The Daily Telegraph reports that Khadija Ravat, who was due to deliver Channel 4’s “alternative Christmas message” has pulled out of the programme. A spokesman for Channel 4, however, is quoted as saying that they are trying to find another Muslim woman to replace her.
A “source close to the programme makers” is quoted as saying that Khadija had been “pressurised by senior members of the community who felt it was not her place to talk about Islam”. More likely, it was pointed out that Channel 4’s provocative stunt could only play into the hands of anti-Muslim bigots intent on portraying Islam as an alien ideology.
A nun was convicted of religious harassment after ranting against “terrorist” Muslims in the middle of London’s busy Oxford Street. Sister Ruth Augustus, 66, was fined £200 after she shouted at two women in full robes and veils “you’re probably terrorists, get back to your own country”. City of Westminster Magistrates Court heard how trouble flared when Augustus, a missionary who has worked with prostitutes in the developing world, was handing out prayer leaflets outside Debenhams department store on Easter Tuesday.
The BNP’s front organisation Civil Liberty launches an attack on Dagenham Labour MP Jon Cruddas:
British National Party councillors have been branded a “bunch of racists” after they attempted to ban halal meat from borough schools in Barking & Dagenham. Jeanne Alexander, the borough’s executive councillor for children services, made the outburst as the assembly examined a raft of controversial proposals tabled by the far right party.
An attempt by the fascist British National Party (BNP) to hold a racist rally in Dagenham, east London, ended in its humiliation last Saturday.