MI5 and anti-terrorist police are carrying out secret background checks on thousands of scientists amid fears that Al Qaeda is trying to infiltrate British research laboratories to obtain deadly viruses.
The vetting, which includes checks on family backgrounds, political views and associates, is part of a review of some 800 laboratories in hospitals, universities and private firms where staff have access to incurable viruses such as ebola.
Last night, Whitehall sources confirmed the crackdown by MI5 and the police's National Counter Terrorism Security Office.
A series of spot checks and detailed inspections are also being led by experts from the Health and Safety Executive.
Last week one of the HSE's top inspectors revealed details of its investigation, which until now has been highly secret.
Dr Paul Logan, of its Biological Agents Unit, told a Commons sub-committee on biosecurity: "We work very closely with the security services. We advise them on toxins and pathogens.
"They are looking at very different things at the moment in terms of vetting of staff, looking at physical security and how easy it is to break into premises and the wider security issues."
The HSE licences about 340 organisations to work with material, classified "Containment level 3", which can cause severe human disease, may be spread to the community - but can be treated.
It also oversees eight organisations allowed to work with substances classified "Containment level 4" - so-called "Doomsday viruses" which can spread quickly through the population but cannot be treated.
The number of operational laboratories varies enormously depending on what research is being carried out, but between 750 and 800 are now understood to be working with the deadly strains.
Fears about the level of security at Britain's biolabs has been fuelled by terrorist attacks using deadly poisons.
Five people died in America in late 2001 after letters containing anthrax spores were mailed to news groups and politicians. The crime remains unsolved.
And in 2003, suspected Al Qaeda terrorist Kamel Bourgass tried to create deadly ricin at a flat in Wood Green, North London.
Anti-terrorist officers who raided it found castor oil beans --the raw material for ricin - along with the equipment to produce the poison, plus recipes for cyanide and botulinum.
Algerian Bourgass went on the run and was cornered in Manchester, where he stabbed DC Stephen Oake to death as he tried to escape. He is now serving life.
There is also concern about the lack of checks previously carried out on university students studying biosciences in Britain.
"Dr Germ" Rihab Taha, who worked on Saddam Hussein's biological weapons programme, studied for her PhD in plant toxins at East Anglia University's School of Biological Sciences in Norwich.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Get off my bus, I need to pray
A MUSLIM bus driver told stunned passengers to get off so he could PRAY.
The white Islamic convert rolled out his prayer mat in the aisle and knelt on the floor facing Mecca.
Passengers watched in amazement as he held out his palms towards the sky, bowed his head and began to chant.
One, who filmed the man on his mobile phone, said: “He was clearly praying and chanting in Arabic.
“We thought it was a wind-up at first, like Jeremy Beadle.”
The 21-year-old plumber added: “He looked English and had a London accent. He looked like a Muslim convert, with a big, bushy beard.
After a few minutes the driver calmly got up, opened the doors and asked everyone back on board.
But they saw a rucksack lying on the floor of the red single-decker and feared he might be a fanatic. So they all refused.
The passenger added: “One chap said, ‘I’m not getting on there now’.
“An elderly couple also looked really confused and worried.
“After seeing that no-one wanted to get on he drove off and we all waited until the next bus came about 20 minutes later. I was left totally stunned. It made me not want to get on a bus again.”
The bizarre event unfolded on the number 81 in Langley, Berkshire, at around 1.30pm.
The passenger said he rang the bus firm to complain but claimed it did not believe him.
He said: “They asked me, ‘Are you sure?’. Then they said they would get back to me, but they weren’t taking me seriously at all.”
Yesterday the driver, who said his name was Hrun, told The Sun: “I asked everyone to get off because I needed to pray. I was running late and had not had time.
“I pray five times a day as a Muslim — but I don’t normally ask people to get off the bus to do it.”
Muslims pray at pre-dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset and evening.
A spokesperson for bus company London United said: “We are aware of a reported incident involving our route 81.
“We are currently undertaking a full investigation into the matter.”
The white Islamic convert rolled out his prayer mat in the aisle and knelt on the floor facing Mecca.
Passengers watched in amazement as he held out his palms towards the sky, bowed his head and began to chant.
One, who filmed the man on his mobile phone, said: “He was clearly praying and chanting in Arabic.
“We thought it was a wind-up at first, like Jeremy Beadle.”
The 21-year-old plumber added: “He looked English and had a London accent. He looked like a Muslim convert, with a big, bushy beard.
After a few minutes the driver calmly got up, opened the doors and asked everyone back on board.
But they saw a rucksack lying on the floor of the red single-decker and feared he might be a fanatic. So they all refused.
The passenger added: “One chap said, ‘I’m not getting on there now’.
“An elderly couple also looked really confused and worried.
“After seeing that no-one wanted to get on he drove off and we all waited until the next bus came about 20 minutes later. I was left totally stunned. It made me not want to get on a bus again.”
The bizarre event unfolded on the number 81 in Langley, Berkshire, at around 1.30pm.
The passenger said he rang the bus firm to complain but claimed it did not believe him.
He said: “They asked me, ‘Are you sure?’. Then they said they would get back to me, but they weren’t taking me seriously at all.”
Yesterday the driver, who said his name was Hrun, told The Sun: “I asked everyone to get off because I needed to pray. I was running late and had not had time.
“I pray five times a day as a Muslim — but I don’t normally ask people to get off the bus to do it.”
Muslims pray at pre-dawn, noon, afternoon, sunset and evening.
A spokesperson for bus company London United said: “We are aware of a reported incident involving our route 81.
“We are currently undertaking a full investigation into the matter.”
Friday, March 28, 2008
Islamist terrorist freed under early-release scheme
A convicted Islamist terrorist who was caught trying to smuggle blueprints into Britain showing how to build a missile has been released from prison early under the Government’s controversial plans to ease prison overcrowding.
Yassin Nassari, a Category A prisoner who was sentenced to three and a half years imprisonment last summer, was released early from Wakefield prison last month, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) confirmed today.
Yassin Nassari, a Category A prisoner who was sentenced to three and a half years imprisonment last summer, was released early from Wakefield prison last month, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) confirmed today.
The disclosure is likely to re-ignite the row over the Government’s early release scheme which is designed to allow “non-violent” offenders out of jail early in order to curb overcrowding.
The move is believed to be the first time that a convicted terrorist has been released under the scheme. The MoJ said that Nassari’s release 17 days early was justified because he had not been convicted of an offence involving “serious violence”.
Nassari, 28 and from Ealing, West London, was jailed for three-and-a-half years at the Old Bailey last July for possession of material that would be useful to terrorists. He had been stopped at Luton airport after getting off a flight from Holland.
In their luggage was a letter his wife Bouchra el-Hor had written urging him to fight “jihad” and saying she hoped their five-month-old son would also be martyred.
She was cleared of withholding information after saying that the letter was a piece of “creative writing” brought on by a failing marriage.
The court heard how Nassari had shared extremist videos with a member of another terrorist cell which provided information over the internet on suicide vests, car bombs, booby traps and poisons.
Police found jihadi material on his laptop and removable hard drive, including blueprints for an Al-Qassam rocket which has been used by the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas.
The files showed detailed measurements and information about the missile and how to make propellant and explosive charge.
Nassari was also the subject of unconfirmed reports last November that he had been moved from Belmarsh prison in South London amid fears that he planned to blow up the jail.
A prison service spokeswoman today denied that his move was linked to a bomb plot. "It is not true that a prisoner was found with information which could have been used to make a bomb. Managed moves routinely take place as part of the high security process," she said.
An MoJ spokesman said today: “A category A prisoner was released from Wakefield prison on 11 February 2008. The prisoner met the criteria for early release under the End of Custody Licence (ECL) scheme. Where a prisoner satisfies the criteria then release must follow.
“[The National Offender Management Service] can confirm that, in line with normal practice concerning prisoners released on ECL, the Prison Service made arrangements with the relevant police and probation services to ensure that they were aware of his release.
“This individual is subject to licence conditions and multi-agency public protection arrangements.
“NOMS has not been notified of any re-offending by this individual during his period of 17 days on End of Custody Licence or during his continuing probation supervision since then.
“ECL is only available to prisoners whose offences are not considered serious enough by the court to justify a long term of imprisonment. Therefore, only those serving less than 4 years are eligible for ECL.
“Terrorism related offences involving serious violence — such as using explosives to commit GBH or hijacking — are excluded from ECL. "
More than 18,500 prisoners have been freed under the scheme since it was introduced by Jack Straw, the Justice secretary, last June.
They included more than 3,500 violent offenders, 1,730 burglars, 400 robbers and 790 people jailed for drug offences.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
FURY OVER PLAN TO TEACH KORAN IN SCHOOLS
STATE schools should be forced to open their doors to Islamic preachers teaching the Koran, the largest classroom union demanded yesterday.
The National Union of Teachers’ conference also said existing religious schools – almost all of them Christian – should have to admit pupils from other faiths.The union’s general secretary Steve Sinnott said that allowing Muslim imams to preach in schools would be a way to reunite divided communities.But the proposals prompted immediate outrage. Conservative Party backbencher Mark Pritchard said: “This is just further appeasement for Muslim militants.“We should just follow the existing laws on religious education, which state that it should be of a predominantly Christian character.
All this will do is further divide many communities that are already split on religious lines.”Speaking as delegates met at the hard-Left-dominated union’s annual conference, Mr Sinnott admitted that his plan would amount to religious indoctrination inside taxpayer-backed schools rather than simple teaching of what different religions believe.
He said: “This is more than simple religious education, it’s religious instruction.”The proposals include providing private Muslim prayer facilities in schools. But Mr Sinnott stressed that no pupils would be forced to have any religious instruction.The union, however, also called for all daily religious assemblies, which by law are supposed to have a Christian character, to be abandoned.It also said local authorities should take control of all state school admissions, removing the right of faith schools to choose which pupils they take.
Shadow Childrens’ Secretary Michael Gove condemned the call. He said: “Faith schools provide children with an excellent education because their distinctive ethos helps to instil good values and respect for others.”John Dunford, the general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, warned that extremists could seize control of schools, using religion to mask their real agenda. He asked: “How would you have any control over what was being taught in your school?”The Church of England also denounced the proposals.
A spokesman said: “It is for religions to teach their faith to people, it is for schools to teach about religion.”The Church was even joined by its long-time foe, the National Secular Society. A spokesman said: “If it is allowed, it will be the zealots imposing their will on everyone else.”About 7,000 state schools in England are faith schools – roughly one in three of the total – educating 1.7million pupils. Most are either Church of England or Roman Catholic.
see also Parents halt school mosque trip
The National Union of Teachers’ conference also said existing religious schools – almost all of them Christian – should have to admit pupils from other faiths.The union’s general secretary Steve Sinnott said that allowing Muslim imams to preach in schools would be a way to reunite divided communities.But the proposals prompted immediate outrage. Conservative Party backbencher Mark Pritchard said: “This is just further appeasement for Muslim militants.“We should just follow the existing laws on religious education, which state that it should be of a predominantly Christian character.
All this will do is further divide many communities that are already split on religious lines.”Speaking as delegates met at the hard-Left-dominated union’s annual conference, Mr Sinnott admitted that his plan would amount to religious indoctrination inside taxpayer-backed schools rather than simple teaching of what different religions believe.
He said: “This is more than simple religious education, it’s religious instruction.”The proposals include providing private Muslim prayer facilities in schools. But Mr Sinnott stressed that no pupils would be forced to have any religious instruction.The union, however, also called for all daily religious assemblies, which by law are supposed to have a Christian character, to be abandoned.It also said local authorities should take control of all state school admissions, removing the right of faith schools to choose which pupils they take.
Shadow Childrens’ Secretary Michael Gove condemned the call. He said: “Faith schools provide children with an excellent education because their distinctive ethos helps to instil good values and respect for others.”John Dunford, the general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, warned that extremists could seize control of schools, using religion to mask their real agenda. He asked: “How would you have any control over what was being taught in your school?”The Church of England also denounced the proposals.
A spokesman said: “It is for religions to teach their faith to people, it is for schools to teach about religion.”The Church was even joined by its long-time foe, the National Secular Society. A spokesman said: “If it is allowed, it will be the zealots imposing their will on everyone else.”About 7,000 state schools in England are faith schools – roughly one in three of the total – educating 1.7million pupils. Most are either Church of England or Roman Catholic.
see also Parents halt school mosque trip
Woman, 18, is raped in alleyway
A 18-year-old woman has been raped in Weston-super-Mare, police have said.
The victim was standing outside the Nationwide Building Society in High Street in the early hours of Sunday when a black Vauxhall Vectra pulled up.
Four men of Asian appearance dragged her into the car and she was sexually assaulted as she was driven around.
She was then taken to an alleyway by the Three Queens pub, where two of the men raped her. Four men have been arrested on suspicion of rape.
The men, all in their 20s, remain in custody and a black Vauxhall Vectra car is being examined by detectives.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, which happened at 0400 GMT on 23 March, is asked to contact police or Crimestoppers anonymously.
The victim was standing outside the Nationwide Building Society in High Street in the early hours of Sunday when a black Vauxhall Vectra pulled up.
