Internet crusaders target all Muslims, not just extremists

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Over at his Middle Class Dub blog Colm Ó Broin has a good analysis of Jihad Watch and Atlas Shrugs and their demonisation of Muslims, which as he points out has clear parallels with 20th century antisemitism. A shorter version of the article has been published in the Irish language paper Gaelscéal.

The only quibble I would have is that the author is being too charitable when he states that Robert Spencer and Pamela Geller should be “presumed innocent” of inspiring Anders Breivik. The “documentary” Islam: What the West Needs to Know, which prominently features contributions from Spencer, so impressed Breivik that he reproduced a 20-page transcript of the film in his manifesto 2083: A European Declaration of Independence. Indeed Breivik’s manifesto contains over fifty approving references to Spencer.

Ó Broin himself demolishes Spencer’s laughable attempt to dissociate himself from the Norwegian mass murderer:

“Reacting to claims his writings inspired Anders Breivik, Spencer said that this was like blaming the Beatles for the Tate/La Bianca murders because Charles Manson said he was inspired to commit them by their song Helter Skelter. This comparison would only be apt however, if Helter Skelter contained lyrics which said Sharon Tate, Leno La Bianca and their friends were involved in an evil conspiracy to take over the US, that the media was helping them and that the US government, police and FBI knew of the plan to enslave the American people but refused to prevent it.”

Pursuing the parallel between Islamophobia and antisemitism, Ó Broin also presents a revealing comparison of statements, on Muslims and Jews respectively, by Robert Spencer and Nazi propagandist Julius Streicher. The accompanying video has been posted on Youtube.

Birmingham researchers call for reform of UK counter-terrorism strategy

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Suspect CommunitiesResearchers will call for the urgent reform the UK’s counter-terrorism strategies when they present their findings in Birmingham.

According to the research carried out in London and Birmingham, the way politicians, policymakers and the media discuss who might be responsible for bombings was similar to those in the period when there were IRA bombings in Britain.

The report found that similarities emerged in the experiences that the Irish and Muslim communities had during times of increased terrorist activity, but 30 years apart.

Prof Mary Hickman, Director of the research at London Metropolitan University, said: “The research reveals the extent to which the Irish in Britain lived with the fear of association with the IRA and the impact it had on their lives.

“While the focus of contemporary counter-terrorism policy remains fixed on rooting out extreme ideas it encourages the public to treat Muslims as potential ‘suspects’ or legitimate objects of abuse. Future policies must ensure they do not undermine the trust Muslim communities have in state institutions nor their sense of belonging in Britain.”

The findings will be presented at an event at Carrs Lane Community Centre, Birmingham city centre, from 6.30pm to 8pm tomorrow. Attendance is free but places are limited. To book ring 0207 133 2927 or email suspectcommunities@londonmet.ac.uk

Birmingham Mail, 31 October 2011

Islamist victory in Tunisia a win for democracy

Posted on by Bob Pitt

TUNISIA
Ennahda supporters celebrate election victory

Noah Feldman analyses the success of Ennahda in the Tunisian elections:

Although secularists in Tunisia and Egypt didn’t want elections to come too quickly, they haven’t been heard arguing that elections are a mistake altogether. That is, the ideology of the Arab Spring actually is democracy. The proof is in the willingness of the leading revolutionaries to be beaten by social forces they don’t fully trust.

The Islamists, too, reflect the ideals of democracy. This phenomenon goes back 20 years to Algeria’s experiment in democracy, when Islamists realized for the first time that the public in an Arabic-speaking country would support them only if they declared that Islam and democracy were compatible. Since then, in a gradual process, more and more political Islamists have become democrats. Ennahdha’s Ghannouchi, exiled in Europe for decades, was a thought leader in the process of the Islamist embrace of equal citizenship and equal rights – which makes it especially fitting that his party is playing a primary role in Islamist electoral politics.

Combining pragmatism and principle, mainstream political Islam has undergone an extraordinary democratic transformation. And it has done so in the very years when radical jihadism threatened Islamic democrats with condemnation and murder. From the standpoint of the global ideal of democracy, this is a victory of historic proportions.

Bloomberg, 30 October 2011

Muslim ‘terrorist Barbie’ comments slammed

Posted on by Bob Pitt

A Radio New Zealand host’s reference to a “suicide bomber Barbie” doll for the Muslim market has been labelled hateful and divisive.

