Pig’s head stuck on a spike outside Portsmouth Islamic school

Posted on by Bob Pitt

A pig’s head was stuck on a fence spike outside a Muslim school in Portsmouth. The attack on the Madani Academy in Fratton has been branded “a despicable incident” by the Islamic community.

Luthufur Rahman, who will be in charge of the school, was told by police officers what had happened.

“This despicable incident happened on December 3,” he said. “I was very upset and left sad by what happened. An investigation is going on. The pig’s head has gone now. We are looking to move forward. I hope it won’t happen again. I have no clue who did it. I was informed by the police and I don’t think this will affect when we will open.”

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Blinding of Hull mosque leader Imam Hafiz Salik likely to be permanent, surgeons warn

Posted on by Bob Pitt

A mosque leader is likely to be permanently blind in one eye after an unprovoked attack in front of his family. Imam Hafiz Salik, leader of the Hull Mosque and Islamic Centre, has now undergone two operations on his right eye.

However, surgeons have been unable to repair the damage and have warned Mr Salik, who is well-known for his inter faith work, to expect the worst.

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EDL ‘debates’ attack on 79-year-old Muslim

Posted on by Bob Pitt

EDL condemns attack on 79-year-old Muslim

Anyone who has followed the English Defence League over the years will be aware of the disjuncture between the moderate-sounding statements that occasionally appear on the organisation’s website and the violent, hate-filled comments that EDL supporters post every day on its Facebook page. Yesterday the EDL made the mistake of publishing one of its “moderate” statements on Facebook.

The occasion was the conviction of teenage thug Fraser Giles who received an 8-year prison sentence for a horrific attack on an elderly Muslim in Uxbridge. The EDL posted a link to a press report of the case accompanied by a pious statement condemning Giles’ “disgusting and cowardly behaviour”. Perhaps the EDL reasoned that even its own supporters would balk at breaking the skull of a 79-year-old man and leaving him lying in a pool of blood.

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Loughborough ‘bomb plot’ retrial date set

Posted on by Bob Pitt

A date has been set for the retrial of a teenager accused of planning a “Columbine-type bomb attack” on his former school.

Last month a jury at the Old Bailey failed to reach a verdict on two charges under the Terrorism Act, which the 17-year-old from Loughborough denies. He has admitted possessing component parts for petrol bombs and pipe bombs.

The boy, who cannot be named, will now be tried again on 3 March. He is accused of possessing a poisons handbook, which is banned under terrorism laws, weapons and plans that the prosecution says named several potential targets in Loughborough. The teenager denies charges of possessing the items for the purpose, preparation and instigation of an act of terrorism.

Two other 17-year-old boys from Loughborough, who previously admitted possessing explosives, have been given 12-month youth rehabilitation orders.

BBC News, 13 December 2013

Middlesbrough suspends two fans from matches after claims Qur’an ripped up at game

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Middlesbrough FC have suspended two fans from matches after claims that copies of the Qur’an were ripped up at a game.

Police are investigating reports some Boro fans ripped up the holy text of Islam during the club’s 2-2 draw at Birmingham City. After the allegations came to light, Middlesbrough Football Club vowed to ban anyone convicted of the crime from the Riverside Stadium for life.

And, in a statement, the club said: “We can confirm that, at this point, two individuals have been suspended from attending Boro matches. As investigations by West Midlands and Cleveland Police into the alleged incident at Birmingham last weekend are ongoing, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further.”

A Birmingham City spokesman has also confirmed the club was aware of the incident and was co-operating with police. Police in Birmingham described the incident as a “hate crime”.

A spokesman for MFC said previously that the club operates a “zero tolerance policy” towards all forms of discrimination and is a strong supporter of football’s pledge to “eradicate racism in all its forms”. Boro supporters’ group, Red Faction, has organised an anti-racist march before the game with Brighton & Hove Albion tomorrow.

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Bristol police probe ‘burn mosque’ comments on EDL Facebook page

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Chelsea WhitePolice are looking into inflammatory comments – posted on an English Defence League web page – advocating an arson attack on a proposed Bristol mosque.

The posts, apparently left by non-members of the controversial political movement, suggest burning down the Islamic place of worship planned for former Jesters comedy club site on Cheltenham Road. Another comment on the EDL’s Bristol division Facebook page suggests that a pig’s head would stop the mosque being opened, as Muslims do not eat pork.

Avon and Somerset police spokesman Martin Dunscombe said: “We have been made aware of the comments in question and officers are looking into them.”

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France should allow headscarves, Arabic in schools: report to PM

Posted on by Bob Pitt

France should reverse decades of strict secularism to integrate its immigrant population better, allowing Muslims to wear headscarves in schools and promoting Arabic teaching, according to an iconoclastic report commissioned by the prime minister.

The document, part of a government review of integration policy, sparked an outcry among conservative opposition politicians and unease among the governing Socialists.

It said France, with Europe’s largest Muslim population, should recognize the “Arab-oriental dimension” of its identity, for example by changing street and place names, rewriting its history curriculum and creating a special day to honor the contribution of immigrant cultures.

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Alabama: Fear of pro-Islamic bias delays state board’s adoption of new social studies books

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Ancient CivilizationsConcerns that Alabama could recommend social studies textbooks with pro-Islamic bias caused the state board of education to cancel a planned vote on the books today, pending further review.

State Superintendent Tommy Bice said he would review the 12 books criticized by conservative groups and issue a recommendation to the board in January.

He had not decided whether he would recommend any of the books be excluded from the state’s recommended textbook list for social studies. “It’s not necessarily inaccurate  information but possible perceived omissions and terminology that was not strong enough, things like that,” Bice said of the allegations that the books “favored Islam.”

Board Vice President Charles Elliott of Decatur said he thought four of the 12 books would be removed.

[See a list of the 12 books in question.]

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Watertown, NY: CAIR calls for FBI investigation into vandalism of Muslim’s vehicle

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Issa Alzouma's car vandalisedThe Council on American-Islamic Relations on Wednesday called for the FBI to aid in the investigation of a vandalism incident involving a black Muslim man’s vehicle in the city on Saturday.

Watertown resident Issa Alzouma’s 2003 Chevrolet Avalanche had its windshield shattered, and the front- and back-seat windows on the driver’s side smashed. A note left on the windshield contained several racist and anti-Islamic slurs. The note also called on him to quit his job as a security guard with Securitas Security Services at the Dulles State Office Building.

“The racial and religious slurs used in this act of violence clearly indicate a need to investigate a bias motive,” said Sadyia Khalique, the director of operations for the organization’s state chapter. “By adding its resources to the investigation of this case, the FBI will send a message that hate-motivated acts of anti-Muslim violence will not be tolerated.”

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Teen who stomped on Muslim man’s head gets eight years in jail

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Fraser GilesA teenager horrifically beat an innocent grandfather after accusing him of being a “white Muslim”.

Fuelled by alcohol, hair salon trainee Fraser Giles, 17, pushed, kicked and then stamped on the head of the 79-year-old as he lay defenceless, breaking his skull and leaving him in a pool of blood.

The teen had been walking down Chiltern View Road in Uxbridge at about 9pm on July 5 with his father, Daniel Giles, after a day of heavy drinking.

On Thursday, December 12 he paid for his actions when a judge at Isleworth Crown Court handed him an eight year sentence.

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