Four men of Asian appearance dragged her into the car and she was sexually assaulted as she was driven around.
She was then taken to an alleyway by the Three Queens pub, where two of the men raped her. Four men have been arrested on suspicion of rape.
The men, all in their 20s, remain in custody and a black Vauxhall Vectra car is being examined by detectives.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, which happened at 0400 GMT on 23 March, is asked to contact police or Crimestoppers anonymously.
Bakri slur on boxer Amir
EXILED hate preacher Omar Bakri Mohammed sparked outrage last night by branding boxing hero Amir Khan an “ignorant deviant”.
Bakri, 49, also said devout Muslim Amir was a BAD role model for youngsters because he drapes himself in the Union flag.
Pals of proud Brit Amir, 21, said he was “shocked and hurt” by the rant.
And warped cleric Bakri was last night challenged to repeat his slur on Amir — face to face in a BOXING RING.
The dare was issued by an MP after Bakri branded Amir a “deviant” for brandishing the Union flag in the ring.
The exiled Muslim fanatic said the actions of the Bolton-born boxer, a proud Briton AND a devout Muslim, were those of a kuffar — a non-believer.
And he called 21-year-old Amir “jahil,” meaning ignorant.
Last night Tory Andrew Rosindell, an outspoken MP on terrorist issues, said: “I’d love to see the two of them slugging it out.
“I’ll be cheering for Amir. What Bakri said is appalling.”
Mr Rosindell added: “A sportsman represents his country. He is British first and Muslim second — and can be both. Amir is a positive role model to the young. Bakri is an unsavoury character whose words should be discounted.”
The rant by 49-year-old Bakri — exiled in Lebanon after being kicked out of Britain — came in an internet exchange with other extremists.
Asked if Amir was setting a bad example by draping himself in the flag, he replied: “I don’t think somebody should really look to Amir Khan as a good example for the youth.
“So now for him to be wrapping himself in British flag is another sign of somebody who is completely jahil. You give him the excuse of ignorance for living among the kuffar. So you can’t call him kuffar but you can call him jahil and deviant person.”
Bakri went on to blast Amir for representing Britain at the 2004 Olympics, where he won a silver medal.
Last night he went even further when he talked to The Sun from his hideaway in Beirut — attacking Amir for having a Union flag on his shorts.
He said: “Amir Khan is not a good example for Muslims. He wears shorts with the Union Jack. That is a sin.
“He should not be wearing the flag because sovereignty is for God. His only allegiance should be to Mohammed.
“The ideal situation would be to have a Muslim team not registered to any state so he can represent the Islamic community.”
Amir, whose dad hails from Pakistan, famously spoke out against the 7/7 suicide bombers who killed 52 in London.
The world title hopeful has also pumped £1million into helping to mend broken Britain.
He set up the Gloves Community Centre gym in Bolton to get teenagers off the streets.
Last night a pal of the boxer said: “Bakri’s rants are shocking and will hurt Amir. He has spent his career trying to better the lives of young people and he is a proud Muslim. He stands for all that is right and Bakri for all that is wrong.”
Bakri, 49, also said devout Muslim Amir was a BAD role model for youngsters because he drapes himself in the Union flag.
Pals of proud Brit Amir, 21, said he was “shocked and hurt” by the rant.
And warped cleric Bakri was last night challenged to repeat his slur on Amir — face to face in a BOXING RING.
The dare was issued by an MP after Bakri branded Amir a “deviant” for brandishing the Union flag in the ring.
The exiled Muslim fanatic said the actions of the Bolton-born boxer, a proud Briton AND a devout Muslim, were those of a kuffar — a non-believer.
And he called 21-year-old Amir “jahil,” meaning ignorant.
Last night Tory Andrew Rosindell, an outspoken MP on terrorist issues, said: “I’d love to see the two of them slugging it out.
“I’ll be cheering for Amir. What Bakri said is appalling.”
Mr Rosindell added: “A sportsman represents his country. He is British first and Muslim second — and can be both. Amir is a positive role model to the young. Bakri is an unsavoury character whose words should be discounted.”
The rant by 49-year-old Bakri — exiled in Lebanon after being kicked out of Britain — came in an internet exchange with other extremists.
Asked if Amir was setting a bad example by draping himself in the flag, he replied: “I don’t think somebody should really look to Amir Khan as a good example for the youth.
“So now for him to be wrapping himself in British flag is another sign of somebody who is completely jahil. You give him the excuse of ignorance for living among the kuffar. So you can’t call him kuffar but you can call him jahil and deviant person.”
Bakri went on to blast Amir for representing Britain at the 2004 Olympics, where he won a silver medal.
Last night he went even further when he talked to The Sun from his hideaway in Beirut — attacking Amir for having a Union flag on his shorts.
He said: “Amir Khan is not a good example for Muslims. He wears shorts with the Union Jack. That is a sin.
“He should not be wearing the flag because sovereignty is for God. His only allegiance should be to Mohammed.
“The ideal situation would be to have a Muslim team not registered to any state so he can represent the Islamic community.”
Amir, whose dad hails from Pakistan, famously spoke out against the 7/7 suicide bombers who killed 52 in London.
The world title hopeful has also pumped £1million into helping to mend broken Britain.
He set up the Gloves Community Centre gym in Bolton to get teenagers off the streets.
Last night a pal of the boxer said: “Bakri’s rants are shocking and will hurt Amir. He has spent his career trying to better the lives of young people and he is a proud Muslim. He stands for all that is right and Bakri for all that is wrong.”
Monday, March 24, 2008
The BBC has apologized for significant errors in two recent news reports on Israel.
In a news item on March 7, following the Mercaz Harav Yeshiva attack, the BBC showed a bulldozer demolishing a house, while correspondent Nick Miles told viewers: "Hours after the attack, Israeli bulldozers destroyed his family home. Later, mourners set up Hamas and Islamic Jihad banners nearby."
The house, however, was not demolished; the BBC was embarrassed when news reports from other broadcasters showed the east Jerusalem home intact and the family commemorating their son's actions.
Last week, the BBC apologized live on its news program, admitting it had used footage of another house being demolished.
News anchor Geeta Guru-Murthy said: "Now, we would like to clarify a report we heard at this hour last Friday about the attack by a Palestinian gunman on a Jewish seminary in Jerusalem. In the report, the day after the attack, BBC World said that the gunman's home in east Jerusalem had been demolished by the Israeli authorities. That was not correct, and the images broadcast were of another demolition."
The fabrication was exposed by Boston-based media monitor CAMERA, which revealed that the images used by the BBC were similar to photos taken by the Palestinian news agency Maan from the demolition of the house belonging to Islamic Jihad leader Muhammad Shehadeh in Bethlehem on March 7.
In a second incident, in a news item entitled "Israel jets strike northern Gaza" on March 14 on their News Web site, the BBC reported that Israel was deliberately targeting civilians in an operation targeting Kassam rocket launch sites in Gaza, and claiming that the United Nations secretary-general had described it as an attack on civilians.
"The Israeli air force said it was targeting a rocket firing team... UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned Israel's attacks on Palestinian civilians, calling them inappropriate and disproportionate," the report said.
In a letter to the BBC, Manchester Jewish community member Jonathan Hantman wrote,
"It is one-sided for the report to describe Israel's operations as 'attacks on civilians' while not describing the Palestinian rocket attacks, to which Israel was responding, as 'attacks on civilians' or 'acts of terrorism.'"
Hantman also pointed out that Ban's attributed comments were made weeks earlier to the UN Security Council and not in reference to that particular attack. He added that it was also wrong to mention the UN secretary-general's condemnation of Israel without mentioning his condemnation of Palestinian rocket attacks in the same statement.
"Ban's statement, made some two weeks ago, did not refer to yesterday's attack and did not describe Israel's operations on Gaza as 'attacks on civilians,'" Hantman noted. "He did, however, describe Palestinian rocket attacks as 'acts of terrorism.'"
In his statement to the UN Security Council on March 1, Ban said: "While recognizing Israel's right to defend itself, I condemn the disproportionate and excessive use of force that has killed and injured so many civilians, including children... I condemn Palestinian rocket attacks and call for the immediate cessation of such acts of terrorism."
Apologizing for the error, the BBC said in its response, regarding the speech: "We accept we should have made reference to what [Ban] said about Palestinian rocket attacks as well as to the 'excessive use of force' by Israel. We have amended the report, also removing the reference to Israeli 'attacks on civilians.'"
The house, however, was not demolished; the BBC was embarrassed when news reports from other broadcasters showed the east Jerusalem home intact and the family commemorating their son's actions.
Last week, the BBC apologized live on its news program, admitting it had used footage of another house being demolished.
News anchor Geeta Guru-Murthy said: "Now, we would like to clarify a report we heard at this hour last Friday about the attack by a Palestinian gunman on a Jewish seminary in Jerusalem. In the report, the day after the attack, BBC World said that the gunman's home in east Jerusalem had been demolished by the Israeli authorities. That was not correct, and the images broadcast were of another demolition."
The fabrication was exposed by Boston-based media monitor CAMERA, which revealed that the images used by the BBC were similar to photos taken by the Palestinian news agency Maan from the demolition of the house belonging to Islamic Jihad leader Muhammad Shehadeh in Bethlehem on March 7.
In a second incident, in a news item entitled "Israel jets strike northern Gaza" on March 14 on their News Web site, the BBC reported that Israel was deliberately targeting civilians in an operation targeting Kassam rocket launch sites in Gaza, and claiming that the United Nations secretary-general had described it as an attack on civilians.
"The Israeli air force said it was targeting a rocket firing team... UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned Israel's attacks on Palestinian civilians, calling them inappropriate and disproportionate," the report said.
In a letter to the BBC, Manchester Jewish community member Jonathan Hantman wrote,
"It is one-sided for the report to describe Israel's operations as 'attacks on civilians' while not describing the Palestinian rocket attacks, to which Israel was responding, as 'attacks on civilians' or 'acts of terrorism.'"
Hantman also pointed out that Ban's attributed comments were made weeks earlier to the UN Security Council and not in reference to that particular attack. He added that it was also wrong to mention the UN secretary-general's condemnation of Israel without mentioning his condemnation of Palestinian rocket attacks in the same statement.
"Ban's statement, made some two weeks ago, did not refer to yesterday's attack and did not describe Israel's operations on Gaza as 'attacks on civilians,'" Hantman noted. "He did, however, describe Palestinian rocket attacks as 'acts of terrorism.'"
In his statement to the UN Security Council on March 1, Ban said: "While recognizing Israel's right to defend itself, I condemn the disproportionate and excessive use of force that has killed and injured so many civilians, including children... I condemn Palestinian rocket attacks and call for the immediate cessation of such acts of terrorism."
Apologizing for the error, the BBC said in its response, regarding the speech: "We accept we should have made reference to what [Ban] said about Palestinian rocket attacks as well as to the 'excessive use of force' by Israel. We have amended the report, also removing the reference to Israeli 'attacks on civilians.'"
Tape reveals vile rants of Muslim
A FANATICAL preacher of hate has been recorded urging impressionable young British Muslims to go to WAR against our troops.
Watch hate preacher on video
Yet, sickeningly, crazed cleric Anjem Choudary and his wife rake in more than £25,000 a year in welfare BENEFITS—while he plots to destroy British society.
SHOULD HATE PREACHERS HAVE THEIR BENEFITS CUT? HAVE YOUR SAY HERE
Now Choudary —who once called for the Pope to be executed and described the September 11 hijackers as "magnificent martyrs" — could face arrest under anti-terror laws for his evil ranting on the tape, which was passed to the News of the World.
After hearing his latest inflammatory remarks, terror experts asked: "What more does this man need to do before he is locked up?"
Brainwashed
Choudary, 41, was taped lecturing a secret meeting in west London earlier this month. On it he urges his Islamic followers to persuade would-be terrorists to sign up for killing campaigns.
The bearded mullah describes non-Muslims as "the enemy" and tells his sympathisers they should brainwash at least TEN Britons a month into becoming al-Qaeda supporters.
He also urges his clan to preach that:
FIGHTING jihad \ against Western society is an obligation.
BRITISH Muslims should travel abroad to fight our troops.
TERRORIST wannabes should "put fear into the hearts" of non-Muslims in the UK and spread al-Qaeda messages.
Choudray's lecture tour was launched with the aim of teaching Islamic extremist recruiting teams how to win new members and brainwash them into backing the mass-murdering terror group.
His speech was made days before Osama bin Laden's new video message warning Britain will soon be hit by new attacks.
Choudary says: "Even in the jihad you can see people carrying the dawah \ and inviting to Islam. The latest video from Sheikh Ayman al-Zawahiri \ was dawah, at the end of the day.
"Dawah and, obviously, putting fear into their hearts to say, look, no matter how many people you send in your army, it will not make a difference. We have enough land to bury the whole lot of them."
Choudary then claims that, by sheer weight of numbers, radicalised Muslims can make anti-terror laws obsolete. He brags: "So, your job is to create propaganda, our role here in Britain is vital.
"We undermine them, we undermine their ideology, we break their back." He adds: "If we carry on en masse, commanding good and forbidding evil, we say you and your laws can go to hell."