The comment was made by host Paul Brennan while standing in on Jim Mora’s regular afternoon show last Thursday. Brennan had been discussing niche Barbie doll products for adult collectors when panelist John Bishop said there was “a huge market in the Muslim world” and asked why there couldn’t be “a terrorist Barbie”. Brennan then suggested a “suicide bomber Barbie” that came with a little belt.

Radio New Zealand has cautioned the presenters about inappropriate remarks after receiving 13 formal complaints over the exchange.

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Bern protest against Islamophobia

Posted on by Bob Pitt

On Saturday, more than 2,000 people gathered in Bern at a protest organized by the Islamic Central Council of Switzerland to demonstrate against discrimination against Muslims.

The protest, which took place at a square in front of the Swiss parliament and had a festive feel to it, also attracted a number of Muslim organizations and dignitaries from other Western countries. They were there to show their support and raise awareness about discrimination against Muslims.

“This event is a pioneering one and is expected to become the biggest Islamic festival in Switzerland which addresses the issue of discrimination against Muslims as well as the stereotypes associated with Islam,” Elie Qassaim, the Swiss Islamic Council’s spokesman, who converted to Islam a few years ago, told the Kuwaiti news agency, KUNA.

Al Arabiya, 30 October 2011

Racist graffiti at Ipswich Mosque

Posted on by Bob Pitt

IPSWICH: Worshippers at a town centre mosque have played down fears of tension developing in their community despite the appearance of offensive graffiti.

The scrawlings have been stencilled in red paint onto Ipswich Mosque’s car park in Bond Street and include offensive words and images. Nurul Islam Chowdhury, secretary of Ipswich Mosque, said: “It may be disgusting behaviour but it’s happened and we have drawn a line under it. It’s just simple-mindedness.”

The graffiti appeared sometime between 8pm on Wednesday and 11am on Thursday but Mr Chowdhury said it has already been cleaned off and painted over.

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Posted in UK

Catholic University’s Muslim students should have prayer rooms without crucifix, complaint states

Posted on by Bob Pitt

A law school professor has filed a complaint with the District of Columbia Office of Human Rights, alleging that Catholic University of America, a private institution, discriminates against Muslim students.

John F. Banzhaf III claims the school “[denies Muslim students] equal access to the benefits CUA provides to other student groups,” according to a press release, posted on PRLog.

The professor’s allegations stem from the school’s failure to give formal recognition to a Muslim Association, although its law school recognizes a Jewish association, according to the The Tower, Catholic University’s school newspaper.

In addition, Banzhaf says it is unfair that Catholic University does not provide its Muslim students with separate prayer rooms to conduct their daily rituals without being surrounded by religious insignia, such as crucifixes, the press release states.

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Demos survey of EDL supporters

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Demos EDL studySupporters of the English Defence League are overwhelmingly young men who mistrust others and are deeply pessimistic about the future, according to the first significant study of the UK’s most provocative street movement for 30 years.

The report said almost three-quarters of EDL supporters in an online survey were under the age of 30, and 81% were male.

The EDL has held a series of street demonstrations since it was formed in 2009, often deliberately targeting areas with significant Muslim populations. Many have been marred by violence, racism and virulent Islamophobia.

The group says it was set up to oppose “militant Islam” but the research, carried out by the thinktank Demos and involving 1,300 self-declared EDL supporters, found many were more motivated by a hostility to immigration in general, and others expressed a growing concern about what they see as a threat to British values.

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Swedish court bans niqab-wearing women

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Three women wearing head scarves completely shielding their faces were denied entry to a Gothenburg courtroom on Friday during the remand hearing of one of the suspects in the Röda Sten murder plot case.

“I am responsible for order in this court room and I feel I can’t achieve that if I am unable to see the faces of the people present,” said district court judge Stefan Wikmark to Swedish TV4.

The three women were stopped as they were trying to enter the courtroom for the remand hearing 26-year-old Abdi Aziz Mahamud who is under suspicion for plotting the murder of Swedish artist Lars Vilks at an art exhibition in Gothenburg in September. All three women were wearing niqabs covering them from head to toe.

One of the guards at the Gothenburg District Court prevented them from stepping into the court room, referring to the ban on face coverings, according to TV4’s affiliate in Gothenburg. The decision to refuse the women from entering the court room while wearing their traditional garb was taken by Wikmark during the remand negotiations.

The Local, 28 October 2011