US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has thanked Britain for sharing in the sacrifices needed to protect democratic freedoms.
video
Friday, March 31, 2006
Thursday, March 30, 2006
'Muslim' adverts banned from Tube
Posters with the phrase "America's latest hero is a Muslim straight out of jail" has been banned from the Tube by London Underground (LU).
LU said it will not show the posters from a £1m advertising campaign for new TV series Sleeper Cell until creators remove the word Muslim from the text.
It claims it will offend people and it is trying to be sensationalist.
A spokesman for the digital channel FX series said it had consulted with the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).
He said the poster was meant to sum up the show's plot and would still appear in newspapers.
"It is in no way intended to cause offence or upset to Muslims," the FX spokesman said.
"We ran the creative by the ASA who advised us we were not in breach of the British Code of Advertising so it has come as a real surprise that the London underground have refused to run it."
The channel described the show, starring Michael Ealy as FBI agent Darwyn Al Sayeed, as the first American drama to feature a Muslim as the lead heroic character.
The character poses as a prisoner in order to infiltrate a fundamentalist group.
An LU spokeswoman said: "Following consultation with Viacom, who manage advertising on the Tube, it was decided to ask for the words 'is a Muslim' to be removed.
"This decision was taken in line with our standard policies, which seek to avoid gratuitously insulting large groups of Londoners."
An ASA spokesman said: "If London Underground wants to do this, it is entirely at its discretion."
LU said it will not show the posters from a £1m advertising campaign for new TV series Sleeper Cell until creators remove the word Muslim from the text.
It claims it will offend people and it is trying to be sensationalist.
A spokesman for the digital channel FX series said it had consulted with the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).
He said the poster was meant to sum up the show's plot and would still appear in newspapers.
"It is in no way intended to cause offence or upset to Muslims," the FX spokesman said.
"We ran the creative by the ASA who advised us we were not in breach of the British Code of Advertising so it has come as a real surprise that the London underground have refused to run it."
The channel described the show, starring Michael Ealy as FBI agent Darwyn Al Sayeed, as the first American drama to feature a Muslim as the lead heroic character.
The character poses as a prisoner in order to infiltrate a fundamentalist group.
An LU spokeswoman said: "Following consultation with Viacom, who manage advertising on the Tube, it was decided to ask for the words 'is a Muslim' to be removed.
"This decision was taken in line with our standard policies, which seek to avoid gratuitously insulting large groups of Londoners."
An ASA spokesman said: "If London Underground wants to do this, it is entirely at its discretion."
Blair blamed for extremism
INDONESIA and Britain agreed yesterday to strengthen anti-terror ties, but Islamic leaders told visiting Prime Minister Tony Blair that his policies were breeding extremism.The five Islamic leaders, known as moderates on social and political issues, urged Mr Blair to withdraw British troops from Iraq and talk to the recently elected Hamas Government in the West Bank.
"He didn't respond specifically to our requests, but hopefully tonight he will wake up and realise our suggestions make good sense," said Din Syamsudin, leader of the country's second largest Muslim group, Muhammadiah. "We told him to withdraw his troops from Iraq because the occupation is only promoting more radicalism and new acts of terrorism."
Mr Blair's trip is the first by a British leader to Indonesia in more than two decades, showing the Southeast Asian country's renewed importance to Western nations fighting extremists and seeking alliances with moderate Muslims.
The British Prime Minister met Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono for a private discussion at the presidential palace, during which they agreed to expand their defence ties and co-operation in the war on terror. "We agreed to increase the efficiency in our efforts in fighting transnational crimes like terrorism," Mr Yudhoyono said.
Mr Blair added that the two nations "are going to work closely" on ways to combat international terror, although neither leader elaborated on the details.
Mr Blair and his wife, Cherie, arrived late on Thursday from New Zealand and were scheduled to leave Indonesia late yesterday. Margaret Thatcher, the last British prime minister to tour the country, visited in April, 1985, when then-dictator Suharto held power.
Meanwhile, in Britain yesterday the House of Lords accepted a compromise deal from the Government over its plans to require all citizens applying for passports to also get a national identity card.
The Bill was finally passed after a prolonged stand-off between the House of Commons and members of the Lords, Britain's upper chamber, which has rejected it five times.
Under the plans, anyone applying for a passport before January, 2010, can opt out of having an ID card, but will be put on a national database.
The Government initially demanded that all applicants for passports must apply for an ID card too. -
"He didn't respond specifically to our requests, but hopefully tonight he will wake up and realise our suggestions make good sense," said Din Syamsudin, leader of the country's second largest Muslim group, Muhammadiah. "We told him to withdraw his troops from Iraq because the occupation is only promoting more radicalism and new acts of terrorism."
Mr Blair's trip is the first by a British leader to Indonesia in more than two decades, showing the Southeast Asian country's renewed importance to Western nations fighting extremists and seeking alliances with moderate Muslims.
The British Prime Minister met Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono for a private discussion at the presidential palace, during which they agreed to expand their defence ties and co-operation in the war on terror. "We agreed to increase the efficiency in our efforts in fighting transnational crimes like terrorism," Mr Yudhoyono said.
Mr Blair added that the two nations "are going to work closely" on ways to combat international terror, although neither leader elaborated on the details.
Mr Blair and his wife, Cherie, arrived late on Thursday from New Zealand and were scheduled to leave Indonesia late yesterday. Margaret Thatcher, the last British prime minister to tour the country, visited in April, 1985, when then-dictator Suharto held power.
Meanwhile, in Britain yesterday the House of Lords accepted a compromise deal from the Government over its plans to require all citizens applying for passports to also get a national identity card.
The Bill was finally passed after a prolonged stand-off between the House of Commons and members of the Lords, Britain's upper chamber, which has rejected it five times.
Under the plans, anyone applying for a passport before January, 2010, can opt out of having an ID card, but will be put on a national database.
The Government initially demanded that all applicants for passports must apply for an ID card too. -
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Shoebomber's '9/11 plan'
BRIT shoe bomber Richard Reid was due to hijack a fifth plane on 9/11 — and fly it into the White House.
Al-Qaeda disciple Zacarias Moussaoui yesterday told a court he was to be the pilot and "one definite member of my crew was Richard Reid".
But Moussaoui was arrested for immigration violations a month before the 2001 attacks on Washington and New York.
Reid, 23, later tried to detonate a shoe bomb on a flight and was jailed for life.
Moussaoui’s confession stunned the court in Alexandria, Virginia. It flew in the face of his previous statements in which he said the White House would have been attacked later.
French-born Moussaoui, who studied in Britain and attended the Finsbury Park mosque, kept silent about the 9/11 plot after his arrest.
Prosecutor Rob Spencer said: "You lied so the plan could go forward?" Moussaoui, 37, replied: "That’s correct."
The exchange was key to the American government’s case that the attacks might have been averted if Moussaoui had co-operated. Case continues.
Al-Qaeda disciple Zacarias Moussaoui yesterday told a court he was to be the pilot and "one definite member of my crew was Richard Reid".
But Moussaoui was arrested for immigration violations a month before the 2001 attacks on Washington and New York.
Reid, 23, later tried to detonate a shoe bomb on a flight and was jailed for life.
Moussaoui’s confession stunned the court in Alexandria, Virginia. It flew in the face of his previous statements in which he said the White House would have been attacked later.
French-born Moussaoui, who studied in Britain and attended the Finsbury Park mosque, kept silent about the 9/11 plot after his arrest.
Prosecutor Rob Spencer said: "You lied so the plan could go forward?" Moussaoui, 37, replied: "That’s correct."
The exchange was key to the American government’s case that the attacks might have been averted if Moussaoui had co-operated. Case continues.
Monday, March 27, 2006
BBC Agenda Surfaces Again
Of all the excellent, well-written, passionate and intelligent blogs by Iraqis, which one does the BBC nominate for its non-fiction award? The most anti-American one. Of course.
It's the little things ...
that make a BBC worldview. Take the coverage of today's March for Free Expression, a response to the recent world-wide outbreak of cartoonophobia.
"Blog site
The free speech movement was born from a blog site on the internet and rallied hundreds from across the political spectrum to join Saturday's rally."
You'd think the story might contain a link to said blog. Ah yes, there's a link at the side of the story.
But it's a link to the cartoonophobic Global Civility site ! However could that have happened ?
Elsewhere, Stephen Pollard notes a remarkable contribution to BBC Radio Four's "Thought For The Day".
"Paying taxes is how love operates at a distance"
You can see how a service funded by a compulsory levy might warm to such a religion. As Pollard says, "we either pay to have this stuff broadcast or get sent to prison".
It's the little things ...
that make a BBC worldview. Take the coverage of today's March for Free Expression, a response to the recent world-wide outbreak of cartoonophobia.
"Blog site
The free speech movement was born from a blog site on the internet and rallied hundreds from across the political spectrum to join Saturday's rally."
You'd think the story might contain a link to said blog. Ah yes, there's a link at the side of the story.
But it's a link to the cartoonophobic Global Civility site ! However could that have happened ?
Elsewhere, Stephen Pollard notes a remarkable contribution to BBC Radio Four's "Thought For The Day".
"Paying taxes is how love operates at a distance"
You can see how a service funded by a compulsory levy might warm to such a religion. As Pollard says, "we either pay to have this stuff broadcast or get sent to prison".
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Extra 1.5m homes needed to cope with immigration
Reported in The Times today
The demand for new housing from immigrants means that 65,000 new homes — equivalent to a city the size of Peterborough — will have to be built every year for the next two decades. The study is based on an analysis of a report on household projections earlier this month by John Prescott, the deputy prime minister. The report said the number of households in England would rise from 20.9m in 2003 to 25.7m in 2026, an annual growth of 209,000. Critics say the overall increase of nearly 5m homes — or 23% — will place a huge burden on the public sector, with billions of pounds extra required for new schools, hospitals and roads
The UK’s population is projected to rise by 7.2 million from 2004 to 2031 – 6.0 million (83%) of this rise is due to immigration.That’s equivalent to two cities the size of Cambridge every year, or 6 cities the size of Birmingham over the 27 year period, needing to be built because of ethnics and immigration
The demand for new housing from immigrants means that 65,000 new homes — equivalent to a city the size of Peterborough — will have to be built every year for the next two decades. The study is based on an analysis of a report on household projections earlier this month by John Prescott, the deputy prime minister. The report said the number of households in England would rise from 20.9m in 2003 to 25.7m in 2026, an annual growth of 209,000. Critics say the overall increase of nearly 5m homes — or 23% — will place a huge burden on the public sector, with billions of pounds extra required for new schools, hospitals and roads
The UK’s population is projected to rise by 7.2 million from 2004 to 2031 – 6.0 million (83%) of this rise is due to immigration.That’s equivalent to two cities the size of Cambridge every year, or 6 cities the size of Birmingham over the 27 year period, needing to be built because of ethnics and immigration
Geert Wilders
Can militant Islam exist harmoniously in Western Europe? Member of Dutch Parliament, Geert Wilders doesn't think so.video
Man arrested over cartoon protest 2006/03/26
Police investigating demonstrations sparked by the publication of cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad have a arrested a 23-year old man.
The man was arrested, at a north London address, under suspicion of soliciting to murder, Scotland Yard confirmed.
Furious protests were held by Muslims across the world after the satirical cartoons were first published in a Danish newspaper.
The arrest relates to a central London protest on February 3.
Mizanur Rahman was charged with soliciting murder and inciting racial hatred on 3 February, police said.
He was arrested at a north London address and is due to appear before Bow Street Magistrates' Court on Monday.
Protests were held by Muslims across the world after the satirical cartoons first appeared in a Danish newspaper.
Mr Rahman was been charged under Section Four of the Offences Against the Persons Act (soliciting murder) and Section 18 of the Public Order Act (inciting racial hatred).
Other arrests
A number of other arrests, in relation to the same protest, have also been made by police.
Uman Javed, 26, was charged with soliciting murder and remanded in custody when he appeared at Bow Street magistrates court in London on March 16.
The married father-of-one, from Birmingham, was also charged with using words likely to stir up racial hatred and will appear again at the Old Bailey on April 7.
Abdul Rahman Saleem, 31, from east London, has been charged with using words likely to stir up racial hatred.
Meanwhile, Omar Zaheer, 26, from Southall, west London, was charged with racially aggravated disorderly behaviour and disorderly behaviour.
Both men will make court appearances in respect of these allegations on Friday.
Some of the placards waved outside the Danish Embassy during the protest are alleged to have incited violence.
video.
granted bail.
A man charged over a protest against publication of cartoons satirising the Prophet Muhammad has been granted bail.
Mizanur Rahman, 23, of Edmonton, north London, is accused of soliciting murder and inciting racial hatred outside the Danish embassy in London on 3 February.
Bow Street Magistrates' Court granted bail after he surrendered his passport and his family paid a £15,000 surety.
Protests were held by Muslims across the world after the satirical cartoons first appeared in a Danish newspaper.
The web designer is alleged to have solicited or encouraged others to "murder citizens of Denmark, Spain or France".
Father-of-one Mr Rahman is said to have taken part in the demonstration in West Halkin Street, Westminster, south-west London.
He is next due to appear in court, at the Old Bailey, on 7 April.
Saturday, March 25, 2006
POLITICALLY CORRECT PROTECTION OF MUSLIM KILLERS
Diplomats stalled the hunt for the killers of six Red Caps in Iraq because they wanted to be politically correct and save the savages from the gallows.
They blocked Army cops from handing Iraqi authorities vital case files that identified the culprits - so there would be no arrests. Foreign Office bosses insisted the 18-month delay was necessary to prevent the barbaric tribesmen from facing the death penalty as that would breach THEIR human rights. A deal done behind closed doors last year means the killers can now only face life in jail. The files on them were handed over at that time. The delay in the investigation into the massacre almost three years ago now means families may never see justice. It has given key suspects for the horrendous crime time to flee and made it far harder to secure any convictions in court as witnesses' recall of events will have diminished. The revelation is a bombshell disappointment for the families just 24 hours after they heard at an inquest the sickening details of how their loved ones died. They last night dubbed it "yet another disgusting betrayal". The Red Caps were murdered by a mob in the police station of hotspot town Majar al Kabir in lawless Maysan province. The victims were Sgt Simon Hamilton-Jewell, 41, Cpl Russell Aston, 30, Cpl Paul Long, 24, Cpl Simon Miller, 21, Lance Cpl Benjamin Hyde, 23, and Lance Cpl Thomas Keys, 20. The retained case files include witness statements, addresses and forensic evidence that pin the murders on seven suspects. An eighth has died since the bloody shoot-out on June 24, 2003, sources have revealed. With the handover of power to the Iraqi government in 2004, the Royal Military Police's Special Investigations Branch were forced to hand over the hunt for the killers to the Iraqi authorities. Axed defence secretary Geoff Hoon told MPs an investigating judge would be appointed in Iraq's Central Criminal Court in Baghdad to take the probe on. But any Iraqi judge was powerless to issue arrest warrants while the evidence against the seven suspects was being kept back. Reg Keys, father of Lance Cpl Thomas - who suffered 31 different gunshot wounds - said: "It simply beggars belief that our Government has put the rights of a bunch of bloodthirsty animals before six soldiers who gave their life for their country. "It is yet another disgusting betrayal, and I am furious." The Foreign Office said: "This is a complex case. "The Government has to make sure we comply with human rights obligations. One of those is the death penalty." Source
They blocked Army cops from handing Iraqi authorities vital case files that identified the culprits - so there would be no arrests. Foreign Office bosses insisted the 18-month delay was necessary to prevent the barbaric tribesmen from facing the death penalty as that would breach THEIR human rights. A deal done behind closed doors last year means the killers can now only face life in jail. The files on them were handed over at that time. The delay in the investigation into the massacre almost three years ago now means families may never see justice. It has given key suspects for the horrendous crime time to flee and made it far harder to secure any convictions in court as witnesses' recall of events will have diminished. The revelation is a bombshell disappointment for the families just 24 hours after they heard at an inquest the sickening details of how their loved ones died. They last night dubbed it "yet another disgusting betrayal". The Red Caps were murdered by a mob in the police station of hotspot town Majar al Kabir in lawless Maysan province. The victims were Sgt Simon Hamilton-Jewell, 41, Cpl Russell Aston, 30, Cpl Paul Long, 24, Cpl Simon Miller, 21, Lance Cpl Benjamin Hyde, 23, and Lance Cpl Thomas Keys, 20. The retained case files include witness statements, addresses and forensic evidence that pin the murders on seven suspects. An eighth has died since the bloody shoot-out on June 24, 2003, sources have revealed. With the handover of power to the Iraqi government in 2004, the Royal Military Police's Special Investigations Branch were forced to hand over the hunt for the killers to the Iraqi authorities. Axed defence secretary Geoff Hoon told MPs an investigating judge would be appointed in Iraq's Central Criminal Court in Baghdad to take the probe on. But any Iraqi judge was powerless to issue arrest warrants while the evidence against the seven suspects was being kept back. Reg Keys, father of Lance Cpl Thomas - who suffered 31 different gunshot wounds - said: "It simply beggars belief that our Government has put the rights of a bunch of bloodthirsty animals before six soldiers who gave their life for their country. "It is yet another disgusting betrayal, and I am furious." The Foreign Office said: "This is a complex case. "The Government has to make sure we comply with human rights obligations. One of those is the death penalty." Source
The Easter Bunny has been sent packing
The Easter Bunny has been sent packing at St. Paul City Hall. A toy rabbit, pastel-colored eggs and a sign with the words "Happy Easter" were removed from the lobby of the City Council offices, because of concerns they might offend non-Christians. A council secretary had put up the decorations. They were not bought with city money. St. Paul's human rights director, Tyrone Terrill, asked that the decorations be removed, saying they could be offensive to non-Christians. But City Council member Dave Thune says removing the decorations went too far, and he wonders why they can't celebrate spring with "bunnies and fake grass."
