Category Archives: State Oppression

Cops swoop on Iraqi pair as they film in Cardiff park

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Two asylum seekers were arrested under the Terrorism Act and quizzed for 44 hours after filming themselves in a park. The Iraqi pair, who had been in Wales for just two months, were using a camcorder in Bute Park, Cardiff, when an undercover cop swooped. He asked the men, both 20, what they were doing before one of their mobile phones went off with an Arabic music ringtone. According to the Iraqis’ solicitor Hanif Bhamjee, the cop then radioed for back-up.

Minutes later uniformed and plain-clothes officers arrived in the popular park, which was packed with tourists and city residents soaking up the sunshine. The pair, who speak little English, were formally arrested under the Terrorism Act for what police last night claimed was “a suspicious incident”. It is thought cops were concerned the pair were filming so close to the Millennium Stadium, which is Wales’ top terror target and just over the road from Bute Park.

Mr Bhamjee said the terrified asylum seekers, who fled sectarian violence in their war-ravaged country, were asked a series of questions during hour after hour of gruelling interviews. The lawyer, of Cardiff-based Crowley and Co, added:

“There were 40 detectives involved. They raided their houses like they were looking for explosives. These poor people didn’t know what the hell was happening. They were very shaken – they didn’t know what had hit them so they were panicking. It’s outrageous, the police response was well over the top. If they had made any elementary inquiries they would have realised these kids were nothing to worry about.”

A police spokesman confirmed two men were arrested on Wednesday after a “suspicious incident” and released on Friday without charge.

Wales on Sunday, 8 June 2008

US Muslim leader labelled possible terror suspect

Posted on by Bob Pitt

A4Q LogoNEWARK, N.J. — To one North Jersey counterterrorism task force, Mohammad Qatanani was considered an essential ally – a moderate Muslim leader known for inviting FBI agents into his congregation to conduct seminars on terrorism prevention.  Fifteen miles away, in Newark, a different counterterrorism task force labeled Qatanani a possible terror suspect who had been categorized as a “person of interest” on his application for a green card.

His deportation trial – testimony concluded Monday and a ruling is due in September – has raised questions as to how smoothly counterterrorism efforts are coordinated in New Jersey, and about the ability of immigration authorities to get information from other agencies or check a person’s background in their country of origin.

Qatanani, a 44-year-old Palestinian, has been the spiritual leader at the Islamic Center of Passaic County since 1996. The mosque is in Paterson, the heart of New Jersey’s Arab American community and home to one of the largest Muslim populations in the region.

Qatanani’s 1999 bid for U.S. residency was rejected, and he is facing deportation by U.S. immigration authorities who say he failed to disclose on his green card application a 1993 arrest and conviction in Israel for being a member of the militant group Hamas.

Qatanani has denied being a Hamas member and said he was never made aware of any charges against him. At his deportation hearing, he testified that he had been detained – not arrested – by the Israelis and subjected to physical and mental abuse in detention.

Since the proceedings began in early May, a number of witnesses have testified on the imam’s behalf – including a rabbi and several high-ranking New Jersey law enforcement officials. Hundreds of his supporters have maintained a vigil outside the federal courthouse in Newark for the duration of the trial, often using a megaphone to conduct prayers and plead for justice.

Associated Press, 7 June 2008

‘Symbolism of hijab’

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Remember this article calling for the hijab to be banned from Irish schools? And this report that Ireland’s opposition parties backed the proposal? As a contribution to the “debate” the Irish Independent has published a letter from a US reader in support of a ban: “Like it or not, the hijab is a symbol of a culture that promotes the murder of innocents and mutilation…. The culture of the hijab is against the liberal principles of Western culture…. Ireland has an opportunity to take an early stand against a culture that threatens the West with violence and aggression.”

Ireland: Opposition calls for school ban on hijab

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Muslim girls should not be allowed to wear a headscarf in public schools, the two main opposition parties said last night.

Labour’s Ruairi Quinn said immigrants who come to Ireland need to conform to the culture of this country. “If people want to come into a western society that is Christian and secular, they need to conform to the rules and regulations of that country,” the Labour spokesman on education and science told the Irish Independent.

His comments come amid mounting controversy over guidelines on the wearing of the hijab, commonly worn by Muslim girl in state schools.

His stance on the issue was backed by his Fine Gael counterpart Brian Hayes, who says it makes “absolute sense” that there is one uniform for everyone.

