Sarkozy tries to outflank Front National by reigniting ‘debate’ on Islam

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Figaro SarkozyJust days after saying that multiculturalism had failed in France, President Sarkozy is launching a debate on religion and the secular state, asking what limits should be placed on Islam.

Speaking to his UMP MPs at the Élysée, he said he wanted concrete measures on the place of Islam in France and its compatibility with the country’s secular laws.

He said the French had “paid dear” for their blindness towards immigration during the 1980s, when debate was taboo. “There was a growing disruption between the concerns of the media and the concerns of ordinary French people. The racists of yesterday are today’s populists.”

With the Martine Le Pen’s Front National rising in the polls, Mr Sarkozy adopted one of Ms Le Pen’s own themes last year, and expressed disapproval of the sight of Muslim street preachers, saying: “We had a debate on the burqa and it was well done. Now we should have a debate on street preachers. In a secular country, there’s no reason to have calls to prayer.”

Mr Sarkozy hopes to pull the rug from under the feet of the Front National by making radical Islam incompatible with the values of France.

He has made it one of the priorities for 2011 in the run-up to next year’s presidential election, echoing his words in last week’s televised talk with French citizens: “The truth is that in all our democracies we have been too preoccupied with the identity of those who arrived and not enough with the identity of the country that welcomed them.”

The Connexion, 17 February 2011

See also FaithWorld, 17 February 2011

East London Mosque and mayor condemn anti-gay stickers

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Homophobic sticker Tower Hamlets2The East London Mosque and the mayor of Tower Hamlets have condemned homophobic stickers placed around the borough.

In a joint statement with a local interfaith forum and a gay group, they said that matter was being treated as a homophobic hate crime. The statement said: “All lines of enquiry are being pursued by police both within Tower Hamlets and London wide to identify and prosecute those responsible.”

The stickers quoted the Koran and declared the area a “gay-free zone”.

Tower Hamlets mayor Lutfur Rahman said: “Tower Hamlets has a proud history of challenging prejudice and promoting equality. There is no place for hate in Tower Hamlets and we take a zero-tolerance approach to homophobia.

“People of faith in Tower Hamlets are proud to be part of this diverse and vibrant borough, in which mutual respect and tolerance are vital to social harmony. We oppose all who seek to undermine these values – homophobic hate has no place in Tower Hamlets.

“Whatever their backgrounds of the people they do not speak in the name of Islam, Christianity or the other religions represented here.”

He added that he had met gay group Rainbow Hamlets and was “committed” to working with them.

Dilwar Khan, director of the East London Mosque and the London Muslim Centre, said: “We stand together with our fellow citizens against all forms of hatred, including homophobia.

“We are committed to building strong and cohesive communities in Tower Hamlets, and our strength is that we will not let incidents of hate divide us.”

Reverend Alan Green, chair of the Tower Hamlets Inter Faith Forum said: “People of faith in Tower Hamlets are proud to be part of this diverse and vibrant borough, in which mutual respect and tolerance are vital to social harmony.

“We oppose all who seek to undermine these values – homophobic hate has no place in Tower Hamlets. Whatever their backgrounds of the people they do not speak in the name of Islam, Christianity or the other religions represented here.”

Rainbow Hamlets LGBT Community Forum said it welcomed the mayor and mosque’s comments.

Pink News, 17 February 2011

This report basically reproduces a Tower Hamlets Council press release. Unfortunately, it omits the statement by the chairs of Rainbow Hamlets LGBT Community Forum, which included a condemnation of “those who use these incidents to create a moral panic and stoke up racist or Islamaphobic sentiment”.

This is a pity, since an earlier report was followed by comments demonstrating that some Pink News readers were using the incidents to do precisely that. As one appalled critic observed: “I’m not sure if I’m more horrified by the article or some of the comments here. Don’t respond to hate crimes with mindless bigotry.”

Some examples of this mindless bigotry:

“Tower Hamlets council is lost to extremism – they are taking over as the indiginous people have voter apathy because politicians have lost touch with society.”

