The Public Record interviews Alejandro Beutel of the Muslim Public Affairs Council.
Category Archives: Resisting Islamophobia
‘David Cameron must face the challenge of Islamisation’ says Torygraph
The Daily Telegraph follows up yesterday’s interview with Marine Le Pen with a leader opining that the Front National is “not an appropriate model for a political party” in Britain (though presumably far-right racist parties are OK in France). However, there is the prospect of “Right-wing populism” winning support in the UK on the basis of anti-Muslim sentiment.
Such sentiment has a firm basis in reality, according to the Torygraph: “Muslims have migrated to Britain in enormous numbers over the past 40 years; one of the heaviest waves of immigration was encouraged by the last government”, “fears of social fracture are understandable” given that “around 40 per cent of the Muslim community support the establishment of Sharia”, and the government’s empowering of “unelected ‘community leaders'” has “caused huge resentment”.
And the Torygraph’s solution? – “the Government needs to start dismantling an Islamisation that threatens the freedoms of ordinary Britons”.
Update: See Yusuf Smith’s comments at Indigo Jo Blogs, 29 December 2010
The dodgy demographics that Yusuf challenges are also the subject of a scaremongering post by Torygraph leader writer and Catholic Herald editor Damian Thompson, who asks: “What does this mean for liberal Britain?” To which you might be inclined to respond: since when has the Daily Telegraph been a defender of liberalvalues?
Further update: See also ENGAGE, 30 December 2010
German Catholic leader warns against anti-Muslim incitement
The leader of Germany’s 26 million Catholics spoke out Tuesday in defence of Muslims and warned Christians to stay on their guard against hatemongers.
Archbishop Robert Zollitsch, the head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, told the German Press Agency dpa that his church wants more dialogue with Muslims.
Asked if current anti-terrorist alerts might lead to discord between Christians and Muslims, he said “there has been no sign of it” as far as he can tell. “Christians as well as non-religious people in our country can differentiate perfectly well between terrorists, whatever ideology they follow, and their Muslim neighbours,” he said.
Zollitsch also noted that Muslims in Germany “are just as much endangered by the (terrorist) threat as everyone else”. “They have the same interest in effective and at the same time moderate policies by the state as the rest of the population,” he said.
Zollitsch said that a key to keeping relations between Christians and Muslims in Germany harmonious is “preventing political troublemakers from exploiting fears and from inciting people to hate one another”.
Pamela Geller: biggest Islamophobic bigot of 2010
The Daily Kos examines Geller’s record of anti-Muslim hatemongering.
Legal challenge to Murfreesboro Islamic Center costing taxpayers thousands
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee taxpayers are footing the bill for $75,000-plus in legal fees as four residents continue their challenge of a mosque set to be built outside of Murfreesboro. An attorney for the four confirmed to The Tennessean their plans to fight the mosque through a final hearing on the matter, which is expected to happen sometime next year, keeping the tab open.
“I do think it is unfortunate that the county is having to bear this expense, but, that’s the way the legal system is,” said Rutherford County Attorney Jim Cope, whose law office contracts with the county to perform legal services.
Cope’s office billed the county almost $30,000 on Nov. 30 just for the first few days of an eight-day hearing on the May approval of the 52,000-square-foot mosque. Cope estimated the full cost for the entire eight days could top $75,000. The County Commission even added an extra $50,000 to its legal budget in October in anticipation of the legal costs.
Attorney Joe Brandon Jr. represented Rutherford County residents Kevin Fisher, Jim Estes, Lisa Moore and Henry Golcznski, who sued to challenge the county’s approval of the mosque. Brandon said in a statement that they plan to continue their fight to a final hearing on the matter, which is expected to happen sometime next year.
Associated Press, 26 December 2010
For details of the funding behind the lawsuit, see TPM.
Jihad Watch on the ‘Muslim provocation’ that wasn’t
Except that the passenger wasn’t a Muslim. He was a Caribbean Christian. And he was reciting the Lord’s Prayer.
See Richard Brenneman’s post at eats shoots ‘n leaves, 24 December 2010
Bishop of St Albans urges Christians to ‘stand firm’ against EDL
The Bishop of St Albans spoke of the need to “stand firm” against racism in society. The Rt Rev Dr Alan Smith used his Christmas sermon in St Albans Cathedral to warn against “destructive powers which try to divide communities, races and religions”.
He acknowledged “hatred and unrest” could be found within Britain, using the example of the controversial marches undertaken by far-right group the English Defence League (EDL), which provoked clashes in town and cities during the year.
He said: “But hatred and unrest is not just found in far away places. In the past year we have seen racist marches on our streets in London and Bolton, in Dudley and Peterborough, in Aylesbury and Bradford, led by individuals who want to stir up unrest.
“Even as I speak, demonstrations are being planned in Luton in six weeks’ time which could seriously undermine community relations. Some people are even trying to commandeer Christianity to support their cause.”
Educating or fear-mongering? The controversy over ACT!
Deirdre Conner examines the witch-hunting role of ACT! for America.
Feisal Abdul Rauf will tour US to ‘inspire interfaith understanding’ of Park51 project
The Muslim cleric who hopes to build an Islamic center near the World Trade Center site said Friday that he’ll tour the country in an effort “to inspire interfaith understanding” for a project that has ignited explosive faceoffs between supporters and opponents.
“The major purpose is to make people aware of what America means as a country that protects the right to freedom of religion,” Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf told The Associated Press. American Muslims like himself, he said, “can play an important role as interlocutors between the United States and the Muslim world.”
Rauf’s first appearance is scheduled for Detroit on Jan. 15. The city has North America’s largest Muslim population. The imam said he’ll continue on to Chicago, Washington, San Antonio and college campuses including Harvard, Georgetown, Yale and the University of North Carolina. He did not release specific dates for his speeches.
Trials and arrests underline EDL racism and violence
The arrest and conviction of supporters of the racist English Defence League (EDL) in the last few weeks underlines the lie that they are a peaceful, anti-racist organisation – and proves that it is right to build a movement big enough to drive them from our streets.
Two supporters of the EDL pled guilty to common assault and a public order offence following an attack on a Leicester Unite Against Fascism (UAF) organising meeting in the run up to the EDL march on 9 October.
James Elliott pled guilty to common assault and a public order offence, while Michael Stephen Thomas pled guilty to a public order offence at Leicester magistrates court on 6 December.