EDITOR'S CHOICE VOTE Do you think motorists should be booked for playing their music too loudly? Click here to vote. SHAKERS UPDATES Knill ready to wield the axe We have a fantastic array of hot deals, cruises, day trips and sporting breaks run by our friendly staff at the Reader Travel Office. YOU SAY: YOUR LETTERS Memorial move sounds like a ‘done deal’ Thanks for your confidence Working flat out to help residents Support over 12 years welcomed Travellers live in peace outside the rat race NEWS FROM RAMSBOTTOM, TOTTINGTON AND DISTRICT Work planned to update war memorial Church spreads the word Residents muck in for spring clean Ayckbourn comedy from Players GET OUR NEWS BY E-MAIL Just register

Most read Comments 1 Concerns increase for missing psychiatric patient 2 Town centre without water 3 Surprises as Knill clears out eight 4 Bank raider escapes with £5,000 5 Role reversal for City supporters 6 Burglar back behind bars after police manhunt 7 Lisa was in pole position to raise cash 8 After 30 years with the fire service, the borough commander goes back to basics 9 Knill ready to wield the axe 10 Sodje for sale Today | 7 Days 1 Change to driving lessons on its way 2 'Too loud' music fine is wiped out by judge 3 Parents’ fears over accents 4 New hope for Iraqi in fight to stay in UK 5 Bank Holiday traffic and travel updates 6 Sam hopes to be borough's youngest councillor 7 Motorway middle lane hoggers blasted 8 Liam (5) scales fence to run away from school 9 Teenager killed on M60 at Whitefield 10 Local fight is the centre of attention

BOXER Amir Khan has spoken out for the first time over the controversy surrounding his Union Flag shorts.

And the 21-year-old vowed to continue flying the flag for Britain in the ring.

Exiled radical cleric Omar Bakri Mohammad this week launched a tirade against the Bolton-born Olympic silver medallist, accusing him of setting a bad example to Muslims.

"He wears shorts with the Union Jack. That is a sin," Omar Bakri, who left London for Lebanon in 2005, was reported as saying.

"He should not be wearing the flag because sovereignty is for God. His only allegiance should be to the Prophet Mohammed."

Politicians and senior British Muslims leapt to Khan's defence, with Muslim Council of Britain general secretary Inayat Bunglawala describing Amir as "a wonderful role model".

Bolton South-east MP Dr Brian Iddon, Communities Secretary Hazel Blears and Yaseer Ahmed, from the Bolton Council of Mosques, also spoke in support of the Bolton fighter.

And yesterday Khan himself hit back at a press conference ahead of Saturday's lightweight fight with Dane Martin Kristjansen at his Gloves gym in Prince Street, Halliwell.

"I am not going to change," he told reporters.

"I will be coming into the ring in my normal clothes and I'm going to stay the same way."

Khan takes on the Kristjansen in the WBO world title eliminator at Bolton Arena.

The fight is being billed as "National Pride" on posters and Amir's website shows him draped in a Union Jack.

Promoter Frank Warren has described Khan as "the face of modern multi-cultural Britain" and said young people look up to him.

"Amir likes to keep his religion private and personal but I know he is extremely proud to be British and represent his country in the boxing ring and he is equally proud of his Pakistani heritage," Mr Warren added.

4:57pm Thursday 27th March 2008

Print

Email this