“U.K should be an Islam free zone. Oh wait it was. Oh and we were here first.”

“Islam, the religion of peace and tolerance. Blessing of the paedophile they call Muhammed upon us all.”

“Oh well, you let immigrants take over entire swathes of the city, what do you expect? You reap what you sow.”

“London is unfortunately not the safe place it once was for us …and it will only get worse as their numbers increase and their vile ideology and demonic book of hatred take root. This hatred is not something that can be eradicated or even tamed, as ‘apologists’ seem to naively think. Islam is locked in the 7th century, it has not reformed, accepted science or adapted as other regilions have.”

“Read the EDL website ‘mission statement’. Surprisingly, it’s actually quite hard to knock, as it openly stands up for gay, female, Jewish and other rights…. The Guardian just calls them Islamophobes and far-right nutters, but there’s very little that’s irrational in their statement. To be honest, it just epitomises all the failings of multiculturalism. It’s very easy to shout racist, but it’s ideology they are criticising, not skin colour or ethnic origin.”

“Nobody is advocating violence against Muslims. But we need a real debate on just how much freedom we give to Muslims to act on the teachings of the Koran.”

“I want to live in a Muslim Free Zone.”

“The word Islam translates as SUBMIT and yes islam is full of love and so cosy for us all, IF we repent and denounce who we are.”

“Why the refusal to comment and condemn the stickers from the muslim organisations.”

“I read ther the EDL were gay friendly as well.”

“Muslims in the uk believe lgbt people lead morally bereft lifestyles… some people have no grasp of what islam is about .it is a religion of bigotry that associates any non believers as satanic.”

“Perhaps we should ask Baroness Warsi to go and reason with them.”

“Face it folks. They hate us.”

“If Islam is so peaceful, why haven’t we heard any condemnation from the imams in the mosques up and down the country? Why the silence?”

“let’s face it, most muslims are homophobic and fanatic.”

“who is Allah? homophobic primitive child molesting pervert?”

“Islam belongs in the Middle East. It has no place in Europe and it is incompatible with our Western values.”

Finally, to quote another critic of this rampant Islamophobia:

“I am appalled that the debate on this post is so horribly inflammatory. One would think that the more oppressed a group of individuals is then the more likely they are to be able to recognise it when they see it elsewhere. The truth is the complete opposite.

“It like the majority of the posters on here are simply using the issue of these disgusting stickers as a springboard to air their own deeply held prejudices. With the outcome that very few people are actually talking about the stickers or the message at all – and instead slagging off all Muslims in the most inflammatory terms.

“I am shocked that Pink News is allowing this to happen and have reported several of the posts here and asked for them to be removed.”

With limited results, it would seem.

Australia: opposition immigration spokesman accused of advocating anti-Muslim campaign to win votes

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Scott Morrison protestEmbattled Opposition immigration spokesman Scott Morrison has rejected as gossip a report that he urged shadow cabinet to take advantage of fears about Muslims.

A Fairfax report says Mr Morrison urged the Coalition to capitalise on electorate fears of “Muslim immigration”, “Muslims in Australia” and Muslim migrants’ “inability to integrate”.

The report says Mr Morrison’s suggestion was slapped down by senior Liberals including Julie Bishop and Philip Ruddock, but the Opposition has been under pressure over reports of a continuing split within the party over the issue.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard called on Opposition Leader Tony Abbott to set the record straight and confirm if the discussion took place. She also called for Mr Morrison to be sacked if he did suggest the Coalition pursue a discriminatory immigration policy.

Former Liberal prime minister Malcolm Fraser, a strong supporter of multiculturalism, told ABC Radio he was not surprised about the alleged discussion. “It’s what I would have expected of Scott Morrison. I think that is politics at its very, very basest. I really do,” he said. “I wouldn’t tolerate such views. My government would not have tolerated such views.”

ABC News, 17 February 2011

‘Is Islam good or evil?’ Unemployed artist seeks publicity

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Islam paintingA painting that’s debuting in Sacramento on a Muslim holiday poses the question if Islam is good or evil.

