Author Archives: Bob Pitt

Mosque for all

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Letter from Ali Mangera, Mangera Yvars Architects, in the Evening Standard, 25 July 2006:

“REGARDING your report on the Islamic Centre project at Abbey Mills, we would like to make clear that it has nothing to do with any radical group, including the London bombers (17 July). Those men could have attended any number of mosques, but certainly did not attend our Abbey Mills site. The building is designed as a prototype for sustainable development and a community resource with exhibition spaces, restaurants and public gardens. Our aim is to create dialogue between peoples and provide an inclusive centre open to all faiths, which is particularly relevant to London today.”

WND explains the Middle East conflict

Posted on by Bob Pitt

“Radical Islamic jihadists seek to destroy Israel. Nothing short of the Jewish state’s annihilation will satisfy them. In fact, even the destruction of Israel is simply a means to an end – a short-term goal, if you will. It is the first step in a long march to global domination. Some secularists in the West look at Islam and dismiss the possibility that it could ever dominate the globe … much of the world believes this evil ideology can be negotiated with. They believe it can be placated. They believe it can be bought off. They believe it can be reasoned with. They even believe that it might be enflamed by legitimate grievances….

“There are no legitimate grievances. Israel did not steal anyone’s land. Israel did not create a refugee crisis. Israel did not oppress the ‘Palestinian people’. All that is nonsense…. The conflict between Islamic radicals and Jews in the Middle East is really very simple. The Islamic radicals want all the Jews dead…. No amount of land concessions will appease the beast. No amount of foreign aid will appease the beast. No amount of revisionist history will appease the beast. Only death and destruction of all infidels will quench the beast’s appetite for blood and power….

“This is the way it has always been – since Muhammad first got his demonic visions in the desert. Ever since then, radical adherents to his message have been on the march – beheading, converting by sword, wiping out entire villages, raping and pillaging.”

Joseph Farah in World Net Daily, 26 July 2006

It’s a clash of civilisations, former Mossad chief explains

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“This is not a conflict between Israel and Hezbollah over a piece of land on the Israeli-Lebanese border. Rather, it goes deep down to the core of the conflict that exists between Western societies and fundamentalist Islam. As politically incorrect as it might be to say, let’s face it: This is a clash of civilizations. Or, as some euphemize it, a fight between the forces of order and disorder. One side does not accept the idea of coexistence but believes it has been ordained by God Almighty to make the rest of the world Islamic – or to eliminate it. Whenever I say this, it sounds like I’m describing medieval times. Unfortunately, it is the real story.”

Shabtai Shavit, former director general of Mossad, explains Israel’s war against Lebanon.

Herald Sun, 25 July 2006

London Islamic Centre designed as inclusive project for all faiths

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Architects at the London Islamic Centre have hit out at allegations linking the centre with the 7/7 bombers. In a stinging letter to the Evening Standard newspaper, Ali Mangera of Mangera Yvars Architects said that no links could be made between the centre and the London bombers. Mangera said:

“We would like to make clear that our project has absolutely nothing to do with any radical group whatsoever including the London bombers. The bombers could have attended any number of mosques in their lifetime, but they certainly did not attend our site at Abbey Mills. As architects working closely with our clients, we have gone to great lengths to provide an inclusive project open to all faiths. It is inconceivable that a public building and landmark project of this type could be built by any radical group.”

The Islamic Centre, based in Abbey Mills, will initially provide 10,000 prayer spaces, and a maximum of 20,000 in phase two of the project.

Developers Illyas Mosqu say that the scheme will provide access across the site to the Olympics Stadium from West Ham Station, the second station for Olympics visitors after Stratford.

Support for the project has already come in from London mayor Ken Livingstone, the London Development Agency, Newham Council, and Thames Gateway.

Continue reading →

Newt Gingrich on the threat to Western civilisation

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Newt Gingrich“The nature of the threat – with Iran at the epicenter – is at its core ideological. The ideological wing of Islam that is irreconcilable to modern civilization. And while not operationally connected, the events of just the last seven weeks throughout the world share the common strategic goal of defeating the West and its values. It could be accurately described as a third world war. Just place these events on a map and a clear picture emerges.

“An Iran-Syrian-Hizbullah-Hamas terrorist alliance is waging war against Israel; seven bombings in Mumbai, India, killed more than 200 people; North Korea, launched seven missiles, including an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of hitting the West coast of the continental United States; seven Americans pledging allegiance to al-Qaida on video tape; a plot to bomb New York City subways and tunnels; 18 Canadians arrested with twice the explosive force used in the Oklahoma City bombing. Now add all the cities where previous events have occurred and a global campaign of terror is no longer deniable. The free world must stand up to the barbarism or be defeated by it.”

Comment is Free, 20 July 2006

And since when has the government of North Korea found its inspiration in the “ideological wing of Islam”?

