A group of English Defence League (EDL) members demonstrated at the halal meat counter in Asda, Rochdale, on Saturday (14 January).
Rochdale Online understands that between 15 and 20 men arrived at the store, on Dane Street, at around 3.30pm but were swiftly moved on by the police and no arrests were made.
Sharia council in Birmingham holds divorce hearing
A leading barrister has called for the UK to become more sharia-literate, while arguing that Islamic law can be compatible with the toughest human rights legislation.
Sadakat Kadri told the Guardian that so-called “sharia courts”, such as the Muslim arbitration tribunal, could serve “the community as a whole” by putting Sharia on a transparent, public footing and should be more widely accessible to those who want to use them.
Kadri said they played a role in safeguarding human rights: “It’s very important that they be acknowledged and allowed to exist. So long as they’re voluntary, which is crucial, it’s in everyone’s interests these things be transparent and publicly accessible. If you don’t have open tribunals, they’re going to happen anyway, but behind closed doors.”
I’ve been asked why Islamophobia Watch hasn’t covered the “Jesus and Mo” row at University College London. The reason, frankly, is that I had better things to do with my time than address this concocted controversy. However, on reflection, it’s worth a short post because of the role played by celebrity atheist and anti-Islam bigot Richard Dawkins, which is what attracted coverage of the issue in the national press last week.
Harry’s Place is a Zionist blog that specialises in witch-hunting politically engaged Muslims, and supporters of the Palestinian cause generally, by portraying them as supporters of violent extremism.
Yet last week one of HP’s main contributors, Gene Zitver, posted a piece on the murder of Iranian scientist Mostafa Ahmadi Roshan which concluded approvingly: “Assuming it is the Mossad, their ability to operate like this in the heart of an enemy country is impressive, to say the least.” Yesterday Zitver sneered that in Iran “nuclear science appears to be a notably unsafe profession” and provided a link to his previous post.
The English Defence League was forced to drag in supporters from as far away as Coventry, Norwich and Weymouth to shore up a miserable turnout in the east London borough of Barking and Dagenham on Saturday 14 January.
Only around 100 EDL supporters turned up for what was billed as a regional mobilisation in Barking – although the racists and fascists had obviously mobilised from much further afield.
In contrast, around 80 people, overwhelmingly from the local area, came to an emergency counter-protest called by UAF at just two days’ notice. The antiracist and antifascist protestors included black, white and Asian people.
Foreign secretary William Hague has an interesting piece in today’s Times entitled “Freedom is still flowering in the Arab Spring”.
The article is hidden behind Rupert Murdoch’s paywall, but it has been reproduced on various UK embassy websites, so you can read it there for free.
Councillor Paul Dixon with anti-mosque protestors
Hundreds of objections have been filed against controversial plans for a new mosque.
The move by an Islamic centre to submit a planning application for the place of worship has prompted a flood of complaints. Many residents are furious at the plans, with one claiming Millfield will “end up being Mosquefield” and the council has received 623 letters of objection and a petition bearing 1,462 signatures.
Lib Dem councillor Paul Dixon, who has been working with the objectors, said the residents had fought a “clean campaign” and stressed their objections were not based on racism or Islamophobia. “People are concerned about noise, traffic and parking. There’s also the impact on the character of the area.”
A North East Liberal Democrat council candidate has been accused of Islamophobia over comments posted on his Facebook site.
Dave Stones, who is standing for election to Redcar and Cleveland Council, reportedly suggested on the website that a pork restaurant and a topless bar should be built next to a mosque.
He has apologised for any offence caused, but Labour MP Tom Blenkinsop accused him of holding “clearly expressed Islamophobic views”. The Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP raised the issue with Commons leader Sir George Young.
The English Defence League has applied for permission to march through Leicester city centre. The group, which staged a major rally in the city in October 2010, wants to return on Saturday, February 4.
Its previous protest degenerated into violence as people within a cordoned-off area reserved for the EDL pelted police officers with bricks, bottles and coins. A number of fireworks and smoke bombs were also thrown from the 1,000-strong EDL section, while some of its followers broke through police lines to engage in running battles with local youths and officers.
The operation cost police – who put 2,000 officers on to the streets – and Leicester City Council an estimated £850,000. Shops, particularly those in Humberstone Gate East, lost trade because they closed and boarded up their properties for the day.
The EDL formally notified city authorities on Wednesday of its wish to stage a march and rally. Police and officials at Leicester City Council held an urgent meeting yesterday to consider their response. They can apply to the Home Office for a ban on the march – as they did on the previous occasion – but cannot prevent a static protest.
UAF is organising an emergency protest against the English Defence League in Barking and Dagenham, east London, on Saturday 14 January.
The EDL is an organisation of racist and fascist thugs, who particularly target Muslims.
They plan to march through Barking as part of its attempts to stir up racism and division in the area. EDL supporters have aready staged a series of demonstrations in Dagenham against a proposed mosque.