It’s no surprise that today we’re not just talking about the first repatriation ceremony in the new year, but also the fury of many towards a planned ‘Islam’ march through the very same village where those who have lost their lives in Afghanistan will pass through this afternoon. Invitations crop up on none other than Facebook to condone the planned actions of Anjem Choudary and his ‘Islam4UK’ group. Hundreds of thousands have joined these groups across social networking sites, some more radical than others. Political figures from all parties seem to now be expressing ‘concern’ or ‘offensive’ over the expected march that will see 500 coffins taken on the same route as those who have returned from Afghanistan. And that is exactly it – despite the many explicit and offensive comments towards Muslims on some of the more unofficial groups – the main outrage is that it will take place in Wootton Bassett, not that the group is linked to more radical extremists.

To those that have read my blogs before on Afghanistan and Iraq will see that I have stated deep concerns over the use of warfare in the first place and am sceptical about what most of the coalition forces aimed to achieve. Most people who haven’t looked into the issue seem to be getting this next planned demonstration confused with the first one that made headlines when a splinter group shouted at British troops in a homecoming parade. Two very different events. I do not believe that homecoming parades should be treated the way they are. What did happen to a little respect and decency? People waving British flags, applauding and cheering is certainly not the way that war should be seen – especially as the supposed reasons for military action in the first place seem so vague. Maybe too much of the colonial spirit is still installed into Britain as a nation. Yes let’s honour their bravery, the people they save and the good work troops achieve but innocent civilians have died and will continue to be caught up in war – so why can’t we mark these events with slightly more dignity? Perhaps then the debate, over whether this ‘anti-war’ march should happen, becomes much clearer.

There is no denying the anger and hatred that can be stirred up from a few clever headlines or sound-bites. Afghanistan continues to play a big part in people’s lives across the country and there isn’t a day that goes by without some mention of this costly conflict. So let the respect work both ways and it is easy to see where to draw the line on such an issue. The ceremony marking those who have fallen in Afghanistan should be about those soldiers and their families and nothing else. It is this reason why I object to the march taking place in Wootton Bassett. Mothers, fathers and family members who have lost their sons do not deserve to be dragged into the political reasons for such a demonstration and therefore, if it really is an anti-war demonstration then they will seek to aim their anger at the government and not ordinary citizens. Unfortunately we do not have this common respect, and homecoming marches are about celebration and parades rather than about marking the safe arrival of those troops who have come home from their tours of duty. Peaceful anti-war demonstrations, regardless of who by, should be allowed to take place. If not then what kind of system are we living in? If the protest is peaceful and by that does not incite hatred then different groups should each have a right to protest in that way.

Most Muslims, that seem to have had any air time on the media channels, have expressed that Choudary does not represent their community in the United Kingdom and that most are outraged at the planned actions of this group – and that is a whole other debate. But there has been no formal application to hold the march but perhaps people are already deciding when is it the right time to draw the line.