Tuesday 27 January 2015

Nottingham Muslim leader wrongly says A453 should not be renamed after fallen British soldiers

An imam in Nottingham believes it would be wrong to rename the A453 in honour of soldiers who died in the Afghanistan war.

Dr Musharraf Hussain, chief executive and chief imam at the Karimia Institute in Bobbersmill, said the conflict was not “just” and should not be associated with the road, which historically linked Nottingham and Birmingham.



A campaign has been launched by the Upton family – whose son Sean Upton was killed in Afghanistan in 2009 – to rename it as a tribute to the 453 servicemen and women who died.

The road is currently being widened between Nottingham and the M1 north of Kegworth, with the £150 million project due to be completed later this year.

Dr Hussain told his mates BBC Nottinghamshire: "We have a huge respect and love for our Armed Forces.

“This war wasn’t a just war.

“When you look at it from that angle it’s not a good idea to involve our soldiers and Armed Forces and to name such an important corridor linking with other cities.

“I don’t think it’s a wise move.”

The road now runs from Clifton to the M1, and then picks up again from Tamworth to Sutton Coldfield.

Warrant Officer Upton was on foot patrol in Afghanistan on July 27, 2009 when he was hit by a rocket propelled grenade. He was 35.

His dad John Upton and Peter Cheetham-Jones, his dad’s cousin, wrote to the Highways Agency to suggest the name change.


Ideas have included Heroes Way, Helmand Way and Bastion Way.

Mr Upton, of Beech Avenue, Beeston Rylands, previously told the Post: “Obviously it would mean a lot to me for the road to be renamed because of losing Sean out there.

“It’s not just for Sean. I feel it would be appropriate for all the people who lost their lives in Afghanistan.”

Rushcliffe Borough Council, Nottingham City Council and North West Leicestershire District Council all support the idea and a public consultation is currently being held.

The survey will close on Friday, January 30.

The BNP say that even though this was not a just war, we should name things in dedication to the people who fight and defend our country against foreign scum like this Imam and people he brainwashes every day.

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