Some thoughts on the news, religion and life in general
Archive for June, 2008
Do as I say, not as I do.
Jun 30th
The war on terror rages on with more gusto and illegality than we would like to believe. The change in language by Western governments seems to be just that - lip service. In the United States for example, the clandestine war against Iran – and those that do not cower to its demands – continues to receive money, intelligence and logistical help in ever increasing amounts.
Seymour Hersh’s recent article in the New Yorker epitomises this. In the article we are told how the CIA and other security services of America are actively funding proscribed terrorist organisations like the Mujahideen-e-Khalq. More >
Who Misses ENGERLAND?
Jun 25th
This year’s European Championship have been tremendous! Some great games, great goals and impeccably well behaved fans! The Dutch fans brought colour and noise to the tournament, the Turks brought that touch of unbelievable fairytale ending and the Russians surprised us all!
With no reports of hooliganism, no violence or yobbish behaviour being reported, what explains this surprising turn of events? Could it possibly be the absence of England (and the English fans) in this year’s tournament? More >
Despising Islam
Jun 24th
Ian McEwan has joined the ‘hate-Islam’ bandwagon according to the Independent. His comments are devoid of any diplomacy or tact as he claims to despise ‘Islamism, because it wants to create a society I detest.’
When reading the article I began looking for possible links of the words terrorism or extremism to be related immediately with the word ‘Islamism’ but surprisingly there were none, it was simple- McEwan just hates Islam.
He justifies his views on the basis that Islam gives a ‘lack of freedom for women’, to which I can only impatiently sigh in response. More >
Samina is vindicated!
Jun 17th
Samina Malik has won an appeal against her conviction for collecting information of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism, under s.58 of the Terrorism Act 2000.
Indeed, many were appalled at the conviction of Samina and the conflation and confusion that surrounded her case. We had the Islamophobic elements of the media portraying (and in the process confusing all of us) Samina as a ‘wanna-be terrorist’, or more precisely the ‘Lyrical terrorist’. One that helped to build the persona that she was convicted because of her poetry. And on the other hand you had the prosecutors conflating the evidence against her for the jury to secure her conviction.
Lord Chief Justice, Lord Phillips said “We consider that there is a very real danger that the jury became confused and that the prosecution have rightly conceded that this conviction is unsafe.”
Out of the 21 documents 14 of them did not fall in to the category Lord Phillips describes as “The jury was required to consider not only documents which were capable of being of practical utility for a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism, but a large number of documents that were not.” And “We consider that there was scope for the jury to have become confused.”
- That’s over two-third of the evidence being inadmissible!
The ruling makes it clear, that s.58 of the 2000 Act is only interested in material that offers practical assistance, it does not include Propagandist or theological material.
So we still ask, what is practical in these documents that the CPS still believes will be useful for terrorism purposes, that cannot be taken from an Army manual, or a Handbook on Kung Fu? Yes I am being a little flippant here – but the point is we live now in an age where people get arrested for downloading an “Al-Qaeda” manual, even though their PhD thesis is on Al-Qaeda.
We live in an age that the government is willing to lock people up for up to 42 days (it wanted 90 initially) without those arrested having the right to know why. Let’s not forget that it is this same government that had introduced “internment” and then Control Orders. It is the very same government that is trying to push through a Bill that will punish (see Terrorist Notification) those convicted of Terrorism for the rest of their lives.
It is disgraceful that we hear one Muslim organisation that gave it public support, it is shameful that only 36 Labour MP’s stood against the erosion of our liberties. But as the saying goes beneath every grey cloud there is a silver lining!
Go on David Davis!!!
Shame on you oh Muslim MPs
Jun 13th
Shame on you Sadiq Khan!
Shame on you Khalid Mahmood!
Shame on you Mohammed Sarwar!
Shame on you Shahid Malik!
Everybody knows that the extension to pre-charge detention will mostly be used against Muslims, most of whom will be released without charge or prosecuted for a crime not related to terrorism. Everybody knows that these measure will do nothing to build community confidence, and the will to work with the police, in fact it will further alienate and marginalise young Muslims.
Perhaps these measures, as former Attorney General Lord Goldsmith said, would be used as justification for “misguided young men” to launch attacks. Those who followed the debate and read the arguments and counter arguments have generally commented that the case has not been made for the extension. Not it seems our Muslim MPs!
All four voted with the government, two at least against their conscience and principles. Were they bullied and coerced by the Whips? have they been promised promotions? or are they spineless men who are only concerned about themselves? David Davis (former Shadow Home Secretary) resigned over this issue. Now I am not a Conservative, but here is a man who if he had kept silent, put his head down and remained patient would have most likely found himself as the next Home Secretary, at which stage repeal the law.
But, no. This was a matter of principle, it is about our hard earned fundamental liberties, about 800 years of British history. David Davis said he entered politics for principles, the 32 ‘rebels’ from the labour party also felt that this was a matter of principle, I acknowledge their courageousness and bravery, I applaud their principled defence of our liberty and freedoms.
Maybe, our four Muslim MPs should take a lesson or two from the rebels within their own party, or even David Davis who left a high profile political position on a matter of principle. Muslims should lead on principled and just causes. They should exemplify courageousness, and make selfless decisions for the betterment of society. Shame on you!
No to assimilation!
Jun 11th
We have an echo of ‘bruiser’ Reid’s theory that Muslim parents are to blame for their children turning to extremism. Dr Farhan Nizami, who is apparently an advisor to Prince Charles on Islam, allegedly accused ‘Muslims of failing to make sure their children learn to speak English or supporting them in their education.’
To be shocked at such an opinion is an understatement. As anyone who has been in the UK longer than Dr Nizami will attest to – we parents are struggling to teach our children their mother tongue (ancestral) languages not English! My 6 year-old son cannot utter one word in Bengali, his English is fluent and not the issue. It would be nice if these ‘toffs’ got out a little and spoke to some real people, instead of barking to the tunes of the ignorant. It’s a case of foreign policy stupid.
When we have the BNP linking the problems of drugs with ‘Islam’, Nizami’s conflation of educational underachievement amongst Muslim children – a serious issue we are all trying to address in different ways – with terrorism is stupid, ignorant and dangerous. To further prove that he lives in cuckooland he says, “They need to make them aspire to things higher rather than just being self-employed and looking for small-jobs.”
Looking for small jobs? What is this guy on? We have Muslim MPs, an Admiral and Major, Doctors, Dentists, Judges, Civil Servants, Millionaires, add as you see fit!
His final shot was, “Immigrant communities have to do more to get integrated”.Yes that old nutmeg – well Dr Nizami, when I hear you tell Prince Charles and other aristocrats or upper class socialites to integrate with “us” commoners, your views just fall on deaf ears! It’s unfortunate for you and others that have taken on the ‘Rand Muslim’ label that we Muslims are not only educated, but proud of our identity and Britishness.
NO assimilation here please…we’re British!