Artist Peter Reynosa said it took him about a month to complete “Good or Evil?” and that the purpose of the painting is for viewers to participate in critical thinking about religion.

Reynosa said the piece raises the question of Islam in particular because of Western clashes in the Middle East.

A small crowd gathered outside the library on the Sacramento State campus on Tuesday to see the painting.

Tuesday is the holiday Mawlid an-Nabi, the celebration of the birth of Islam’s prophet, Mohammad.

Reynosa is an unemployed artist from Yuba City.

KCRA, 15 February 2011

See also Appeal-Democrat, 15 February 2011

Posted in USA

EDL supporters deface memorial bridge with ‘Kill Muslims’ graffiti

Posted on by Bob Pitt

EDL 'Kill Muslims' graffiti

A memorial bridge to a young girl who died crossing the A249 has been defaced with far right nationalist graffiti. Slogans including “kill Muslims”, “keep Britain British” and “EDL” have been scratched into the moss on Jade’s Crossing in Detling.

The bridge was erected as a memorial to Jade Hobbs, who was killed along with her grandmother while crossing the busy road in 2000. The tragedy led to a successful campaign by Jade’s mother Caroline Hobbs and husband Paul to build a permanent footbridge.

Kent Online, 16 February 2011

Via ENGAGE

Update:  See also “Yobs daub racist graffiti on memorial crossing”, Kent News, 16 February 2011

Muslims say Luton ‘super-mosque’ rumours untrue

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Stephen Lennon with anti-mosque placard
Stephen Lennon (“Tommy Robinson”) speaking at an EDL protest in Luton on 5 February

A group of Shia Muslims have denied rumours they plan to create a “super-mosque” in High Town, saying the facility will be a community centre.

Leaflets have been distributed to homes in High Town saying the Old Drill Hall in Old Bedford Road will become a mosque, and the English Defence League has accused Luton Borough Council of selling off land that was intended for affordable housing.

But the Masjid-e-Ali group, which currently meets at premises in Moor Street, says that if it is successful in purchasing the 8,500 sq ft building, which has 100 parking spaces, it will be open to all members of the community. They say it will have prayer facilities, but will not be a mosque.

A spokesman for Masjid-e-Ali said: “Basically this will be a community centre, open for all of the community. There is no question of it being a mosque. We haven’t got any contract yet, it’s all up in the air at the moment. But we wouldn’t do any major changes, it would only be internal decoration. We would have lunch clubs for the elderly, sports activities for young people.”

The spokesman said the centre would be “multi-cultural and multi-faith”. He said all members of the community would be welcome, as long as the respected the group’s “rules and regulations” of acceptable behaviour, and said there would be no segregation of men and women at the centre. The group’s website says it would also seek to provide banqueting facilities for weddings, an NHS walk-in clinic and a service for making funeral arrangements.

One High Town resident said she was upset at the way the plans had been portrayed to the neighbourhood by the English Defence League. She said: “I’m very unhappy about this. It’s another nail in the coffin of race relations in this town. At the moment the building is just a rotting heap that gets vandalised – people should be happy that it’s going to be looked after and cared for. It’s got a very long history and I would be happy to see it get a new lease of life.”

Luton Today, 16 February 2011

Birmingham Islamic school receives firebomb threats after TV documentary

Posted on by Bob Pitt

A Birmingham Islamic school which featured in a damning TV documentary has received malicious calls threatening to firebomb the building.

Darul Uloom Islamic High School, in Small Heath, will be closed until next month amid safety fears over an investigation which filmed a hate-filled speech to pupils.

The Channel 4 Dispatches documentary, Lessons in Hatred and Violence, showed a preacher making remarks about Hindus and ranting: “Disbelievers are the worst creatures”.

The school’s head of curriculum, Mujahid Aziz, said since the documentary had been shown on Monday, the school has been targeted by “a barrage of hate calls” and that students felt “victimised”.

Mr Aziz said: “Even before the programme started, we were shocked that we were getting a barrage of hate calls and emails threatening with the most disgusting language which I can’t really say, and they were threatening to bomb the place.