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Pakistani men 'grooming' young white girls
"Hundreds of white girls, many as young as 12, are being lured into a world of group sex and prostitution by gangs of British born Pakistani men from West and South
Yorkshire.
The girls are being introduced to their future 'pimps' by their classmates, often the brothers and cousins of these older men."If that sounds familiar then you won't be surprised to learn this was the subject of a Channel 4 documentary last year, titled Edge of the City, that sparked a big controversy when it was pulled from TV the first time around.The second time, Blink and Eastern Eye launched a campaign to stop it, although I supported it being shown. C4 went ahead and showed it.But the description above isn't from last year - it is from a BBC Radio Five Live documentary broadcast this Sunday, 18th September.
The report looked at the way in which "these children are 'groomed' into believing that these 'pimps' are in fact their boyfriends". It also asks why "so many of the men implicated in these crimes are British Pakistanis".Did Five Live simply regurgitated what was covered last year? In fact the truth is worse than that.It covered the same area (and slightly more) as the C4 doc. According to my sources, after the C4 report, West Yorkshire police set up a special unit to deal with the problem. But that was recently shut down without explanation.Many, including the local community leaders (useless themselves in this), say the police is too afraid to tackle the issue - too politically correct and unwilling to disturb racial and religious sensibilities.
The police also did not take part in the documentary or give any statement to the makers of the Five Live documentary. No explanation given.This is political correctness gone mad, something the journalists involved indicated in a Five Live phone-in on Monday morning.But there is another angle to all this. Sunday's doc had no reference to C4's investigation, so there was no context. The impression was given that this is a different case and quite possibly a different part of the country.What it should have said was - "A year after C4 uncovered abuse by Pakistani men of young white girls, nothing seems to have changed. The abuse is carrying on, the police is powerless and has done little, and neither have the so-called community leaders." That would brought focus to why the police is failing the local community in tackling these youths.
While being interviewed on radio the morning after it was first shown on Channel 4, because of the controversy and my stance, I was frequently asked if this was a widespread problem, implying whether Muslim (or Asian) men picked on young white girls for cultural reasons. That is of course rubbish, and these are simply criminals, but the implication is there. That makes the BBC's lack of context all the more dangerous.Last time around the BNP and some of the right-wing press also used C4's documentary to further their own agenda (immigration, Islamophobia - you name it). This time they could have done it again. Except no one, including the BNP, seems to have picked up on it.Whether that is a good thing or a bad thing, I'm not sure. Given there are innocent lives being destroyed here, I suspect it's the latter. It would have been better if Five Live had given this proper context nevertheless.
Yorkshire.
The girls are being introduced to their future 'pimps' by their classmates, often the brothers and cousins of these older men."If that sounds familiar then you won't be surprised to learn this was the subject of a Channel 4 documentary last year, titled Edge of the City, that sparked a big controversy when it was pulled from TV the first time around.The second time, Blink and Eastern Eye launched a campaign to stop it, although I supported it being shown. C4 went ahead and showed it.But the description above isn't from last year - it is from a BBC Radio Five Live documentary broadcast this Sunday, 18th September.
The report looked at the way in which "these children are 'groomed' into believing that these 'pimps' are in fact their boyfriends". It also asks why "so many of the men implicated in these crimes are British Pakistanis".Did Five Live simply regurgitated what was covered last year? In fact the truth is worse than that.It covered the same area (and slightly more) as the C4 doc. According to my sources, after the C4 report, West Yorkshire police set up a special unit to deal with the problem. But that was recently shut down without explanation.Many, including the local community leaders (useless themselves in this), say the police is too afraid to tackle the issue - too politically correct and unwilling to disturb racial and religious sensibilities.
The police also did not take part in the documentary or give any statement to the makers of the Five Live documentary. No explanation given.This is political correctness gone mad, something the journalists involved indicated in a Five Live phone-in on Monday morning.But there is another angle to all this. Sunday's doc had no reference to C4's investigation, so there was no context. The impression was given that this is a different case and quite possibly a different part of the country.What it should have said was - "A year after C4 uncovered abuse by Pakistani men of young white girls, nothing seems to have changed. The abuse is carrying on, the police is powerless and has done little, and neither have the so-called community leaders." That would brought focus to why the police is failing the local community in tackling these youths.
While being interviewed on radio the morning after it was first shown on Channel 4, because of the controversy and my stance, I was frequently asked if this was a widespread problem, implying whether Muslim (or Asian) men picked on young white girls for cultural reasons. That is of course rubbish, and these are simply criminals, but the implication is there. That makes the BBC's lack of context all the more dangerous.Last time around the BNP and some of the right-wing press also used C4's documentary to further their own agenda (immigration, Islamophobia - you name it). This time they could have done it again. Except no one, including the BNP, seems to have picked up on it.Whether that is a good thing or a bad thing, I'm not sure. Given there are innocent lives being destroyed here, I suspect it's the latter. It would have been better if Five Live had given this proper context nevertheless.
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Club girl killed over grope
A TRAGIC South Yorkshire teenager was stabbed to death just hours after telling her mum "stop worrying" as she left the family home to celebrate a friend's birthday.
Kimberly Fuller, aged 19, collapsed and died from severe blood loss after being knifed in the neck when trouble flared at Escape nightclub, in Ship Hill, Rotherham town centre, Sheffield Crown Court heard.Hours earlier Kimberly had told her mum Patricia Howse not to worry as she left their home in Birch Tree Road, Thorpe Hesley. It was the last time Patricia saw Kimberly alive.Mohammed Ashan, of Finlay Road, Eastwood, Rotherham, is alleged to have stabbed her in her neck after she confronted him for pinching her bottom. He denies murder.Kimberly was among a group of 22 women celebrating a friend's birthday. Ashan was out with friends celebrating the Muslim Festival of Eid. Trouble erupted after Ashan denied touching Kimberly and made a derogatory remark about her weight as they were walking down stairs to leave the club at the end of the night, the court heard.Kimberly had been bullied about her weight in the past and she had been trying to lose weight, the court was told.Witness Imogen Theaker, who was part of the group of women out with Kimberly, told the court: "He made a comment about Kimberly being fat. She was more upset because she was dieting and said she only had two pounds to lose to reach her target."Ms Theaker said Ashan had appeared "cocky and sarcastic" before the attack and that he had "seemed angry already".Prosecutor Jeremy Baker said Ashan used a punching action to stab the young care worker with a knife he was carrying and that nobody had realised the seriousness of the attack until Kimblerly collapsed through severe blood loss.She was given first aid at the club, but died in hospital.An artery in her neck had been severed.Mr Baker claimed Ashan initially denied any involvement and when people asked him about scratch marks on his face he gave a number of different explanations.But Mr Baker said Ashan had since changed his account and was now expected to admit he was involved in a physical confrontation with Kimberly but that "the use of any knife was an act of self defence".
Kimberly Fuller, aged 19, collapsed and died from severe blood loss after being knifed in the neck when trouble flared at Escape nightclub, in Ship Hill, Rotherham town centre, Sheffield Crown Court heard.Hours earlier Kimberly had told her mum Patricia Howse not to worry as she left their home in Birch Tree Road, Thorpe Hesley. It was the last time Patricia saw Kimberly alive.Mohammed Ashan, of Finlay Road, Eastwood, Rotherham, is alleged to have stabbed her in her neck after she confronted him for pinching her bottom. He denies murder.Kimberly was among a group of 22 women celebrating a friend's birthday. Ashan was out with friends celebrating the Muslim Festival of Eid. Trouble erupted after Ashan denied touching Kimberly and made a derogatory remark about her weight as they were walking down stairs to leave the club at the end of the night, the court heard.Kimberly had been bullied about her weight in the past and she had been trying to lose weight, the court was told.Witness Imogen Theaker, who was part of the group of women out with Kimberly, told the court: "He made a comment about Kimberly being fat. She was more upset because she was dieting and said she only had two pounds to lose to reach her target."Ms Theaker said Ashan had appeared "cocky and sarcastic" before the attack and that he had "seemed angry already".Prosecutor Jeremy Baker said Ashan used a punching action to stab the young care worker with a knife he was carrying and that nobody had realised the seriousness of the attack until Kimblerly collapsed through severe blood loss.She was given first aid at the club, but died in hospital.An artery in her neck had been severed.Mr Baker claimed Ashan initially denied any involvement and when people asked him about scratch marks on his face he gave a number of different explanations.But Mr Baker said Ashan had since changed his account and was now expected to admit he was involved in a physical confrontation with Kimberly but that "the use of any knife was an act of self defence".
Warning on Muslim schools 'abuse'
Muslims could face a child abuse scandal on a par with the Catholic Church, a report has warned.
A group of Muslim leaders says the community is in denial about child abuse in religious schools, known as madrasas. The UK has about 700.
They want ministers to regulate the schools, saying 100,000 children do not have appropriate legal protection.
The government said recent changes on the vetting of those teaching children automatically included madrasas.
Most of the madrasas in the UK are attached to local mosques or Islamic institutions.
Ghayasuddin Siddiqui, co-author of the report and head of lobby group the Muslim Parliament of Great Britain, said that child abuse existed in all societies - and that it would be naïve of Muslim communities to think it did not affect them
He said despite anecdotal reports of abuse, it was a taboo subject with little discussion within the community.
This, he said, meant victims had no-one to turn to.
"Sweeping the issue of child abuse in madrasas under the carpet is not a solution," said Dr Siddiqui.
"If nothing is done now we may face an avalanche of child sex-abuse scandals, decades afterwards, similar to those that rocked the Roman Catholic Church.
"To protect the integrity of these valued institutions, it is important that all madrasas put in place transparent and accountable polices and procedures."
Traditional schools
Madrasas are similar to Christian Sunday schools. Children of school age attend to learn the Koran and ethics of the faith.
While many madrasas are small community organisations associated with local mosques, the largest educate hundreds of pupils.
The schools play a central role in many Muslim communities - but Dr Siddiqui said very few had policies in place that meet the requirements of the Children Act 1989, a key law.
The report praised two councils which had taken steps on child protection in madrasas - Kirklees and Blackburn - but accused most of being reluctant to engage with the Muslim community.
Ann Cryer, MP for Keighley, said she commended the authors for speaking out and attacked local authorities for not acting.
"I have had reports of physical abuse in madrasas in my own constituency," said Mrs Cryer.
"Failing to protect the children in madrasas because of 'cultural sensitivities' is nonsense.
"Are we saying that British Asian children are not entitled to the protection of the law? It is racist to differentiate between children and to fail to offer that protection."
'Vetting and barring'
A spokesman for the Department for Education and Skills, which has responsibility for child safety, said that recent changes to improve child safety automatically included madrasas - and that the schools had to act within the same law as others.
"Under the new vetting and barring system, there will be requirements on employers to check all those who frequently teach, care for or supervise children - including all those in madrasas," said the spokesman.
"Employers should carry out criminal record checks on anyone working closely with children, including in madrasas. Any allegations of abuse should be immediately reported to the police."
Children's charity the NSPCC said it welcomed the report and called for robust research into incidents of child abuse within Muslim communities.
"We are concerned that madrasas are not required to follow the same child protection procedures as schools and other statutory bodies," said Diana Sutton of the charity.
"The government must require them and other faith groups to put safeguarding policies in place and ensure that these are rigorously enforced."
Failing to protect the children in madrasas because of 'cultural sensitivities' is nonsense - it is racist to differentiate between children and to fail to offer that protection Ann Cryer MP
A group of Muslim leaders says the community is in denial about child abuse in religious schools, known as madrasas. The UK has about 700.
They want ministers to regulate the schools, saying 100,000 children do not have appropriate legal protection.
The government said recent changes on the vetting of those teaching children automatically included madrasas.
Most of the madrasas in the UK are attached to local mosques or Islamic institutions.
Ghayasuddin Siddiqui, co-author of the report and head of lobby group the Muslim Parliament of Great Britain, said that child abuse existed in all societies - and that it would be naïve of Muslim communities to think it did not affect them
He said despite anecdotal reports of abuse, it was a taboo subject with little discussion within the community.
This, he said, meant victims had no-one to turn to.
"Sweeping the issue of child abuse in madrasas under the carpet is not a solution," said Dr Siddiqui.
"If nothing is done now we may face an avalanche of child sex-abuse scandals, decades afterwards, similar to those that rocked the Roman Catholic Church.
"To protect the integrity of these valued institutions, it is important that all madrasas put in place transparent and accountable polices and procedures."
Traditional schools
Madrasas are similar to Christian Sunday schools. Children of school age attend to learn the Koran and ethics of the faith.
While many madrasas are small community organisations associated with local mosques, the largest educate hundreds of pupils.
The schools play a central role in many Muslim communities - but Dr Siddiqui said very few had policies in place that meet the requirements of the Children Act 1989, a key law.
The report praised two councils which had taken steps on child protection in madrasas - Kirklees and Blackburn - but accused most of being reluctant to engage with the Muslim community.
Ann Cryer, MP for Keighley, said she commended the authors for speaking out and attacked local authorities for not acting.
"I have had reports of physical abuse in madrasas in my own constituency," said Mrs Cryer.
"Failing to protect the children in madrasas because of 'cultural sensitivities' is nonsense.
"Are we saying that British Asian children are not entitled to the protection of the law? It is racist to differentiate between children and to fail to offer that protection."
'Vetting and barring'
A spokesman for the Department for Education and Skills, which has responsibility for child safety, said that recent changes to improve child safety automatically included madrasas - and that the schools had to act within the same law as others.
"Under the new vetting and barring system, there will be requirements on employers to check all those who frequently teach, care for or supervise children - including all those in madrasas," said the spokesman.
"Employers should carry out criminal record checks on anyone working closely with children, including in madrasas. Any allegations of abuse should be immediately reported to the police."
Children's charity the NSPCC said it welcomed the report and called for robust research into incidents of child abuse within Muslim communities.
"We are concerned that madrasas are not required to follow the same child protection procedures as schools and other statutory bodies," said Diana Sutton of the charity.
"The government must require them and other faith groups to put safeguarding policies in place and ensure that these are rigorously enforced."
Failing to protect the children in madrasas because of 'cultural sensitivities' is nonsense - it is racist to differentiate between children and to fail to offer that protection Ann Cryer MP
School wins Muslim dress appeal
A school which was told it unlawfully excluded a Muslim pupil for wearing a traditional gown has won its appeal at the House of Lords.
The Court of Appeal had said Denbigh High School had denied Shabina Begum the right to manifest her religion in refusing to allow her to wear a jilbab.
But in a unanimous ruling, judges at the House of Lords overturned that.
They said the school had "taken immense pains to devise a uniform policy which respected Muslim beliefs".
It had done so "in an inclusive, unthreatening and uncompetitive way".
'Unwillingness to comply'
They said: "The rules laid down were as far from being mindless as uniform rules could ever be."
They added: "It appeared the rules were acceptable to mainstream Muslim opinion."
Shabina Begum had chosen a school which "went to unusual lengths to inform parents of its uniform policy."
They ruled there was no interference with her right to manifest her religion as she had chosen a school where such a policy existed.
