That’s the headline to a report in the Independent on the EDL’s pact with the British Freedom Party. Matthew Goodwin, author of The New British Fascism, is quoted as saying that the EDL/BFP lash-up has “clear potential” because there is widespread opposition to immigration. Well, we’ll see. Generally I adhere to the view that nobody ever went broke underestimating the consciousness of the masses, but I can’t see voters rallying in any large numbers to a political party they’ve never heard of, which is backed by a street movement consisting of a mob of violent hooligans.
Police accused of infiltrating Manchester mosques
Relations between the Muslim community and Greater Manchester Police are being strained after officers infiltrated mosques. Some Islamic groups have told the BBC Asian Network that they are angry about undercover tactics used in recent counter terror operations.
The North West Counter Terrorism Unit carried out an investigation which involved officers posing as Muslims. They attended prayer meetings and services at a dozen unnamed mosques in Manchester after they befriended four Muslim men for more than a year. Three of the men, Munir Farooqi, 54, Israr Malik, 24, and Matthew Newton, 29, were convicted of terrorism charges in September. Another man was acquitted.
Yasmin Dar, a member of the Greater Manchester Police (GMP) Mosques and Community Forum, said: “It’s alarming, you’ve got one community that is being targeted. I’ve not heard of any cases of undercover officers going into churches or synagogues, so why a particular faith? Relations with the police have hit rock bottom. It’s created a lot of mistrust with the police.”
‘We need to proclaim that we respect Islam’ says FPÖ leader
Yes, really. That’s what Heinz-Christian Strache states in an interview with RT. His objection, apparently, is only to “radical Islamist trends”. Can’t see this going down too well with the international “counterjihad” movement. Hasn’t Strache grasped that Islam is a “religion of war”?
In fact, Strache goes on to say he’s in favour of a ban on minarets and the niqab, along with the wearing of headscarves by state employees. He also claims that European nations will “disappear politically and demographically” unless they recognise the urgent need for “the preservation of European folk culture”. No prizes for guessing where Strache might think the political and demographic threat comes from.
Local VVD leaders and officials concerned about relationship with Wilders’ party
The close relationship between the right-wing Liberal VVD and anti-Islam PVV in government is a cause for concern among many local VVD leaders and officials, the NRC reports on Thursday.
Almost half of local officials polled by the paper said the VVD should do more to emphasise the difference between the VVD and Geert Wilders’ party. And a majority want to form the next cabinet with the Liberal democrats D66 instead.
The PVV has an alliance with the current minority cabinet made up of the VVD and Christian Democrats.
The VVD holds its annual conference this weekend.
Terry Jones sends video message to BNP meeting
American anti-Islamification Pastor Terry Jones sent a specially recorded video address to a meeting of the Croydon and Sutton branch of the British National Party on 11 November. Pastor Jones gained international attention in 2010 and 2011, following his plans to burn a Koran as an act of free speech. He was not able to attend the meeting in person after being banned from the UK by the Home Office in January 2011 for what they called “the public good”.
Pastor Jones has accused the Koran of five crimes against humanity, including crimes against women; the training and promoting of terrorist activities around the world; and the death, rape and torture of people worldwide whose only crime is not being of the Islamic faith.
Halifax EDL rally ‘wanted men’ CCTV released by police
CCTV images have been released of 10 men police want to speak to over public order offences which took place in West Yorkshire earlier this year.
Police are investigating disorder during an English Defence League (EDL) demonstration in Halifax on 9 July. So far six people have been arrested for public offences related to the disturbance. West Yorkshire Police are urging anyone who recognises the men or has information to contact the police.
CAIR condemns Rick Santorum for promoting religious profiling
A national Muslim group is calling out Rick Santorum for supporting religious profiling against Muslims, and appealed Wednesday to the Republican Party to rebuke Santorum for his views.
In a national security debate Tuesday, the former Pennsylvania senator and GOP presidential candidate said he would support profiling Muslims at airport checkpoints as a tactic to protect against terrorist attacks.
“Obviously Muslims would be someone you’d look at, absolutely,” Santorum said. “The radical Muslims are the people who are committing these crimes, by and large, as well as younger males – not exclusively, but these are things that you profile to find your best, most likely candidates.”
US rethinks its dealings with political Islam
The uprisings in the Arab world have altered the political landscape in North Africa and the Middle East. Islamist parties, often suppressed under autocratic leaders, have gained ground in Tunisia and are poised to do well in Egypt and Libya as well. This trend has forced the U.S. to rethink its dealings with political Islam. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the U.S. will see what those parties do and engage those who play by democratic rules.
Ontario: woman has niqab pulled off in assault
A Muslim woman from Mississauga, Ont., who had her niqab pulled from her face at a local mall, says her young children no longer feel secure with only her nearby.
Inas Kadri, whose assault at Sheridan Centre in Mississauga was caught on a security camera, spoke to CBC News on Tuesday as she awaits the sentencing of the woman who attacked her.
Kadri was shopping with her three-year-old son and two-year-old daughter when she was approached by two women. One of the women began swearing at her, about her religion and her veil, telling her, “Leave our country. Go back to your country,” Kadri said.
The woman can be seen in the video grabbing Kadri’s veil and pulling her off-camera. The attacker walked away while Kadri ran for help.
Mosque to be covered by CCTV cameras following thugs’ attack
Llanelli’s mosque is set to be covered by CCTV cameras after thugs allegedly “kicked the door in” and followed a group of elderly women inside.