and resist them."
Bakri, founder of the Banned fundamentalist groups Al-Muhajiroun and Al-Guraba [the Strangers] in Britain, left London for Beirut in the wake of the London terrorist attacks in July 2005, which claimed the lives of 52 people.