'Unwillingness'
There were three other schools in the area which permitted the jilbab, they noted, although one was oversubscribed.
Lord Bingham ruled that the two-year interruption of Begum's schooling was the result of her "unwillingness to comply with a rule to which the school was entitled to adhere".
In March last year, Denbigh High School said it had "lost on a technicality" when the Court of Appeal said it had failed to consider the Human Rights Act implications of its school uniform policy.
Lord Justice Brooke had called for more guidance for schools on complying with the Human Rights Act.
The Law Lords decides video.
Shabina's reaction
The Court of Appeal had said Denbigh High School had denied Shabina Begum the right to manifest her religion in refusing to allow her to wear a jilbab.
But in a unanimous ruling, judges at the House of Lords overturned that.
They said the school had "taken immense pains to devise a uniform policy which respected Muslim beliefs".
It had done so "in an inclusive, unthreatening and uncompetitive way".
'Unwillingness to comply'
They said: "The rules laid down were as far from being mindless as uniform rules could ever be."
They added: "It appeared the rules were acceptable to mainstream Muslim opinion."
Shabina Begum had chosen a school which "went to unusual lengths to inform parents of its uniform policy."
They ruled there was no interference with her right to manifest her religion as she had chosen a school where such a policy existed.
'Unwillingness'
There were three other schools in the area which permitted the jilbab, they noted, although one was oversubscribed.
Lord Bingham ruled that the two-year interruption of Begum's schooling was the result of her "unwillingness to comply with a rule to which the school was entitled to adhere".
In March last year, Denbigh High School said it had "lost on a technicality" when the Court of Appeal said it had failed to consider the Human Rights Act implications of its school uniform policy.
Lord Justice Brooke had called for more guidance for schools on complying with the Human Rights Act.
The Law Lords decides video.
Shabina's reaction
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Church recalls 'Prophet' magazine
The Church in Wales has recalled 500 copies of its magazine featuring a cartoon caricaturing the Prophet Muhammad.
The editor has resigned after the image was published in the Church's Welsh-language magazine Y Llan.
A series of cartoons sparked violent demos after appearing in European papers earlier in the year.
The Archbishop of Wales has apologised to the Muslim Council of Wales, which accepted the "unfortunate mistake".
International protests over cartoons, first published in a Danish paper last autumn, escalated after the images were republished in Norway, France, Germany, Italy and Spain earlier this year, despite complaints by ambassadors from Islamic countries.
There were protests at Danish embassies in Europe and the Middle East, while those in Syria and Lebanon were attacked and at least five people died in Afghanistan.
The Church in Wales printed the cartoon to illustrate an article in the February edition of Y Llan - or Church in English - about the shared ancestry of Christianity, Islam and Judaism.
The drawing - which was from the French magazine France Soir - shows the Prophet Muhammad sitting on a heavenly cloud with Buddha, and Christian and Jewish deities.
He is being told "don't complain... we've all been caricatured here".
The Archbishop of Wales Dr Barry Morgan told the BBC: "The article was perfectly OK, but for some reason, the editor decided to print one of these cartoons which was a gross error of judgement.
"It no way reflects the policy of the church in Wales and when I saw it I was totally horrified.
"We recalled all the papers, I personally picked up some from some churches and they have all been pulped.
"I've unreservedly apologised to my Muslim colleagues and they've been very gracious and I've said to them this in no way reflects the policy or attitude in the Church in Wales."
Dr Morgan also personally contacted Saleem Kidwai, the Muslim Council of Wales' general secretary, to apologise and to assure him that no offence had been intended.
'Unfortunate mistake'
Mr Kidwai said he regarded the latest publication as simply an "unfortunate mistake" and said inter-faith relations were very good in Wales and need not be jeopardised by the incident.
In a statement, the Church said it was "thoroughly investigating" how the cartoon came to be reproduced.
The Bishops of the Church in Wales have already made it clear that "they regret the publication of the cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad in various European publications, and the offence that these have caused the Muslim community", the statement added.
Last month, a Cardiff University student union newspaper was withdrawn after it printed a different cartoon.
Gair Rhydd - Welsh for Free Word - recalled 8,000 copies, suspended its editor and issued a public apology.
It was thought the paper was the first UK publication to use any of the controversial cartoons.
I've unreservedly apologised to my Muslim colleagues and they've been very gracious and I've said to them this in no way reflects the policy or attitude in the church of Wales The Archbishop of Wales Dr Barry Morgan
The editor has resigned after the image was published in the Church's Welsh-language magazine Y Llan.
A series of cartoons sparked violent demos after appearing in European papers earlier in the year.
The Archbishop of Wales has apologised to the Muslim Council of Wales, which accepted the "unfortunate mistake".
International protests over cartoons, first published in a Danish paper last autumn, escalated after the images were republished in Norway, France, Germany, Italy and Spain earlier this year, despite complaints by ambassadors from Islamic countries.
There were protests at Danish embassies in Europe and the Middle East, while those in Syria and Lebanon were attacked and at least five people died in Afghanistan.
The Church in Wales printed the cartoon to illustrate an article in the February edition of Y Llan - or Church in English - about the shared ancestry of Christianity, Islam and Judaism.
The drawing - which was from the French magazine France Soir - shows the Prophet Muhammad sitting on a heavenly cloud with Buddha, and Christian and Jewish deities.
He is being told "don't complain... we've all been caricatured here".
The Archbishop of Wales Dr Barry Morgan told the BBC: "The article was perfectly OK, but for some reason, the editor decided to print one of these cartoons which was a gross error of judgement.
"It no way reflects the policy of the church in Wales and when I saw it I was totally horrified.
"We recalled all the papers, I personally picked up some from some churches and they have all been pulped.
"I've unreservedly apologised to my Muslim colleagues and they've been very gracious and I've said to them this in no way reflects the policy or attitude in the Church in Wales."
Dr Morgan also personally contacted Saleem Kidwai, the Muslim Council of Wales' general secretary, to apologise and to assure him that no offence had been intended.
'Unfortunate mistake'
Mr Kidwai said he regarded the latest publication as simply an "unfortunate mistake" and said inter-faith relations were very good in Wales and need not be jeopardised by the incident.
In a statement, the Church said it was "thoroughly investigating" how the cartoon came to be reproduced.
The Bishops of the Church in Wales have already made it clear that "they regret the publication of the cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad in various European publications, and the offence that these have caused the Muslim community", the statement added.
Last month, a Cardiff University student union newspaper was withdrawn after it printed a different cartoon.
Gair Rhydd - Welsh for Free Word - recalled 8,000 copies, suspended its editor and issued a public apology.
It was thought the paper was the first UK publication to use any of the controversial cartoons.
I've unreservedly apologised to my Muslim colleagues and they've been very gracious and I've said to them this in no way reflects the policy or attitude in the church of Wales The Archbishop of Wales Dr Barry Morgan
Blair 'takes on' Iraq war critics
Tony Blair has defended Britain's involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan, by arguing that only an interventionist stance can confront terrorism head-on.
What happened in those countries was crucial for UK security. "This is not a clash between civilisations, but a clash about civilisation," he said.
He attacked those against his vision of an "activist" foreign policy, saying this was a battle about "modernity".
His speech, in London, was the first of three on foreign policy and terrorism.
Values and ideas
It comes three years after bombs started dropping on Baghdad at the start of the US-led campaign that resulted in the fall and eventual capture of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
Mr Blair insisted that controversial military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan were not distant entanglements but essential to Britain's future security
"We must reject the thought that somehow we are the authors of our own distress, that if only we altered this decision or that, this extremism would fade away," he said.
"In my judgement, the only way to win is to recognise this phenomenon is indeed a global ideology, to see all areas in which it operates as linked and to defeat it by values and ideas set in opposition to those of the terrorists."
He told the audience at a Reuters event that religious extremism - including the term Islamist extremism - should be labelled as such.
"It will give offence. It is true. It will," he said.
But he said Muslims who committed acts of terrorism were no more true to their faith than the "Protestant bigot" who murdered Catholics in Northern Ireland.
"But unfortunately he is still a Protestant bigot. To say his religion is irrelevant is both completely to misunderstand his motive and to refuse to face up the strain of extremism within his religion that has given rise to it."
'Religious tolerance'
Mr Blair said terrorism "will not be defeated until its ideas, the poison that warps the minds, its adherence, are confronted at their essence, at their core".
"We are not 'the west', we are as much Muslim and Christian or Jew or Hindu," he said.
"We are those who believe in religious tolerance, openness to others to democracy, liberty and humanitarianism, administered by secular courts.
"It will not be defeated until its ideas are confronted head-on, on its absurd anti-Americanism, absurd pre-feudal concept of government and its position on women and other faiths.
"The only way to win is to recognise this phenomenon is a global ideology, to see all the areas where it operates and to defeat it by values and ideas set in opposition to those of the terrorists."
'Anti-US propaganda'
He said terrorists know that if they can succeed in Iraq, Afghanistan or the Lebanon - who want to go down the democratic route - then the choice of a modern future for the Arab or Muslim world is "dealt a potentially mortal blow".
"Likewise, if they fail and these countries become democracies and make progress then not merely is that a blow against their own value system, but it is the most effective message against their wretched propaganda about America, the west and the rest of the world."
Mr Blair's speech comes after the British deputy commander of all the multi-national forces in Iraq, General Sir Rob Fry, rejected claims that Iraq was in a state of civil war.
At the weekend, the former Iraqi interim prime minister, Iyad Allawi, claimed his country was in the grip of a civil conflict.
"I'd describe the situation as very difficult and I think we're in the middle of an intractable sectarian conflict but we're certainly not in civil war," said General Fry.
Media attack
Mr Blair also launched a broadside on sections of the media who he accused of sitting back and arguing that stability in the world would be promoted by doing nothing.
He claimed they were guilty of "a superficial deal with extremism", adding that such behaviour must "be confronted and uprooted".
US President George W Bush, meanwhile, has marked the anniversary of the start of the campaign in Iraq with an upbeat assessment of the country's prospects.
Iraqis in some areas still faced "savage" acts of violence, Mr Bush said, but he insisted that insurgents were being defeated in many places.
"The decision to remove Saddam Hussein was the right decision," he said in a speech in Cleveland, Ohio.
What happened in those countries was crucial for UK security. "This is not a clash between civilisations, but a clash about civilisation," he said.
He attacked those against his vision of an "activist" foreign policy, saying this was a battle about "modernity".
His speech, in London, was the first of three on foreign policy and terrorism.
Values and ideas
It comes three years after bombs started dropping on Baghdad at the start of the US-led campaign that resulted in the fall and eventual capture of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
Mr Blair insisted that controversial military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan were not distant entanglements but essential to Britain's future security
"We must reject the thought that somehow we are the authors of our own distress, that if only we altered this decision or that, this extremism would fade away," he said.
"In my judgement, the only way to win is to recognise this phenomenon is indeed a global ideology, to see all areas in which it operates as linked and to defeat it by values and ideas set in opposition to those of the terrorists."
He told the audience at a Reuters event that religious extremism - including the term Islamist extremism - should be labelled as such.
"It will give offence. It is true. It will," he said.
But he said Muslims who committed acts of terrorism were no more true to their faith than the "Protestant bigot" who murdered Catholics in Northern Ireland.
"But unfortunately he is still a Protestant bigot. To say his religion is irrelevant is both completely to misunderstand his motive and to refuse to face up the strain of extremism within his religion that has given rise to it."
'Religious tolerance'
Mr Blair said terrorism "will not be defeated until its ideas, the poison that warps the minds, its adherence, are confronted at their essence, at their core".
"We are not 'the west', we are as much Muslim and Christian or Jew or Hindu," he said.
"We are those who believe in religious tolerance, openness to others to democracy, liberty and humanitarianism, administered by secular courts.
"It will not be defeated until its ideas are confronted head-on, on its absurd anti-Americanism, absurd pre-feudal concept of government and its position on women and other faiths.
"The only way to win is to recognise this phenomenon is a global ideology, to see all the areas where it operates and to defeat it by values and ideas set in opposition to those of the terrorists."
'Anti-US propaganda'
He said terrorists know that if they can succeed in Iraq, Afghanistan or the Lebanon - who want to go down the democratic route - then the choice of a modern future for the Arab or Muslim world is "dealt a potentially mortal blow".
"Likewise, if they fail and these countries become democracies and make progress then not merely is that a blow against their own value system, but it is the most effective message against their wretched propaganda about America, the west and the rest of the world."
Mr Blair's speech comes after the British deputy commander of all the multi-national forces in Iraq, General Sir Rob Fry, rejected claims that Iraq was in a state of civil war.
At the weekend, the former Iraqi interim prime minister, Iyad Allawi, claimed his country was in the grip of a civil conflict.
"I'd describe the situation as very difficult and I think we're in the middle of an intractable sectarian conflict but we're certainly not in civil war," said General Fry.
Media attack
Mr Blair also launched a broadside on sections of the media who he accused of sitting back and arguing that stability in the world would be promoted by doing nothing.
He claimed they were guilty of "a superficial deal with extremism", adding that such behaviour must "be confronted and uprooted".
US President George W Bush, meanwhile, has marked the anniversary of the start of the campaign in Iraq with an upbeat assessment of the country's prospects.
Iraqis in some areas still faced "savage" acts of violence, Mr Bush said, but he insisted that insurgents were being defeated in many places.
"The decision to remove Saddam Hussein was the right decision," he said in a speech in Cleveland, Ohio.
Monday, March 20, 2006
Race chief's warning over city segregation
Cities where ethnic minorities are in a majority pose a critical threat to tolerance and stability, the head of the Government's race equality watchdog has said.
Trevor Phillips warned that such "plural cities" where whites are in a minority will bring a risk of "mistrust and fracture" between rival groups.
There is a need for "tough decisions" to avoid segregation, the Commission for Racial Equality chief said.
Mr Phillips's warning came in advance of a speech to be delivered in Leicester, likely to be one of the first cities where the majority of the population is non-white.
Birmingham, Oldham and Bradford are also expected shortly to become "plural cities".
In London, seven boroughs have ethnic minority majorities. The CRE chief has spent the last six months warning of the dangers of multiculturalism, the doctrine which encourages different groups to develop their own identities.
He has also said that Britain may be sliding into segregation and suggested a number of measures to prevent this, including the adjustment of catchment areas to prevent single-group schools.
He has also questioned the automatic observation of minority religious holidays and the publication of public information in multiple languages and suggested that Muslims who prefer to live under Islamic sharia law should leave the country.
In his warning that the future of multiracial cities may not be smooth, Mr Phillips said: "We have some tough decisions to make.
"Events across Europe have shown how segregation breeds mistrust and fracture. The benefits of plural cities can be great, but we need to look at the future and act responsibly."
The CRE chief is expected to point to continuing disorder in France, and to disruptive protests across Europe against the cartoons of Mohammed published by a Danish newspaper, as examples of the difficulties that segregation brings.
Signs of breakdown between different communities have also been showing in Britain. Disorder in Birmingham broke out largely between Asian and Caribbean groups last year, and tension between Muslims and other groups remains high in cities in Lancashire and Yorkshire.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that one in seven of the population is now non-white.
EXPLODING ISLAMIC BIRTH RATE
Trevor Phillips warned that such "plural cities" where whites are in a minority will bring a risk of "mistrust and fracture" between rival groups.
There is a need for "tough decisions" to avoid segregation, the Commission for Racial Equality chief said.
Mr Phillips's warning came in advance of a speech to be delivered in Leicester, likely to be one of the first cities where the majority of the population is non-white.
Birmingham, Oldham and Bradford are also expected shortly to become "plural cities".
In London, seven boroughs have ethnic minority majorities. The CRE chief has spent the last six months warning of the dangers of multiculturalism, the doctrine which encourages different groups to develop their own identities.
He has also said that Britain may be sliding into segregation and suggested a number of measures to prevent this, including the adjustment of catchment areas to prevent single-group schools.
He has also questioned the automatic observation of minority religious holidays and the publication of public information in multiple languages and suggested that Muslims who prefer to live under Islamic sharia law should leave the country.
In his warning that the future of multiracial cities may not be smooth, Mr Phillips said: "We have some tough decisions to make.
"Events across Europe have shown how segregation breeds mistrust and fracture. The benefits of plural cities can be great, but we need to look at the future and act responsibly."
The CRE chief is expected to point to continuing disorder in France, and to disruptive protests across Europe against the cartoons of Mohammed published by a Danish newspaper, as examples of the difficulties that segregation brings.
