We live at a time where the balance between the rights of the individual and society are becoming so skewed in favour of the individual; the tragic consequences of such a path are already becoming all too apparent.

The ‘me’ and ‘my rights’ culture is not only at the risk of losing the bigger-picture, but sadly often denies someone else’s legitimate rights. First case in point is the Spanish woman who thought she had a ‘right’ to have children – even though she was in her sixties.

She lied about her age to get IVF treatment and had twins, and now even before they turned three – she has died of cancer, leaving them orphans. The cruelty of such people has no bounds. Not only have they been denied a ‘mother figure’, but she actually wasn’t their biological mother! Continue reading ‘Stupid little girl’

It seems Abul Kalam was right when he suggested that Inayat would sue the Mail on Sunday for libel, who in turn would settle out of court – thus making him a nice little earner in these troubled financial times! The lowlives at the Mail on Sunday (pardon my French) have just issued a hilarious apology for that libel. It makes an interesting read, and just for the fun of it, I’ll try and read between the lines:

“On March 15 we suggested that Inayat Bunglawala’s stabbing an intruder at his home questioned his suitability as a Government adviser on terrorism.”

An Englishman’s home is his castle and he has a right to self-defence, unless you’re a ‘Moslem’ or a ‘darkie’ Continue reading Inayat Bunglawala’s nice little earner

Last week I gave my take on the reasons for the proposed ‘Burka’ ban in France. Whilst that was necessary, I did miss out on the other aspect of this proposed ban – what Islam actually says. Usamah Hasan was asked to provide a Muslim view on this,  he is quoted as saying he has “some sympathy” with Sarkozy, and that Islam requires Muslims to “respect local customs”.

Firstly, it’s important to note that by ‘Burka’, what they really mean is the Niqab or the face-covering. More specifically, the style of Hijab which is traditionally worn by Malay, Somali and many North African Muslim women. In this style of outer-garment, even without the Niqab, very often it does look like a one piece kit – totally covering the woman. Hence the remarks about ‘tents’. Now add the Niqab to this, and you get the stuff of nightmares for the ordinary French (and many other Europeans). Continue reading Rethinking the Niqab in the West

President Sarkozy’s proposal to ban the ‘Burka’ may certainly be a populist measure playing to the latent racism and Islamophobia of the French public. However, the real origins of this policy, as with the previous headscarf ban, is not secular fundamentalism but a flawed philosophical conception of liberty.

No matter how much we protest against the apparent  flaws of secularism, or the ignorance and intolerance of Sarkozy – without understanding their philosophical background, the reality is we are talking to people who speak a totally different language. Continue reading The paradox of liberty

‘It must be made clear that before accusing others, you must have the strength to know what you do yourself.’

Yet again, our government has demonstrated its impotence as advocates of human rights. The words above were spoken by the Sri Lankan President, in defence of his government’s actions in the war against the Tamil Tigers. Although the British and French foreign ministers were on an admirable mission to urge a ceasefire and an end to indiscriminate bombing which has killed many (possibly thousands of) civilians, plainly they had forgotten their self-inflicted castration - their own double standards, aka hypocrisy.

In addition to the references to Afghanistan made by the Sri Lankans, I refer of course to the recent massacre of Palestinians in Gaza. Foreign Secretary David Miliband and Bernard Kouchner of France also apparently had a heated row with the Sri Lankan Defence Minister. Compare and contrast the differences in approach: Continue reading Is it coz they is black?

If only the First Lady of France, Mrs Carla Bruni-Sarkozy followed my ‘golden rule’, it would’ve saved her the current agony of ‘intimate’ photos being stolen and falling into the ‘wrong hands’. Although no one deserves such humiliation, it could be argued that she only has herself to blame.

At the risk of sounding prudish or even Wahhabi-esque conservative to non-Muslims, I had recently advised some relatives not to take photos which were ‘overly romantic’ or of people not ‘dressed appropriately’. I told them that I had a golden rule, if you are relaxed with strangers seeing the photos accidentally – without causing you huge embarrassment or worse, then it’s OK Continue reading False illusions of privacy