Mr Quinn said immigrants should live by Irish laws and conform to Irish norms. “Nobody is formally asking them to come here. In the interests of integration and assimilation, they should embrace our culture,” he said. He added: “Irish girls don’t wear headscarves. A manifestation of religious beliefs in such a way is unacceptable and draws attention to those involved. I believe in a public school situation they should not wear a headscarf.”

Mr Hayes said Ireland should not be going down the route of multiculturalism.

Last night, a spokesperson for Integration Minister Conor Lenihan said he had no problem with students wearing the hijab. “For those that wear the hijab, it’s an issue of modesty. It’s not so long since Irish women wore headscarves to church, so we have to respect that,” the spokesperson said.

Irish Independent, 2 June 2008

Muslim leader’s protest at police ‘spy tactics’

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Osama Saeed (4)Strathclyde police are facing accusations that it operates a covert intelligence monitoring unit which is infringing the rights of Muslims, after the force launched an investigation into claims that a group of Asians on a clay pigeon shoot had behaved “like terrorists”.

Osama Saeed, chief executive of the Scottish Islamic Foundation, has written to Strathclyde’s chief constable, Stephen House, expressing concern at the way Special Branch officers are questioning Asians about their lifestyles, religious and political beliefs and internet activities. He added that the continued use of the tactics would lead to “further marginalisation of Muslims”, and is already leading some to think twice about practising their beliefs for fear that police will disrupt their lives.

His comments came as one solicitor claimed police have also been secretly “recruiting” Muslims to provide information about their community in return for payments.

The 10-strong shooting party were questioned informally at their homes and businesses by two policemen a year after their November 2006 trip to Kypeside Farm, an activity centre near Lesmahagow in Lanarkshire. The officers, believed to be from Special Branch, were reacting to a tip-off from a member of the public who claimed the group had been overheard discussing “shooting AK-47 rifles in Pakistan”.

The 29-year-old trip organiser, who declined to be identified, said: “They wanted the names of my family and friends and my thoughts on Afghanistan, Iraq and what I would do if I encountered an extremist at my mosque. I replied that I didn’t think I would go to them because they were so ignorant, but would speak to the imam.

“I had my solicitor present, who told me that it was no coincidence several men were standing trial for involvement in a terror camp in the Lake District. It hadn’t even crossed my mind what we did could be seen as terrorist activity and I found it very sinister.”

Sunday Herald, 1 June 2008

Muslim TV crew stopped under terror law

Posted on by Bob Pitt

A Muslim TV producer has accused the police of constantly targeting her crew and stopping them from filming in the streets of London. The crew from an international Muslim network, which included three hijab wearing members, were filming in Notting Hill, west London, in March when they said they were stopped and quizzed. Producer Anousheh Demartino, who was stopped on three previous occasions, told The Muslim News:

“They asked us for our ID and why we were filming. After we told them we were allowed to continue. 20 minutes later we were stopped again. This time we were asked for our residential address; they only asked me, the two other hijab wearing women and not [our] young cameraman. I protested at first and asked why they needed my home address when it was a professional not a personal matter, but he insisted and, not wanting to prolong the incident, I gave him the details.” Anousheh says she was given no legal reasons as to why they were stopped filming; however, she did say the officer made a reference to terrorist activity.

Speaking of her “frustrating” experience as a Muslim journalist she said, “I was stopped before with another crew and given report slips once on High Street Kensington in February and once on Victoria Road. We have to carry those slips with us all the time. I don’t know why we constantly get stopped, is it because we are not a large mainstream media [outlet], or is it because I wear the hijab?”

The incident came a month before a Muslim BBC journalist was held to the ground by police officers after his radio equipment was mistaken for an explosive device.

Muslim News, 30 May 2008

Act now to stop deportation of Hicham Yezza

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Free HichSTOP THE ATTACKS ON MUSLIMS
ACT NOW TO STOP DEPORTATION OF HICHAM YEZZA

As the “war on terror” unravels, attacks on the Muslim community are increasing alarmingly. Almost every day the tabloid press carries scurrilous stories about Muslims. College authorities are suppressing Muslim groups and curtailing academic freedoms. Prominent intellectuals regularly denounce Islam. The government is trying to extend powers of detention without trial for ‘terrorist suspects’. All this threatens to create a divisive and dangerous atmosphere in Britain.