Born in south-east London of Pakistani parents, Choudary did well at school and by the early 1990s had become a solicitor and begun on the path to radical Islamic beliefs.
In 1996 he was a founder member of Al-Muhajiroun, the extremist sect which spawned, among others, the now exiled cleric Omar Bakri.
With Bakri, Choudary set about a campaign of overt extremism, leafleting mosques and using the internet to spread a message of hate.
He helped organise London protests in 2006 after a Danish cartoonist supposedly insulted the prophet Mohammed. Demonstrators dressed as suicide bombers carried banners proclaiming: "Behead those who insult Islam".
Choudary escaped with a £500 fine for failing to notify police of the rallybut the Al-Muajiroun group was later banned under the Terrorism Act.
Now our recording provides evidence the lunatic network remains active and is bent on expansion. Choudary reminds his fanatical followers: "Remember, our ultimate objective, apart from pleasing Allah, is domination of the sharia \ all over the world."
Experts believe Choudary's comments should see him prosecuted under tough new anti-terror incitement laws.
Tory MP Patrick Mercer said: "He's an extremely dangerous man. I've no doubt that he's part of the conveyor belt to terrorism and must be stopped."
Terrorism expert and author Neil Doyle said: "There is no doubt whatever this a rallying cry to would-be British terrorists.
"And this is the evidence from his own mouth. There's no doubt that the message he's preaching will eventually convince some impressionable people they should start planning 7/7-type atrocities.
"He's certainly becoming the most high-profile cheerleader for al-Qaeda in the UK."
When we spoke to Choudary he refused to discuss our recording but admitted he WAS on a recruitment drive.
He ranted: "I would like to recruit enough to turn the whole country into an Islamic state within a month...by tomorrow.
"You can put that down. I'm trying to recruit 5,000 a week."
SHOULD HATE PREACHERS HAVE THEIR BENEFITS CUT? HAVE YOUR SAY HERE
Watch hate preacher on video
Yet, sickeningly, crazed cleric Anjem Choudary and his wife rake in more than £25,000 a year in welfare BENEFITS—while he plots to destroy British society.
SHOULD HATE PREACHERS HAVE THEIR BENEFITS CUT? HAVE YOUR SAY HERE
Now Choudary —who once called for the Pope to be executed and described the September 11 hijackers as "magnificent martyrs" — could face arrest under anti-terror laws for his evil ranting on the tape, which was passed to the News of the World.
After hearing his latest inflammatory remarks, terror experts asked: "What more does this man need to do before he is locked up?"
Brainwashed
Choudary, 41, was taped lecturing a secret meeting in west London earlier this month. On it he urges his Islamic followers to persuade would-be terrorists to sign up for killing campaigns.
The bearded mullah describes non-Muslims as "the enemy" and tells his sympathisers they should brainwash at least TEN Britons a month into becoming al-Qaeda supporters.
He also urges his clan to preach that:
FIGHTING jihad \ against Western society is an obligation.
BRITISH Muslims should travel abroad to fight our troops.
TERRORIST wannabes should "put fear into the hearts" of non-Muslims in the UK and spread al-Qaeda messages.
Choudray's lecture tour was launched with the aim of teaching Islamic extremist recruiting teams how to win new members and brainwash them into backing the mass-murdering terror group.
His speech was made days before Osama bin Laden's new video message warning Britain will soon be hit by new attacks.
Choudary says: "Even in the jihad you can see people carrying the dawah \ and inviting to Islam. The latest video from Sheikh Ayman al-Zawahiri \ was dawah, at the end of the day.
"Dawah and, obviously, putting fear into their hearts to say, look, no matter how many people you send in your army, it will not make a difference. We have enough land to bury the whole lot of them."
Choudary then claims that, by sheer weight of numbers, radicalised Muslims can make anti-terror laws obsolete. He brags: "So, your job is to create propaganda, our role here in Britain is vital.
"We undermine them, we undermine their ideology, we break their back." He adds: "If we carry on en masse, commanding good and forbidding evil, we say you and your laws can go to hell."
Born in south-east London of Pakistani parents, Choudary did well at school and by the early 1990s had become a solicitor and begun on the path to radical Islamic beliefs.
In 1996 he was a founder member of Al-Muhajiroun, the extremist sect which spawned, among others, the now exiled cleric Omar Bakri.
With Bakri, Choudary set about a campaign of overt extremism, leafleting mosques and using the internet to spread a message of hate.
He helped organise London protests in 2006 after a Danish cartoonist supposedly insulted the prophet Mohammed. Demonstrators dressed as suicide bombers carried banners proclaiming: "Behead those who insult Islam".
Choudary escaped with a £500 fine for failing to notify police of the rallybut the Al-Muajiroun group was later banned under the Terrorism Act.
Now our recording provides evidence the lunatic network remains active and is bent on expansion. Choudary reminds his fanatical followers: "Remember, our ultimate objective, apart from pleasing Allah, is domination of the sharia \ all over the world."
Experts believe Choudary's comments should see him prosecuted under tough new anti-terror incitement laws.
Tory MP Patrick Mercer said: "He's an extremely dangerous man. I've no doubt that he's part of the conveyor belt to terrorism and must be stopped."
Terrorism expert and author Neil Doyle said: "There is no doubt whatever this a rallying cry to would-be British terrorists.
"And this is the evidence from his own mouth. There's no doubt that the message he's preaching will eventually convince some impressionable people they should start planning 7/7-type atrocities.
"He's certainly becoming the most high-profile cheerleader for al-Qaeda in the UK."
When we spoke to Choudary he refused to discuss our recording but admitted he WAS on a recruitment drive.
He ranted: "I would like to recruit enough to turn the whole country into an Islamic state within a month...by tomorrow.
"You can put that down. I'm trying to recruit 5,000 a week."
SHOULD HATE PREACHERS HAVE THEIR BENEFITS CUT? HAVE YOUR SAY HERE
Friday, March 21, 2008
Robber in a BURKHA: Police hunt 6ft 6in jewellery store raider disguised in Muslim dress
There was something not quite right about the figure in a burka buzzing for entry at the jeweller's door.Her towering 6ft 6in height, for one thing.
The fact that she was pushing a pram, however, persuaded staff to release the lock and let her in.
At that point, four men armed with hammers burst into the shop and smashed open the glass display cabinets.
They shovelled £200,000 of 24-carat gold jewellery into bags before fleeing with their (male) accomplice in two getaway cars.
Owner Raj Kumar offered a £5,000 reward to catch the gang who raided Friends Jewellers in Smethwick, West Midlands.
Owner Raj Kumar offered a £5,000 reward to catch the gang who raided Friends Jewellers in Smethwick, West Midlands.
He said it was his mother who first spotted the tall figure in the burka just after 1pm on Wednesday. "We have buzzer entry and he was trying to get my mum to let him in.
"She thought he looked too tall to be a woman but he had this pushchair with him.
"When she opened the door these men ran in from behind and used hammers to smash through the next door. It took them about five goes to get through the glass."
The raiders, all believed to be Asian, attacked Mr Kumar, his brother Ash and their two security guards with pepper spray before raiding the cabinets.
"They got us all in the face," added Mr Kumar. "One of them threw a claw hammer at me and they hit my brother's arm - he's got a big cut down it.
"We think this gang have raided other jewellery shops so we tried to prepare for something like this, but when it happened we just froze. We thought they had guns."
Keith Davies, a member of the local police authority, said: "This calls up a lot of questions about how we deal with crime. I would hate to think there could be challenges on women walking round the streets in burkas."
The men made off on foot to a nearby street where there were two cars waiting. The offenders are all believed to be Asian.
Councillor Keith Davies expressed concern about robbers impersonating women in burkhas.
Mr Davies, who is also a member of the police authority, said: "I am a member of the police authority and I will be asking if this kind if think has happened before.
"It's the first time I have heard of anything like this.
Councillor Keith Davies expressed concern about robbers impersonating women in burkhas.
Mr Davies, who is also a member of the police authority, said: "I am a member of the police authority and I will be asking if this kind if think has happened before.
"It's the first time I have heard of anything like this.
"It calls up a lot of questions about how we deal with crime. I would hate to think there could be challenges on women walking round the streets in burkhas. It is really unusual."
Councillor Mohammed Rouf added: "I am really shocked. It seems they are trying to come up with new ideas to rob people.
"This is bad for the community and I am shocked that they would go this far just to steal."
West Midlands Police are appealing for witnesses.
A force spokesman said: "Five men, with their faces covered, entered the store.
"This is bad for the community and I am shocked that they would go this far just to steal."
West Midlands Police are appealing for witnesses.
A force spokesman said: "Five men, with their faces covered, entered the store.
"Once inside, the men, armed with hammers, smashed display cabinets and sprayed four members of staff with an unknown substance.
"The men made off on foot with a quantity of jewellery across the road to waiting vehicles.
"The waiting cars are believed to be an Audi A4 or RS 4 model and a silver mini with a black roof.
"The offenders are all believed to be Asian, dressed in dark clothing with their faces covered.
"One offender was thought to be wearing a full-length burkha garment. He entered the store with an empty pushchair and was described as 'pretending' to be female.
"The offenders are all believed to be Asian, dressed in dark clothing with their faces covered.
"One offender was thought to be wearing a full-length burkha garment. He entered the store with an empty pushchair and was described as 'pretending' to be female.
"There were six members of staff in the store at the time of the incident. The four members who were sprayed with the substance suffered a small amount of redness to skin."
see also,Failed tube bomber wore dress
Two of Britain's most dangerous Islamic terrorists moved to new prison - because they complained fellow inmates were 'too white'
Dhiren Barot and Omar Khyam asked to be transferred from high-security Frankland prison near Durham.
Barot masterminded a radioactive bomb plot involving limousines packed with nails and explosives and Khyam plotted to blow up Bluewater shopping centre in Kent.
Barot masterminded a radioactive bomb plot involving limousines packed with nails and explosives and Khyam plotted to blow up Bluewater shopping centre in Kent.
They said they were at risk from other inmates - who are predominantly white - and claimed the environment was "dangerous" to ethnic minority prisoners. It is thought they had received death threats and attacks.
Although their requests were initially turned down, Barot, who is serving a minium of 30 years, has since been moved to Belmarsh in south-east London.
Khyam has also been moved to Full Sutton near York.
But news of the transfers has sparked outrage, with the Prison Service being accused of caving into prisoners' demands.
Barot's solicitor Miss Mudassar Arani, asked if his client could be removed from Frankland prison after a fellow inmate threw boiling water and oil over him last July.
The 35-year-old suffered serious burns and spent a week in hospital.
Prisoner Gary Moody was charged with wounding and assault but the case was dropped when Barot refused to press charges.
Miss Arani said that Frankland was "an extremely dangerous environment for ethnic minority prisoners who now fear for their safety."
She added that Barot was one of 20 Muslims in the prison which held 734 inmates.
And she alleged there was a "white supremacist" culture at Frankland and called for the creation of Muslim-only prisons.
It is understood that Barot was originally housed in Belmarsh prison before being moved to Frankland for radicalising other inmates.
Hate preacher Abu Hamza, 49, and July 21 ringleader Muktar Said Ibrahim, 29, are also housed at Belmarsh.
After he was injured in the attack, she said he was treated like a normal prisoner and locked in his cell from 4pm until morning, despite needing support to do basic tasks, such as make a phone call.
Yesterday, a spokesman for her office said both Barot and Khyam had been transferred.
Khyam, who was sent to Frankland from Belmarsh last June, had also complained of death threats.
His solicitor Imran Khan said the move was a "victory for common sense". But Patrick Mercer, a Conservative MP, criticised the decision.
He said: "Prisons are not meant to be run for the convenience of the prisoner.
"It is not up to them to dictate how to serve their sentence.
"I think we have to remember who's in charge.
"These people have been convicted of hideous crimes."
A spokesman for the Prison Service refused to comment.
Sleepy Cornish village kept awake by 700-strong party of Muslims broadcasting 5am call to prayer
It is just a few days until Easter, the most important date in the Christian calendar. But for 700 Muslims who have gathered in a rural caravan park, this week has a different religious significance.
And to some of their neighbours, the thrice-daily calls to prayer are proving a strain on a harmonious relationship. The Iranian Muslims have converged on the Trevelgue Holiday Park in Porth, Cornwall, to celebrate yesterday's Persian New Year. Every day at sunrise, noon and sunset they broadcast their prayers, known as Adhan, on a loudspeaker system.
But some residents are complaining that the noise is shattering the idyll of the quiet village near Newquay. Neighbour Emma Brewer, 35, said "the novelty soon wore off" after the group arrived at the camp last weekend. She said: "It lasts about 20 to 30 minutes and it is rather loud. I'm a bit naffed off by it, to be honest." Another resident added:
"We are going to have to put up with this all week. It's going off in the morning, at 5am." A neighbour from nearby St Columb Minor says he was offended because he could hear the chanting as he made his way back from church. He said: "Why was this broadcast at such a high level of volume so as to be heard miles away? Do the Christian church bells ring out in amplified volumes on Fridays in areas where they are at prayer?
