.. the country’s principal police force involved in counterterrorism is now under the control of an officer whose obsession with the “diversity” agenda is thought to be undermining the fight against terror.
The oppressive side of this philosophy surfaced recently when Sir Ian Blair, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, was rebuked by an employment tribunal for “hanging his own officers out to dry” to prove his anti-racist credentials.
This was after his force was found to have racially discriminated against three white officers who were disciplined after alleged racist remarks at a training day, in which one of them had referred to Muslim headgear as “tea cosies”, mispronounced Shi’ites as “shitties” and said he felt sorry for Muslims who fasted during Ramadan.
Yet following this institutional bullying over Islamophobia, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Brian Paddick yesterday made the astonishing comment: “As far as I am concerned Islam and terrorists are two words that do not go together.” So what, then, does he think Al Qaeda is?
While few would disagree that the Met has to be sensitive to the needs of ethnic minorities, Sir Ian’s obsession with attacking “Islamophobia” is now raising serious concerns among certain police officers and security sources.
It is getting in the way of the job the police are called upon to do. Officers who try to address the delicate issue of terrorism and its supporters within the Muslim community now find themselves in danger of being accused within their own force of Islamophobia.
Crackdown on civil liberties? Muslims only have themselves to blame
Thomas Friedman warns that “when Al-Qaeda-like bombings come to the London Underground, that becomes a civilizational problem. Every Muslim living in a Western society suddenly becomes a suspect, becomes a potential walking bomb. And when that happens, it means Western countries are going to be tempted to crack down even harder on their own Muslim populations”.
And what solution does he propose? The need for a vigorous defence of civil liberties, perhaps? No, Friedman argues that the central problem is that Muslims have been “derelict in condemning the madness of jihadist attacks”. Unless they change their ways, and “take on, delegitimize, condemn and isolate the extremists in their midst”, Muslims will only have themselves to blame for the resulting crackdown.
In the same issue, Peter Bergen warns of the threat posed to the US by UK-based terrorists, who have been drawn to Britain by its “relatively permissive asylum laws”. Bergen cites a figure of 10,000 to 15,000 Al-Qaida supporters in Britain, based mainly on the fact that 10,000 Muslims attended a 2003 conference held by Hizb ut-Tahrir – an organisation which of course specifically repudiates Al-Qaida and its methods.
‘Done in the name of Allah’ – BNP
“The adherents of Islam claim that it is a religion of peace. The small extremist minority that can out [sic] such murderous attacks upon our people show quite the opposite. This alien creed breeds disaffection, hatred and violence. Almost every global conflict taking place today is where this ‘peaceful’ religion is trying to assume or maintain influence and power. From Nigeria through to Chad and Sudan and northwards through the Middle East and into the Caucasus, lie battle zones where Islamics are fighting non-believers.”
Don’t blame AIDS on Muslims
It is hardly surprising that Muslims feel singled out for unfavorable categorization by the West. AIDS is a global threat which is ravaging Africa and threatens to do the same in populous Asia. But a supposedly concerned U.S. think-tank has chosen to present the threat in religious terms.
The report of the National Bureau of Asian Research entitled “Behind the Veil of a Public Health Crisis; HIV/AIDS in the Muslim world” proclaims that this is a “heretofore largely unexplored problem” and demands that “countries in the Muslim world tackle these problems now.” It sees the Muslim world as one and describes the spread of HIV among Muslims as “the newest phase in the global pandemic.”
Ironically, this attempt to link Islam and AIDS denial has coincided with a UNAIDS meeting in Kobe, Japan, focusing on the situation and outlook in Asia, which clearly shows how the issue cuts across all religious and political divides.
Cf. ‘The Muslim face of AIDS’, Front Page Magazine, 7 July 2005
MAB denounces attack on London
Following early indications that the coordinated blasts in London this morning are likely to have been a coordinated terrorist attack, the Muslim Association of Britain expresses its disgust with the contempt in which the perpetrators appear to hold human life.
Islam holds the sanctity of human life in the highest possible regard and shedding the blood of an innocent person is seen as a crime most heinous and repulsive.