Signs of breakdown between different communities have also been showing in Britain. Disorder in Birmingham broke out largely between Asian and Caribbean groups last year, and tension between Muslims and other groups remains high in cities in Lancashire and Yorkshire.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that one in seven of the population is now non-white.
EXPLODING ISLAMIC BIRTH RATE
Mother loses school race claim
Monday March 20, 2006
A Muslim mother who accused a fee-paying Christian school of racial abuse today lost her claim for damages.
Pakistan-born Aliya Smethurst, 37, alleged her son Mikhail, suffered racial abuse as a six-year-old pupil at St Christopher's school in Burnham on Sea, Somerset.
She also claimed she suffered ill-treatment on the grounds of her race while she worked at the school as a boarding house matron.
Mrs Smethurst was seeking damages from the school and its headteacher, Diane Symes, for racial discrimination, negligence regarding bullying, personal injury and assault on Mikhail, now 11.
She claimed her son was called "mud face" because of his colour and was regularly kicked, punched and spat at by fellow pupils, leaving him bruised and lacking in confidence.
In a judgment handed down today, Judge Charles Wade ruled against Mrs Smethurst in her claims against the school and Mrs Symes.
Mrs Smethurst was not at today's hearing in Swindon county court.
so you think this is the first time. no
Public school settles racial abuse claim(Filed: 13/12/2001)
AN "in-house parent" at a public school who claimed that a member of staff told her "niggers are not welcome in Somerset pubs" settled a claim yesterday for unfair dismissal and racial discrimination.
Aliya Smethurst, 33, a Pakistani, claimed she was subjected to racist abuse during the 12 months she worked at Sidcot, a Quaker school at Burnham-on-Sea, providing pastoral care for pupils. The school denied the claims.
Mrs Smethurst, a mother of three, told an employment tribunal in Bristol that her concerns about racist bullying among pupils were ignored. She was made redundant in September after the closure of the boarding house where she worked.
The hearing was later told a settlement had been reached. Details were not disclosed.
Earlier, Mrs Smethurst wept as she told the tribunal: "My family had never experienced race as an issue until I started working at the school.
"I was telling a cleaner I was going for a drink with my husband and she said very vehemently, 'niggers are not welcome in Somerset pubs'. The termination of my employment had everything to do with racism."
Jefferson Horsley, chairman of the school's management committee, denied racism. He told the tribunal: "Sidcot prides itself on its internationalism and its good working relationships with its staff."
A Muslim mother who accused a fee-paying Christian school of racial abuse today lost her claim for damages.
Pakistan-born Aliya Smethurst, 37, alleged her son Mikhail, suffered racial abuse as a six-year-old pupil at St Christopher's school in Burnham on Sea, Somerset.
She also claimed she suffered ill-treatment on the grounds of her race while she worked at the school as a boarding house matron.
Mrs Smethurst was seeking damages from the school and its headteacher, Diane Symes, for racial discrimination, negligence regarding bullying, personal injury and assault on Mikhail, now 11.
She claimed her son was called "mud face" because of his colour and was regularly kicked, punched and spat at by fellow pupils, leaving him bruised and lacking in confidence.
In a judgment handed down today, Judge Charles Wade ruled against Mrs Smethurst in her claims against the school and Mrs Symes.
Mrs Smethurst was not at today's hearing in Swindon county court.
so you think this is the first time. no
Public school settles racial abuse claim(Filed: 13/12/2001)
AN "in-house parent" at a public school who claimed that a member of staff told her "niggers are not welcome in Somerset pubs" settled a claim yesterday for unfair dismissal and racial discrimination.
Aliya Smethurst, 33, a Pakistani, claimed she was subjected to racist abuse during the 12 months she worked at Sidcot, a Quaker school at Burnham-on-Sea, providing pastoral care for pupils. The school denied the claims.
Mrs Smethurst, a mother of three, told an employment tribunal in Bristol that her concerns about racist bullying among pupils were ignored. She was made redundant in September after the closure of the boarding house where she worked.
The hearing was later told a settlement had been reached. Details were not disclosed.
Earlier, Mrs Smethurst wept as she told the tribunal: "My family had never experienced race as an issue until I started working at the school.
"I was telling a cleaner I was going for a drink with my husband and she said very vehemently, 'niggers are not welcome in Somerset pubs'. The termination of my employment had everything to do with racism."
Jefferson Horsley, chairman of the school's management committee, denied racism. He told the tribunal: "Sidcot prides itself on its internationalism and its good working relationships with its staff."
Muslim prayers at cross
BEWILDERED pupils prayed to Allah in front of an 8ft CRUCIFIX, it emerged yesterday.
One boy at the Catholic school was so worried he had betrayed his faith he went straight to confession.
The students, aged 13 and 14, were given prayer mats and compasses to find East — the direction of Mecca.
They were then told how to kneel and bow their heads like faithful Muslims at St Richard Gwyn RC High School, in Barry, South Wales.
The mum of one of the kids said last night: "We chose to send our children to a Catholic school. We don’t expect them to come home saying they have been praying to Allah. I’m sure Muslims would be quite offended if it was the other way round."
But head of RE Nicola Price said "empathy" lessons in different faiths had long been on the curriculum.
She added: "They are not asked to actually pray."
One boy at the Catholic school was so worried he had betrayed his faith he went straight to confession.
The students, aged 13 and 14, were given prayer mats and compasses to find East — the direction of Mecca.
They were then told how to kneel and bow their heads like faithful Muslims at St Richard Gwyn RC High School, in Barry, South Wales.
The mum of one of the kids said last night: "We chose to send our children to a Catholic school. We don’t expect them to come home saying they have been praying to Allah. I’m sure Muslims would be quite offended if it was the other way round."
But head of RE Nicola Price said "empathy" lessons in different faiths had long been on the curriculum.
She added: "They are not asked to actually pray."
Saturday, March 18, 2006
'Al Qaeda' in Commons
A TERROR suspect allegedly linked to al Qaeda has visited the Houses of Parliament — as the guest of a Labour peer.
Former detainee Mahmoud Suliman Ahmed Abu Rideh even sat in the Commons public gallery for a debate.
He was invited to Westminster on Tuesday by Lord Ahmed, who met him at Regent’s Park mosque three weeks ago.
The father of five — suspected of being a money man for terror groups — was given a SECURITY sticker for his Parliamentary visit.
And he boasted yesterday of sitting in the Commons gallery, adding: "It was very interesting."
Shadow Home Secretary David Davis last night said Abu Rideh had been able to "walk around one of the UK’s biggest terror targets".
Lord Ahmed confirmed he invited Abu Rideh, 34, to see him — and said he QUIZZED him over the suspected al Qaeda link.
He said: "I gave an appointment to see him this week. He came to see me as a Parliamentarian. It was my duty to hear what he had to say.
"He came through the peers’ entrance. He went through the security check and I met him at security. He did not leave me for one second.
"I did not take him into any public gallery.
Another document from the Special Immigration Appeals Commission said he admitted fundraising for a school which had "some of the world’s most wanted men" among its parents.
He was first held in London’s Belmarsh jail. But he was then moved to Broadmoor secure hospital in Berkshire after he slashed his arms and wrists.
The SIAC bailed him in 2003 and gave him a Control Order, which places restrictions on his freedom outside.
Abu Rideh returned to his three-bedroom council home in West London — but now wears a tag and must be there from 7pm until dawn.
Lord Ahmed, 48, comes from a working-class background in Rotherham, South Yorks, where he used to run a chip shop.
He entered the House of Lords in 1998, becoming the first Muslim to receive a life peerage.
In November he spoke out against parts of the the Government’s Terrorism Bill, which he said restricted political views.
He has previously called for jailed cleric Abu Hamza to be stripped of his citizenship and deported.
Former detainee Mahmoud Suliman Ahmed Abu Rideh even sat in the Commons public gallery for a debate.
He was invited to Westminster on Tuesday by Lord Ahmed, who met him at Regent’s Park mosque three weeks ago.
The father of five — suspected of being a money man for terror groups — was given a SECURITY sticker for his Parliamentary visit.
And he boasted yesterday of sitting in the Commons gallery, adding: "It was very interesting."
Shadow Home Secretary David Davis last night said Abu Rideh had been able to "walk around one of the UK’s biggest terror targets".
Lord Ahmed confirmed he invited Abu Rideh, 34, to see him — and said he QUIZZED him over the suspected al Qaeda link.
He said: "I gave an appointment to see him this week. He came to see me as a Parliamentarian. It was my duty to hear what he had to say.
"He came through the peers’ entrance. He went through the security check and I met him at security. He did not leave me for one second.
"I did not take him into any public gallery.
Another document from the Special Immigration Appeals Commission said he admitted fundraising for a school which had "some of the world’s most wanted men" among its parents.
He was first held in London’s Belmarsh jail. But he was then moved to Broadmoor secure hospital in Berkshire after he slashed his arms and wrists.
The SIAC bailed him in 2003 and gave him a Control Order, which places restrictions on his freedom outside.
Abu Rideh returned to his three-bedroom council home in West London — but now wears a tag and must be there from 7pm until dawn.
Lord Ahmed, 48, comes from a working-class background in Rotherham, South Yorks, where he used to run a chip shop.
He entered the House of Lords in 1998, becoming the first Muslim to receive a life peerage.
In November he spoke out against parts of the the Government’s Terrorism Bill, which he said restricted political views.
He has previously called for jailed cleric Abu Hamza to be stripped of his citizenship and deported.
Friday, March 17, 2006
Top terrorist is jailed
A JUDGE today called on the Government to "urgently" consider providing greater sentencing powers as he jailed a top international terrorist for just nine years.
Mr Justice Fulford said Pakistan-trained terror leader Mohammed Ajmal Khan was a "person of authority" in an organisation with "clear links" to al-Qaeda.
As "quartermaster" for the banned Lashkar-e-Tayyiba - the so-called Army of the Righteous, which amongst other things opposes India’s control of Kashmir - he could call on millions of pounds raised by UK supporters for a shopping list of arms and military equipment.
In the judge's view the powers of punishment available to the court in such cases was not sufficient.
The conspiracy the 31-year-old defendant had admitted carried a maximum sentence of only 14-years' imprisonment.
"I consider the seriousness of terrorist offences of this kind is such that the government should give serious and urgent consideration to the question as to whether the maximum sentence for offences in this category are sufficient.
"Involvement in this kind of crime is often so serious and the consequences can be so grave, that I am of the view that greater maximum sentences are needed to enable judges to reflect more realistically the gravity of terrorism which does not need me to say is of great public concern."
The current maximum could, in some cases, be regarded as "wholly inadequate", said the judge.
"In my view the court should have the option of passing a discretionary life sentence."
Conceding that judges did have the option of imposing an "indeterminate" term, the necessary criteria had not been met in the case.
Khan, of Ransom Road, Coventry, remained emotionless in the dock at London's Snaresbrook Crown Court as the judge told him: "Terrorism is one of the undoubted evils of our age.
"It profoundly affects countless numbers of innocent, law-abiding people both directly and indirectly.
"The toll in lost and shattered lives, the economic consequences and the general misery that follows each and every terrorist outrage means that anyone who lends him or herself to this kind of activity has put themselves in my view in one of the most serious if not the most serious criminal category."
He continued: "You, Mohammed Ajmal Khan, in my view, are a committed terrorist.
"By your presence in other countries on a significant number of occasions in the past and by your organisations generally it is rightly said that you are a person of authority within the terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Tayyiba.
"On this subject I have found the evidence compelling."
He said Khan had not only trained in Pakistan and "travelled widely infurtherance of your terrorist aims", but had available a "significant" source of funds from an "unidentified but undeniably terrorist-related source."
"In all the circumstances the prosecution have appropriately judged you to be an important figure in a terrorist network which had clear and important links with parallel terrorist networks," the judge told him.
The judge said that in particular the Crown had established clearcooperative links between Lashkir-e-Tayyiba and al-Qaeda.
"And you were personally protected by others who played a more conspicuous frontline role that helped you to keep your involvement concealed.
"It is of real note you went to Pakistan shortly after 9/11 where you gained an important position within that organisation.
"In the end you acted as a terrorist quartermaster, gathering anddistributing a stockpile of equipment for use in Pakistan and/or Afghanistan and probably elsewhere."
Not only that, but he had used the assets available to him to "cynicallyprofiteer out of terrorism" and put cash in his own pocket.
The judge said any mitigation available to him was undermined by the fact he was a "long-term terrorist" and his involvement in a banned organisation following the 9/11 outrage.
The judge jailed him for eight years for one offence under the Criminal Law Act of plotting between March 2001 and March 2005 to "enter into or become concerned in an arrangement" whereby money and property was to be made available for the "purpose of terrorism".
A further year was then added for "blatant" contempt of court in repeatedly refusing to answer questions when called as a defence witness in the case of an alleged co-conspirator subsequently acquitted at an earlier trial.
It sends a clear message to anyone prepared to train as a terrorist or support terrorism Peter Clarke Scotland Yard
Mr Justice Fulford said Pakistan-trained terror leader Mohammed Ajmal Khan was a "person of authority" in an organisation with "clear links" to al-Qaeda.
As "quartermaster" for the banned Lashkar-e-Tayyiba - the so-called Army of the Righteous, which amongst other things opposes India’s control of Kashmir - he could call on millions of pounds raised by UK supporters for a shopping list of arms and military equipment.
In the judge's view the powers of punishment available to the court in such cases was not sufficient.
The conspiracy the 31-year-old defendant had admitted carried a maximum sentence of only 14-years' imprisonment.
"I consider the seriousness of terrorist offences of this kind is such that the government should give serious and urgent consideration to the question as to whether the maximum sentence for offences in this category are sufficient.
"Involvement in this kind of crime is often so serious and the consequences can be so grave, that I am of the view that greater maximum sentences are needed to enable judges to reflect more realistically the gravity of terrorism which does not need me to say is of great public concern."
The current maximum could, in some cases, be regarded as "wholly inadequate", said the judge.
"In my view the court should have the option of passing a discretionary life sentence."
Conceding that judges did have the option of imposing an "indeterminate" term, the necessary criteria had not been met in the case.
Khan, of Ransom Road, Coventry, remained emotionless in the dock at London's Snaresbrook Crown Court as the judge told him: "Terrorism is one of the undoubted evils of our age.
"It profoundly affects countless numbers of innocent, law-abiding people both directly and indirectly.
"The toll in lost and shattered lives, the economic consequences and the general misery that follows each and every terrorist outrage means that anyone who lends him or herself to this kind of activity has put themselves in my view in one of the most serious if not the most serious criminal category."
He continued: "You, Mohammed Ajmal Khan, in my view, are a committed terrorist.
"By your presence in other countries on a significant number of occasions in the past and by your organisations generally it is rightly said that you are a person of authority within the terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Tayyiba.
"On this subject I have found the evidence compelling."
He said Khan had not only trained in Pakistan and "travelled widely infurtherance of your terrorist aims", but had available a "significant" source of funds from an "unidentified but undeniably terrorist-related source."
"In all the circumstances the prosecution have appropriately judged you to be an important figure in a terrorist network which had clear and important links with parallel terrorist networks," the judge told him.
The judge said that in particular the Crown had established clearcooperative links between Lashkir-e-Tayyiba and al-Qaeda.
"And you were personally protected by others who played a more conspicuous frontline role that helped you to keep your involvement concealed.
"It is of real note you went to Pakistan shortly after 9/11 where you gained an important position within that organisation.
"In the end you acted as a terrorist quartermaster, gathering anddistributing a stockpile of equipment for use in Pakistan and/or Afghanistan and probably elsewhere."
Not only that, but he had used the assets available to him to "cynicallyprofiteer out of terrorism" and put cash in his own pocket.
The judge said any mitigation available to him was undermined by the fact he was a "long-term terrorist" and his involvement in a banned organisation following the 9/11 outrage.
The judge jailed him for eight years for one offence under the Criminal Law Act of plotting between March 2001 and March 2005 to "enter into or become concerned in an arrangement" whereby money and property was to be made available for the "purpose of terrorism".
A further year was then added for "blatant" contempt of court in repeatedly refusing to answer questions when called as a defence witness in the case of an alleged co-conspirator subsequently acquitted at an earlier trial.
It sends a clear message to anyone prepared to train as a terrorist or support terrorism Peter Clarke Scotland Yard
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Bakri family to quit UK
MAD mullah Omar Bakri Mohammed delivered the news we all wanted to hear yesterday — his whole family are leaving Britain . . . even his cat.