"This was totally unnecessary especially on such an important day in our Christian calendar." Yesterday the park's manager Mike Finnegan said prayers were at a lower volume in the morning to avoid upsetting neighbours, and insisted noise levels were checked with environmental health. Other locals say they have not been disturbed by the religious ritual. Harry Heywood, of Restormel District Council, said the group arrived on Saturday and are booked in until tomorrow. He said: "I haven't heard anything � only a very few people seem to be annoyed. It really isn't a problem.
We get thousands of youngsters here every year when GCSEs finish and they make more noise. "It's only a call to prayer and better than the 'thump thump thump' we get from teenage parties. I did have a couple of complaints from concerned residents who were worried about the potential noise. "Environmental health officials and the park owner agreed asound level and I have received no more complaints since." He added: "I've got to say that this is one of the quieter events. To think that there are 700 people there is amazing.
I walk my dog nearby and haven't heard a sound." Another resident said: "I loved it, I was hanging out of the window trying to hear. It's a unique sound that reminds me of travelling and I'd much rather hear it than church bells." The event, organised by the Islamic Students Association, is a six-day celebration of Persian and Islamic culture. Yesterday Muslim participants said the seagulls were louder than the call to prayers. A mother of three from Manchester said: "It is a great time for us and brilliant for the kids to see somewhere a bit different. I can't believe how beautiful it is here. The sea is lovely.
"I'm very surprised if people have a problem with the prayers call. It's not very loud. They always put it at the lowest volume possible � sometimes we can hardly hear it. "To be honest the seagulls and tractors around here are much noisier."
And to some of their neighbours, the thrice-daily calls to prayer are proving a strain on a harmonious relationship. The Iranian Muslims have converged on the Trevelgue Holiday Park in Porth, Cornwall, to celebrate yesterday's Persian New Year. Every day at sunrise, noon and sunset they broadcast their prayers, known as Adhan, on a loudspeaker system.
But some residents are complaining that the noise is shattering the idyll of the quiet village near Newquay. Neighbour Emma Brewer, 35, said "the novelty soon wore off" after the group arrived at the camp last weekend. She said: "It lasts about 20 to 30 minutes and it is rather loud. I'm a bit naffed off by it, to be honest." Another resident added:
"We are going to have to put up with this all week. It's going off in the morning, at 5am." A neighbour from nearby St Columb Minor says he was offended because he could hear the chanting as he made his way back from church. He said: "Why was this broadcast at such a high level of volume so as to be heard miles away? Do the Christian church bells ring out in amplified volumes on Fridays in areas where they are at prayer?
"This was totally unnecessary especially on such an important day in our Christian calendar." Yesterday the park's manager Mike Finnegan said prayers were at a lower volume in the morning to avoid upsetting neighbours, and insisted noise levels were checked with environmental health. Other locals say they have not been disturbed by the religious ritual. Harry Heywood, of Restormel District Council, said the group arrived on Saturday and are booked in until tomorrow. He said: "I haven't heard anything � only a very few people seem to be annoyed. It really isn't a problem.
We get thousands of youngsters here every year when GCSEs finish and they make more noise. "It's only a call to prayer and better than the 'thump thump thump' we get from teenage parties. I did have a couple of complaints from concerned residents who were worried about the potential noise. "Environmental health officials and the park owner agreed asound level and I have received no more complaints since." He added: "I've got to say that this is one of the quieter events. To think that there are 700 people there is amazing.
I walk my dog nearby and haven't heard a sound." Another resident said: "I loved it, I was hanging out of the window trying to hear. It's a unique sound that reminds me of travelling and I'd much rather hear it than church bells." The event, organised by the Islamic Students Association, is a six-day celebration of Persian and Islamic culture. Yesterday Muslim participants said the seagulls were louder than the call to prayers. A mother of three from Manchester said: "It is a great time for us and brilliant for the kids to see somewhere a bit different. I can't believe how beautiful it is here. The sea is lovely.
"I'm very surprised if people have a problem with the prayers call. It's not very loud. They always put it at the lowest volume possible � sometimes we can hardly hear it. "To be honest the seagulls and tractors around here are much noisier."
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
MUSLIM LEADERS SLAM UK MULTICULTURAL PARADE
Please recall the recent post I wrote regarding the strictly Muslim celebration of Mohammed's Birthday Parade that recently took place in Wycombe, England.
This parade apparently had NO problems with satisfying new health and safety regulations or costly traffic management and other funding issues whilst many traditional British parades are sadly disappearing due to those same problems. So the The 20th annual Milaad' celebration went for all muslims and non-muslims to see.
Well, well - seems like those same muslims have found yet another reason to get their turbans and burkas in a twist over non muslim life in the UK. A recent Brazilian style parade that heralded the opening of a shopping mall, in Wycombe, has now been slammed by muslims..................why???
A group at the Islamic Centre in Arnison Avenue has described and denounced the parade/opening as pornographic with partially nude women (see below example) prancing around horrifying and embarassing muslim men, women and children. So these muslims reach into their bag of well used politically correct verbal bombs and pronounce that this event was "non-inclusive" ...................and HORRORS!! - "not multicultural"!! (Apparently Brazil & British is not multicultural enough.)To no one's surprise - this muslim group has manipulated the event to satify their perpetual need of muslims to prove to all the world that Islamophobia is rampant - thus stating the parade "alienated significant parts of the local population"...... and "will no doubt accuse them (muslims) of not wishing to integrate".
In essence what the Islamic Society members are saying is "Unless it is a muslim parade OR a parade that is based on muslim/Islamic standards for participants & their actions and costumes - then the parade is anti-Islamic and islamophobic - because muslims refusing to accept Western values and culture or at least abide them while living IN A WESTERN COUNTRY causes the non-muslim indigenous population to (rightly) conclude that muslims do not want to integrate. And thus is evidence that people who point out these deduced facts are indeed - Islamophobic.
Muslim leader slams 'semi naked' Eden parade
WYCOMBE Islamic Society has criticised Eden's opening celebrations claiming they failed to represent the town's ethnic minorities.
The group, based at the Islamic Centre in Arnison Avenue, has hit out at the shopping centre's Brazilian carnival parade on Thursday morning.
Volunteer Zahid Jawed, speaking on behalf of the society, said: "I had the wonderful opportunity to witness the opening of the Eden shopping centre last Thursday.
"This has been much needed and will no doubt attract people and jobs to the area. It could also have been a great opportunity to celebrate the town and its people.
"Instead we had the pleasure of watching such things as semi naked dancers on parade. It was made even worse as I had taken children with me.
"Once again the planners decided to ignore and alienate significant parts of the local population and then will no doubt accuse them of not wishing to integrate.
"I would have liked to have seen a much more local and multicultural celebration on the day.
"Another opportunity for community cohesion wasted."
thanks to TheOPINIONATOR
This parade apparently had NO problems with satisfying new health and safety regulations or costly traffic management and other funding issues whilst many traditional British parades are sadly disappearing due to those same problems. So the The 20th annual Milaad' celebration went for all muslims and non-muslims to see.
Well, well - seems like those same muslims have found yet another reason to get their turbans and burkas in a twist over non muslim life in the UK. A recent Brazilian style parade that heralded the opening of a shopping mall, in Wycombe, has now been slammed by muslims..................why???
A group at the Islamic Centre in Arnison Avenue has described and denounced the parade/opening as pornographic with partially nude women (see below example) prancing around horrifying and embarassing muslim men, women and children. So these muslims reach into their bag of well used politically correct verbal bombs and pronounce that this event was "non-inclusive" ...................and HORRORS!! - "not multicultural"!! (Apparently Brazil & British is not multicultural enough.)To no one's surprise - this muslim group has manipulated the event to satify their perpetual need of muslims to prove to all the world that Islamophobia is rampant - thus stating the parade "alienated significant parts of the local population"...... and "will no doubt accuse them (muslims) of not wishing to integrate".
In essence what the Islamic Society members are saying is "Unless it is a muslim parade OR a parade that is based on muslim/Islamic standards for participants & their actions and costumes - then the parade is anti-Islamic and islamophobic - because muslims refusing to accept Western values and culture or at least abide them while living IN A WESTERN COUNTRY causes the non-muslim indigenous population to (rightly) conclude that muslims do not want to integrate. And thus is evidence that people who point out these deduced facts are indeed - Islamophobic.
Muslim leader slams 'semi naked' Eden parade
WYCOMBE Islamic Society has criticised Eden's opening celebrations claiming they failed to represent the town's ethnic minorities.
The group, based at the Islamic Centre in Arnison Avenue, has hit out at the shopping centre's Brazilian carnival parade on Thursday morning.
Volunteer Zahid Jawed, speaking on behalf of the society, said: "I had the wonderful opportunity to witness the opening of the Eden shopping centre last Thursday.
"This has been much needed and will no doubt attract people and jobs to the area. It could also have been a great opportunity to celebrate the town and its people.
"Instead we had the pleasure of watching such things as semi naked dancers on parade. It was made even worse as I had taken children with me.
"Once again the planners decided to ignore and alienate significant parts of the local population and then will no doubt accuse them of not wishing to integrate.
"I would have liked to have seen a much more local and multicultural celebration on the day.
"Another opportunity for community cohesion wasted."
thanks to TheOPINIONATOR
INSANE STUDY WANTS BRITISH TO BECOME BETTER DHIMMIS
[MEANING OF THE WORD DHIMMIS]
A report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation found white people must do more to make Muslims feel part of the community
The report, for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, is a strike for multiculturalism, the doctrine which encourages the development of minorities.
Multiculturalism fell out of favour in 2005, after the Government's equality chief Trevor Phillips warned that the country was "sleepwalking to segregation".
Ministers have since called for the encouragement of "cohesion", including more teaching of English and an end to grants being handed to organisations from single ethnic and religious groups.
The study, based on interviews with 319 men and women, including 229 Muslims, found that the majority of interviewees had not experienced unfair treatment because of their colour or ethnicity.
Fewer than 50 per cent of minority members interviewed had experienced race prejudice and just 30 per cent of recent Muslim immigrants had experienced religious discrimination.
The report, produced by researchers from the Centre on Migration, Policy and Society, at Oxford University, found that: "A sense of belonging in Britain for all migrants, recent and established, was negatively affected by their perception of lack of acceptance in the UK.
"It is this perception of being unwelcome and of discrimination rather than attachment to their country of origin that diminishes a sense of belonging in British society, and there is thus a need to address public attitudes towards Muslims and towards migrants as a key component of cohesion strategy."
On ethnic enclaves, it said findings "challenge the assumption that residential clustering of people from particular ethnic or religious backgrounds is necessarily a barrier to social interaction across those boundaries".
The report added that perception of religious prejudice contributing to unfairness over employment, housing and services, had deepened among Muslims since 2001.
Linking anti-terrorist campaigns with efforts to encourage cohesion, it added, "risks stigmatising and alienating law-abiding Muslim communities".
But the Communities Department, which is charged with encouraging integration, distanced itself from the report.
It said policy involves a move away from funding single groups so that public money is spent on bringing communities together.
Rival think tank Civitas said it was "tendentious" of researchers to emphasise discrimination when a majority said they had experienced none.
A report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation found white people must do more to make Muslims feel part of the community
The report, for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, is a strike for multiculturalism, the doctrine which encourages the development of minorities.
Multiculturalism fell out of favour in 2005, after the Government's equality chief Trevor Phillips warned that the country was "sleepwalking to segregation".
Ministers have since called for the encouragement of "cohesion", including more teaching of English and an end to grants being handed to organisations from single ethnic and religious groups.
The study, based on interviews with 319 men and women, including 229 Muslims, found that the majority of interviewees had not experienced unfair treatment because of their colour or ethnicity.
Fewer than 50 per cent of minority members interviewed had experienced race prejudice and just 30 per cent of recent Muslim immigrants had experienced religious discrimination.
The report, produced by researchers from the Centre on Migration, Policy and Society, at Oxford University, found that: "A sense of belonging in Britain for all migrants, recent and established, was negatively affected by their perception of lack of acceptance in the UK.
"It is this perception of being unwelcome and of discrimination rather than attachment to their country of origin that diminishes a sense of belonging in British society, and there is thus a need to address public attitudes towards Muslims and towards migrants as a key component of cohesion strategy."
On ethnic enclaves, it said findings "challenge the assumption that residential clustering of people from particular ethnic or religious backgrounds is necessarily a barrier to social interaction across those boundaries".
The report added that perception of religious prejudice contributing to unfairness over employment, housing and services, had deepened among Muslims since 2001.
Linking anti-terrorist campaigns with efforts to encourage cohesion, it added, "risks stigmatising and alienating law-abiding Muslim communities".
But the Communities Department, which is charged with encouraging integration, distanced itself from the report.
It said policy involves a move away from funding single groups so that public money is spent on bringing communities together.
Rival think tank Civitas said it was "tendentious" of researchers to emphasise discrimination when a majority said they had experienced none.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Female Muslim doctors 'must remove veil'
Female Muslim doctors must be prepared to remove their veil to treat patients effectively, under new guidelines issued yesterday.
Religious clothing must not present a barrier to building trust and communicating with patients, the General Medical Council said.
Doctors should be prepared to set aside personal and cultural preferences, advised the document, Personal Beliefs and Medical Practice.
