“Since the Ft Hood atrocity, I’ve seen a meme going around that it somehow exposed a contradiction between ‘political correctness’ and ‘security’. The avoidance of Nidal Hassan’s religion out of fear of offending anyone, goes the argument, created the conditions which allowed him to go undetected and unsanctioned in the months and years leading up to his rampage. American security, therefore, demands dropping the ‘political correctness’ of avoiding a confrontation with Islamist ideas and asking the ‘tough questions’ about Islam as a religion and the loyalty of Muslim-Americans. This framing of the issue is almost 100% wrong.”
Dirty tricks campaign against Salma Yaqoob
Respect Party leader Salma Yaqoob has called in the police after becoming the victim of a dirty tricks campaign apparently targeting white voters. Professionally produced leaflets bearing the Respect logo have been posted to addresses in Moseley, Kings Heath and Balsall Heath bearing a fictitious quotation from Yaqoob saying “I am not big on Britishness.” They also show Muslim protestors in Luton jeering troops on their return from Aghanistan.
Yaqoob, a Sparkbrook councillor and prospective parliamentary candidate for Hall Green, commented: “This isn’t just a personal attack on me, it’s an attack on the whole community and is clearly designed to be divisive. Anyone who knows me would understand that what whatever my thoughts on the war in Afghanistan, I would never target soldiers for criticism – only politicians.”
The leaflets combine fact with fiction, since they also include another quotation from Yaqoob which is accurate in an obvious attempt to confuse even well read members of its target audience – white voters in the constituency who are sent the leaflets by post.
One person who received a copy was Louise Maycock of Balsall Heath who contacted The Stirrer. “It wasn’t stuffed through my letter box. It was sent to me personally at my home address”, said Louise. “It was inflammatory and specifically designed to whip up Islamophobia.”
When asked if she had any idea who would produce such a leaflet, Yaqoob remarked: “You have to ask yourself who would benefit from these kind of attacks.”
German courtroom killer gets life
A man has been sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of murdering a pregnant Egyptian woman in a German courtroom. The Dresden state court also ruled that Alexander Wiens would not be eligible for early release.
Wiens, 28, admitted stabbing Marwa Sherbini to death at a court hearing involving them both in July. The crime sparked outrage across the Muslim world. Egypt said justice had been served with the sentence.
Wiens, a Russian-born German citizen, had argued his action was not premeditated. But prosecutors at the trial, which took place amid tight security, insisted he was motivated by a “hatred of non-Europeans and Muslims”.
See also the Times, 12 November 2009
Islam ‘not a religion’ but a ‘violent political system’ says Pat Robertson
US right-wing evangelist Pat Robertson offers his views on the Fort Hood killings:
“Islam is a violent – I was gonna say religion, but it’s not a religion, it’s a political system, a violent political system bent on the overthrow of the governments of the world and world domination. That is the ultimate aim…. So you’re dealing with a – not a religion, you’re dealing with a political system. And I think we should treat it as such, and treat its adherents as such, as we would members of the Communist Party or members of some fascist group.”
Muslim Mafia author calls for ‘backlash’ against US Muslims
A conservative author whose book was touted just last month by four Republican members of Congress is explicitly calling for a “backlash” against American Muslims in the wake of the Fort Hood shootings.
Dave Gaubatz, author of Muslim Mafia: Inside the Secret Underworld that’s Conspiring to Islamize America, made the comment in a semi-coherent interview with the group Family Security Matters.
In assigning collective blame for the Fort Hood killings, Gaubatz said:
“Politicians, Muslims, and law enforcement are concerned about a ‘backlash’ against Muslims. Now is the time for a professional and legal backlash against the Muslim community and their leaders. Muslims know what materials are being taught in their mosques and they know many of the materials instruct young Muslims to kill innocent people who do not adhere to Sharia law. If Muslims do not want a backlash, then I would recommend a ‘house cleaning’. Stack every Saudi, al Qaeda, Pakistani, Taliban, Hamas, and Muslim Brotherhood piece of material from their mosque and have a bonfire. Tell the American, Jewish, and Muslim community this hatred will no longer be allowed in their mosques.”
All of this might be dismissed as the ranting of a fringe lunatic, but for the fact that Gaubatz’s work has been circulated and endorsed by prominent Republican officials.
Update: Cf. this interview with one Bryan Fischer of the American Family Association who rejects a backlash against Muslims “just because they’re Muslims” but adds: “We should not allow Muslims to serve in the US military and we have got to raise questions about whether we can afford to allow Muslims to immigrate into the United States at all.”