The decision will save taxpayers thousands in benefits.
Bakri was forced out of Britain by The Sun and is now living in Beirut.
The dad of six ranted: "All my family — I have a large family — are coming to join me. We are even taking our cat and we are going to leave you English dogs."
The hate cleric’s rant came after cops raided his home in Edmonton, North London, yesterday. No arrests were made.
Bakri’s wife Hanan would not reveal any names of their family members — or their cat.
But neighbours call the puss Al Moggy Haroun after his Bin Laden-supporting group al-Muhajiroun.
Bakri, 46, sponged £300,000 during 20 years on benefits in Britain.
He lost £42.30 a week in disability benefit, £20 in income support and £100 housing allowance when he left the UK.
But Hanan is thought to have applied for benefits for herself and three of her younger children.
Labour MP Andrew Dismore said last night: "This is the news everyone is waiting to hear, so what do they want, flowers on the way out?"
And Muslim Council of Britain spokesman Inayat Bunglawala said: "If his family joining him means he will not return to these shores then we welcome the news."
Bakri moaned in a phone call from Beirut about the police raid on his house.
He fled Britain in August after a Sun campaign for him to be expelled over his praise for the 9/11 bombers as the "Magnificent 19".
The decision will save taxpayers thousands in benefits.
Bakri was forced out of Britain by The Sun and is now living in Beirut.
The dad of six ranted: "All my family — I have a large family — are coming to join me. We are even taking our cat and we are going to leave you English dogs."
The hate cleric’s rant came after cops raided his home in Edmonton, North London, yesterday. No arrests were made.
Bakri’s wife Hanan would not reveal any names of their family members — or their cat.
But neighbours call the puss Al Moggy Haroun after his Bin Laden-supporting group al-Muhajiroun.
Bakri, 46, sponged £300,000 during 20 years on benefits in Britain.
He lost £42.30 a week in disability benefit, £20 in income support and £100 housing allowance when he left the UK.
But Hanan is thought to have applied for benefits for herself and three of her younger children.
Labour MP Andrew Dismore said last night: "This is the news everyone is waiting to hear, so what do they want, flowers on the way out?"
And Muslim Council of Britain spokesman Inayat Bunglawala said: "If his family joining him means he will not return to these shores then we welcome the news."
Bakri moaned in a phone call from Beirut about the police raid on his house.
He fled Britain in August after a Sun campaign for him to be expelled over his praise for the 9/11 bombers as the "Magnificent 19".
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
JihadTV Coming to a Station Near You
the BBC has hired an Al Jazeera mouthpiece to run their Arabic television service: BBC appoints Arabic TV News Editor.
The propaganda arm of the global jihad is preparing to launch an English version: Al Jazeera aims to go global - in English.
The propaganda arm of the global jihad is preparing to launch an English version: Al Jazeera aims to go global - in English.
Five held over cartoon protests
The five were alleged to have taken part in the 3 February demonstration which took place in London.
Four of them were held at their London homes in Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, Redbridge and Southall and were taken to a police station for questioning.
A fifth man, who is from Birmingham, is being questioned in the West Midlands.
Last week police said arrests would be made "in the near future" over the protests outside the Danish Embassy on 3 and 4 February.
Placards were seen which appeared to threaten a repeat of the 11 September attacks or the 7 July London bombings.
The Crown Prosecution Service said there were grounds for arrests on suspicion of public order offences.
Arrest calls
Officers subsequently examined 60 hours of video from CCTV cameras and evidence-gathering teams deployed at the protests.
Scotland Yard received more than 500 complaints from members of the public about the demonstrations.
Shadow home secretary David Davis was among those calling for action, and he wrote to the Home Secretary Charles Clarke attacking the "unconscionable" delay in making arrests.
The cartoons, which were originally published in a Danish newspaper, sparked worldwide protests.
Among the images which have sparked outcry is one of Muhammad with a bomb-shaped turban on his head.
Newspapers in Spain, Italy, Germany and France were among those to reprint the material.
see video evidence.
Hamza on hunger strike
JAILED hate preacher Abu Hamza is leading a hunger strike because he gets POT NOODLES every day.
The mad mullah persuaded 21 other inmates to join him in a protest over the snack.
Hamza — jailed for seven years for urging fanatics to kill Christians and Jews — reckons Pot Noodles are "foul" and being made to eat them is against his human rights. He claims his only other dinner-time option is egg and salad.
A source last night said: "Hamza thinks Pot Noodles are peasants’ food. He argues that he is a large man and the watery snack is not enough to fill him."
he and other lags at Belmarsh jail in South-East London spend £20 a week to get decent nosh.
The source added: "Hamza doesn’t seem to understand this is jail — not a five-star hotel with endless dinner combinations."
The mad mullah persuaded 21 other inmates to join him in a protest over the snack.
Hamza — jailed for seven years for urging fanatics to kill Christians and Jews — reckons Pot Noodles are "foul" and being made to eat them is against his human rights. He claims his only other dinner-time option is egg and salad.
A source last night said: "Hamza thinks Pot Noodles are peasants’ food. He argues that he is a large man and the watery snack is not enough to fill him."
he and other lags at Belmarsh jail in South-East London spend £20 a week to get decent nosh.
The source added: "Hamza doesn’t seem to understand this is jail — not a five-star hotel with endless dinner combinations."
JihadTV Coming to a Station Near You
The propaganda arm of the global jihad is preparing to launch an English version: Al Jazeera aims to go global - in English.
Five years after Al Jazeera shot to public attention during the US invasion of Afghanistan, the Arab broadcaster is preparing to make more waves this spring when it launches a new channel - this time in English.
"A lot of people ask me if we’re aiming at English-speaking Muslims," says Steve Clark, the new channel’s director of news. "But we actually want to appeal to the whole English-speaking world and those who speak English as a second language."
The new channel, called Al Jazeera International, will begin broadcasting in late spring, offering a mix of hourly news bulletins and longer reports, bankrolled, like the original station, by the emir of the Persian Gulf state of Qatar.
Five years after Al Jazeera shot to public attention during the US invasion of Afghanistan, the Arab broadcaster is preparing to make more waves this spring when it launches a new channel - this time in English.
"A lot of people ask me if we’re aiming at English-speaking Muslims," says Steve Clark, the new channel’s director of news. "But we actually want to appeal to the whole English-speaking world and those who speak English as a second language."
The new channel, called Al Jazeera International, will begin broadcasting in late spring, offering a mix of hourly news bulletins and longer reports, bankrolled, like the original station, by the emir of the Persian Gulf state of Qatar.
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Al Qaeda's Zawahri calls for strikes against West
Al Qaeda's deputy leader Ayman al-Zawahri called on Muslims to attack the West in an audio tape posted on the Internet on Saturday, urging similar strikes as those against New York, London and Madrid in recent years.
Al Qaeda's deputy leader Ayman al-Zawahri called on Muslims to attack the West in an audio tape posted on the Internet on Saturday, urging similar strikes as those against New York, London and Madrid in recent years. In a video of his remarks aired by Al Jazeera television, Zawahri also urged the Islamist militant group Hamas not to recognize peace deals signed by the Palestinian Authority with Israel. He also called on Muslims to boycott countries where satirical cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad had been published, including Denmark, Norway, France and Germany, and said that Muslims should prevent the West from "stealing Muslims' oil." "(Muslims have to) inflict losses on the crusader West, especially to its economic infrastructure with strikes that would make it bleed for years," said Zawahri, an Egyptian. "The strikes on New York, Washington, Madrid and London are the best examples," he said. "We have to prevent the crusader West from stealing the Muslims' oil which is being drained in the biggest robbery in history," he added. It was not clear if the tape was made before the failed al Qaeda attack last month on a major Saudi oil facility. "Reaching power is not a goal by itself ... and no Palestinian has the right to give away a grain of the soil," said Zawahri in comments directed at Hamas. "The secularists in the Palestinian Authority have sold out Palestine for crumbs... Giving them legitimacy is against Islam." The U.S. State Department dismissed the threats. "No taped video threats will weaken our commitment to work with out allies in the international community to combat international terrorism and violent extremism, or to bring to justice those responsible for the murder of innocent civilians," said Justin Higgins, a U.S. State Department spokesman.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Zawahri called on Muslims to give financial support to Islamic fighters, saying they were on the "front line" in defending Islam. The audio track of the video aired partially by the satellite television channel was posted earlier on a Web site used by Islamist groups. Commenting on Zawahri's remarks, Hamas official Osama Hamdan said the group had no intention of recognizing the deals. "The Hamas movement will not fail the Palestinian people and the (Islamic) nation," he told Al Jazeera. "There is nothing wrong with (offering) advice but what we want ... is support from the nation." As well as physical attacks on the West, Zawahri, who is deputy to al Qaeda's leader Osama bin Laden, called for an economic boycott against several countries. "It is our duty to take part in a mass economic boycott of Denmark, Norway, France, Germany, and all countries that take part in this crusader attack against Islam," he said, referring to the cartoons first published in a Danish newspaper last year. He described the cartoons as part of a U.S.-led "crusader" campaign. "An example of the hatred of the crusaders led by America ... are the repeated offences against the personality of the Prophet Mohammad, may peace be upon him," Zawahri said. Saturday's tape came as U.S. President George W. Bush concluded a visit to Pakistan, where Zawahri and Osama bin Laden are believed to be hiding. Zawahri, who wore a black turban and a white robe, sat in front of a curtain. He did not appear to have a customary assault rifle next to him, in the tape which carried the logo of al-Sahab, al Qaeda's media arm. The Web posting said the tape was made in the Muslim month which approximately corresponded to February. Zawahri made reference to a ferry disaster on February 2 in the Red Sea.
Brown to boost Islamic banking
GORDON BROWN is drawing up plans to turn Britain into the most Islam-friendly economy in the western world.
The chancellor has given Muslim leaders private assurances that he wants to create a "level playing field" in the economy, so that more and more "sharia compliant" financial products can be offered to British Muslims.
To comply with sharia law, financial products must not charge or earn interest, which is regarded as usury.
Brown hopes his proposed changes would remove barriers to many British and foreign Muslims participating fully in the financial system. They would help make London the natural home for Islamic funds from around the world, and increase the inflow of investment from oil-rich Middle Eastern countries.
"Making the UK and London a centre for Islamic finance means putting in place the tax and legislative framework that is supportive of Islamic products," said a senior Treasury official.
"On top of this, we’re also looking at promoting the City abroad as a centre for Islamic finance."
Officials insist the changes will not compromise the government’s determination to root out and cut off sources of terrorist finance.
The Muslim Council of Britain will host a large conference in June to showcase Britain to Muslim investors as a "gateway for trade with the Islamic world". The chancellor will be a keynote speaker at the conference, which is expected to have a delegation from every leading Muslim country.
The sharia finance industry is one of the fastest-growing markets in the world, and is estimated to be worth between £200 billion and £300 billion globally.
Industry projections suggest it will grow by 15% a year over the next decade, and will account for 50-60% of the savings of the world’s 1.2 billion Muslims within that time. The Treasury believes London, with its financial and legal expertise, is strongly placed to benefit from this.
Sharia-compliant alternatives to conventional financial arrangements include ijara products, in which rent rather than interest is paid on a mortgaged house, and musharaka, in which a share of ownership is transferred rather than interest paid.
The chancellor has given Muslim leaders private assurances that he wants to create a "level playing field" in the economy, so that more and more "sharia compliant" financial products can be offered to British Muslims.
To comply with sharia law, financial products must not charge or earn interest, which is regarded as usury.
Brown hopes his proposed changes would remove barriers to many British and foreign Muslims participating fully in the financial system. They would help make London the natural home for Islamic funds from around the world, and increase the inflow of investment from oil-rich Middle Eastern countries.
"Making the UK and London a centre for Islamic finance means putting in place the tax and legislative framework that is supportive of Islamic products," said a senior Treasury official.
"On top of this, we’re also looking at promoting the City abroad as a centre for Islamic finance."
Officials insist the changes will not compromise the government’s determination to root out and cut off sources of terrorist finance.
The Muslim Council of Britain will host a large conference in June to showcase Britain to Muslim investors as a "gateway for trade with the Islamic world". The chancellor will be a keynote speaker at the conference, which is expected to have a delegation from every leading Muslim country.
The sharia finance industry is one of the fastest-growing markets in the world, and is estimated to be worth between £200 billion and £300 billion globally.
Industry projections suggest it will grow by 15% a year over the next decade, and will account for 50-60% of the savings of the world’s 1.2 billion Muslims within that time. The Treasury believes London, with its financial and legal expertise, is strongly placed to benefit from this.
Sharia-compliant alternatives to conventional financial arrangements include ijara products, in which rent rather than interest is paid on a mortgaged house, and musharaka, in which a share of ownership is transferred rather than interest paid.
Friday, March 10, 2006
Iran may target UK
BRITAIN must brace itself for terror strikes orchestrated by Iran, intelligence chiefs warned last night.
They also said Iran is only 12 MONTHS away from getting nuclear weapons parts.
A high-ranking British security official said: "A year is a realistic period to get the technology."
The alert was issued after Iran’s national security council chief Javad Vaeidi threatened the US with "harm and pain".
Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad also yesterday warned "international bullies" threatening Iran that they would "suffer more".
Meanwhile US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Iran was a "central banker for terrorism" and was stopping democratic and stable governments from growing.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Muslim protesters face arrest
Arrests of Muslim protesters who demonstrated about cartoons of the prophet Mohammed in London last month are imminent, Scotland Yard said last night.
The Feb 3 protests outside the Danish Embassy caused widespread offence. Some protesters chanted and carried placards glorifying the July 7 London bombings and threatening beheadings.
No arrests of Muslim protesters were made at the time, a decision by police that was widely criticised.
Yesterday the Metropolitan Police disclosed that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had advised it that potential public order offences were committed.
Arrests, questioning and charges are now expected in the coming weeks in a number of cases said to run to "more than single figures".
A spokesman for Scotland Yard said last night: "During the demonstration on Feb 3 2006 the Met deployed specialist evidence gathers. This material has been collated and examined by the investigation team.
"A file of evidence was submitted to the CPS for their consideration and we have been advised that there are sufficient grounds to arrest individuals for offences under the Public Order Act."
Incitement to racial hatred is said to be a potential charge.
Sources said the evidence involved a "number of identified and unidentified individuals".
Operation Laverda has focused on six complaints from witnesses but the Met also received 570 complaints from people offended by images of the protests.
David Davis, the shadow home secretary, said in a letter he sent to Charles Clarke, the Home Secretary, yesterday: "There is a clear public interest in ensuring that those who incite murder are appropriately dealt with and an equal public interest that there is no unnecessary delay.
"Furthermore, not to take action is to let down the moderate Muslim majority."
see video
The Feb 3 protests outside the Danish Embassy caused widespread offence. Some protesters chanted and carried placards glorifying the July 7 London bombings and threatening beheadings.
No arrests of Muslim protesters were made at the time, a decision by police that was widely criticised.
Yesterday the Metropolitan Police disclosed that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had advised it that potential public order offences were committed.
Arrests, questioning and charges are now expected in the coming weeks in a number of cases said to run to "more than single figures".
A spokesman for Scotland Yard said last night: "During the demonstration on Feb 3 2006 the Met deployed specialist evidence gathers. This material has been collated and examined by the investigation team.
"A file of evidence was submitted to the CPS for their consideration and we have been advised that there are sufficient grounds to arrest individuals for offences under the Public Order Act."
Incitement to racial hatred is said to be a potential charge.
Sources said the evidence involved a "number of identified and unidentified individuals".
Operation Laverda has focused on six complaints from witnesses but the Met also received 570 complaints from people offended by images of the protests.
David Davis, the shadow home secretary, said in a letter he sent to Charles Clarke, the Home Secretary, yesterday: "There is a clear public interest in ensuring that those who incite murder are appropriately dealt with and an equal public interest that there is no unnecessary delay.
"Furthermore, not to take action is to let down the moderate Muslim majority."
see video
Muslim students arrested in terror swoop
Three held in Bradford after London tip-off.
THREE Bradford University students were being quizzed last night by police investigating terror attacks abroad. more
THREE Bradford University students were being quizzed last night by police investigating terror attacks abroad. more
Monday, March 06, 2006
Hate-filled Muslim returns
A FANATICAL Muslim who ranted against Britain has moved back here from Pakistan — to live on benefits.
