Like many people I watched the recent BBC Panorama programme on racism, I was both shocked and appalled at the naked and violent racism that still exists in parts of the UK. Even more shocking is the racist language used by some Muslims when talking about the ‘Kuffar’. Muslims, most often the victims of racism, should really know better.

As the programme indicated, it was in response to comments by Trevor Phillips, head of Equality and Human Rights Commission, that race wasn’t an issue anymore in Britain. To be fair to him, he meant that in the ‘majority of cases’, and he further stated that British attitudes to race were far more advanced and tolerant than the other European countries. Continue reading Racism in the name of Islam

A big Shalom to Judge Richard Goldstone, author of the report on Gaza war crimes, for his impartial report and courage to tell us the truth as it is. He is not a politician, war crimes are just that. According to him (and international law) war crimes must always be investigated and perpetrators prosecuted, not just when it’s politically convenient – as in Sudan.

His latest intervention is so simple it is brilliant. Finally someone prominent, and not a Muslim, has said what we all knew, all the time. Judge Goldstone’s blunt rebuttal of the Israeli stance that the report will ‘harm the peace process’ is admirable:

“It’s a shallow, utterly false allegation… What peace process are they talking about? There isn’t one. The Israeli foreign minister doesn’t want one”. Continue reading A question of money

Commenting on Portsmouth’s current financial troubles Harry Redknapp, its former manager, observed: “As somebody said they’ve (Portsmouth) found the only Arab who seems to be struggling for money.” He was wrong. I had the misfortune of finding the other Arab short of a bob or two. Forget a thousand and one nights, it was more a case of a thousand and one excuses.

The case of Sulaiman al-Fahim, Portsmouth’s new owner, mirrors my own recent experience with apparently rich Gulf Arabs - including a hospital episode.

Like al-Fahim, we too were spun a glamorous vision of riches, comfort and mixing with royalty. In fact, the service we provided was minimal in return for a decent reward package, including first-class travel and presidential suites at a 5 star hotel. So far so good. Unfortunately, like the Portsmouth affair that’s where the glitz and glamour ended. Continue reading A thousand and one excuses – an Arabian tale

So David Miliband has finally accepted that Hamas has a legitimate right to resist occupation! I haven’t made this up, just look at what he said on BBC Radio 4. Asked whether he thought terrorism can be justified, the British Foriegn Secretary replied:

‘Yes, there are circumstances in which it is justifiable, and yes, there are circumstances in which it is effective.’ Continue reading Foreign Secretary justifies terrorism

A coachload of Muslims en route to maintain a Prophetic tradition – the Walima (wedding feast), begin the journey with a Bollywood song which starts with ‘Oom Mangalam Mangalam’.

It was clear from the dress and some other antics, that the majority would get their way and make it a Bollywood themed trip. However, starting the journey with a Hindu Mantra instead of a supplication (Du’a al-Safr) was one step too far. Continue reading Define irony

Who or what is a liberal? I’ve recently written about the different meanings of ‘liberty’ and it got me thinking, the term liberal and its sisters moderate and extreme are also misunderstood. Or at least they mean many things to many people.

As such, other than being pejorative do these terms really mean anything, anymore? Continue reading The liberal, the moderate and the extremist