Omar Bakri, the former leader of the now-disbanded Al Muhajiroun, currently living in Lebanon after being expelled from Britain, is interviewed by Arabic daily Asharq Alawsat: “I advise my students not to mix with British society.”

Q) What is your advice to the British Muslim youth and to your students who are far away from you?

A) I advise the British Muslim youth in general and my dear students in particular not to mix with the ignorant British society and not to isolate themselves from people. They must actively preach the word of God; promote virtue and prevent vice; publicly reveal God’s orders; stay away from nonbelievers and their customs, practices, and laws; and adhere to the teachings of the Quran and of Prophet Mohammed by understanding the goodness of our ancestors.

Q) Does the notion of “Londonstan” still exist?

A) I believe that one day honest Muslims in the United Kingdom will, God willing, turn it into “Islamistan,” like what the first Muslims did in Eritrea and Indonesia. The great dream of Islam will come true. Muslims dream to see flags that read: “There is no god but Allah” fluttering in the wind on top of Big Ben and the House of Commons, God willing.

Q) Do you believe that London is safe now that most fundamentalist sheikhs have left the city?

A) I believe that preachers and scholars of Islamic movements in the United Kingdom are the country’s safety valve, in contrary to what foolish people think. However, since endorsing laws to combat terrorism in 2002, the United Kingdom is no longer safe. There is no doubt that the disappearance, imprisonment, and expulsion of most Muslim scholars and preachers will make the United Kingdom an insecure state that is susceptible to those who believe in the need to fight it, because of its participation with the United States in the international crusade against Islam and the Muslims.