Sarfraz Sarwar, a Muslim leader in Basildon who was featured in Peter Oborne's Channel 4 documentary on 'Islamophobia' in Britain, has told an Essex newspaper that he wants to see Sharia law imposed in the UK and public floggings of criminals in town centres.
He told the Evening Echo in an article published on 7 July 2008: "If anybody is caught with a knife then give them ten lashes in the town centre ... Sharia law is not controversial. It's a deterrent. Muslim countries don't have half the problems we have because Sharia law is there."
He also told the newspaper that he was at a loss to understand public suspicion of Muslims:
"What is happening is mainly to do with misunderstanding. Maybe there is just a fear of the unknown.
"It is very difficult to work out why this is. I thought we were living in a modern European country, but it is like Victorian times. There is a lot of hate."
Sarwar was quoted by Oborne in his documentary 'It shouldn't happen to a Muslim' (aired on Monday) and in at least two newspaper articles, detailing incidents of abuse and violence which he had suffered, including an arson attack on his prayer hall, vandalism of his house and attacks on his car.