Yearly Archives: 2010

EDL joins poppy protest outside Portsmouth mosque

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Portsmouth mosque graffitiPolice say they will investigate the protests which took place outside a Portsmouth mosque on Saturday.

Scores of demonstrators gathered outside Portsmouth’s Jami Mosque. They were protesting after a small group of Muslims – not from the city – burned poppies in London during the two minutes’ silence on Armistice Day.

The protest, led by former soldier David Tallard, congregated outside the mosque at midday and numbered about 40. It broke for Pompey’s home game against Doncaster, and gathered again shortly after 5pm this time with about 100 taking part.

Peace protesters who had heard about the protest also gathered outside the mosque. Shouting between the two groups then ensued with firecrackers, an egg and a golf ball being thrown into the peace campaigners.

A 6ft poppy had also been graffitied on the mosque the day before.

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EDL leader charged with assault

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Stephen Lennon arrestedThe founder of the English Defence League has been charged with assaulting a police officer during clashes with Islamic protesters in London.

Stephen Lennon, 27, of Layham Drive, Luton, was held by police in Kensington, west London, as the nation stopped to mark the anniversary of Armistice Day. Father-of-two Lennon, also known as Yaxley-Lennon and Tommy Robinson, has spoken on behalf of the EDL after a series of violent and intimidating confrontations.

Five others associated with his group were also arrested as members of Muslims Against Crusades burned remembrance poppies.

Press Association, 12 November 2010

White powder, threats sent to French mosque

Posted on by Bob Pitt

An official at Strasbourg City Hall says an area mosque has received an envelope containing a suspicious white powder and anti-Muslim threats.

The official said two employees of the Eyyub Sultan mosque, serving Strasbourg’s Turkish community, opened the letter Friday. It contained a half-burned page from the Quran and a threatening letter, the official said on condition of anonymity because she was not authorized to speak with the media. She says the powder has not yet been identified, but is not anthrax.

In a statement, Strasbourg Mayor Roland Ries condemned the “racist act” and pledged to identify those behind it as soon as possible.

Associated Press, 12 November 2010

See also EMISCO press release, 13 November 2010

Viriginia: Muslim customer denied service because she wore a headscarf

Posted on by Bob Pitt

A prominent national Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization is calling on a Virginia-based convenience store chain to offer an apology to a Muslim woman who was allegedly denied service at one of the chain’s stores in that state because she wore an Islamic head scarf, or hijab.

The Muslim customer told the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) that she entered the Valero Fas Mart in Fredericksburg, Va., on November 9 to make a purchase. When she approached the cashier to pay, she was allegedly told to remove her hijab if she wanted to be served. The cashier reportedly said the reason for that demand was that the store security cameras would not be able get a clear image of the Muslim customer’s face, despite the fact that her full face was visible.

To comply with the cashier’s demands, and despite her sincere religious beliefs that she must cover her hair at all times, the Muslim customer says she pulled her scarf back slightly to expose her hairline. In spite of this attempt to avoid confrontation with the cashier, the Muslim customer was allegedly told to leave the store without being served.

Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of religion in places of public accommodation and service.

In a letter to Valero Fas Mart, CAIR National Legal CounselNadhira Al-Khalili asked the company to investigate the incident, reprimand the cashier, provide the Muslim customer with a written apology, and institute sensitivity and diversity training for staff.

CAIR is urging American Muslims and other people of conscience to contact Valero Fas Mart and urge the company to address the Muslim customer’s concerns.

CAIR press release, 11 November 2010

Jews against EDL launch unity voice

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Jews Against the EDLThe first joint initiative to combat Jewish support for the English Defence League within the community has been launched.

The “Not in our name – Jews against the EDL” campaign is backed by more than a dozen organisations, including the Board of Deputies, Community Security Trust, the Israeli Embassy, and Jews for Justice for Palestinians. More than 500 people have already pledged their support.

The initiative of the Union of Jewish Students, the campaign is a response to the creation of a “Jewish division” by the extreme right-wing anti-Islamic-fundamentalist group earlier this year, and the EDL’s pro-Israel protest outside the Israeli Embassy last month, which was supported by American rabbi Nachum Shifren.

The “Not in our name” group’s founding pledge states: “The Jewish community has always been at the forefront of anti-fascism. From Cable Street to defeating the BNP at the ballot box, we have been unafraid to speak out against those who seek to spread fear and hatred in our communities.

“Now our community faces a new threat. The EDL claims to be our allies in the fight against extremism. In reality, they are violent racists with BNP members and Nazi sympathisers among their ranks. It is time for the Jewish community to come together as one to expose the EDL as the racist thugs they are.”

UJS campaigns director Carly McKenzie said: “We felt this was a prime opportunity to bring the whole community together with one loud voice.”

Edie Friedman, director of the Jewish Council for Racial Equality, which is backing the initiative, said: “It’s terribly important for different sections of the community, as well as individuals, to stand up and say categorically, ‘not in our name’. It’s unbelievable that such an organisation can appropriate Jewish support.”

Karen Pollock, chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said: “At the HET we educate about the dangers of racism and discrimination and it is vital that we stand up against groups such as the EDL who preach hatred and division in our communities.”

Jewish Chronicle, 11 November 2010

‘Halal meat is being served in schools, hospitals and pubs – even though vets say Islamic slaughter is cruel ‘

Posted on by Bob Pitt

“A few hours before dawn, and even through the inky blackness it is clear this is no ­ordinary warehouse. Outside the building, gusts of wind send hay and straw flying, and the air is thick with the acrid sent of manure. Despite the darkness, I can see blood trickling down the gutters and a group of men clutching knives. Every so often, the eerie scene is ­punctured by the sound of lambs bleating.”

The Daily Mail resumes its anti-halal campaign.

Wilders trial to resume

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Right-wing Dutch MP Geert Wilders stands next to his lawyer in an Amsterdam court charged with inciting hatred and discrimination against MuslimsThe trial of Dutch anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders for inciting hatred will resume shortly in Amsterdam with new judges, judicial authorities have said.

Mr Wilders is on trial charged with inciting hatred and discriminating against Muslims. The trial was suspended when the defendant’s lawyer raised objections against the judges. The impartiality of one of the judges was questioned when it turned out he had had a private conversation about the case with a defence witness prior to the trial.

Although the witness in question, Islamologist Hans Jansen, was present in the courtroom when the allegations were made, the court denied Mr Wilders’ attorney Bram Moszkowicz the right to question him about the private meeting with Judge Tom Schalken.

The objections made by the defence were upheld, and the judges have been replaced.

Mr Wilders rejects the charges of hatemongering against Muslims and claims that he is speaking the truth in calling Islam an aggressive ideology which promotes terrorism.

RNW, 11 November 2010