Hate-filled Zeeshan Siddiqui, 26, who once called London an "organ of the devil", is enjoying life in a suburb of the capital.
The Sun tracked down Siddiqui to a quiet, tree-lined road in Heston, West London, following his release from custody by Pakistani police who were probing suspected terror links.
In the past he has said he wants to be an Islamic martyr, called for all non-Muslims to be killed and declared his contempt for the UK. Yet he is happy to sponge off our taxpayers to the tune of £52.60 a week in Jobseekers Allowance.
Siddiqui slipped back into Britain in January after eight months in prison in Peshawar.
He was suspected of having links to the 7/7 London bombers and at school was friends with Britain’s first suicide bomber Asif Hanif, who died in Israel in 2003.
Pakistani cops caught him with phone numbers of al-Qaeda terrorists, an electrical circuit which could have been used to detonate a bomb and a venomous diary spelling out his desire for a jihad, or holy war.
Cops believed he was waiting to be dispatched as a suicide bomber but the case against him collapsed when several witnesses failed to come forward.
The Sun has learned that before heading off to Pakistan to study, Siddiqui once worked for Transport for London - which could have given him vital information on road and rail networks.
Last week he surfaced on BBC Radio 4 to whinge about his treatment at the hands of the Pakistani authorities and claim he was tortured.
When The Sun tried repeatedly to speak to Siddiqui, he came to the door but would not comment on his case.
A neighbour who was at school with him said: "He reappeared a few weeks ago. At school he was always talking about Islam and politics."
Hate-filled Zeeshan Siddiqui, 26, who once called London an "organ of the devil", is enjoying life in a suburb of the capital.
The Sun tracked down Siddiqui to a quiet, tree-lined road in Heston, West London, following his release from custody by Pakistani police who were probing suspected terror links.
In the past he has said he wants to be an Islamic martyr, called for all non-Muslims to be killed and declared his contempt for the UK. Yet he is happy to sponge off our taxpayers to the tune of £52.60 a week in Jobseekers Allowance.
Siddiqui slipped back into Britain in January after eight months in prison in Peshawar.
He was suspected of having links to the 7/7 London bombers and at school was friends with Britain’s first suicide bomber Asif Hanif, who died in Israel in 2003.
Pakistani cops caught him with phone numbers of al-Qaeda terrorists, an electrical circuit which could have been used to detonate a bomb and a venomous diary spelling out his desire for a jihad, or holy war.
Cops believed he was waiting to be dispatched as a suicide bomber but the case against him collapsed when several witnesses failed to come forward.
The Sun has learned that before heading off to Pakistan to study, Siddiqui once worked for Transport for London - which could have given him vital information on road and rail networks.
Last week he surfaced on BBC Radio 4 to whinge about his treatment at the hands of the Pakistani authorities and claim he was tortured.
When The Sun tried repeatedly to speak to Siddiqui, he came to the door but would not comment on his case.
A neighbour who was at school with him said: "He reappeared a few weeks ago. At school he was always talking about Islam and politics."
Saturday, March 04, 2006
Muslims 'must be more tolerant'
Muslims should have "broader shoulders" when it comes to issues of free speech such as the Danish cartoons, a Lib Dem home affairs spokesman has said.
Kishwer Falkner, who is a Muslim, said her community must be "tolerant" and "learn the art of peaceful dissent".
She said freedom of speech was not just a Western concept but it was necessary in any pluralistic society.
Cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad caused offence among Muslims and sparked protests in some countries.
Consistency
Lady Falkner said there was "no doubt" the cartoons had offended Muslims and "no doubt their publication in Britain was an error of judgement".
But she said self-censorship was always better than state censorship and freedom of speech was a "necessary condition" of living in a pluralistic society.
The Lib Dems last month helped defeat the government over plans to ban incitement to religious hatred, which had been called for by Muslim groups who want the same protection from offence as Christians.
Lady Falkner, who speaks for the Lib Dems on home affairs in the Lords, said the blasphemy laws protecting Christians should now be repealed to ensure consistency.
But she added: "If we demand equality, we cannot demand respect - that has to be earned."
'Hateful'
She told delegates: "I would say to my community we have to become more broad shouldered. We have to become more tolerant. We have to learn the art of peaceful dissent."
She said laws in Austria and Germany banning denial of the holocaust should also be scrapped, arguing they were now out of place in the "mature and confident democracies" the two countries had become.
"They should repeal it and let Holocaust deniers express their hateful and warped versions of history," she said.
Her views were echoed by Lib Dem human rights spokesman Evan Harris, who told delegates said that with extremists - "and even our own prime minister in a mild way" - increasingly "hiding behind religious beliefs" it had never been more important to stand up for free speech.
Globalised media
He urged the party to say no to blasphemy laws, holocaust denial laws and, in a reference to London Mayor Ken Livingstone's suspension over remarks he made to a Jewish reporter, "no to standards board speech police".
He warned that unless people stood up against state censorship "people easily offended will be able to get protection for their views but people less easily offended will not be able to get protection for their views".
He told delegates: "If you don't want to read The Satanic Verses don't buy the book. If you don't want to watch Jerry Springer the Opera on the BBC switch channels.
"If you don't want to read cartoons in a Danish newspaper, don't go to Denmark and buy those newspapers."
Sajj Karim MEP said Muslims in the European Union had "by and large" responded to the publication of the cartoons democratically, even though they had been offended by them.
He said the globalised nature of modern media meant extra care had to be taken - but the final judgement on whether to publish should be left to the press and not the censors.
"We as a party must defend the editors' right to make that judgement call at all costs," he told delegates.
Lib Dem home affairs spokesman Alistair Carmichael also backed calls for greater freedom of speech, telling delegates: "There is no such thing as freedom not be offended.
Kishwer Falkner, who is a Muslim, said her community must be "tolerant" and "learn the art of peaceful dissent".
She said freedom of speech was not just a Western concept but it was necessary in any pluralistic society.
Cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad caused offence among Muslims and sparked protests in some countries.
Consistency
Lady Falkner said there was "no doubt" the cartoons had offended Muslims and "no doubt their publication in Britain was an error of judgement".
But she said self-censorship was always better than state censorship and freedom of speech was a "necessary condition" of living in a pluralistic society.
The Lib Dems last month helped defeat the government over plans to ban incitement to religious hatred, which had been called for by Muslim groups who want the same protection from offence as Christians.
Lady Falkner, who speaks for the Lib Dems on home affairs in the Lords, said the blasphemy laws protecting Christians should now be repealed to ensure consistency.
But she added: "If we demand equality, we cannot demand respect - that has to be earned."
'Hateful'
She told delegates: "I would say to my community we have to become more broad shouldered. We have to become more tolerant. We have to learn the art of peaceful dissent."
She said laws in Austria and Germany banning denial of the holocaust should also be scrapped, arguing they were now out of place in the "mature and confident democracies" the two countries had become.
"They should repeal it and let Holocaust deniers express their hateful and warped versions of history," she said.
Her views were echoed by Lib Dem human rights spokesman Evan Harris, who told delegates said that with extremists - "and even our own prime minister in a mild way" - increasingly "hiding behind religious beliefs" it had never been more important to stand up for free speech.
Globalised media
He urged the party to say no to blasphemy laws, holocaust denial laws and, in a reference to London Mayor Ken Livingstone's suspension over remarks he made to a Jewish reporter, "no to standards board speech police".
He warned that unless people stood up against state censorship "people easily offended will be able to get protection for their views but people less easily offended will not be able to get protection for their views".
He told delegates: "If you don't want to read The Satanic Verses don't buy the book. If you don't want to watch Jerry Springer the Opera on the BBC switch channels.
"If you don't want to read cartoons in a Danish newspaper, don't go to Denmark and buy those newspapers."
Sajj Karim MEP said Muslims in the European Union had "by and large" responded to the publication of the cartoons democratically, even though they had been offended by them.
He said the globalised nature of modern media meant extra care had to be taken - but the final judgement on whether to publish should be left to the press and not the censors.
"We as a party must defend the editors' right to make that judgement call at all costs," he told delegates.
Lib Dem home affairs spokesman Alistair Carmichael also backed calls for greater freedom of speech, telling delegates: "There is no such thing as freedom not be offended.
Thursday, March 02, 2006
thanks Captain Mainwaring
I have lobbied my MP asking her to raise the issue of the arrest of those bearing placards with inscriptions inciting to murder at the recent Regents park demo.
I have asked he to raise it at the next PMQ'sAlternatively you can email the Crown Prosecution Service asking them to take action.
Here's a website that even does most of the work for you in contacting your MP.http://www.writetothem.com/Or the CPS email address:complaints@cps.gsi.gov.uk
I have asked he to raise it at the next PMQ'sAlternatively you can email the Crown Prosecution Service asking them to take action.
Here's a website that even does most of the work for you in contacting your MP.http://www.writetothem.com/Or the CPS email address:complaints@cps.gsi.gov.uk
HOOK SPOOKED
EXCLUSIVE MI5 are spying on me in my cell, rants jailed cleric They're planning to recruit inmate to assassinate me It will look like an accident..they just want me dead .By Justin Penrose Crime Correspondent '
JAILED Muslim extremist Abu Hamza is convinced MI5 will kill him in prison. Hook-handed Hamza believes intelligence chiefs want him out of the way and will recruit another inmate to make sure an "accident" happens to him.
Prison sources say Hamza is becoming increasingly paranoid, claiming his cell at Belmarsh High-Security jail in South-East London has been bugged and that MI5 have recruited spies to keep a watch on him.
And he is often heard ranting and raving to himself in his cell since he was jailed for seven years last month for urging his fanatical followers to carry out murders on behalf of Islam.
A prison source said: "He has become increasingly paranoid since he was sentenced at the Old Bailey.
"He thinks the whole world is out to get him and is convinced that he is going to be murdered in jail.
"He keeps on complaining that his cell has been bugged and that he is being spied on.
"Of course, it's all in Hamza's mind, but he is becoming more and more irrational."
Yet the old arrogance of Hamza, the former imam of North London's notorious Finsbury Park Mosque, often comes to the surface.
When a fellow prisoner asked Hamza if his family liked sponging off the State by living on benefits he threatened to put a fatwa (death sentence) on his head and called him "British scum".
While Hamza is serving his sentence his wife Nagat and their eight children still live in a £550,000 house provided by the council in Shepherd's Bush, West London, and collect £680 a week in benefits.
"Hamza has been extremely volatile lately," the Belmarsh source said. "He keeps preaching about World War III and how this time it will be between the West and Muslims.
"He says that Muslims will wipe out Christians and Jews alike."
Hamza, 47, is also refusing to work at the top-security jail, claiming that cooking, cleaning and laundry are "peasant jobs".
If he continues to refuse to do the work he is given, he could be charged with a discipline offence and be punished by a loss of privileges.
Hamza has also insisted that he should be allowed to wear his own robes and not a prison uniform.
And he does not want non-Muslims touching his food or laundry.
He has also asked prison chiefs if he can form his own Muslim prayer group.
The source added: "Some of Hamza's demands are utterly ridiculous. He's got this idea in his head that he is some big fish. It's as if he thinks he's some kind of celebrity prisoner who can get what he wants."
Hamza was found guilty of 11 of the 15 charges against him at the Old Bailey, where the jury heard of his links with global terrorism.
An arsenal of weapons and terrorist material was found in a raid on the Finsbury Park mosque. It is believed to have been used in terrorist training camps in Britain.
One terrorist manual uncovered by the police advocated bombing Western landmarks such as Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower and the Statue of Liberty.
Sentencing Hamza, Mr Justice Hughes said his words created a "real danger" for people around the world.
Hamza now faces extradition to the US on a string of terror charges although he still declares himself a "prisoner of faith" and a martyr.
justin.penrose@sundaymirror.co.uk
Man guilty of trying to kill five
why will the b.b.c not say this guys a muslim
A paranoid schizophrenic has been found guilty of attempting to kill five people during a stabbing rampage.
Ismail Dogan, 30, of Tottenham, north London, had already admitted the manslaughter of Ernest Meads on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
He denied five attempted murder charges because his lawyers claimed his ill health meant he could not form intent.
An Old Bailey judge committed Dogan to Broadmoor Special Hospital indefinitely over the attacks in December 2004.
Passing sentence, the Common Serjeant of London Brian Barker told Dogan: "I am not in a position to apportion blame, but it is the greatest sadness you stopped taking your medication and the warnings were not quickly heeded."
The court heard during the trial that Dogan's mother had asked for her family doctor to visit their home.
This court has illustrated that there are a number of outstanding questions regarding the level of care and treatment that Mr Dogan received Victoria Cann Victim
The defendant had stopped taking his medication and in the run-up to the attacks had begun talking to himself and behaving oddly.
But the doctor refused, saying Dogan should visit the surgery.
At an earlier hearing Dogan admitted stabbing Mr Meads, 58, a father-of two, seven times, in Meridian Way, Edmonton.
The other five attacks took place within a six-mile radius between 0800 GMT and 0900 GMT on 23 December 2004.
Inquiry call
After the verdict, two of Dogan's victims, Roger Levy, 49, and Victoria Cann, 30, said they felt no resentment towards their attacker.
They and another victim David Symes, 31, said in statements that their thoughts were with the families of Mr Meads and the defendant.
Ms Cann and Mr Symes called for an inquiry into how the attacks were able to take place.
Ms Cann said: "What happened to me and five other people on 23rd December 2004 was very shocking and it has certainly changed my life forever.
"What I think this court has illustrated is that there are a number of outstanding questions regarding the level of care and treatment that Mr Dogan and his family received in the run-up to these events."
Dogan also attacked Raymond Day, 76, and Jeffrey Arthur, 50.
The local mental health trust said it would carry out a review of the case.
A paranoid schizophrenic has been found guilty of attempting to kill five people during a stabbing rampage.
Ismail Dogan, 30, of Tottenham, north London, had already admitted the manslaughter of Ernest Meads on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
He denied five attempted murder charges because his lawyers claimed his ill health meant he could not form intent.
An Old Bailey judge committed Dogan to Broadmoor Special Hospital indefinitely over the attacks in December 2004.
Passing sentence, the Common Serjeant of London Brian Barker told Dogan: "I am not in a position to apportion blame, but it is the greatest sadness you stopped taking your medication and the warnings were not quickly heeded."
The court heard during the trial that Dogan's mother had asked for her family doctor to visit their home.
This court has illustrated that there are a number of outstanding questions regarding the level of care and treatment that Mr Dogan received Victoria Cann Victim
The defendant had stopped taking his medication and in the run-up to the attacks had begun talking to himself and behaving oddly.
But the doctor refused, saying Dogan should visit the surgery.
At an earlier hearing Dogan admitted stabbing Mr Meads, 58, a father-of two, seven times, in Meridian Way, Edmonton.
The other five attacks took place within a six-mile radius between 0800 GMT and 0900 GMT on 23 December 2004.
Inquiry call
After the verdict, two of Dogan's victims, Roger Levy, 49, and Victoria Cann, 30, said they felt no resentment towards their attacker.
They and another victim David Symes, 31, said in statements that their thoughts were with the families of Mr Meads and the defendant.
Ms Cann and Mr Symes called for an inquiry into how the attacks were able to take place.
Ms Cann said: "What happened to me and five other people on 23rd December 2004 was very shocking and it has certainly changed my life forever.
"What I think this court has illustrated is that there are a number of outstanding questions regarding the level of care and treatment that Mr Dogan and his family received in the run-up to these events."
Dogan also attacked Raymond Day, 76, and Jeffrey Arthur, 50.
The local mental health trust said it would carry out a review of the case.
Eurofighter 'terror target'
COPS have launched a major inquiry amid fears that Britain’s new £50million Eurofighter has become a target for terrorists.
Special Branch officers swooped after book pages in ARABIC and a pair of BOLT CUTTERS were found close to the plant where the warplane is built.
A member of the public raised the alarm when an empty boat was seen floating on a river adjacent to the BAE Systems factory. It contained the bolt cutters.
A makeshift campsite was then discovered on the river bank.
Police were drafted in and a search uncovered the Arabic pages.
Anti-terror officers were alerted and searched for more clues on marshland around the aerospace site.
Locals said two tents had been put up on land alongside the Eurofighter Typhoon factory in Warton, Lancs — an area where camping is forbidden. But the tents had been removed before the anti-terror police arrived.
Last night a source at the factory, which employs 10,000 people, said: "It sounds like something straight out of a thriller. It’s very bizarre and pretty worrying."