What happened to Hicham Yezza and Rizwaan Sabir is a frightening example of where this official hysteria can lead. Yessir works at Nottingham University, where his friend Sabir is a student. When, as part of his research into political Islam, Sabir downloaded from the internet an Al Quaeda training manual, he emailed it to Hicham and – unable to afford the cost of printing – asked him to print it. The university authorities informed the police, who immediately arrested the two friends under the Terrorism Act.

They were held without charge for six days, their homes searched, their computers seized and friends and family interrogated. Upon release, Hicham was re-arrested under unrelated immigration charges. Although he was initially given a hearing date for 16 July, he was served with a deportation notice last Friday, which informed him he was to be removed on Sunday 1 June on flight BA894 from Heathrow to Algiers. Campaigners have been mobilising to prevent his deportation and last Wednesday held a demonstration at the University of Nottingham, attended by up to 500 people.

Stop the War is urging its supporters to support the campaign to prevent this deportation by:

1) Most urgently, using the model letter (http://tinyurl.com/4a6va7) or write one yourself and e-mail and/or fax it the Home Secretary Jacqui Smith before 5pm today. Quote Home Office reference number Y76064.

Jacqui Smith has the power to stop Hicham’s deportation
* Telephone: 020 7035 0198
* Fax: 020 7035 0900
* Email: indpublicenquiries@ind.homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

2) Before 5pm today, use the template provided by the campaign to fax the deportation centre where Hicham is being held: http://tinyurl.com/3w8sm7

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO CONTACT THE DEFENCE CAMPAIGN:
WEBSITE: http://freehichamyezza.wordpress.com
EMAIL: staffandstudents@googlemail.com
PHONE: 07948590262

UPDATE:  At 12.30 hours today, an application to the High Court in London was issued seeking a judicial review of the decisions of the Home Office in this matter. The removal directions set for Sunday 1st June have now been cancelled by the Home Office, and an application will be made to them this afternoon for Mr Yezza to be released while his case is reconsidered. David Smith, of Cartwright King solicitors in Nottingham, says “We hope and trust that the Home Office will now release Mr Yezza and reconsider his case properly and in accordance with the law; we will proceed vigorously with the High Court action unless they agree to do so.”

Stop the Deportation of Hicham Yezza campaign press release, 30 May 2008

See also “Deportation plan to be reviewed”, BBC News, 31 May 2008

State surveillance of US mosques challenged

Posted on by Bob Pitt

A report that mosques in Los Angeles and San Diego are under federal surveillance has resurrected fears in the Muslim community about government monitoring and led two civil rights groups Wednesday to call for congressional hearings.

The request for public hearings followed a newspaper article last week that cited FBI and Defense Department files pertaining to surveillance of mosques and Muslims in Southern California.

Corey Saylor, Washington spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said the article in the San Diego Union-Tribune “has again raised concerns that our community is being watched.” “We’ve heard about this in the past, but this article appears to be the first confirmation that surveillance is taking place,” Saylor said. “Has faith moved from a personal choice to probable cause?”

Council chapters in Anaheim and San Diego joined the American Civil Liberties Union and Islamic Shura Council of Southern California in asking the U.S. House and Senate judiciary committees and the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform for hearings. In a letter to the committee chairmen and ranking minority members, the groups said hearings are needed to determine the extent of the surveillance and whether people are being monitored because they are Muslim.

Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2008

‘No place for the hijab in civic life’ says Irish journalist

Posted on by Bob Pitt

“If Muslim men are so keen on seeing their headscarf introduced into Irish society, they should wear it as well as their women. Let them cover up, too. Otherwise there must be no place for the hijab in civic life here. Not in banks, hospitals or libraries, not in the guards or civil service and most definitely not in schools.

“You hear a constant stream of hooey about why we can’t ban the headscarf. But this is not about Islamophobia. It’s not about prejudice on race or religion grounds. It’s not about equating the Muslim scarf with terrorism. It’s not about denial of civil rights. Here’s what banning the headscarf is about: the State demonstrating our belief in gender equality. It’s about removing a symbol of repression and submission.

“… it is not discriminatory to ban the hijab in a country that is culturally Christian…. Of course, some nuns wear veils but that’s of their own volition as adult women – not a custom they are railroaded into as children….

“I don’t regard the hijab as a harmless expression of religious and cultural diversity. A veiled woman carries regressive connotations. If we accept it in schools, we open the door to other practices in the Muslim world even more repressive to women, among them arranged marriages and female circumcision.”

Martina Devlin in the Irish Independent, 22 May 2008

Update:  See Yusuf Smith’s comments at Indigo Jo Blogs, 23 May 2008