After the election of a Socialist government, and the appointment of a Muslim of North African heritage – Najat Vallaud-Belkacem – as minister for women’s rights, France’s Muslim community might have hoped for a reversal of Nicolas Sarkozy’s policy of pandering to Islamophobia, and in particular an overturn of the notorious “burqa ban”. So far they have been disappointed, writes Nabila Ramdani.
FBI offers $15,000 reward in Missouri mosque arson
Federal authorities are offering a $15,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the person responsible for setting a mosque in Joplin, Missouri earlier this month.
Jerusalem: illegal settlers plan to drown out Muslim call to prayer with loud rock music
After the French Hill neighborhood of Jerusalem has decided to play very loud music, in defiance of the volume and disturbance of the sound of the muezzin at the mosque in nearby Al-Issawiya, two additional Jewish neighborhoods, Pisgat Ze’ev and Har Choma, have announced that they, too, will take up a similar approach. French Hill also decided to go with hard rock, and not Mediterranean tunes, as had originally been planned, because, as they put it, hard rock is more likely to deliver the message.
Mosque plan provokes complaints about noise and traffic – from people who don’t even live in the area
Paul Dixon with anti-mosque protestors in January
Complaints from across Sunderland have now been registered on the city council’s website against a proposed mosque.
The controversial proposal to convert an old transport depot on St Mark’s Road, Millfield, into an Islamic place of worship has sparked a heated debate in the community as to whether it should go ahead.
If the plans get the green light, they will involve the demolition of single-storey offices, the erection of parapet walls and two brick-faced columns. But many of the neighbours have objected because they believe it will result in an increase in noise and traffic.
The application, which was submitted by the Pakistan Islamic Centre, has now drawn more than 1,000 comments on the council’s website. But while many are from people who live in Millfield, there are also objections from people in Seaburn, Southwick and Hylton.
‘Australian Christians’ party campaigns against ‘Islamic people pushing their religion, their halal food, their culture, their sharia law’
Church leaders have intervened to try to stop a new political party calling itself Australian Christians.
The party has already registered nationally and in two states and it is running a candidate in this week’s Victorian by-election for the seat of Melbourne.
The national director of Australian Christians, Ray Moran, says the party stands up for Christian values and hopes to put in a strong showing at the next federal election.
But the Victorian Council of Churches says it is astounded that the party has been allowed to register a name which implies that it represents an entire faith.
EDL won’t be returning to Bristol – organiser blames Saturday’s poor turnout on ‘death threats’
Leaders of the English Defence League have said they will not be making a return visit to Bristol.
Mickey Bayliss, South West organiser for the EDL, said the league was happy with Saturday’s demonstration, but was not planning a return visit to the city in the near future.
Mr Bayliss, 48, said he was disappointed with the numbers which turned out for the demonstration, saying more supporters were expected.
He claimed that members from the Bristol group, along with other supporters across the country, had received death threats ahead of the demonstration taking place which he believes limited the number of people at the rally.
Mr Bayliss said: “The main point is we came to Bristol and people have heard us and we have put our point across. We felt the day went well but we will not be coming back to Bristol in the near future.”
Women’s centre is struggling after ‘extremism’ claims
A community centre alleged to have links with Islamist extremist groups has been left ruined by the ‘false accusations’, one of its leaders has claimed.
Rita Gibbins, treasurer of Burton Women’s Centre in Dallow Street, Horninglow, spoke out six months after Staffordshire Police, East Staffordshire Borough Council and Staffordshire County Council first made the accusations.
“Since the accusation was made and it went on the front page of the Burton Mail, we have heard nothing,” she said. “No-one from the police or councils has visited us since. It has become really difficult to get new members and get funding.”
Muslim MSP targeted by far right
A Muslim MSP has hit out at yobs who hurled racist abuse at him – and then reported HIM to cops.
Humza Yousaf was targeted by far-right activists as he joined some of Glasgow’s top officers on a police tour of the city. The Scots-born politician was told to “go back home” and branded an “Islamic fascist” at a demo by the British Nationalist Party and the Scottish Defence League. But incredibly it was Mr Yousaf who was reported to cops – for wearing a police jacket.
The SNP man said: “I was on a tour with officers, including the assistant chief constable, to see how the Orange parade is policed. In order for us to be recognisable to the police they issued us with high-visibility jackets. But when we came across the BNP and SDL things turned nasty. The aggressive reaction shows the level of hatred these fascists have for anyone who looks different.”
Strathclyde Police confirmed they had received a complaint accusing Mr Yousaf of impersonating a police officer. A spokeswoman added: “The demo was closed down under public order legislation.”
Two convicted over offences during Dewsbury EDL demo
Two men who were arrested during a demonstration in Dewsbury have appeared in court.
Police made five arrests when the English Defence League held a demonstration outside Dewsbury Town Hall on Saturday June 30.
On Wednesday, 20-year old Gary Wellings, of Dudley, was convicted of using threatening words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress. He was given a 12 month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £85 costs at Kirklees Magistrates Court.
Magistrates also dealt with Kevin Smith, 53, of Brierley Hill in the West Midlands [pictured]. He must pay a £150 fine, £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge after he admitted possessing mephedrone. A drug forfeiture and destruction order was also made.
One of the other men arrested was jailed last week for two offences. The two others were released on police bail. One was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and the other for possessing an offensive weapon.
More fairytales from Geller about the EDL’s Bristol demonstration
Having confidently predicted that “thousands” would be marching with the English Defence League yesterday to protest against the “Islamification of Bristol“, Pamela Geller has failed to explain why only a few hundred people turned out for what was advertised as a national mobilisation by the EDL.
Shifting her ground, she has now decided to emphasise the supposedly respectable, non-violent character of the EDL, reporting that they were “well-behaved” and “maintained a calm and peaceful assembly” during their Bristol protest (in contrast to their anti-fascist opponents, who Geller claims “trashed the city and assaulted police”).