British muslim leader 'refused entry to US'

A prominent British Muslim leader said today he was refused entry to the United States with no explanation.

Dr Zaki Badawi, head of the Muslim College, flew from London to New York on Wednesday but said he was denied entry and forced to return home.

He had been due to give a talk this morning at the Chautauqua Institution in New York, entitled The Law and Religion in Society.

Dr Badawi said he was detained for about six hours.

“The people I was speaking to were very junior people, and they are just executing things they were told,” he told the Associated Press in an interview.

“They were very very embarrassed, and I felt sorry for them.”

His wife Maryam confirmed he had returned home to London today.

“All I know is that he went to the US yesterday and was refused entry,” she said.

“He was kept for several hours in New York. It’s obviously not the ideal situation but he’s not the type of person to get angry.”

Mrs Badawi said she had been very worried but he was back home and was resting tonight.

The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement could not confirm any of the details. A spokesperson said she was still trying to find out what had happened.

Mike Sullivan, of the Chautauqua Institution, said all he knew was that Dr Badawi was back in London.

“We have no explanation as to why this happened,” he said.

Dr Badawi has visited the US several times, most recently in 2003.

He was given an honorary knighthood and was a guest of the Queen at a state banquet for US President George Bush in 2003.

Earlier this week, Dr Badawi joined other British religious leaders in condemning the London bombings.