The council also said doctors must be open about procedures they object to because of their beliefs, such as abortion.
The Muslim Council of Great Britain supports the GMC guidance saying that female Muslim doctors have a responsibility to put patient care first.
Women could wear the hijab, which covers the head but not the face.
Dr Abdullah Shehu, the chairman of the Muslim Council's medical committee, said: "While wearing a veil does not preclude someone from practising medicine, there is no harm in removing it where the ability to communicate or care for the patient is compromised. The Muslim community very much welcomes this guidance.
The guidance states: "Some patients, for example, may find that a face veil worn by their doctor presents an obstacle to effective communication and the development of trust.
"You must be prepared to respond to a patient's individual needs and take steps to anticipate and overcome any perceived barrier to communication."
Other issues covered by the guidance are that doctors cannot refuse to care for patients before or after having an abortion because they object to the procedure.
They must also respect the views of Jehovah's Witnesses, who refuse treatment if it involves having blood transfusions.
Religious clothing must not present a barrier to building trust and communicating with patients, the General Medical Council said.
Doctors should be prepared to set aside personal and cultural preferences, advised the document, Personal Beliefs and Medical Practice.
The council also said doctors must be open about procedures they object to because of their beliefs, such as abortion.
The Muslim Council of Great Britain supports the GMC guidance saying that female Muslim doctors have a responsibility to put patient care first.
Women could wear the hijab, which covers the head but not the face.
Dr Abdullah Shehu, the chairman of the Muslim Council's medical committee, said: "While wearing a veil does not preclude someone from practising medicine, there is no harm in removing it where the ability to communicate or care for the patient is compromised. The Muslim community very much welcomes this guidance.
The guidance states: "Some patients, for example, may find that a face veil worn by their doctor presents an obstacle to effective communication and the development of trust.
"You must be prepared to respond to a patient's individual needs and take steps to anticipate and overcome any perceived barrier to communication."
Other issues covered by the guidance are that doctors cannot refuse to care for patients before or after having an abortion because they object to the procedure.
They must also respect the views of Jehovah's Witnesses, who refuse treatment if it involves having blood transfusions.
Mosque fiend caged
A MUSLIM leader who claimed he was preaching at a mosque when he was really carrying out a brutal rape was jailed for ten years yesterday.
Abdul Mukin Khalisadar, 26, held a knife to his victim’s throat as he attacked her in her home.
He persuaded seven men to back up his story that he had been in the mosque at the time.
Khalisadar later admitted raping the 27-year-old.
He claimed a substance he took to help with fasting during Ramadan had made him “hyper”.
The preacher forced his way into her home as she got back from a night out, the court was told.
He threatened to kill her — even after she claimed to be pregnant with twins to put him off, prosecutor Simon Carr said.
And he hit her face when she refused to call him “daddy”, Snaresbrook Crown Court heard.
Khalisadar also stole a mobile from the house in Whitechapel, East London.
He was caught by DNA a year later after being arrested over another matter.
Judge Timothy King blasted his “hypocrisy”.
The teaching assistant, of Forest Gate, East London, got 7½ years for rape and 2½ for conspiring to pervert justice.
Seven members of East London Mosque admitted perverting justice and got 12 months each.
Burka-clad women in the public gallery yelled abuse at the judge — and one screamed that the victim was a prostitute.
Abdul Mukin Khalisadar, 26, held a knife to his victim’s throat as he attacked her in her home.
He persuaded seven men to back up his story that he had been in the mosque at the time.
Khalisadar later admitted raping the 27-year-old.
He claimed a substance he took to help with fasting during Ramadan had made him “hyper”.
The preacher forced his way into her home as she got back from a night out, the court was told.
He threatened to kill her — even after she claimed to be pregnant with twins to put him off, prosecutor Simon Carr said.
And he hit her face when she refused to call him “daddy”, Snaresbrook Crown Court heard.
Khalisadar also stole a mobile from the house in Whitechapel, East London.
He was caught by DNA a year later after being arrested over another matter.
Judge Timothy King blasted his “hypocrisy”.
The teaching assistant, of Forest Gate, East London, got 7½ years for rape and 2½ for conspiring to pervert justice.
Seven members of East London Mosque admitted perverting justice and got 12 months each.
Burka-clad women in the public gallery yelled abuse at the judge — and one screamed that the victim was a prostitute.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Priest hurt in faith-hate attack
A priest has been attacked in the grounds of his church, in what police described as a "faith-hate" crime.
PARISHIONERS were in shock this week after thugs attacked a leading East End clergyman in the grounds of his church.Two youths described by police as Asian attacked Canon Michael Ainsworth at St George-in-the-East Church in Shadwell, Scotland Yard confirmed this evening (Friday).Police are treating the attack on the 57-year-old clergyman as an alleged 'faith hate' crime.It brought reaction of horror from his parishioners.One pensioner who contacted the Advertiser said: "This was a terrible attack on Canon Ainsworth in our churchyard.
PARISHIONERS were in shock this week after thugs attacked a leading East End clergyman in the grounds of his church.Two youths described by police as Asian attacked Canon Michael Ainsworth at St George-in-the-East Church in Shadwell, Scotland Yard confirmed this evening (Friday).Police are treating the attack on the 57-year-old clergyman as an alleged 'faith hate' crime.It brought reaction of horror from his parishioners.One pensioner who contacted the Advertiser said: "This was a terrible attack on Canon Ainsworth in our churchyard.
He was set upon for a gang of thugs. "There was blood everywhere. All the church members are in shock by what happened."Our canon is such a nice man who has done so much for the parish. It's been very upsetting." There were three youths involved, say police, two of whom were said to have attacked Mr Ainsworth. A parishioner raised the alarm. But the thugs had fled by the time police officers arrived at the church in Canon Street-road, just off The Highway.
Canon Ainsworth was taken to the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, where he was treated for cuts and severe bruising, including two black eyes. Scotland Yard said: "The group is thought to have been made up of three youths, two of whom attacked Canon Ainsworth. They also allegedly made remarks insulting his occupation."
No arrests have been made, but police say they are looking for three Asian suspects. No further descriptions are available at present.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Asylum seeker who falsely claimed £25,000 benefits is ordered to repay just £1
Massoud Montazery, 29, claimed money from the state even though he had £500,000 in a separate bank account.
Yesterday, a Proceeds of Crime application took place at Liverpool Crown Court for him to pay back his ill-gotten gains.
But as Montazery had no recoverable assets, the confiscation order of £24,973.67 could not proceed.
Instead, he was told the pay back a nominal fee of just £1.
Montazery, from St Mary's Road, Walton, was given thousands of pounds which paid for his Liverpool home, gas, electricity, water and council tax.
He was caught in November 2005 after investigators saw a BMW and an X-type Jaguar outside his house.
His comfortable lifestyle was exposed which revealed designer clothes, a fur coat for his wife and a new carpet.
He made repeated denials to immigration officials about having a bank account but his considerable finances and job at a baby equipment firm in Liverpool was soon revealed.
He admitted two counts of making false statements to obtain benefits at court and received a suspended nine-month jail term, 100 hours' unpaid work and a two-year supervision order.
And the question of Montazery's likely deportation back to Iran appears to have moved a step closer.
It is thought he has exhausted all avenues of appeal and the process to press for deportation continues.
A date has yet to be fixed but Montazery could be ordered to leave within two months.
He had claimed that he was being pursued by the Iranian authorities.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Jailed Muslims a terrorist target
TERRORIST prisoners are recruiting gang members jailed in the North, it has been claimed.
And now campaigners are calling on the Government to take urgent action to tackle the problem.
Groups, including the Prison Officers’ Association, POA, are concerned that young Muslims are becoming radicalised behind bars before returning home to Asian communities such as those in Middlesbrough and the west end of Newcastle.
The threat has been highlighted as a problem within all five of the UK’s high security prisons, including Frankland, in Durham — where al Qaida mastermind Dhiren Barot is held — and Full Sutton, in North Yorkshire.
And according to internal Ministry of Justice documents made public last week, there is “no intervention available to us to counter terrorist behaviour or to counter the threat of radicalisation”.
North Shields-born Colin Moses, head of the POA who has worked in several prisons across the region, said: “Where you have Muslims coming into North prisons from the likes of Middlesbrough and the west end of Newcastle, you get a growing number of them becoming radicalised. We’re seeing it happen.
“This is a problem which has been emerging for a while. Our prisons now hold more terrorists than anywhere else in Western Europe.
“We as a POA want radical action taken and want agreements on how we can eradicate this in our prisons.”
Kimmett Edgar, of the Prison Reform Trust, who studied prison research at Durham University in the 1980s, says he has seen a shift in the kind of radicalisation that has been present in prisons over the last two decades.
He said: “When I visited Frankland in 1985 there were concerns over extremism with IRA prisoners . . . the IRA no longer pose a threat and other organisations have come into the fore.
“There is a new worry about extremism and we don’t know enough about it.”
A spokesperson for the prison service admitted there was an “emerging picture, based on anecdotal intelligence, that suggests terrorists may be linking into gang activities”.
He added: “It is, however, recognised that this is an evolving and fluid picture. We will be working to further develop our medium and long-term strategy for the management of terrorists and gang-involved prisoners.
“The prison service is committed to delivering an extensive programme of work to tackle extremism in prison, and we actively work with partner agencies to manage issues around extremist prisoners.”
And now campaigners are calling on the Government to take urgent action to tackle the problem.
Groups, including the Prison Officers’ Association, POA, are concerned that young Muslims are becoming radicalised behind bars before returning home to Asian communities such as those in Middlesbrough and the west end of Newcastle.
The threat has been highlighted as a problem within all five of the UK’s high security prisons, including Frankland, in Durham — where al Qaida mastermind Dhiren Barot is held — and Full Sutton, in North Yorkshire.
And according to internal Ministry of Justice documents made public last week, there is “no intervention available to us to counter terrorist behaviour or to counter the threat of radicalisation”.
North Shields-born Colin Moses, head of the POA who has worked in several prisons across the region, said: “Where you have Muslims coming into North prisons from the likes of Middlesbrough and the west end of Newcastle, you get a growing number of them becoming radicalised. We’re seeing it happen.
“This is a problem which has been emerging for a while. Our prisons now hold more terrorists than anywhere else in Western Europe.
“We as a POA want radical action taken and want agreements on how we can eradicate this in our prisons.”
Kimmett Edgar, of the Prison Reform Trust, who studied prison research at Durham University in the 1980s, says he has seen a shift in the kind of radicalisation that has been present in prisons over the last two decades.
He said: “When I visited Frankland in 1985 there were concerns over extremism with IRA prisoners . . . the IRA no longer pose a threat and other organisations have come into the fore.
“There is a new worry about extremism and we don’t know enough about it.”
A spokesperson for the prison service admitted there was an “emerging picture, based on anecdotal intelligence, that suggests terrorists may be linking into gang activities”.
He added: “It is, however, recognised that this is an evolving and fluid picture. We will be working to further develop our medium and long-term strategy for the management of terrorists and gang-involved prisoners.
“The prison service is committed to delivering an extensive programme of work to tackle extremism in prison, and we actively work with partner agencies to manage issues around extremist prisoners.”
Terror manual guilty plea
A MAN pleaded guilty today to possessing an al Qaida training manual.
A man who knew some of the 7 July bombers has pleaded guilty to possessing an al-Qaeda training guide.
Khalid Khaliq, 34, admitted owning a CD containing the manual, which was found in a raid at his home in July 2005.
A further count of possession of information likely to be used for terrorism was laid on file.
The judge at Leeds Crown Court ordered Khaliq should be cleared of a third similar charge. He is due to be sentenced on Tuesday.
Khaliq, of Beeston, Leeds, was pictured white-water rafting in Wales with, among others, the 7 July bombers Mohammad Sidique Khan and Shehzad Tanweer.
The photo was taken weeks before Khan and Tanweer took part in the bombings of three tubes and a bus in London, which killed 52 people, in July 2005.
Judge James Stewart QC said he would face a maximum sentence of two years.
Khaliq was one of four people arrested in West Yorkshire and Birmingham in May 2007.
The other three - Hasina Patel, the widow of Mohammad Sidique Khan, her brother Arshad Patel and Imran Motala - were released without charge a week later.
A man who knew some of the 7 July bombers has pleaded guilty to possessing an al-Qaeda training guide.
Khalid Khaliq, 34, admitted owning a CD containing the manual, which was found in a raid at his home in July 2005.
A further count of possession of information likely to be used for terrorism was laid on file.
The judge at Leeds Crown Court ordered Khaliq should be cleared of a third similar charge. He is due to be sentenced on Tuesday.
Khaliq, of Beeston, Leeds, was pictured white-water rafting in Wales with, among others, the 7 July bombers Mohammad Sidique Khan and Shehzad Tanweer.
The photo was taken weeks before Khan and Tanweer took part in the bombings of three tubes and a bus in London, which killed 52 people, in July 2005.
Judge James Stewart QC said he would face a maximum sentence of two years.
Khaliq was one of four people arrested in West Yorkshire and Birmingham in May 2007.