Muslim Mafia author calls for ‘backlash’ against US Muslims
A conservative author whose book was touted just last month by four Republican members of Congress is explicitly calling for a “backlash” against American Muslims in the wake of the Fort Hood shootings.
Dave Gaubatz, author of Muslim Mafia: Inside the Secret Underworld that’s Conspiring to Islamize America, made the comment in a semi-coherent interview with the group Family Security Matters.
In assigning collective blame for the Fort Hood killings, Gaubatz said:
“Politicians, Muslims, and law enforcement are concerned about a ‘backlash’ against Muslims. Now is the time for a professional and legal backlash against the Muslim community and their leaders. Muslims know what materials are being taught in their mosques and they know many of the materials instruct young Muslims to kill innocent people who do not adhere to Sharia law. If Muslims do not want a backlash, then I would recommend a ‘house cleaning’. Stack every Saudi, al Qaeda, Pakistani, Taliban, Hamas, and Muslim Brotherhood piece of material from their mosque and have a bonfire. Tell the American, Jewish, and Muslim community this hatred will no longer be allowed in their mosques.”
All of this might be dismissed as the ranting of a fringe lunatic, but for the fact that Gaubatz’s work has been circulated and endorsed by prominent Republican officials.
Update: Cf. this interview with one Bryan Fischer of the American Family Association who rejects a backlash against Muslims “just because they’re Muslims” but adds: “We should not allow Muslims to serve in the US military and we have got to raise questions about whether we can afford to allow Muslims to immigrate into the United States at all.”
Fort Hood tragedy, Islam, and America
Sheila Musaji on the shocking killings at the Fort Hood army base.
Italy: Prophet called a ‘paedophile’ in TV debate
Italian feminist and former far right-wing MP Daniela Santanche has sparked a controversy after calling the Prophet Mohammed a “a polygamist and paedophile” during a TV debate. Santanche appeared on a television programme aired on the commercial channel, Canale 5 with the president of Milan’s Islamic centre, Ali Abu Schwaima, on Sunday.
“Mohammed was a polygamist and a paedophile because he had nine wives, one of whom was only nine years old, that is a historical fact,” said Santanche.
A former MP for the post-fascist National Alliance party, Santanche now leads the far-right La Destra party.
Her remark incensed Schwaima and Muslims in the audience, who had been invited to take part in a debate on the contentious issue of placing crucifixes in Italian classrooms after last week’s ban by the European Court of Human Rights. “Why don’t we talk about serious things, not about your disgusting comments,” he shouted at Santanche.
Santanche continued to shout back: “For us, Mohammed was a paedophile.”
“You’re just showing the ignorance of people like you who have no other arguments to use,” bellowed Schwaima, jabbing his finger at her. He claimed the crucifix should not be removed from classrooms in Italy. “For us, Christ was one of the five main prophets and we respect him, like the crucifix.”
But Santanche was not appeased by Schwaima’s remark. “We will never listen to Mohammed, who was a polygamist and a paedophile,” screeched Santanche.
Adnkronos International, 9 November 2009
See update here
Muslim advocates fasting during Ramadan shock
ENGAGE replies to a particularly stupid piece of witch-hunting by Martin Bright in last week’s Jewish Chronicle attacking the appointment of Asim Hafeez as Community Advisor in the Home Office on the grounds that he is “a hardcore Islamist”. ENGAGE points out:
“An example Bright cites of Hafeez’s ‘hardcore’ credentials is this: ‘The new Home Office adviser is reported to have raised eyebrows at his new department during the Muslim festival of Ramadan, when he lectured guests at a reception about the benefits of fasting.‘ If a Muslim speaking of the benefits of fasting on the passing of Ramadan and celebration of Eid ul-Fitr is hardcore, then Hafeez shares the quality with all British Muslims.”
Attacks on Muslim students at City University
The Federation of Student Islamic Societies (FOSIS) regrets to inform that over the past week Muslim students at City University (London) have been the target of a series of attacks culminating with three Muslims being stabbed on St. John Street in the immediate vicinity of the University after being surrounded by over 30 youths.
Attacks earlier in the week left three students requiring hospitalisation for severe facial and head injuries as they were set upon by the gang shouting Islamophobic and racist abuse including statements like “Get those Muslims” and “Paki” being used repeatedly; they were subjected to a series of projectile missiles, including bricks, metal poles and sign posts.