Category Archives: UK
Support for Muslim centre in Oswestry
Residents have written in support of plans for a new Muslim centre in Oswestry – defying calls from the British National Party.
Nearly 30 people have given their support to the plans for the conversion of the 19th century former Presbyterian Church in the town, with just five objections received.
The BNP had urged people to write to Shropshire Council to object to the plans for the building, which is currently occupied by a furniture business.
The Oswestry Muslim Society has applied for planning permission to change the use of the building for prayer meetings.
Supporter Iris Gordijn wrote: “It’s a very good thing that at long last Muslims will get their own religious and social centre in Oswestry. I fully support this application.”
Another supporter, Andrew Meredith, added: “Bringing an unused building back into use can only be good thing for the town. The fact that it is to be used as a Muslim Centre is immaterial.”
Leicestershire: No sanction possible against ex-BNP councillor censured over anti-Muslim leaflet
County Hall says it is powerless to compel a councillor do training he was told to undertake for sending out a leaflet criticising Muslims.
Councillor Graham Partner was censured “in the strongest possible terms” by Leicestershire County Council’s standards committee this summer for undermining good race relations and told he would have to have equality training.
However, since the standards hearing on June 27, Coun Partner, who represents Coalville as an independent, has declined to do the training.
EDL planning another march in Cambridge
The English Defence League (EDL) is planning another march in Cambridge, according to campaigners. A “massive” counter demonstration has already been planned by Cambridge Unite Against Fascism (CUAF).
More than 670 officers policed an EDL march in the city in July, 2011.
Richard Rose, of CUAF, said: “Our head office has information that has been confirmed by the EDL that they will march in Cambridge on February 23. We have organised a counter demo opposing the EDL and what it stands for.”
Muslim man from Oklahoma seeks justice department inquiry
A Muslim man is seeking answers from federal law enforcement agencies about what he describes as their harassment of him and his family since his return to Oklahoma from the Middle East.
Saadiq Long, a U.S. Air Force veteran and McAlester native, said Thursday he and his sister have been followed by the FBI and have had several unexpected and unwanted encounters with agents of the federal agency since he arrived in Oklahoma from Qatar on Nov. 19.
A Christmas message from ‘Tommy’
The English Defence League has posted the latest message from its imprisoned leader Stephen Lennon, wishing his organisation’s now severely depleted troops a happy Christmas.
As you might expect, the letter consists mostly of an extended whinge about his personal predicament. However, “Tommy” does take the opportunity to offer us the benefit of his latest thinking on the origins and aims of Islam.
Man charged over pig’s head at Newbury mosque
A 21-year-old man has been charged with racially aggravated harassment after a pig’s head was discovered outside a mosque, police have said.
The incident happened outside the Muslim place of worship in Pound Street, Newbury, Berkshire, on October 23, Thames Valley Police said.
A man, who police have not named, has been charged with racially aggravated harassment and a Section 4 public order offence. He has been bailed to appear at Reading Magistrates’ Court on December 19.
See also Newbury Today, 12 December 2012
EDL member threatens to blow up Birimingham Central Mosque
Thurnby Lodge Islamic centre plans out to consultation
BBC News and the Leicester Mercury report on the latest developments over the plan to convert a disused scout hut into an Islamic community centre.
Racist attackers punched pregnant woman and tore off friend’s hijab
Two women punched a pregnant woman and pulled her friend’s hijab from her head in a racial attack. Eileen Kennedy, 28, and a 15-year-old female, assaulted Umaimi Musa at Royston Road, Glasgow, on September 3. The teenager also assaulted Ms Musa’s friend Mary Marandran, then five months pregnant.