Category Archives: Resisting Islamophobia

Suzanne Moore, Newsnight and the EDL

Posted on by Bob Pitt

The EDL are entirely a product of exaggerated media reporting of a small demonstration by a group of Muslim men who are widely despised by the Muslims themselves and have been for years, at least since they began their “Magnificent 19” campaign celebrating the 9/11 attackers. To talk of “having a debate” about race or Englishness or the supposed decline of English culture is to talk of giving in to baseless grievances fostered by the distortions published in the mass media, and allowing them to dictate policy on these matters. It must not be allowed to happen.

Yusuf Smith at Indigo Jo Blogs, 6 February 2011

EDL descends on Luton

Posted on by Bob Pitt

EDL protestor Luton February 2011Thousands of far-right activists from the English Defence League descended on Luton yesterday for the biggest demonstration in the organisation’s 20-month history.

Coachloads of supporters from the group’s UK-wide “divisions” arrived from 10am and were joined by far right and Islamophobic groups from across Europe.

The EDL and police had predicted a turnout of between 5,000 and 7,000, but as the marchers arrived in St George’s Square in the town centre just after 1pm, it appeared that no more than 3,000 had turned out. Despite the smaller numbers there were minor scuffles at the train station as anti-racist protesters tried to prevent EDL supporters getting off trains.

More than 2,000 police officers from forces across the south of England escorted the EDL march from the station into the centre of Luton. Some fireworks and bottles were thrown, shops and businesses in the town were closed and petrol stations had been boarded up in what one resident compared to a “war zone”.

EDL leader Stephen Lennon, told the crowd they were part of a “tidal wave of patriotism” sweeping the UK. He launched a broad attack on Islam and the UK’s Muslim communities and said mainstream politicians were failing the working class.

Guardian, 5 February 2011

See also UAF news report, 5 February 2011

David Cameron attacks multiculturalism, lectures British Muslims on extremism

Posted on by Bob Pitt

David Cameron 2David Cameron will today signal a sea-change in the government fight against home-grown terrorism, saying the state must confront, and not consort with, the non-violent Muslim groups that are ambiguous about British values such as equality between sexes, democracy and integration.

To belong in Britain is to believe in these values, he will say. Claiming the previous government had been the victim of fear and muddled thinking by backing a state-sponsored form of multiculturalism, the prime minister will state that his government “will no longer fund or share platforms with organisations that, while non-violent, are certainly in some cases part of the problem”.

In a major speech to a security conference in Munich, he will demand: “We need a lot less of the passive tolerance of recent years and much more active, muscular liberalism.”

He will say that “some organisations that seek to present themselves as a gateway to the Muslim community are showered with public money while doing little to combat extremism. This is like turning to a rightwing fascist party to fight a violent white supremacist movement.”

Cameron’s aides, aware the speech may prove highly controversial, refused to identify the organisations in his sights, but it is clear one target is the Muslim Council of Britain.

Continue reading →

May must act on Luton threat, says Morning Star

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Home Secretary Theresa May ought to ban tomorrow’s so-called “homecoming” demonstration in Luton planned by the English Defence League.

Whatever the weasel words of its spokesmen, EDL leaders know that the group’s events are always accompanied by racist abuse and attacks on places of worship and of minority ethnic communities.

The EDL may insist that its has a right to free expression, but the people of Luton have a right to go about their lawful business with being subject to insults and the possibility of assault.

Editorial in the Morning Star, 4 February 2011

‘Islamophobia group loses main sponsors’

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Well, that the headline to an article by Martin Bright in the Jewish Chronicle, reporting on recent developments in the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Islamophobia.

What actually happened was that two of the APPG’s officers – Chris Hopkins and Greville Janner – resigned their posts because they failed to get support for their attempt to remove ENGAGE from its position as the group’s secretariat. That attempt was reported by the JC in December under the headline “Anti-Islamophobia parliamentary group drop ‘Islamist’ secretariat”, with Bright informing his readers that the APPG had been “forced to end its partnership” with ENGAGE.

It’s also worth noting that Bright’s December report referred to ENGAGE as an “Islamist” organisation in quotes. In his latest report they have become “an Islamist group that backs Hamas”.

Bright and the JC evidently have a serious problem with accurate reporting when it comes to Muslim organisations.