The Muslim Association of Britain calls on Muslims everywhere to be clear and strong in declaring the fundamentals of Islam which emphasise the principles of peace, justice and humanity. It calls also on those living in London and elsewhere to provide all assistance and support requested by the emergency services and to contribute fully towards the smooth and successful progress of their work.”
Statement on the London bombings by George Galloway on behalf of Respect
“No one can condone acts of violence aimed at working people going about their daily lives. They have not been a party to, nor are they responsible for, the decisions of their government. They are entirely innocent and we condemn those who have killed or injured them.”
SWP on London bombings
“These bombings target ordinary people travelling by bus and underground to work and study; people who oppose Tony Blair’s support for George Bush and their occupation of Iraq. They are in no way a blow against imperialism or the G8 leaders, who are ensconced in a luxury hotel 450 miles north of London.
“The British government cannot avoid its responsibility for these terrible attacks, which are a consequence of its support for war and occupation in Iraq and Afghanistan. The best way to ensure that there are no more such terrible attacks is for British troops to be withdrawn from there immediately.”
Muslims urged to stay indoors
Fears that Muslims may be become the victims of reprisals following today’s London bombings have prompted a warning for them to stay indoors.
Massoud Shadjareh, chairman of the Islamic Human Rights Commission, appealed for calm and condemned the bombings. He said: “The Islamic Human Rights Commission utterly condemns this attack, but now we appeal that there should be no further victims as a result of reprisals.”
There was no immediate confirmation of who was responsible for the attacks, but a claim was made on the Al-Qal’ah [Fortress] internet site, by a group calling itself the Secret Organisation Group of Al-Qa’ida of Jihad Organisation in Europe.
Mr Shadjareh said some members of the Muslim community suffered a backlash following the September 11 2001 terror attacks in the United States, and the Madrid train bombing in March 2004. He said he was “very concerned about a backlash” and called on British Muslims to “remain vigilant and calm and stay indoors”.
He said: “IHRC is advising Muslims not to travel or go out unless necessary, and is particularly concerned that women should not go out alone in this climate. In the event of being attacked, IHRC urges victims not to retaliate and to report the matter to the police and appropriate authorities.”
Dr Mohammed Naseem, chairman of the Birmingham central Mosque, questioned the advice and said it was “a bit over the top”.
Muslim students express disgust at London attacks
“The Federation of Student Islamic Societies reiterates its utter condemnation of this morning’s callous acts of terror in London. We are all shocked and distressed by these incidents which have hit our country’s capital. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who have suffered injuries and the families of those who have lost their lives.”
London’s Mayor Ken Livingstone condemns terrorist acts
London’s Mayor Ken Livingstone who is in Singapore for the IOC Session has condemned the attacks on the city’s rail and bus systems.
He said the London’s security and emergency services are prepared for such acts, and have executed their operations efficiently.
Mr Livingstone criticised the blast as an “indiscriminate attempt at mass murder” and had strong words for those who committed the act.
“This was not a terrorist attack against the mighty and the powerful; it is not aimed at presidents or prime ministers; it was aimed at ordinary working class Londoners, black and white, Muslim and Christians, Hindu and Jew, young and old, indiscriminate attempt at slaughter irrespective of any considerations, of age, of class, of religion, whatever, that isn’t an ideology, it isn’t even a perverted faith, it’s just indiscriminate attempt at mass murder, and we know what the objective is, they seek to divide London. They seek to turn Londoners against each other and Londoners will not be divided by this cowardly attack,” said Mr Livingston.
He then had a message for the terrorists who had organised the explosions.
“I wish to speak through you directly, to those who came to London to claim lives, nothing you do, how many of us you kill will stop that flight to our cities where freedom is strong and where people can live in harmony with one another, whatever you do, how many you kill, you will fail.”
See also “Terror attacks in London – statement from the Mayor”, GLA press release, 7 July 2005
“Innocent people from all of London’s communities have been targeted by this indiscriminate attack. I urge Londoners from all of this city’s diverse communities and faiths to support one another and stand together against terrorism.”