The other three - Hasina Patel, the widow of Mohammad Sidique Khan, her brother Arshad Patel and Imran Motala - were released without charge a week later.
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Condell: Appeasing Islam
Pat Condell goes into overdrive in his latest video, titled “Appeasing Islam.”
more of pats work, cick here
more of pats work, cick here
Islamic extremist taunts British servicemen with web video of U.S. soldier's death
A Muslim fanatic sent out a despicable and violent taunt to serving British soldiers when he emailed a video of a U.S. gunner being shot and killed in Iraq.
The clip has even been posted on the internet and is accompanied with Arabic chanting as the soldier is slaughtered in Baghdad.
The American-based extremist made the 86-second video, complete with disturbing captions, which showed the soldier's painful death five times and once in slow motion.
As YouTube viewers and horrified servicemen watched the graphic film a caption at the bottom of the screen read: "Sniping of an American wild fat donkey."
The terrorist sympathiser, going by the name of "jihad4life4eva2", sent the message through the Forces Reunited soldier's network.
At least 14 serving British soldiers received fundamentalist's terrifying video message.
Soldiers have also reacted angrily after discovering that the jihad supporter had been allowed to have his own page on the internet site YouTube, which contained 15 other clips.
The website bosses reportedly refused to remove the fanatic's films, but after mounting pressure, it was finally taken off the site.
Lance-corporal Paul Baker was one of the soldiers who received the email.
"I was just chatting with my mates on Forces Reunited and I got this message," he told the News of the World.
"You clicked on the video and it started playing straight away.
"It was disgusting. You see the poor bloke get hit. There were 14 of us who got the video and we were all gutted. It was so wrong to send that to serving soldiers.
"We found this nutter was actually allowed a site on YouTube and we complained straight away.
"YouTube at first sent us back a pitiful email saying that if we were not in the video we had no right to complain.
"At least now they have seen sense, but that's only after three days and almost 1,000 people watching it."
L/cpl Baker, 24, based with 4 Rifles mechanised infantry at Bulford, Wiltshire, continued: "One message from the site said the bloke was a disgrace to the Muslim world so it was not just us getting upset about it."
The video was attributed to the "Al-furqan Establishment".
Another caption on the film read in English: "Mujahideen in Iraq Sniper shoot on US invader ... US imperialist pig wasted in Iraq of occupying Iraq illegally ... This is your fate if you try to invade."
The clip has even been posted on the internet and is accompanied with Arabic chanting as the soldier is slaughtered in Baghdad.
The American-based extremist made the 86-second video, complete with disturbing captions, which showed the soldier's painful death five times and once in slow motion.
As YouTube viewers and horrified servicemen watched the graphic film a caption at the bottom of the screen read: "Sniping of an American wild fat donkey."
The terrorist sympathiser, going by the name of "jihad4life4eva2", sent the message through the Forces Reunited soldier's network.
At least 14 serving British soldiers received fundamentalist's terrifying video message.
Soldiers have also reacted angrily after discovering that the jihad supporter had been allowed to have his own page on the internet site YouTube, which contained 15 other clips.
The website bosses reportedly refused to remove the fanatic's films, but after mounting pressure, it was finally taken off the site.
Lance-corporal Paul Baker was one of the soldiers who received the email.
"I was just chatting with my mates on Forces Reunited and I got this message," he told the News of the World.
"You clicked on the video and it started playing straight away.
"It was disgusting. You see the poor bloke get hit. There were 14 of us who got the video and we were all gutted. It was so wrong to send that to serving soldiers.
"We found this nutter was actually allowed a site on YouTube and we complained straight away.
"YouTube at first sent us back a pitiful email saying that if we were not in the video we had no right to complain.
"At least now they have seen sense, but that's only after three days and almost 1,000 people watching it."
L/cpl Baker, 24, based with 4 Rifles mechanised infantry at Bulford, Wiltshire, continued: "One message from the site said the bloke was a disgrace to the Muslim world so it was not just us getting upset about it."
The video was attributed to the "Al-furqan Establishment".
Another caption on the film read in English: "Mujahideen in Iraq Sniper shoot on US invader ... US imperialist pig wasted in Iraq of occupying Iraq illegally ... This is your fate if you try to invade."
Terror moles at the Met
A NEST of Al-Qaeda terror spies has been uncovered in Britain's top police force.
MI5 agents have identified FOUR London Met officers after searching for a cell of fanatics passing Scotland Yard's secrets.
The spooks homed in on the officers in the past few weeks after working with anti-terror police to uncover "sleeper" agents in London's Met.
The News of the World has obtained the names of two of the men pinpointed during a painstaking Spooks-style undercover operation.
All four are Asians living in the capital and are feared to have links both with Islamic extremists in Britain and worldwide terror groups—including al-Qaeda training camps in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
SHOULD WE BE TOUGHER ON TERROR SUSPECTS? JOIN THE DEBATE HERE
The suspected spies are believed to have used methods similar to those employed by the IRA in the 1970s as they infiltrated the police and the Army in Northern Ireland.
A Scotland Yard source told us: "If there are people within the police force feeding information to terror groups this needs to be stopped.
"Since the names came to light there has been a non-stop effort to find out everything about their backgrounds."
MI5 chiefs believe the suspected moles have been planted as sleepers—agents under deep cover—to keep al-Qaeda informed of anti-terror raids.
They fear the four could have already accessed sensitive information about secret operations to root out terror cells planning further attacks in the UK.
The officers' names emerged during a low-profile investigation into police force infiltration which has been going on since the July 2005 London bombings. Last year MI5 believed there were up to eight police staff—uniform and civilian— with links to extremist groups.
Now spooks are watching the four suspects—who work at different police stations around London—around the clock while searching for the vital evidence needed to make arrests.
The cops' every move at work is being monitored along with their phone calls. Homeland security agents are sifting through their bank account transactions.
MI5 agents are also understood to be building a family tree for each one and trying to put together a picture of their links to their home countries.
Their names are being cross-referred with lists of men who have been to terror training camps in Pakistan or Afghanistan.
What is clear is that the infiltration methods used by the officers under suspicion bear hallmarks of the IRA in the past. Our police source said: "The IRA tried to infiltrate and they succeeded to a certain extent.
"By just slipping under the radar it takes suspicion away from you.
"If you are a young Pakistani of English origin and you feel you want to do something for the cause of Islam, what better way than to join the enemy and attack from within?"
MI5 believes other sleeper cells are trying to infiltrate public services across Britain in order to gain vital intelligence.
Even exiled cleric Omar Bakri has revealed how Islamic extremists were working at the heart of the NHS and other vital services.
Bombs
Failed asylum seeker Omar Altimimi was jailed for nine years last July for keeping manuals on detonating car bombs. Before his conviction he had applied to work as a cleaner for Greater Manchester police.
Numbers of officers from ethnic minorities have risen since the Met was accused of being institutionally racist in the Stephen Lawrence public inquiry report.
MP Patrick Mercer, Tory terrorism advisor, told us last night: "This discovery by MI5 comes as no surprise to me.
"Recruiting ethnic people into key public sector organisations— in place to protect us—is a risk.
"Our vetting procedures have to be toughened before it's too late."
MI5 agents have identified FOUR London Met officers after searching for a cell of fanatics passing Scotland Yard's secrets.
The spooks homed in on the officers in the past few weeks after working with anti-terror police to uncover "sleeper" agents in London's Met.
The News of the World has obtained the names of two of the men pinpointed during a painstaking Spooks-style undercover operation.
All four are Asians living in the capital and are feared to have links both with Islamic extremists in Britain and worldwide terror groups—including al-Qaeda training camps in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
SHOULD WE BE TOUGHER ON TERROR SUSPECTS? JOIN THE DEBATE HERE
The suspected spies are believed to have used methods similar to those employed by the IRA in the 1970s as they infiltrated the police and the Army in Northern Ireland.
A Scotland Yard source told us: "If there are people within the police force feeding information to terror groups this needs to be stopped.
"Since the names came to light there has been a non-stop effort to find out everything about their backgrounds."
MI5 chiefs believe the suspected moles have been planted as sleepers—agents under deep cover—to keep al-Qaeda informed of anti-terror raids.
They fear the four could have already accessed sensitive information about secret operations to root out terror cells planning further attacks in the UK.
The officers' names emerged during a low-profile investigation into police force infiltration which has been going on since the July 2005 London bombings. Last year MI5 believed there were up to eight police staff—uniform and civilian— with links to extremist groups.
Now spooks are watching the four suspects—who work at different police stations around London—around the clock while searching for the vital evidence needed to make arrests.
The cops' every move at work is being monitored along with their phone calls. Homeland security agents are sifting through their bank account transactions.
MI5 agents are also understood to be building a family tree for each one and trying to put together a picture of their links to their home countries.
Their names are being cross-referred with lists of men who have been to terror training camps in Pakistan or Afghanistan.
What is clear is that the infiltration methods used by the officers under suspicion bear hallmarks of the IRA in the past. Our police source said: "The IRA tried to infiltrate and they succeeded to a certain extent.
"By just slipping under the radar it takes suspicion away from you.
"If you are a young Pakistani of English origin and you feel you want to do something for the cause of Islam, what better way than to join the enemy and attack from within?"
MI5 believes other sleeper cells are trying to infiltrate public services across Britain in order to gain vital intelligence.
Even exiled cleric Omar Bakri has revealed how Islamic extremists were working at the heart of the NHS and other vital services.
Bombs
Failed asylum seeker Omar Altimimi was jailed for nine years last July for keeping manuals on detonating car bombs. Before his conviction he had applied to work as a cleaner for Greater Manchester police.
Numbers of officers from ethnic minorities have risen since the Met was accused of being institutionally racist in the Stephen Lawrence public inquiry report.
MP Patrick Mercer, Tory terrorism advisor, told us last night: "This discovery by MI5 comes as no surprise to me.
"Recruiting ethnic people into key public sector organisations— in place to protect us—is a risk.
"Our vetting procedures have to be toughened before it's too late."
Friday, March 07, 2008
Top extremist recruiter is jailed
A man convicted as a major recruiter for Islamist extremism has been jailed indefinitely for public protection.
Mohammed Hamid, 50, of east London, organised secret training camps, one of which was attended by the four failed suicide bombers of 21 July 2005.
Hamid was jailed for seven-and-a-half years - but told he would not be released until he had reformed.
His accomplice, Atilla Ahmet, who made hate speeches alongside Hamid, was jailed for six years and 11 months.
The Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) sentence against Hamid was the first use of the powers in a terrorist case.
Police say Hamid, who once described himself as "Osama bin London", played a crucial role in grooming young men for terrorism and possible training overseas.
The trial judge at Woolwich Crown Court, Mr Justice Pitchers, told him: "Mohammed Hamid, you are, in my judgement, dangerous.
"You can be quite genuinely amusing and charming. You also have real knowledge of the Koran and Islamic teaching. However, that is only one side of you."
The judge said he rejected claims that Hamid was some kind of "clown".
"You used your charm and knowledge of the Koran to influence others to terrorism," he said. "I believe you have sent trainees to Afghanistan.
"You continue to be a danger, not directly from your own actions, but from your ability to persuade others by criminal actions to commit terrorism offences themselves."
'Changed man'
Hamid was found guilty of three counts of soliciting to murder and three counts of providing terrorism training.
MOHAMMED HAMID
Born 1957, Tanzania, to Indian family
Grew up Batley, Yorkshire
Moved to London aged 12
Various manual jobs
Sent to borstal
Jailed for robbery
Two marriages, five children
Reformed crack addict
Found religion in 1990s
Ahmet, the former right-hand-man of jailed preacher Abu Hamza, had pleaded guilty to three counts of soliciting to murder relating to hate speeches.
Henry Blaxland QC, for Ahmet, said his client had become a "changed man" during his time awaiting sentencing.
Ahmet, who had shaved off his long Islamic beard, had written a long letter to the judge demonstrating what Mr Blaxland said was "genuine contrition".
Seven other men have been convicted in connection with the camps in a series of linked trials that were under a partial reporting black-out.
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Dozens of missing schoolchildren feared forced into arranged marriages
In Bradford, 33 children remain "unaccounted for" after being off school for at least two months with no explanation.
The Government is also concerned about another 14 areas of the country where it is feared children under 16 could also be missing from school rolls.
The figures were disclosed yesterday by Children's Minister Kevin Brennan during evidence to the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, which is investigating the controversial issue of forced marriages.
He revealed the results of worrying inquiries by officials in Bradford, a city with a substantial Asian population.
Children's Minister Kevin Brennan: disclosed the figures yesterday
Mr Brennan said Bradford City Council lost track of 205 youngsters last year.
Further inquiries had established the whereabouts of 172 - leaving 33 unaccounted for.
"It is a serious concern when any child - any single child - becomes unaccounted for," said Mr Brennan.
"And what we need to try to do is seek an explanation of what has happened."
Asked whether the police were looking for them, he added: "They should be."
Committee chairman Keith Vaz, a former Labour minister, said MPs were "very, very concerned".
"The figures you have given us quite frankly have shocked members of this committee just in relation to Bradford," he said.
He added: "There are 14 other areas where there are missing children. This is totally unsatisfactory."