“The student themselves feel in the spotlight, they feel victimised. This is the very kind of thing that creates extremism.”

Birmingham Post, 16 February 2011

Via ENGAGE

British Muslim stranded in Canada because his name’s on US no-fly list

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Dawood HepplewhiteA British man says he’s stranded in Canada after being denied permission to fly home because he’s on the U.S. no-fly list.

Dawood Hepplewhite of Sheffield, England, turned up at Pearson Airport in Toronto on Sunday only to be told by an Air Transat official he couldn’t board the plane. “I got really upset at him – ‘How can you tell me I’m not allowed to go to my own country?'” Hepplewhite said late Tuesday in an interview.

An Air Transat spokesman did not immediately respond to an inquiry.

Hepplewhite, 30, divides his time between Sheffield and Toronto, where his Canadian wife Farhia and their three children reside. All five were planning to head back to England for an extended stay.

Hepplewhite says Air Canada and British Airways also refused to let him fly to England on Monday.

Airlines that operate from Canada have been known to reject passengers whose names are on the U.S. no-fly list. That’s because many flights pass over American airspace or may be forced to land at a U.S. airport in the event of an emergency.

Hepplewhite says he’s no security threat, but suspects he is on the no-fly list because he’s a white Muslim and attended a job interview in Yemen for a position teaching English a few years ago. “And when I came back to England I got pulled aside by the police.” But Hepplewhite abandoned any idea of working in the Middle-Eastern country and has been to Canada several times since that incident.

He was told this week to use the U.S. Transportation Security Administration’s redress process to try to get his name removed from the U.S. no-fly roster – a process that can take between 45 to 60 days.

Toronto Star, 16 February 2011

Update:  See “British man on U.S. no-fly list headed home after delay in Canada”, Vacouver Sun, 16 February 2011

Further update:  See “Ban strands family”, The Star, 18 February 2011

Amarillo pastor who tried to burn Qur’an runs for mayor

Posted on by Bob Pitt

David GrishamA Texas man who tried to organize the burning of a Quran last September 11th is running for mayor of Amarillo. David Grisham, leader of “Repent Amarillo“, filed his papers Monday.

Grisham says he wants to lead the city in a new direction. “If the government authorities are to be ministers of God, then ministers of God need to be running for the offices of the governing authorities, makes sense to me,” Grisham said.

News Channel 6, 16 February 2011

Grisham can only pray that his mayoral campaign meets with more success than his attempt to burn the Qur’an did.

EDL’s Jewish Division forms alliance with far-right US Zionist group

Posted on by Bob Pitt

EDL Jewish DivisionThe head of the EDL’s Jewish division Roberta Moore has announced a partnership with far-right American group the Jewish Task Force on the EDL Facebook page.

The JTF leader Victor Vancier has also posted a podcast where he said: “We were contacted by the English Defence League last few weeks and we have agreed we want to work together on joint projects. They are a major organisation, with mass media coverage. I wanted to be sure they were not the BNP, we would never work Holocaust deniers or Nazis. They wave Israeli flags, they support the Jewish people. They want Jewish members. We are happy to work with them to save England from the millions of Muslim invaders. We want to work as a united front.”

He added: “The Jewish establishment in the UK, the ‘self hating Jews’ have condemned the EDL because they support the Muslim invasion. It’s pathetic, including the so-called Orthodox. They have to be politically correct, as we go to the gas chambers. We are not interested in this, and neither is the EDL. This will turn into something big.”

Mr Vancier is banned from entering Israel because of his allegiance to the late Rabbi Meir Kahane and his Kach party – outlawed in Israel in 1994 as “terrorist organisations”. The group now raises money for Jewish settlers in the West Bank.

He spent five years in prison from 1987 for 18 bomb attacks against Soviet targets in the US to protest the treatment of Soviet Jews. His website claims US President Barack Obama is a secret Muslim and calls Secretary of State Hilary Clinton “a vicious Jew hater”.

Jewish Chronicle, 16 February 2011