Steven Emerson on US Muslims

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Steven Emerson“Tonight, hundreds, if not thousands, of Muslims will convene in American arenas, conventions halls, and mosques. Steven Emerson, an internationally recognized expert on terrorism who will speak in Jackson Hole on July 27, has witnessed such meetings and has infiltrated these groups.

“He says these gatherings feature a speaker who will call for the worldwide extermination of Jews and Christians. The audience will respond with blood-curdling shouts of ‘Allah Akbar’ and ‘Destroy the West’, their fists and weapons raised high. Available will be instructional videos for sale on the proper handling of self-propelled grenades. Flyers will advertise boot camps in Turkey, Syria and Afghanistan. A coloring book entitled ‘How to Kill the Infidel’ will be available for kids.”

Self-styled “security expert” Steven Emerson offers the citizens of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, his insights into the life of the US Muslim community.

Planet Jackson Hole, 19 July 2006

Protest niqab ban in Norway

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Last month, the Directorate for Primary and Secondary Education of Norway gave permission for the niqab (which covers the whole face except the eyes) to be banned in schools. This law denies Muslim girls many fundamental rights including the freedom to practice one?s religion and the right to education.

Erling Lae, the leader of Oslo City Council, has decided to remove the veil in schools because it causes problems for teachers who cannot see their students’ faces. The ruling will now make it possible for the niqab to be banned from schools in other municipalities in Norway. The Oslo city councillor for schools and education has said that the niqab makes communication impossible between teachers and students and between students as well.

However, under Article 9 of the European Convention of Human Rights, everyone has the right to freedom of religion unless it is in the interest of public safety and health. It is clear that wearing the niqab in classrooms does not pose any threats to other students and teachers. Furthermore, in some schools of thought within Islam, wearing a niqab is obligatory and so a ban is clearly an infringement on religious freedom.

France, and parts of Germany and Belgium have already prohibited the wearing of the headscarf in schools and unless effective action is taken, the ban will spread throughout the whole of Europe.

Please contact your political representative, the Foreign Minister of your country and the Norwegian Embassy in your respective countries to condemn the law.

IHRC alert, 19 July 2006

BNP backs Bright

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Predictably, the fascists are full of admiration for Bright’s Channel 4 documentary, Who Speaks for Muslims?, which of course fitted in neatly with their own propaganda about the threat posed by mainstream Muslim organisations in Britain: “Martin Bright of the New Statesman illustrated how the MCB which purports to be a ‘moderate’ organisation actually represents the most extreme and militant Islamic fundamentalists with links to the Jamaat al Islami [sic] and the Muslim Brotherhood which is itself linked to terror groups and has defended them.”

BNP news article, 18 July 2006

Bodi bashes Bright

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Faisal Bodi trashes Martin Bright’s recent Channel 4 documentary. He points out that Bright falsely attributes to democratic reformist Islamist organisations like the Muslim Brotherhood “a position at the beginning of a continuum of Islamist terror”.

Guardian, 18 July 2006

Over at the National Secular Society’s website, a link to Bodi’s article has been posted under the heading “We must listen to the murderous Islamic militants”. And there are still people who deny that the NSS is Islamophobic!

For further informed criticism of Bright, see Indigo Jo Blogs, 16 July 2006

Media blamed over Islam’s image

Posted on by Bob Pitt

UK Muslims blame Islamophobia on the portrayal of their religion in the media, a survey has revealed.

The research found that 40% of Muslims blamed anti-Islamic feelings on the media, while 74% of non-Muslims blamed Islamophobia on the 9/11 bombings.

The internet survey of 1,360 people was carried out by Global Market Insite, Muslim Voice UK, Queens University in Belfast and the University of Liverpool.

The report by Shaista Gohir, from online forum Muslim Voice UK, stated: “The Muslim-West relations have become increasingly strained due to a string of events such as the September 11 attacks in 2001, the Afghanistan war in 2002, the Iraq war, the London bombings in 2005 and the Danish cartoon row.

“In this current climate, it is essential to gauge Muslim and non-Muslim attitudes with a view to resolving differences.”

The research found that both sides agree that Muslims and non-Muslims “don’t understand each other” but have different concerns about the cause of the culture clash.

She sets out recommendations including action by the Muslim community and police; breaking down barriers to integration and misunderstandings; tackling discrimination and Islamophobia; measures to deal with extremism; reviewing foreign policy; protecting human rights and more responsible reporting by the media.

She said: “It was striking that Muslims feel more strongly about international issues than say, their treatment by police or discrimination in the UK.

“It also appears that Islamophobia, Western foreign policy and human rights abuses of Muslims are contributing substantially to the alienation of UK Muslims.

“On the other hand, non-Muslims are concerned about extremism, the lack of integration, Muslims not being proud to be British and the lack of tolerance by Muslims. However, the biggest threat to good Muslim and non-Muslim community relations is the misinformation on Islam in the media.”

Press Association, 18 July 2006