London Mayor Ken Livingstone has just issued an 80 page dossier in which he defends last years hosting of meetings with Islamic cleric Dr Yusuf al-Qaradawi. In the report he said that virtually all claims previously aimed at al-Qaradawi were false.
Unfortunately for Livingstone, the Islamic teacher has recently been quoted as saying that the Asian tsunami disaster was bought about by Allah to punish tourists for alcohol and drug use, along with "acts of abomination".
Livingstone commented that despite not agreeing with all al-Qaradawis comments, dialogue with Islams "liberal wing" was important. Others say that the mayor should not stand up for a scholar who advocates violence, including wife-beating.