A Lancashire Police spokesman said: "Inquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident." SAS hero and Sun security adviser Andy McNab said last night: "For terrorists who want to cause as much embarrassment to our armed forces as possible the Typhoon is a cream target.
"The PR value of bringing down one of these would be huge. It would be a massive coup."
The Typhoons are due to enter service next month. The plane is one of the most sophisticated ever designed and Britain has already ordered 144.
Although parts are made across Europe, the fighters are assembled by BAE Systems.
Last night a spokesman for the company said: "We understand there is a police investigation into this incident.
"BAE security is under constant review."
Special Branch officers swooped after book pages in ARABIC and a pair of BOLT CUTTERS were found close to the plant where the warplane is built.
A member of the public raised the alarm when an empty boat was seen floating on a river adjacent to the BAE Systems factory. It contained the bolt cutters.
A makeshift campsite was then discovered on the river bank.
Police were drafted in and a search uncovered the Arabic pages.
Anti-terror officers were alerted and searched for more clues on marshland around the aerospace site.
Locals said two tents had been put up on land alongside the Eurofighter Typhoon factory in Warton, Lancs — an area where camping is forbidden. But the tents had been removed before the anti-terror police arrived.
Last night a source at the factory, which employs 10,000 people, said: "It sounds like something straight out of a thriller. It’s very bizarre and pretty worrying."
A Lancashire Police spokesman said: "Inquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident." SAS hero and Sun security adviser Andy McNab said last night: "For terrorists who want to cause as much embarrassment to our armed forces as possible the Typhoon is a cream target.
"The PR value of bringing down one of these would be huge. It would be a massive coup."
The Typhoons are due to enter service next month. The plane is one of the most sophisticated ever designed and Britain has already ordered 144.
Although parts are made across Europe, the fighters are assembled by BAE Systems.
Last night a spokesman for the company said: "We understand there is a police investigation into this incident.
"BAE security is under constant review."
Blaming the British
From cabbies to shahs, most Iranians believe political events can be traced back to English interference, writes Robert Tait
Watching his fellow countrymen observe the annual Shia Islamic mourning ceremony of Ashura, the disaffected Tehran taxi driver voiced a wish to convert to Christianity that may not have been as sincere as it was incongruous. But whatever his true ecclesiastical leanings, his beliefs about the source of the religious tyranny that so irked him about Iran were real.
"It is England that has imposed these mullahs on us," the cabbie mused, resisting all protestations at the notion's absurdity.
The idea that the Islamic revolution was a plot hatched in Whitehall, and that its spiritual leader, the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, was some sort of heavily disguised 007 in the secret service of Her Majesty's government does indeed seem weird. But not to many Iranians.
Suggestions that the convulsive events of 1979, which ushered in the Islamic republic, were manipulated and orchestrated by the British are widely accepted here as a given. It is a belief held, even before his reign was swept to oblivion in a revolutionary tidal wave, by the last shah, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi.
Resentful that the British had deposed his pro-German father during the second world war, the shah commissioned a television drama, My Uncle Napoleon, whose main character's catchphrase was: "The British are behind everything". The shah echoed this mantra during his reign's last desperate days, telling the American ambassador, William Sullivan, that he "detected the hand of the English" behind the street demonstrations raging against him. Sullivan surmised that the teetering monarch had lost his mind and, with it, the will to survive.
But the shah was reflecting a broader mindset. The sun may have long set on British imperial might but in Iran it has been replaced by an enduring mirage of dominance which still shines brightly. If the rest of the world has become accustomed to the American hegemonic age, to Iranians Inglestan still wields the true power, albeit stealthily. Behind events great and small, they are ready to perceive the sleight of a hidden British hand. Belief in the "old coloniser's" diabolic powers unites Iranians in a way matched by no other issue, including the Islamic regime's pursuit of nuclear technology.
The regime's staunchest supporters cling to this belief with equal tenacity. Demonstrations by student Basij (Islamic volunteers) outside the British embassy in Tehran occur with bewildering regularity. The most recent railed against Britain's alleged responsibility for last week's destruction of the Shia shrine in Samarra, Iraq.
More generally, the Iranian authorities blame Britain for a wave of bombings that has killed more than 20 people in the southern city of Ahvaz over the past year.
It can be a bit of a jolt to Britons reconciled to their country's reduced global status to be instructed by Iranians of no particular ideological persuasion to "tell your government to leave us alone". It came as such to no less than Jack Straw. Having invested much energy and political capital cultivating a relationship aimed at breaking the ongoing nuclear imbroglio, the foreign secretary was said to be dumbfounded to discover the standard Iranian belief in his government's almost supernatural powers. He shouldn't have been.
For the all-consuming suspicion of British motives is rooted not simply in outlandish superstition, but in solid historical fact. Iran is hardly the only country where imperial Britain has form, but in few places are the memories - or wounds - so raw.
Top of the Iranian grudge list is the 1953 coup that toppled the nationalist prime minister, Mohammed Mossadeq, and cemented the rule of the shah. The coup was executed largely by the CIA but its genesis lay with the British secret services.
The British had been infuriated by Mossadeq's nationalisation of the Anglo-Iranian oil company, a move prompted by widespread anger at its refusal to share a fairer proportion of its profits (vital to Britain's tax revenues) with Iran.
Having taken the matter to the UN security council and lost, Churchill's government persuaded the Eisenhower administration, then paranoid about the spread of communism, that Mossadeq was a dangerous radical who should be toppled. The resulting chicanery destabilised Iranian politics for the next generation and resonates to this day.
But it is just one among many historical grievances. Britain's dubious distinction is to have alienated just about every identifiable group in Iran. During the 19th century, Iran was a pawn in the Great Game played out between Britain and Russia for power and influence in central Asia.
The ruling Qajar dynasty of the time was bullied into a host of humiliating territorial and economic concessions to each side. The abuses continued into the 20th century and extended to interference in Iranian internal politics.
"Historically, people believe Britain engineered the coup which brought to power Reza Khan, who became Reza Shah [the last shah's father]," said Mohammed Hossein Adeli, until recently Iran's ambassador to Britain.
"His ruthless rule made people blame the British for interference in Iranian affairs. Later, the British deposed Reza Shah. As a result the shah's royal family and the elite affiliated to them were alienated. This united the people and the elite, both of whom became very suspicious of the British."
British policy makers should be sobered to learn that the one thing that unites Iranians is us. If, one day, the taxi driver gets his wish and the rule of the mullahs should end, there is no doubt who will get the credit - or the blame
Watching his fellow countrymen observe the annual Shia Islamic mourning ceremony of Ashura, the disaffected Tehran taxi driver voiced a wish to convert to Christianity that may not have been as sincere as it was incongruous. But whatever his true ecclesiastical leanings, his beliefs about the source of the religious tyranny that so irked him about Iran were real.
"It is England that has imposed these mullahs on us," the cabbie mused, resisting all protestations at the notion's absurdity.
The idea that the Islamic revolution was a plot hatched in Whitehall, and that its spiritual leader, the late Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, was some sort of heavily disguised 007 in the secret service of Her Majesty's government does indeed seem weird. But not to many Iranians.
Suggestions that the convulsive events of 1979, which ushered in the Islamic republic, were manipulated and orchestrated by the British are widely accepted here as a given. It is a belief held, even before his reign was swept to oblivion in a revolutionary tidal wave, by the last shah, Mohammed Reza Pahlavi.
Resentful that the British had deposed his pro-German father during the second world war, the shah commissioned a television drama, My Uncle Napoleon, whose main character's catchphrase was: "The British are behind everything". The shah echoed this mantra during his reign's last desperate days, telling the American ambassador, William Sullivan, that he "detected the hand of the English" behind the street demonstrations raging against him. Sullivan surmised that the teetering monarch had lost his mind and, with it, the will to survive.
But the shah was reflecting a broader mindset. The sun may have long set on British imperial might but in Iran it has been replaced by an enduring mirage of dominance which still shines brightly. If the rest of the world has become accustomed to the American hegemonic age, to Iranians Inglestan still wields the true power, albeit stealthily. Behind events great and small, they are ready to perceive the sleight of a hidden British hand. Belief in the "old coloniser's" diabolic powers unites Iranians in a way matched by no other issue, including the Islamic regime's pursuit of nuclear technology.
The regime's staunchest supporters cling to this belief with equal tenacity. Demonstrations by student Basij (Islamic volunteers) outside the British embassy in Tehran occur with bewildering regularity. The most recent railed against Britain's alleged responsibility for last week's destruction of the Shia shrine in Samarra, Iraq.
More generally, the Iranian authorities blame Britain for a wave of bombings that has killed more than 20 people in the southern city of Ahvaz over the past year.
It can be a bit of a jolt to Britons reconciled to their country's reduced global status to be instructed by Iranians of no particular ideological persuasion to "tell your government to leave us alone". It came as such to no less than Jack Straw. Having invested much energy and political capital cultivating a relationship aimed at breaking the ongoing nuclear imbroglio, the foreign secretary was said to be dumbfounded to discover the standard Iranian belief in his government's almost supernatural powers. He shouldn't have been.
For the all-consuming suspicion of British motives is rooted not simply in outlandish superstition, but in solid historical fact. Iran is hardly the only country where imperial Britain has form, but in few places are the memories - or wounds - so raw.
Top of the Iranian grudge list is the 1953 coup that toppled the nationalist prime minister, Mohammed Mossadeq, and cemented the rule of the shah. The coup was executed largely by the CIA but its genesis lay with the British secret services.
The British had been infuriated by Mossadeq's nationalisation of the Anglo-Iranian oil company, a move prompted by widespread anger at its refusal to share a fairer proportion of its profits (vital to Britain's tax revenues) with Iran.
Having taken the matter to the UN security council and lost, Churchill's government persuaded the Eisenhower administration, then paranoid about the spread of communism, that Mossadeq was a dangerous radical who should be toppled. The resulting chicanery destabilised Iranian politics for the next generation and resonates to this day.
But it is just one among many historical grievances. Britain's dubious distinction is to have alienated just about every identifiable group in Iran. During the 19th century, Iran was a pawn in the Great Game played out between Britain and Russia for power and influence in central Asia.
The ruling Qajar dynasty of the time was bullied into a host of humiliating territorial and economic concessions to each side. The abuses continued into the 20th century and extended to interference in Iranian internal politics.
"Historically, people believe Britain engineered the coup which brought to power Reza Khan, who became Reza Shah [the last shah's father]," said Mohammed Hossein Adeli, until recently Iran's ambassador to Britain.
"His ruthless rule made people blame the British for interference in Iranian affairs. Later, the British deposed Reza Shah. As a result the shah's royal family and the elite affiliated to them were alienated. This united the people and the elite, both of whom became very suspicious of the British."
British policy makers should be sobered to learn that the one thing that unites Iranians is us. If, one day, the taxi driver gets his wish and the rule of the mullahs should end, there is no doubt who will get the credit - or the blame
US want jailed cleric Hamza
United States prosecutors told an extradition hearing that they want to put race hate preacher Abu Hamza on trial for terrorism before he completes his UK jail term.
That would mean the hook-handed cleric could become one of the first Britons to be extradited to a foreign court mid-sentence, it was later learned.
But they must now wait until he has used up every possible line of appeal against his convictions for incitement to murder and stirring up racial hatred.
Hamza, 47, is just weeks into a seven-year prison term after an Old Bailey jury found him guilty of 11 offences last month.
The conviction followed his arrest in 2004, just months after the US authorities began moves to extradite him to face terrorism charges.
The arrest put those proceedings, which accused him of being part of a worldwide conspiracy to wage war on the West, on hold.
Senior US lawyers also accused him of providing support to terrorists and foreign terrorist organisations, specifically Al Qaida.
A further charge alleges he took part in a conspiracy to take hostages in connection with an attack in Yemen in December of 1998.
It has now emerged that Hamza could face the charges in an American court much sooner than expected, after an appeal against his UK conviction is dealt with. After that trial, he would return to the UK to complete his jail term before being extradited once again, if found guilty, to serve any penalty imposed by a US judge.
The maximum sentence for hostage-taking in the US is life imprisonment, while the other charges have maximum penalties of 100 years in prison each
That would mean the hook-handed cleric could become one of the first Britons to be extradited to a foreign court mid-sentence, it was later learned.
But they must now wait until he has used up every possible line of appeal against his convictions for incitement to murder and stirring up racial hatred.
Hamza, 47, is just weeks into a seven-year prison term after an Old Bailey jury found him guilty of 11 offences last month.
The conviction followed his arrest in 2004, just months after the US authorities began moves to extradite him to face terrorism charges.
The arrest put those proceedings, which accused him of being part of a worldwide conspiracy to wage war on the West, on hold.
Senior US lawyers also accused him of providing support to terrorists and foreign terrorist organisations, specifically Al Qaida.
A further charge alleges he took part in a conspiracy to take hostages in connection with an attack in Yemen in December of 1998.
It has now emerged that Hamza could face the charges in an American court much sooner than expected, after an appeal against his UK conviction is dealt with. After that trial, he would return to the UK to complete his jail term before being extradited once again, if found guilty, to serve any penalty imposed by a US judge.
The maximum sentence for hostage-taking in the US is life imprisonment, while the other charges have maximum penalties of 100 years in prison each
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Fury at Short's hate date
FORMER Cabinet Minister Clare Short will provoke outrage today by meeting Muslim fanatics in the House of Commons.
She has invited the radical group Hizb Ut-Tahrir — which Tony Blair wants banned from Britain — to speak to MPs.
They say democracy is unacceptable and spout anti-women, anti-gay and anti-Jew bile.
Their spokesman has declared there is "no possibility of harmonious co-existence between Islam and the West. Ultimately, one has to prevail."
Last night Khalid Mahmood, Labour MP for Birmingham Perry Barr, hit out at Miss Short, his neighbouring MP.
He said: "By agreeing to host this meeting, she will cause utter dismay in the Muslim community.
"The hurt will be felt among mainstream Muslims — she should listen to them, not this very worrying group."
And Mr Mahmood revealed some of his constituents complained about the "brainwashing" activities of the group.
He said: "These people manage to get at young people. I have spoken to parents who say they ‘lost’ their sons and daughters as a result."
Omar Khan Sharif, who was found drowned after failing to bomb a bar in Tel Aviv in 2003, had Hizb Ut-Tahrir literature at his home in Derby.
The group is banned in Germany and Denmark. In 2003 Russia banned it after leaders were arrested with explosives, grenades and detonators.
After the terror attacks in London last July the PM promised to ban the group in Britain.
watch video.
update....
Short urged to cancel radical Muslim forum
Clare Short was today urged to cancel a Westminster meeting she organised tonight to allow MPs to hear Hizb ut-Tahrir argue why they should not be banned under forthcoming terror legislation.
The extremist Muslim group, which has previously put out literature calling for Jews to be killed, is already prohibited in Germany and the Netherlands, and is expected to be added to a list of proscribed organisations when the government's current terror bill comes into law.
Ms Short, a former cabinet minister and MP for Birmingham Sparkbrook, has invited Hizb ut-Tahrir to the Commons tonight to put their case to MPs.
But today the homosexual human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said the group was "no more fit to be hosted in the House of Commons than the BNP".
Saying he had received death threats from the group in the 90s for being gay, he accused the organisation of hiding its true nature since the threat of the ban.
In an open letter to Ms Short, Mr Tatchell wrote: "you are hosting a meeting of the misogynistic, homophobic and anti-semitic Muslim fundamentalist group, Hizb ut-Tahrir, at the House of Commons on Wednesday 1 March."
"Perhaps you are not aware of the true nature of this group, and its anti-democratic and anti-humanitarian goals?"
He had suffered death threats from members of the group in the early-to-mid 90s, he said.
"Since this thuggery was exposed, Hizb ut-Tahrir has sought to project a less extreme public image.
"But I have no doubt that many of its members continue to hold, in private, violent homophobic and misogynistic views ... Hizb ut-Tahrir is no more fit to be hosted at the House of Commons than the BNP." He urged her to host a meeting of liberal, progressive Muslisms instead.
That criticism was echoed by fellow Birmingham MP Khalid Mahmood. He told the Sun newspaper: "By agreeing to host this meeting, she will cause utter dismay in the Muslim community.
"The hurt will be felt among mainstream Muslims - she should listen to them, not this very worrying group."
And Mr Mahmood revealed some of his constituents complained about the "brainwashing" activities of the group.
There was no immediate response from Ms Short's office, but in a letter to colleagues she said the organisation "explicitly rejects the use of violence.
