Muslim protestors demand restaurants and shops stop selling 'evil' alcohol warning them they face 40 lashes if they carry on 

• Dozens of men and women gathered on Brick Lane, East London
  
• Delayed as English Defence League members staged counter-protest
• Among protestors was Anjem Choudhary, former leader of Al-Muhajiroun
• Organisers said protest was held yesterday to coincide with large numbers of office workers expected to be celebrating Christmas in the area
  

By WILLIAM TURVILL

PUBLISHED: 13:10 GMT, 14 December 2013 | UPDATED: 15:51 GMT, 14 December 2013

Dozens of Muslim protestors gathered to demand that businesses stop selling alcohol in a popular East London area yesterday.

The group, led by former Al-Muhajiroun leader Anjem Choudary, warned restaurants and shops in the Brick Lane area that they face 40 lashes if they continue to sell the product, which is banned under Sharia Law.

Around 60 men and women in burkhas handed over warning letters to Muslim-owned businesses in the area after the protest was initially delayed by a small number of English Defence League members staging a counter-protest.

Controversial cleric Choudary was at the forefront of the protest. The Al-Muhajiroun group he formerly led has been banned under terrorism laws.

Organisers told The Times the protest was held yesterday to coincide with the large number of office workers who would be in the area for Christmas parties.

Choudary told the crowd: ‘The shops are run by Muslims and they know they are selling alcohol and they know the sale and consumption of alcohol is completely prohibited. 

‘We cannot live among the non-Muslims and see this evil take place.’

He told those gathered it was his wish that Sharia law, banning alcohol, should be enforced in Britain.

FULL STORY & VIDEO: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2523658/Muslim-campaigners-...