The MPs demanded a report with more details about the "missing" children be ready by next Tuesday.
The national Forced Marriage Unit was set up three years ago to tackle the problem regarded as "an abuse of human rights and a form of domestic violence".
Laws coming into force this summer will allow victims to obtain court injunctions against anyone trying to force them to marry.
A spokesman for the department of children, schools and families said there was no evidence the "missing" children had been forced into marriage but Bradford was an area where "a forced marriage problem has been reported".
"We have asked the local authority to find out more details about these children," she said.
"They might have moved somewhere else or they may have left the country.
"This is a relatively new inquiry and we are trying to get more information."
A spokesman for the local education authority in Bradford played down any fears, saying parents may have simply failed to register their children at another school since moving house.
The Government is also concerned about another 14 areas of the country where it is feared children under 16 could also be missing from school rolls.
The figures were disclosed yesterday by Children's Minister Kevin Brennan during evidence to the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, which is investigating the controversial issue of forced marriages.
He revealed the results of worrying inquiries by officials in Bradford, a city with a substantial Asian population.
Children's Minister Kevin Brennan: disclosed the figures yesterday
Mr Brennan said Bradford City Council lost track of 205 youngsters last year.
Further inquiries had established the whereabouts of 172 - leaving 33 unaccounted for.
"It is a serious concern when any child - any single child - becomes unaccounted for," said Mr Brennan.
"And what we need to try to do is seek an explanation of what has happened."
Asked whether the police were looking for them, he added: "They should be."
Committee chairman Keith Vaz, a former Labour minister, said MPs were "very, very concerned".
"The figures you have given us quite frankly have shocked members of this committee just in relation to Bradford," he said.
He added: "There are 14 other areas where there are missing children. This is totally unsatisfactory."
The MPs demanded a report with more details about the "missing" children be ready by next Tuesday.
The national Forced Marriage Unit was set up three years ago to tackle the problem regarded as "an abuse of human rights and a form of domestic violence".
Laws coming into force this summer will allow victims to obtain court injunctions against anyone trying to force them to marry.
A spokesman for the department of children, schools and families said there was no evidence the "missing" children had been forced into marriage but Bradford was an area where "a forced marriage problem has been reported".
"We have asked the local authority to find out more details about these children," she said.
"They might have moved somewhere else or they may have left the country.
"This is a relatively new inquiry and we are trying to get more information."
A spokesman for the local education authority in Bradford played down any fears, saying parents may have simply failed to register their children at another school since moving house.
Radical Muslim preacher caught on film giving advice on how to 'hoodwink' the Government over benefits
A radical Muslim preacher has been filmed talking about fraudulently claiming benefits and giving advice on how to cheat the Government.
Self-proclaimed extremist Abu Waleed was speaking at the London School of Shariah event in preparation for Ramadan, during which he also made jokes about Muslims taking backpacks on to the Underground.
The British-born radical retold fables from the koran before encouraging his audience to hoodwink the Government.
After a story about a wealthy man, he said: "There was one man, he had a lot of money - just like us, we have a lot of money today from the income support and the incapacity benefit.
"Obviously when you have the incapacity benefit, you want to make sure you walk with a limp when you leave the house just in case there's someone taking pictures.
"Obviously you don't need to tell them that, the Department of Work and Pensions."
Waleed has links through the London School of Shariah, in Bethnal Green, which hosts guest speakers such as jailed fanatic Abu Hamza and radical British Islamist Anjem Choudary.
The three all have links to exiled cleric Omar Bakri.
In the video, Waleed says: "[God] will come to you if you praying ... maybe I left the toaster on ... or maybe I left the rucksack on the Underground - maybe they found some powder in there or something like that - but don't leave a rucksack on the Underground, they'll do you for terrorism."
Talking about the video, Mr Waleed said: "My comments about the backpacks were not meant to glorify the attacks of 7/7 in any way.
"They were not meant to cause offence, the bombings were a horrendous act of terrorism, no one can deny that."
Self-proclaimed extremist Abu Waleed was speaking at the London School of Shariah event in preparation for Ramadan, during which he also made jokes about Muslims taking backpacks on to the Underground.
The British-born radical retold fables from the koran before encouraging his audience to hoodwink the Government.
After a story about a wealthy man, he said: "There was one man, he had a lot of money - just like us, we have a lot of money today from the income support and the incapacity benefit.
"Obviously when you have the incapacity benefit, you want to make sure you walk with a limp when you leave the house just in case there's someone taking pictures.
"Obviously you don't need to tell them that, the Department of Work and Pensions."
Waleed has links through the London School of Shariah, in Bethnal Green, which hosts guest speakers such as jailed fanatic Abu Hamza and radical British Islamist Anjem Choudary.
The three all have links to exiled cleric Omar Bakri.
In the video, Waleed says: "[God] will come to you if you praying ... maybe I left the toaster on ... or maybe I left the rucksack on the Underground - maybe they found some powder in there or something like that - but don't leave a rucksack on the Underground, they'll do you for terrorism."
Talking about the video, Mr Waleed said: "My comments about the backpacks were not meant to glorify the attacks of 7/7 in any way.
"They were not meant to cause offence, the bombings were a horrendous act of terrorism, no one can deny that."
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Brothers' six killers are jailed
A GANG who murdered two brothers in a Muslim turf war were jailed for 138 years.
Mohammed, 24, and Hayder Ali, 25, were killed by a baying mob of up to 30 men armed with knives, machetes, baseball bats, shovels and even estate agents' placards.
Some thugs used their mobile phones to film the pair being beaten, kicked and stabbed to death, the Old Bailey heard.
The Pakistani brothers were friends of Hamad Bhatti, who had fallen out with rival Hassan Mir.
The murders were "the terrible endgame" to an ongoing feud between Muslim gangs in Tooting.
Older relatives tried to stop the hostilities but a full-scale gang war began on April 22, 2006.
After a seven-and-a-half-month trial Hassan Mir, 18, of no fixed address, and his friends Imran Ali, 20, of Wilson Avenue, Mitcham; Noor Kayani, 22, from Gatton Road, Tooting; Imran Hussain, 23, of Selkirk Road, Tooting; Aazam Butt, 20, of Arthur House, Halford Road, Fulham; and Usman Butt, 19, of no fixed address, were found guilty of two counts of murder.
Quadeer Khan, 23, of Garratt Lane, Wandsworth; Bilal Kayani, 20 and Shahzad Kayani, 19 both of Gatton Road, Tooting; and Omar Butt, 32, of Halford Road, Fulham, were cleared of murder on the judge's direction.
Their trial collapsed after the two of the main prosecution witnesses, brothers Favard and Javard Bhatti, spoke to the victims' father Shahid Ali over the phone during the trial.
Another suspect, Imran Aslam, is still wanted by the police and is believed to be in Pakistan.
It was one of the longest murder trials ever heard at the Old Bailey and has cost taxpayers £20million.
Sentencing the gang last Friday, Judge Christopher Moss QC, said: "On April 22 the normally peaceful area of Tooting became a battleground to the distress and fear of those who lived there.
"Two young men were killed, murdered by a mob which included all of you."
The jury, who deliberated for 40 hours and 32 minutes before reaching their verdicts, were granted exemption from jury service for the rest of their lives.
Hayder, a recruitment consultant who lived in Elborough Street, Southfields, was engaged and due to marry in November last year.
Mohammed, an IT sales manager of Tyneham Road, Battersea, was married to Sadia. She was pregnant with their second child.
Mohammed, 24, and Hayder Ali, 25, were killed by a baying mob of up to 30 men armed with knives, machetes, baseball bats, shovels and even estate agents' placards.
Some thugs used their mobile phones to film the pair being beaten, kicked and stabbed to death, the Old Bailey heard.
The Pakistani brothers were friends of Hamad Bhatti, who had fallen out with rival Hassan Mir.
The murders were "the terrible endgame" to an ongoing feud between Muslim gangs in Tooting.
Older relatives tried to stop the hostilities but a full-scale gang war began on April 22, 2006.
After a seven-and-a-half-month trial Hassan Mir, 18, of no fixed address, and his friends Imran Ali, 20, of Wilson Avenue, Mitcham; Noor Kayani, 22, from Gatton Road, Tooting; Imran Hussain, 23, of Selkirk Road, Tooting; Aazam Butt, 20, of Arthur House, Halford Road, Fulham; and Usman Butt, 19, of no fixed address, were found guilty of two counts of murder.
Quadeer Khan, 23, of Garratt Lane, Wandsworth; Bilal Kayani, 20 and Shahzad Kayani, 19 both of Gatton Road, Tooting; and Omar Butt, 32, of Halford Road, Fulham, were cleared of murder on the judge's direction.
Their trial collapsed after the two of the main prosecution witnesses, brothers Favard and Javard Bhatti, spoke to the victims' father Shahid Ali over the phone during the trial.
Another suspect, Imran Aslam, is still wanted by the police and is believed to be in Pakistan.
It was one of the longest murder trials ever heard at the Old Bailey and has cost taxpayers £20million.
Sentencing the gang last Friday, Judge Christopher Moss QC, said: "On April 22 the normally peaceful area of Tooting became a battleground to the distress and fear of those who lived there.
"Two young men were killed, murdered by a mob which included all of you."
The jury, who deliberated for 40 hours and 32 minutes before reaching their verdicts, were granted exemption from jury service for the rest of their lives.
Hayder, a recruitment consultant who lived in Elborough Street, Southfields, was engaged and due to marry in November last year.
Mohammed, an IT sales manager of Tyneham Road, Battersea, was married to Sadia. She was pregnant with their second child.
BBC will splash £25m on Arabic channel to compete with Al Jazeera
Taxpayers will hand over £25million a year to fund a BBC channel which no one in Britain will be able to watch, it has been announced.
The corporation is launching an Arabic television service , which it hopes will compete with Al Jazeera and other channels across the Middle East.
Like the rest of the World Service, it will be paid for by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office - and ultimately, by British taxpayers
The BBC claimed that its reputation for being trusted and impartial would make it attractive to the Arab world.
But politicians have called the move "empire building".
Tory MP Philip Davies, who sits on the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, said: "I can't see what the point of it is. We seemed to have managed without one and I don't see what the need is to throw £25million into it."
He added: "I'm not entirely sure I would share their confidence that all the punters out there will think it is marvellously impartial, particularly given that it is funded by the Foreign Office.
"I can't see Osama Bin Laden giving his latest tapes over to the BBC."
Another MP, who did not wish to be named, said: "It is basically a propaganda exercise. The question is: Will the propaganda be good enough? I have to say I fail to see much difference between the BBC and Al Jazeera much of the time anyway."
The scheme for the Arabic channel has already come under fire as ten other services were dumped to make way for it.
As part of a £30million restructure, ten foreign language services - including Greek, Czech, Polish and Thai channels - were all axed, and 218 jobs were lost.
There are also concerns that a previous Arabic TV service by the BBC, in conjunction with Saudi company Orbit, ended in 1996 over disagreements about editorial control.
The British government funds the BBC World Service because it claims its independent approach to journalism brings credit to Britain.
Broadcasting costs are met by a parliamentary grant through the Foreign and Commonwealth office.
The new Arabic channel, which sits alongside existing online and radio services, is being offered free to those with satellite dishes or a cable connection in North Africa, the Middle East and the Gulf.
World Service director Nigel Chapman said the service would have exactly the same editorial standards as those in the UK.
The corporation is launching an Arabic television service , which it hopes will compete with Al Jazeera and other channels across the Middle East.
Like the rest of the World Service, it will be paid for by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office - and ultimately, by British taxpayers
The BBC claimed that its reputation for being trusted and impartial would make it attractive to the Arab world.
But politicians have called the move "empire building".
Tory MP Philip Davies, who sits on the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, said: "I can't see what the point of it is. We seemed to have managed without one and I don't see what the need is to throw £25million into it."
He added: "I'm not entirely sure I would share their confidence that all the punters out there will think it is marvellously impartial, particularly given that it is funded by the Foreign Office.
"I can't see Osama Bin Laden giving his latest tapes over to the BBC."
Another MP, who did not wish to be named, said: "It is basically a propaganda exercise. The question is: Will the propaganda be good enough? I have to say I fail to see much difference between the BBC and Al Jazeera much of the time anyway."
The scheme for the Arabic channel has already come under fire as ten other services were dumped to make way for it.
As part of a £30million restructure, ten foreign language services - including Greek, Czech, Polish and Thai channels - were all axed, and 218 jobs were lost.
There are also concerns that a previous Arabic TV service by the BBC, in conjunction with Saudi company Orbit, ended in 1996 over disagreements about editorial control.
The British government funds the BBC World Service because it claims its independent approach to journalism brings credit to Britain.
Broadcasting costs are met by a parliamentary grant through the Foreign and Commonwealth office.
The new Arabic channel, which sits alongside existing online and radio services, is being offered free to those with satellite dishes or a cable connection in North Africa, the Middle East and the Gulf.
World Service director Nigel Chapman said the service would have exactly the same editorial standards as those in the UK.
