Jihad Watch defends Tancredo and Graham

“Those who follow the Qur’an word-for-word have declared war on the West, period. Cloak it in a religion, cloak it in a peaceful request for asylum and refuge, the fact remains that we’re at war. Muslims declared this war long before 9/11/01. War against non-Muslims was declared centuries ago. Islam has been at war with non-Muslims since its inception…. If Americans speak honestly about Islam and happen to say something negative, too bad.”

D.C. Watson rallies to the defence of Tom (“nuke Mecca”) Tancredo and Michael (“Islam is a terrorist organisation”) Graham.

Dhimmi Watch, 4 August 2005

Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain condemns Tony Blair’s announcement to ban the party

Hizb“Hizb ut-Tahrir has a record of over 50 years of following a method of non-violent political activity against imperialism and dictators and despots who rule the Muslim world with the West’s approval. In its work to establish the Islamic Caliphate, Hizb ut-Tahrir has never resorted to any sort of armed struggle and nor has it ever incited people to kill innocent civilians. It has throughout its history worked through intellectual and political means while its members have been tortured and killed in the thousands. Hizb ut-Tahrir has in explicit terms stated that Islam forbids the killing of innocent civilians and expressed its denunciation of the killing of 58 innocent individuals on 7th July 2005 in London.”

Hizb ut-Tahrir press release, 5 August 2005

Freedom and civil liberties must not be forsaken – MAB

The Muslim Association of Britain expressed grave concern over the Prime Minister’s statements at the press conference earlier today, in which he outlined a number of radical measures and proposed extreme legislative changes.

There can be no doubt that during these difficult times we must all stand together to preserve our country’s unity, safety and prosperity, whilst at all times and at all costs, maintain what we take great pride in; our freedoms and liberties.

The suggestion of the Prime Minister that he may move to change the Human Rights Charter in order to allow for extra-ordinary measures to deport, ban and eradicate those who carry views other than “ours”, is worrying to say the very least.

Mr Blair in his statement used vague and loose language which may lead to ban legitimate freedom of speech and support for just causes. We agree with the Mayor of London in his statement today that if the Prime Ministers proposals were to be implemented 20 years ago they would have meant banning Nelson Mandela or anyone supporting him.

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FOSIS opposes Blair’s crackdown

The Federation of Student Islamic Societies (FOSIS) is very concerned and casts doubt on the potential effectiveness of some of the measures announced by the Prime Minister today.

FOSIS President Wakkas Khan commented: “There’s no question that we, together with the Muslim community and the rest of British society believe that the safety of our country and the security of our people must receive utmost consideration. It is vital that we do not resort to quick-fix measures hoping only new laws and legislation will solve the problem at hand. Anti-terror measures need more consultation and consideration from all parts of society.

“The government’s measures must not infringe upon the rights and freedoms of its citizens. Proscribing groups that are understood to be non-violent is certainly a step in the wrong direction. Hizb-ut-Tahrir is clearly understood to be a non-violent organisation with strong and vocal opinions which Muslim community may agree or disagree with. This does not warrant a ban on this group as such actions will only be counterproductive.

“We are extremely worried by the Prime Minister’s effort to link asylum and immigration with the new anti-terror measures, which might only help racist elements in society.

“Mr. Blair needs to clarify whether he aims to silence the voices that support Palestinians’ struggle for freedom and other peoples’ struggles against brutality and occupation around the world.”

FOSIS press release, 5 August 2005

Race attacks show ‘low’ increase

Racist attacks in Scotland have risen by almost a quarter since the London bombings, according to police figures. There were 438 incidents reported from 7 July to the end of the month. That was up by 79 on last year, with 64 of those directly linked to the bombings. Senior officers said they were glad the increase was “relatively low” and that the figures showed people had adopted a mature attitude to the atrocities.

BBC News, 4 August 2005

However, see also here and here.

Daily Express condemns BBC’s pro-Muslim ‘bias’

Fury over BBC’s bias to Muslims; They pack TV terror debate with anti-British audience

By Martin Evans

Daily Express, 4 August 2005

BBC bosses faced a furious backlash last night after they were forced to admit that they packed a TV terror debate with Muslims.

Angry viewers complained that the programme was anti-British and failed to offer a balanced view on the danger posed by Islamic extremists.

They were incensed that the opinions and feelings of the victims of the London bombings, which claimed 52 innocent lives and left 700 injured, were not given enough airtime in BBC1’s Questions of Security.

Instead, the “news special”, which was watched by millions, was dominated by militant factions in the audience who were heavily critical of the police and security services.

BBC bosses admitted they deliberately set out to give Muslims a louder voice in the debate hosted by Huw Edwards.

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CAIR ‘silences its critics’

“Following the London bombings, Washington, D.C.-based radio host Michael Graham of the Disney owned 630 WMAL devoted a show to the attacks, saying that followers of Islam were terrorizing Great Britain. Some of Mr. Graham’s statements – such as ‘Islam is at war with America’ and ‘Islam is a terrorist organization’ – resulted in a campaign by CAIR to get him fired.”

Steven Stalinsky of MEMRI argues that Graham was correct, and that Islam is indeed an organisation of terror against non-Muslims.

Front Page Magazine, 4 August 2005