"Hizb ut-Tahrir have been approaching parliamentarians to explain who they are and what they believe.
"Following such a meeting in my constituency, I volunteered to facilitate a meeting at the House of Commons so parliamentarians can decide for themselves whether the organisation should be banned."
update
Three British Islamists jailed for four years in Egypt over membership of a banned group have left for home after being questioned at Heathrow.Hizb ut-Tahrir members Ian Nisbet and Reza Pankhurst, from London, and Maajid Nawaz from Essex, were granted early release from their five-year sentences.Special Branch officers held them under terror laws for four hours after they landed at the London airport 12.52 GMT.The men say they have been repeatedly tortured for their political beliefs.
Here we go again, allowing people into this counrty who's aim is to destroy it.In an earlier post, I posted Hizb ut-Tahrirs' aims and how they had been invited into the House of Commons by MP Claire Short(of brains), it would appear that this lot have come back just in time for that party.Joking aside, these people have claimed they were tortured, thier group is banned in Egyptand if there is anybody out there who may not know, Egypt is an Islamic country, torture and similar activities are routine in such countries, yet when Muslims are captured in war zonesand are removed to Guantanamo they all start yelling foul, we are being tortured, so it is ok for muslims to be the torturer as long as nobody does it to them- thats not allowed.The MP Dennis Amess was at the airport to greet these people and he said "there should have been Goverment representatives here to greet these people"(BBC Newscast 1/3/06)He wants terrorists to be greeted by members of the Government, is he nuts!.Ah well there are now three more Islamic nuts walking the streets of the UK, what can you say.
Gandalf
Freed Britons attack government
British men jailed in Egypt for being part of a banned Islamist group have accused the UK government of "brushing under the carpet" their torture claims.
Speaking days after their return, two of the three men said they were ashamed of Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Hizb ut-Tahrir (HT) members Ian Nisbet and Reza Pankhurst, from London, and Maajid Nawaz, from Essex, returned to the UK earlier in the week.
The UK government plans to ban HT, accusing it of terrorism links.
The trio were arrested in 2002 for attempting to revive Hizb ut-Tahrir, which translates as Party of Liberation. HT campaigns for majority Muslim countries to become a single Islamic state. It is outlawed in Egypt and in other areas of the Middle East and Asia.
The organisation is legal and active in the UK, but may be banned after the current anti-terrorism legislation passed through Parliament.
Mr Nawaz had originally travelled to Egypt as part of a compulsory year abroad as part of his university degree. Mr Nesbit was in the country to improve his Arabic, having already converted to Islam.
'Betrayed'
Speaking to the media Mr Nawaz, 30, and Mr Nesbit, 31, said they had been pawns in a wider political strategy by the British government to "curry favour" with Middle East regimes. They claimed they received no visits from British officials for the first three months of their detention.
"I feel personally betrayed by the prime minister and back-handed discussions [between the UK and Egypt]," said Mr Nawaz.
"No words can describe how I feel. I was not treated like a citizen of this country, even though I was born in Essex.
"I'm a law-abiding citizen and could not believe that Tony Blair was taking these holidays [in Egypt] while turning a blind eye to us in prison. It's the ultimate betrayal."
"I feel that we were a problem that was brushed under the carpet because of deals [the UK] wanted to do with these governments [Middle East states]."
Mr Nawaz alleged that Mr Pankhurst, not present at the press conference, had been electrocuted by Egyptian interrogators during their imprisonment.
Both he and Mr Nesbit had been subjected to extremely painful methods of restraint, he claimed, along with beatings, sleep deprivation and other forms of humiliation.
In August 2005, following the London bombings, Prime Minister Tony Blair said the government would ban HT, something which may happen once the current anti-terrorism legislation is passed by Parliament.
But the organisation has been lobbying MPs to back its cause, saying it is avowedly non-violent and has no association with terrorists.
Furthermore, it says it does not call for Islamic law in Britain because the UK is not an Islamic state.
Mr Nawaz said that while he wanted to rebuild his family life, his experience had strengthened both his faith and belief in political change for Muslim nations.
"I have become more convinced of the ideas that I went into prison with," he said. "After so many years of seeing the violence and torture [of the Egyptian authorities] I am convinced there is an alternative."
Mr Nesbit added that having returned home to learn of the plans to ban HT, he was concerned he could be imprisoned a second time for his beliefs. He stressed however that he just wanted to "hibernate until I feel alive again"
"I have not yet adjusted to being back, it is going to take time," he said. "We have to rebuild our lives, rebuild our families, it is not something I can describe."
Responding to the claims, a spokesman for the Foreign Office said: "We take any allegations of mistreatment extremely seriously and our concerns about these claims have been made at all levels including by Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.
"We have pressed for a full investigation into the men's allegations and the Egyptian government can be in no doubt as to the seriousness with which the allegations are taken in the UK."
Q&A: Hizb ut-Tahrir
She has invited the radical group Hizb Ut-Tahrir — which Tony Blair wants banned from Britain — to speak to MPs.
They say democracy is unacceptable and spout anti-women, anti-gay and anti-Jew bile.
Their spokesman has declared there is "no possibility of harmonious co-existence between Islam and the West. Ultimately, one has to prevail."
Last night Khalid Mahmood, Labour MP for Birmingham Perry Barr, hit out at Miss Short, his neighbouring MP.
He said: "By agreeing to host this meeting, she will cause utter dismay in the Muslim community.
"The hurt will be felt among mainstream Muslims — she should listen to them, not this very worrying group."
And Mr Mahmood revealed some of his constituents complained about the "brainwashing" activities of the group.
He said: "These people manage to get at young people. I have spoken to parents who say they ‘lost’ their sons and daughters as a result."
Omar Khan Sharif, who was found drowned after failing to bomb a bar in Tel Aviv in 2003, had Hizb Ut-Tahrir literature at his home in Derby.
The group is banned in Germany and Denmark. In 2003 Russia banned it after leaders were arrested with explosives, grenades and detonators.
After the terror attacks in London last July the PM promised to ban the group in Britain.
watch video.
update....
Short urged to cancel radical Muslim forum
Clare Short was today urged to cancel a Westminster meeting she organised tonight to allow MPs to hear Hizb ut-Tahrir argue why they should not be banned under forthcoming terror legislation.
The extremist Muslim group, which has previously put out literature calling for Jews to be killed, is already prohibited in Germany and the Netherlands, and is expected to be added to a list of proscribed organisations when the government's current terror bill comes into law.
Ms Short, a former cabinet minister and MP for Birmingham Sparkbrook, has invited Hizb ut-Tahrir to the Commons tonight to put their case to MPs.
But today the homosexual human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said the group was "no more fit to be hosted in the House of Commons than the BNP".
Saying he had received death threats from the group in the 90s for being gay, he accused the organisation of hiding its true nature since the threat of the ban.
In an open letter to Ms Short, Mr Tatchell wrote: "you are hosting a meeting of the misogynistic, homophobic and anti-semitic Muslim fundamentalist group, Hizb ut-Tahrir, at the House of Commons on Wednesday 1 March."
"Perhaps you are not aware of the true nature of this group, and its anti-democratic and anti-humanitarian goals?"
He had suffered death threats from members of the group in the early-to-mid 90s, he said.
"Since this thuggery was exposed, Hizb ut-Tahrir has sought to project a less extreme public image.
"But I have no doubt that many of its members continue to hold, in private, violent homophobic and misogynistic views ... Hizb ut-Tahrir is no more fit to be hosted at the House of Commons than the BNP." He urged her to host a meeting of liberal, progressive Muslisms instead.
That criticism was echoed by fellow Birmingham MP Khalid Mahmood. He told the Sun newspaper: "By agreeing to host this meeting, she will cause utter dismay in the Muslim community.
"The hurt will be felt among mainstream Muslims - she should listen to them, not this very worrying group."
And Mr Mahmood revealed some of his constituents complained about the "brainwashing" activities of the group.
There was no immediate response from Ms Short's office, but in a letter to colleagues she said the organisation "explicitly rejects the use of violence.
"Hizb ut-Tahrir have been approaching parliamentarians to explain who they are and what they believe.
"Following such a meeting in my constituency, I volunteered to facilitate a meeting at the House of Commons so parliamentarians can decide for themselves whether the organisation should be banned."
update
Three British Islamists jailed for four years in Egypt over membership of a banned group have left for home after being questioned at Heathrow.Hizb ut-Tahrir members Ian Nisbet and Reza Pankhurst, from London, and Maajid Nawaz from Essex, were granted early release from their five-year sentences.Special Branch officers held them under terror laws for four hours after they landed at the London airport 12.52 GMT.The men say they have been repeatedly tortured for their political beliefs.
Here we go again, allowing people into this counrty who's aim is to destroy it.In an earlier post, I posted Hizb ut-Tahrirs' aims and how they had been invited into the House of Commons by MP Claire Short(of brains), it would appear that this lot have come back just in time for that party.Joking aside, these people have claimed they were tortured, thier group is banned in Egyptand if there is anybody out there who may not know, Egypt is an Islamic country, torture and similar activities are routine in such countries, yet when Muslims are captured in war zonesand are removed to Guantanamo they all start yelling foul, we are being tortured, so it is ok for muslims to be the torturer as long as nobody does it to them- thats not allowed.The MP Dennis Amess was at the airport to greet these people and he said "there should have been Goverment representatives here to greet these people"(BBC Newscast 1/3/06)He wants terrorists to be greeted by members of the Government, is he nuts!.Ah well there are now three more Islamic nuts walking the streets of the UK, what can you say.
Gandalf
Freed Britons attack government
British men jailed in Egypt for being part of a banned Islamist group have accused the UK government of "brushing under the carpet" their torture claims.
Speaking days after their return, two of the three men said they were ashamed of Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Hizb ut-Tahrir (HT) members Ian Nisbet and Reza Pankhurst, from London, and Maajid Nawaz, from Essex, returned to the UK earlier in the week.
The UK government plans to ban HT, accusing it of terrorism links.
The trio were arrested in 2002 for attempting to revive Hizb ut-Tahrir, which translates as Party of Liberation. HT campaigns for majority Muslim countries to become a single Islamic state. It is outlawed in Egypt and in other areas of the Middle East and Asia.
The organisation is legal and active in the UK, but may be banned after the current anti-terrorism legislation passed through Parliament.
Mr Nawaz had originally travelled to Egypt as part of a compulsory year abroad as part of his university degree. Mr Nesbit was in the country to improve his Arabic, having already converted to Islam.
'Betrayed'
Speaking to the media Mr Nawaz, 30, and Mr Nesbit, 31, said they had been pawns in a wider political strategy by the British government to "curry favour" with Middle East regimes. They claimed they received no visits from British officials for the first three months of their detention.
"I feel personally betrayed by the prime minister and back-handed discussions [between the UK and Egypt]," said Mr Nawaz.
"No words can describe how I feel. I was not treated like a citizen of this country, even though I was born in Essex.
"I'm a law-abiding citizen and could not believe that Tony Blair was taking these holidays [in Egypt] while turning a blind eye to us in prison. It's the ultimate betrayal."
"I feel that we were a problem that was brushed under the carpet because of deals [the UK] wanted to do with these governments [Middle East states]."
Mr Nawaz alleged that Mr Pankhurst, not present at the press conference, had been electrocuted by Egyptian interrogators during their imprisonment.
Both he and Mr Nesbit had been subjected to extremely painful methods of restraint, he claimed, along with beatings, sleep deprivation and other forms of humiliation.
In August 2005, following the London bombings, Prime Minister Tony Blair said the government would ban HT, something which may happen once the current anti-terrorism legislation is passed by Parliament.
But the organisation has been lobbying MPs to back its cause, saying it is avowedly non-violent and has no association with terrorists.
Furthermore, it says it does not call for Islamic law in Britain because the UK is not an Islamic state.
Mr Nawaz said that while he wanted to rebuild his family life, his experience had strengthened both his faith and belief in political change for Muslim nations.
"I have become more convinced of the ideas that I went into prison with," he said. "After so many years of seeing the violence and torture [of the Egyptian authorities] I am convinced there is an alternative."
Mr Nesbit added that having returned home to learn of the plans to ban HT, he was concerned he could be imprisoned a second time for his beliefs. He stressed however that he just wanted to "hibernate until I feel alive again"
"I have not yet adjusted to being back, it is going to take time," he said. "We have to rebuild our lives, rebuild our families, it is not something I can describe."
Responding to the claims, a spokesman for the Foreign Office said: "We take any allegations of mistreatment extremely seriously and our concerns about these claims have been made at all levels including by Foreign Secretary Jack Straw.
"We have pressed for a full investigation into the men's allegations and the Egyptian government can be in no doubt as to the seriousness with which the allegations are taken in the UK."
Q&A: Hizb ut-Tahrir
Prime Minister Tony Blair has announced plans to ban the Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir, in a crackdown on in the wake of the 7 July bomb attacks. So, is it a security threat and would a ban be effective?
What is Hizb ut-Tahrir?
Hizb ut-Tahrir (HT) which translates as the "party of liberation" is a radical political organisation which has members in the Muslim world and in countries with a significant Muslims population. It was formed just over 50 years ago in Jerusalem by an Islamic jurist, Taqiuddin an-Nabhani.
It has been most active in central Asia and it has been banned in many countries, although it's fair to say that in some of the countries concerned other political movements have also faced bans for challenging regimes or dictatorships.
It's difficult to know how many members an international organisation like HT has. In the UK the membership is thought to be relatively small by political party standards, but certainly well organised, particularly among students who have been attracted to its ranks. Where it is banned in central Asian states, its members are thought to number in their thousands and meet in secret small groups to minimise the likelihood of detection.
What does it believe?
In short, HT wants to establish an Islamic state across the Middle East - something known as a "Caliphate". The organisation regards the Caliphate as the ideal form of government which emerged from Islam 1,400 years ago because it is government according to the laws of God, as set out in the Koran, rather than by laws designed by man.
The organisation believes that the system practised by the Prophet Mohammad during the first years of Islam is applicable to all of the Muslim "ummah" or global community. HT regards Islam as an entire system for life - in other words there should be no western-style separation between religion and politics.
So where does it stand on democracy?
It totally opposes it, saying that participating in a western-style democracy is incompatible with the goal of establishing an Islamic state. It does say, however, that such an Islamic state would include provisions for voting in an Islamic context.
So what does that mean for integration?
In one article in the party's magazine, a writer said that "Islam will naturally be at odds with, or even in conflict with, every other civilisation or ideology". He goes one: "The champions of the integrationist movement ¿ tend to be weaker-minded Muslims who simply compromise their ways due to what they deem as necessity."
This contrasts sharply with the views of leading Islamic scholars in Britain who argue that there is nothing incompatible between Islam and the West.
Has it got a violent agenda? Some people think so.
HT insists not. It says that it does not advocate violence and is not a "conveyor belt" towards terrorism.
However, HT's worldview is shared by many other radical Islamist organisations, some of whom believe that violence is an answer. Some central Asian states have taken the view that HT is extremely dangerous and even if the organisation is not specifically engaging in violence, some of its members may end up taking that route.
Three British HT members were jailed in Egypt last year, where the organisation is banned, after being accused of plotting to overthrow the state. The men and their families vehemently deny the charges, saying they have been tortured and forced to sign false confessions.
Germany banned the organisation shortly after 9/11 after naming it as a radical Islamist movement which sought the destruction of Israel? Authorities in Denmark have previous expressed similar concerns.
So is it anti-Semitic?
Again, HT insists not. However, its views on Israel are considered by opponents to be offensive. It says that Israel was formed by taking other people's land by force. Therefore, HT says that Islam is "in conflict with Israelis - not in their capacity as Jews who historically lived alongside Muslims in peace and security for centuries - but in their capacity as occupiers and aggressors." The World Jewish Congress has accused HT of aggressively propagating anti-Semitic ideas, saying that it trades language, insults and accusations against Jews seen in other Islamist literature.
Will a ban work?
One fear, particularly among some Muslim leaders, is that a ban will be counter-productive. Many mainstream leaders have already voiced concerns over the proposals - the fear being that it would drive radical groups underground and encourage those who wish to radicalise them further. Secondly, HT is relatively open as radical organisations go.
The National Union of Students has banned it among universities - but its members can often be found leafleting Muslims. They also hold fairly regular open meetings, demonstrations and conferences. Would a ban mean that the security services would find it harder to monitor such activity? And given the global nature of the internet, would HT's well-organised presence on the web be disrupted?
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