Saturday, March 01, 2008
Harry the No 1 terror target as Al Qaeda threatens to take revenge for 'royal aggression against Muslims'
Prince Harry has been warned that serving in Afghanistan made him a prime target for terrorists. Muslim extremists say the young royal is a "legitimate target" after ten weeks secretly fighting the Taliban.
This morning, the prince is on a troop transport plane bound for RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, where he will be met by his father the Prince of Wales and brother William.
Two Al Qaeda-affiliated websites are calling on jihadists to "slaughter" the third in line to the throne.
There will now be an urgent review of his security and the prince may have to curb his fondness for nightclubs. Many UK Muslims have praised his sense of duty, however, even while condemning the war.
After news of his presence in Afghanistan leaked out, senior defence chiefs quickly agreed that allowing him to stay would increase the risk to his fellow soldiers.
Taliban insurgents were already vowing to step up attacks on British forces.
The prince was said to be bitterly disappointed that his posting to Helmand had to be cut short after a U.S. website broke an international media agreement not to reveal it.
Security sources said the terrorist threats against Harry were being taken seriously.
The prince is guarded, even while he is on Army duties, by a team of officers from the Metropolitan Police's elite SO14 Royalty and Diplomatic Protection Department.
Members of the squad went with him to Afghanistan, although they stayed on an army base, leaving Harry alone in the field.
These Scotland Yard bodyguards are also responsible for protecting the prince during his frequent nightclub forays, though these may now have to be cut back.
Concerns about Harry's safety were deepened when firebrand preacher Anjem Choudhary, of the extremist Al Muhajiroun group, accused him of endorsing an "illegal war".
He said: "I think it is inevitable that anyone who engages in these activities is going to draw attention to themselves. He will be seen as part of the enemy and so he is a target.
"For Harry to participate has absolutely no justification. For people to say he is being brave and doing his job is simply wrong.
"Many wiser and braver men have decided not to participate and have objected and demonstrated against these wars. They should be the ones declared as heroes."
Hate preacher Omar Bakri, now in Lebanon, said: "Harry should condemn the fact that British forces are in a strange land fighting strange people who speak a different language."
But many worshippers arriving for Friday prayers at London's Regent's Park mosque praised the prince.
Accountant Adham Adam, 42, said: "I am against the war and Britain going there but Prince Harry is just doing his duty.
"I hope extremists will not target him because they don't have the right. I don't believe in extremist Islam. They are not doing good things for Muslim Brits."
Sheriff Folami, 65, said: "It shows he is an honourable person. It shows he is a true prince." Hussein Elazghal, 74, echoed the sentiment, adding: "It is very courageous that he is doing his duty. He is a British citizen and he is doing his service."
Hotel manager Nesar Siddiqui, however, said: 2I would be more comfortable if Harry wasn't there. There were legitimate reasons to go to Bosnia, but in Afghanistan there are not those reasons."
Catherine Heseltine of the Muslim Public Affairs Committee warned that many might find Harry's "glorification" of war offensive. She said: "It is not the way to talk about a war where so many Muslims have lost their lives - men, women and children, innocent civilians. It is not an adventure, it is not exciting."
As Harry was moving out, the Queen spoke with pride of her grandson, saying he had "performed a good job in a very difficult climate".
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Harry had served with "great distinction" and the country owed him a "debt of gratitude".
He also revealed that he agreed with the decision to pull the prince out, saying: "Security considerations come first."
Sources close to the 23-year-old Prince said he had been devastated by the decision to bring him home so quickly after news of his frontline deployment leaked out.
The news blackout agreed by many UK and worldwide media - including the Daily Mail - collapsed on Thursday after details of the top-secret posting were published on a U.S. website.
One friend said: "He was absolutely loving it out there and was so proud to be doing, at long last, what he has trained for.
"That said, he always knew that if word leaked out the chances were he would be brought back home immediately. The last thing he wanted to do was to put his men at even greater risk, so he knew in his heart he had to go.
"Harry has lived in these guys' pockets for the last two and a half months and was even prepared to die alongside them, so he was sad to say such a hurried goodbye.
"He has already made plans to meet them when he gets back, though, and says all he wants now is a bath, a burger and to sleep."
Harry had already indicated, in an interview in Afghanistan, that he did not particularly relish the prospect of returning home. He said: "I don't want to sit around in Windsor" and made the surprising admission "I generally don't like England that much and, you know, it's nice to be away from all the press and the papers."
The prince, a second lieutenant in the Blues and Royals, part of the Household Cavalry, is said to now be more keen than ever to pursue a career in the army.
Lance Corporal Frankie O'Leary, who was with him in Afghanistan, said: "At the minute he's got a small team to command. He wants to go on and command a squadron, maybe one day a regiment."
Senior Army commanders considered several options for Harry's immediate future, with some arguing that withdrawing him from Afghanistan handed the Taliban a propaganda coup.
One insider said the danger to him would have remained "modest" if he stayed at an unspecified British base for the rest of his battlegroup's tour of duty. But at a meeting yesterday morning, the chief of the armed forces, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, and the head of the Army, General Sir Richard Dannatt, agreed that Harry must be withdrawn as soon as practicably possible.
Just like last year, when they vetoed the prince's deployment to Iraq, they attached more importance to the safety of soldiers around him. There were fears that the Taliban would step up their activities - ambushes, roadside bombs, mortar and rocket attacks on bases - in the hope of killing the young Royal.
If that led to other soldiers being killed or maimed, Harry and his commanders would be open to intense criticism.
In their first public reaction, the Taliban said Harry's presence in Helmand meant the Royal Family had joined the "aggression against Muslims" and encouraged their fighters to launch more attacks.
A spokesman said: "Instead of fighting and killing the innocent people, the prince should try to influence his Government to withdraw its forces from Afghanistan."
The Defence Ministry said the withdrawal decision had been taken "primarily on the basis that the worldwide media coverage of Prince Harry in Afghanistan could impact on the security of those who are deployed there, as well as the risks to him as an individual".
Brigadier Andrew Mackay, Commander of Task Force Helmand, paid tribute to Second Lieutenant Wales and revealed that he took part in a major operation to disrupt Taliban communications.
The brigadier said: "He has shared the same risks, endured the same austerity and undergone the same moments of fear and euphoria.
"He has flourished in this most demanding of environments, relished the opportunity to serve his regiment and his country, and is deservedly immensely proud of his contribution."
Harry's deployment to Afghanistan puts him in line for an operational medal.
The prince is the first member of the Royal Family to fight on the front line since his uncle, the Duke of York, was involved in the Falklands War.
Harry is set to receive the Operational Service Medal for Afghanistan on his return to Britain.
He will be able to wear it alongside his Golden Jubilee Medal, given him by the Queen in 2002. He has previously worn this on parade at Sandhurst.
An MoD spokesman said he believed Harry would receive his service medal with the rest of his regiment, but could not say when that would be.
This morning, the prince is on a troop transport plane bound for RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, where he will be met by his father the Prince of Wales and brother William.
Two Al Qaeda-affiliated websites are calling on jihadists to "slaughter" the third in line to the throne.
There will now be an urgent review of his security and the prince may have to curb his fondness for nightclubs. Many UK Muslims have praised his sense of duty, however, even while condemning the war.
After news of his presence in Afghanistan leaked out, senior defence chiefs quickly agreed that allowing him to stay would increase the risk to his fellow soldiers.
Taliban insurgents were already vowing to step up attacks on British forces.
The prince was said to be bitterly disappointed that his posting to Helmand had to be cut short after a U.S. website broke an international media agreement not to reveal it.
Security sources said the terrorist threats against Harry were being taken seriously.
The prince is guarded, even while he is on Army duties, by a team of officers from the Metropolitan Police's elite SO14 Royalty and Diplomatic Protection Department.
Members of the squad went with him to Afghanistan, although they stayed on an army base, leaving Harry alone in the field.
These Scotland Yard bodyguards are also responsible for protecting the prince during his frequent nightclub forays, though these may now have to be cut back.
Concerns about Harry's safety were deepened when firebrand preacher Anjem Choudhary, of the extremist Al Muhajiroun group, accused him of endorsing an "illegal war".
He said: "I think it is inevitable that anyone who engages in these activities is going to draw attention to themselves. He will be seen as part of the enemy and so he is a target.
"For Harry to participate has absolutely no justification. For people to say he is being brave and doing his job is simply wrong.
"Many wiser and braver men have decided not to participate and have objected and demonstrated against these wars. They should be the ones declared as heroes."
Hate preacher Omar Bakri, now in Lebanon, said: "Harry should condemn the fact that British forces are in a strange land fighting strange people who speak a different language."
But many worshippers arriving for Friday prayers at London's Regent's Park mosque praised the prince.
Accountant Adham Adam, 42, said: "I am against the war and Britain going there but Prince Harry is just doing his duty.
"I hope extremists will not target him because they don't have the right. I don't believe in extremist Islam. They are not doing good things for Muslim Brits."
Sheriff Folami, 65, said: "It shows he is an honourable person. It shows he is a true prince." Hussein Elazghal, 74, echoed the sentiment, adding: "It is very courageous that he is doing his duty. He is a British citizen and he is doing his service."
Hotel manager Nesar Siddiqui, however, said: 2I would be more comfortable if Harry wasn't there. There were legitimate reasons to go to Bosnia, but in Afghanistan there are not those reasons."
Catherine Heseltine of the Muslim Public Affairs Committee warned that many might find Harry's "glorification" of war offensive. She said: "It is not the way to talk about a war where so many Muslims have lost their lives - men, women and children, innocent civilians. It is not an adventure, it is not exciting."
As Harry was moving out, the Queen spoke with pride of her grandson, saying he had "performed a good job in a very difficult climate".
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said Harry had served with "great distinction" and the country owed him a "debt of gratitude".
He also revealed that he agreed with the decision to pull the prince out, saying: "Security considerations come first."
Sources close to the 23-year-old Prince said he had been devastated by the decision to bring him home so quickly after news of his frontline deployment leaked out.
The news blackout agreed by many UK and worldwide media - including the Daily Mail - collapsed on Thursday after details of the top-secret posting were published on a U.S. website.
One friend said: "He was absolutely loving it out there and was so proud to be doing, at long last, what he has trained for.
"That said, he always knew that if word leaked out the chances were he would be brought back home immediately. The last thing he wanted to do was to put his men at even greater risk, so he knew in his heart he had to go.
"Harry has lived in these guys' pockets for the last two and a half months and was even prepared to die alongside them, so he was sad to say such a hurried goodbye.
"He has already made plans to meet them when he gets back, though, and says all he wants now is a bath, a burger and to sleep."
Harry had already indicated, in an interview in Afghanistan, that he did not particularly relish the prospect of returning home. He said: "I don't want to sit around in Windsor" and made the surprising admission "I generally don't like England that much and, you know, it's nice to be away from all the press and the papers."
The prince, a second lieutenant in the Blues and Royals, part of the Household Cavalry, is said to now be more keen than ever to pursue a career in the army.
Lance Corporal Frankie O'Leary, who was with him in Afghanistan, said: "At the minute he's got a small team to command. He wants to go on and command a squadron, maybe one day a regiment."
Senior Army commanders considered several options for Harry's immediate future, with some arguing that withdrawing him from Afghanistan handed the Taliban a propaganda coup.
One insider said the danger to him would have remained "modest" if he stayed at an unspecified British base for the rest of his battlegroup's tour of duty. But at a meeting yesterday morning, the chief of the armed forces, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, and the head of the Army, General Sir Richard Dannatt, agreed that Harry must be withdrawn as soon as practicably possible.
Just like last year, when they vetoed the prince's deployment to Iraq, they attached more importance to the safety of soldiers around him. There were fears that the Taliban would step up their activities - ambushes, roadside bombs, mortar and rocket attacks on bases - in the hope of killing the young Royal.
If that led to other soldiers being killed or maimed, Harry and his commanders would be open to intense criticism.
In their first public reaction, the Taliban said Harry's presence in Helmand meant the Royal Family had joined the "aggression against Muslims" and encouraged their fighters to launch more attacks.
A spokesman said: "Instead of fighting and killing the innocent people, the prince should try to influence his Government to withdraw its forces from Afghanistan."
The Defence Ministry said the withdrawal decision had been taken "primarily on the basis that the worldwide media coverage of Prince Harry in Afghanistan could impact on the security of those who are deployed there, as well as the risks to him as an individual".
Brigadier Andrew Mackay, Commander of Task Force Helmand, paid tribute to Second Lieutenant Wales and revealed that he took part in a major operation to disrupt Taliban communications.
The brigadier said: "He has shared the same risks, endured the same austerity and undergone the same moments of fear and euphoria.
"He has flourished in this most demanding of environments, relished the opportunity to serve his regiment and his country, and is deservedly immensely proud of his contribution."
Harry's deployment to Afghanistan puts him in line for an operational medal.
The prince is the first member of the Royal Family to fight on the front line since his uncle, the Duke of York, was involved in the Falklands War.
Harry is set to receive the Operational Service Medal for Afghanistan on his return to Britain.
He will be able to wear it alongside his Golden Jubilee Medal, given him by the Queen in 2002. He has previously worn this on parade at Sandhurst.
An MoD spokesman said he believed Harry would receive his service medal with the rest of his regiment, but could not say when that would be.
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