Hizb ut-Khal-i-Fee

The Independent has picked up the Guardian's hiring of a member of radical Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir:

The Guardian newspaper is refusing to sack one of its staff reporters despite confirming that he is a member of one of Britain's most extreme Islamist groups.

Dilpazier Aslam, who has been allowed to report on the London bombings from Leeds and was also given space to write a column in last Wednesday's edition of The Guardian, is a member of Hizb ut-Tahrir, a radical world organisation which seeks to form a global Islamic state regulated by sharia law.

Well all views should get a good airing, right?

It is understood that staff at The Guardian were unaware that Mr Aslam was a member of Hizb ut-Tahrir until allegations surfaced on "The Daily Ablution", a blog run by Scott Burgess. Speculation is mounting that it may have been a sting by Hizb ut-Tahrir to infiltrate the mainstream media.

Hmm. Aslam's participation in Hizb activities was no secret. His byline is in several editions of Khilafah, Hizb ut-Tahrir's online "magazine". You Google his name, you find this out. Is it likely that the Guardian didn't Google his name? No.

As I noted in my previous post, the Guardian was knowingly the subject of a Hizb media offensive: "In a sign that the group is changing direction, it has given the Guardian unprecedented access to its leadership." Nobody mentioned at that time, hey, one of our writers wants to write for the Guardian? Or hey, Dilpazier, didn't I just interview you for that Hizb piece we did last month? Or how about, Dilpazier, what writing experience do you have?

Late on Friday The Guardian released a statement to The Independent on Sunday saying: "Dilpazier Aslam is a member of Hizb ut-Tahrir, an organisation which is legal in this country. We are keeping the matter under review." The paper refused to comment further.

Heh, so that's the standard? Legal in this country. I don't know what the British equivalent might be, but should a paper in the US have no problem employing a reporter who's a member of the KKK? After all, they're legal in this country. (Maybe Hizb is the equivalent.)

I don't see how the Guardian can do nothing. Can you imagine the attention that's going to be paid to every future Aslam piece? It's time to play Let's Search the Guardian for Islamist Propaganda! Probably there's going to be a meeting tomorrow morning after which Aslam will be sacked.

Follow-up also from The Daily Ablution and Harry's Place. Great post at Chrenkoff too.

Update: The Daily Ablution and Harry's Place each have additional posts, in whose comments I've added even more of my own scintillating remarks.

Update: Mark Steyn.

Update the Third: Here's a take from a media angle. They're missing the conflict of interest aspect of Aslam covering the Shabina Begum story. Meanwhile, Special Sauce suspects a certain political advisor to the president was involved.

Update: The Guardian and Aslam have now parted company.