EDL Luton protest attracts far-right activists from across Europe

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Stop the EDL LutonFar-right activists from across Europe will join thousands of English Defence League supporters tomorrow for the biggest rally in the group’s 20-month history.

Police expect up to 7,000 demonstrators will descend on Luton, the Bedfordshire town where the EDL started in spring 2009, amid evidence of the group’s growing influence among young people.

The organisation has staged more than 30 protests since it was formed, many of which have been marred by Islamophobia, racism and violence.

This rally will see more than more than 25 coaches transport members to Luton from across the UK, with thousands more activists due to make their way by car or train. One EDL activist said 800 far-right supporters would be meeting at Kings Cross train station in London before travelling north.

UK-based members will be joined by activists from recently formed copycat “defence leagues” in Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands – as well as supporters of more established far-right groups from France, Germany and Denmark.

Nick Lowles, from the anti-racist campaign group Hope not Hate, said the presence of these groups underlined the EDL’s growing international links.

“The significance of the EDL marching in Luton extends way beyond our shores,” said Lowles. “Across Europe and in North America anti-Islamic groups are watching the EDL with interest, increasingly copying their tactics, even replicating their name. The attendance of so many international supporters is testament to the EDL’s role in the international anti-Islam movement.”

Guardian, 4 February 2011

Details of the Unite Against Fascism counter-demonstration can be found here.

Extremists protest at topping out ceremony for Cologne mosque

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Cologne mosque protest February 2011Several dozen right-wing extremists protested on Wednesday as the top beams were added to Germany’s largest mosque under construction in the city of Cologne.

Ditib mosque federation said the building would not only be “a home for the Muslim community”, but also a place to meet non-Muslims, at the topping out ceremony which traditionally marks the moment a building’s roof structure is completed. “This construction is not a one-way street – just like the process of integration itself,” said the Muslim federation.

The mosque, designed for 1,200 people, features a 37-metre-high dome and two minarets standing 55 metres tall. The final site, occupying 5,000 square metres, is to include a cultural centre and meeting point.

“Interreligious and intercultural dialogue will be revitalized by this mosque,” said Bekir Alboga of Ditib. He stressed that non-Muslims were also welcome to attend the sermons, which would also be translated into German.

Building work began in November 2009, after people in Cologne criticized the proposed mosque for being too big and staged a series of anti-Islamic demonstrations. Lale Akguen, an author and former parliamentarian of Turkish origin, on Wednesday reiterated the criticism and said Ditib intended the mosque to be a symbol of power. “The construction will cement parallel communities,” the Central Council of Ex-Muslims feared.

However the mayor of Cologne, Juergen Roters, rejected the criticism. “If Muslims in Germany build large, representative mosques, this is a sign of normality,” Roters said.

DPA, 2 February 2011

Far-right opposition to Islamic centre in Shotton condemned

Posted on by Bob Pitt

EDL Shotton protest 2An historic Flintshire institution has condemned protests against plans to build an Islamic cultural centre in Deeside.

Gladstone’s Library in Hawarden has voiced its support for the Flintshire Muslim Cultural Society’s plans to set up the centre at the former Shotton Lane Social Club, which has been empty since it closed in August.

The proposals have been strongly opposed in some quarters, and more than 100 activists from far-right group the English Defence League marched through Shotton last month to protest against the plans. The British National Party is also against the proposed facility, which the FMCS says will benefit the whole Deeside community.

Gladstone’s Library warden the Reverend Peter Francis condemned the protests. “This was an invasion of a few political extremists,” he told the Chronicle. “Provoking community tensions in Shotton is an ugly smear on the reputation for warmth and hospitality that the Welsh deserve.”

The Rev Francis remains hopeful people will show support for the plan. He said: “It will take more than this to cause real division, and I am confident that local people will stand up in support of their Muslim neighbours.”

The Rev Francis said the library has recently launched its “Islamic Faith & Culture Project” to promote Christian-Muslim understanding. “It is precisely events such as this protest that prove the need for inter-faith and inter-community projects,” he said.

The Rev Francis added: “This library was set up by William Gladstone as a resource for those who value knowledge and understanding over ignorance and victimisation. And we embrace unreservedly the meeting of faiths and cultures both within our walls, and within the wider community.”

Flintshire Chronicle, 3 February 2011