Pakistani cleric's deportation fight

Shafik ur Rehman: "National security" debate

Pakistani cleric Shafik ur Rehman came to the UK in 1993 and has been working in a mosque in Oldham, Lancashire, ever since.

The 29-year-old is married with two children, who were born in the UK.

In 1998, he was refused permission to remain in the UK and was served with a deportation order on grounds of national security.

He successfully appealed against the order in September last year, but Home Secretary Jack Straw has overturned the appeal.

The UK mosque where Shafik ur Rehman is based

The Home Office says Mr Rehman is the UK leader of an Islamic extremist organisation, the Markaz Dawa ul Irshad (MDI).

It has a military wing fighting what it calls a jihad [holy war] against Indian rule in Kashmir and has claimed responsibility for terrorist attacks in the past.

He denies this and says he condemns terrorism and has worked hard to create harmony amongst different Islamic sects.

He admits he has raised money for the MDI but insists it was for building schools, universities and hospitals in Pakistan.

'Punishment'

He says some of the cash was also used to buy animals to sacrifice to celebrate the Muslim holy festival of Eid.

Since his arrival in Britain he has been approached by MI5 to become an informer, but has turned down its requests.

He says his deportation order is to punish him for his refusal.

Other charges against Mr Rehman are that he recruits and trains British Muslims in Pakistan for terrorist activities in Kashmir.

He admits supplying references for up to seven young British Muslims wishing to travel to Pakistan to attend courses in Muslim teachings, including the doctrine of jihad, but denies this is recruitment.

The government also says Mr Rehman has raised thousands of pounds for a militant group active in Indian-administered Kashmir called Lashkar-e Toiba (LT).

He denies any involvement with the group, but says he is aware of a connection between the MDI and the LT.