I went along to Luton yesterday with Ed Bates and another friend to observe the English Defence League protest, with We are Luton counter-protesting. We arrived before both protests were due to start, and had a wander through the shopping Mall, and out into the town centre. There were people out and about doing their normal Saturday things, although it didn’t seem massively busy for a Saturday morning. Everywhere we went there was a huge police presence, dozens of police vans lining the streets, groups of officers stood strategically placed throughout the town centre, and several big steel cordons had been erected. We found the EDL demo point, even though when we first got there, it didn’t feel like a demo point. It was basically a mini roundabout, with a small gazebo at one end with sound equipment up, and various banners informing people about the evils of Islam.

Two of the steel cordons had been placed at two of the exits for the roundabout, one cutting off access into the shopping area, the other cutting off access to a route out of town, with the road leading down from the roundabout clear. There were people still coming and going through one of the steel cordons, either going into the centre to do some shopping, or leaving with shopping bags. As one group of people went by I heard one man in his 20’s saying ‘It’s just a bunch of football thugs’, which I assumed he meant about the EDL.

We hung around the demo point for a few minutes, then realising the EDL would be approaching soon, decided to move along. Both steel cordons had been shut at this point, so our only option was to walk down Church Street, past St Mary’s church, past rows and rows of police officers, some carrying riot helmets, with batons on their belts. We stood at the end of the road facing rows of police officers, chatting to passers-by who found their way was blocked because of the police cordon. One little old lady who had slowly walked round from the Mall was thoroughly confused that her bus-stop was blocked off, and didn’t know where to go to get her bus home. Others were angry that they couldn’t walk through, and I heard several comments about not just the EDL, but also the police. A group of 50 or so EDL members were slowly making their way towards us, with England flags waving, and some of them very colourfully dressed up. They were eventually let through the police line, and made their way to the demo point.

The main ‘march’ of a few hundred yards had come from the opposite end of the road we were stood on.  A flurry of people came running out of the demo site, a few teenagers, a father and son, the son shouting “My mum is stuck in there” in a panicked voice. They were all locals, and hadn’t wanted to get caught up in the demo, and were very relieved that the police had let them run through.

We made our way round the shopping centre, back to the police cordon where more locals were stood about, listening to Stephen Yaxley-Lennon’s (or Tommy Robinson) speech, and chatting to themselves. There wasn’t really a way to see what was happening, other than climbing up on a wall to be able to peer over the steel cordon.

The EDL’s sound equipment didn’t allow Yaxley-Lennon’s voice to project that well, so it was quite muffled. The locals who had gathered round were mainly laughing and joking about the EDL, I didn’t hear a good word from anyone about them. My quote of the day from a man in his 20’s walking away from the cordon was “You can’t fight extremism with extremism. It’s like f***ing for virginity”, which produced a cheer of laughter from people stood there.

That pretty much summed up the feeling of people stood there, it felt to me, so we decided it was time to move on to see what was going on with WAL counter-demo. We had heard through a friend that a group of around 50 people had tried to break free from the counter-demo, trying to make their way through to Bury Park, but the police had quickly stepped in to resolve the situation. We made our way around the side streets so we could get around the other steel cordon at the end of St George’s square to catch up with the end of the WAL march.

We passed more rows and rows of police, although the atmosphere felt entirely different this time. No riot helmets, and a lot of them smiled at us as we walked past them. The WAL group made its way to down to Wardown Park where they gathered for their own speeches. It did feel a little unfair that the EDL had been shoved onto a mini-roundabout, whereas the WAL group had been given a large park to spread out in, although said a lot about how each protest was regarded by the police.

The police had done a magnificent job of making sure neither group could come into contact with each other, and at no point did I feel that trouble was about to break out. The EDL had been shut away from the public, if you weren’t in the demo site with them, you couldn’t see them, or really hear them, so their hopes for spreading their message of intolerance had been firmly scuppered. I also admired the dedicated team of Chaplains who were out in force that day. They were friendly and went about talking to lots of people with a quiet dignity, eager to promote love and understanding. My overall feeling of the day was really that it all felt a waste of time, and I pitied the people of Luton for having to deal with the intrusion from both demonstrations. I don’t think anything was achieved by either group protesting, apart from upsetting Luton on what should have been a busy spring Saturday. As both groups eventually headed off back to their coaches, Luton breathed a sigh of relief.

If you are in the UK, you are probably aware by now that being awarded the Olympics is apparently the equivalent of issuing some kind of giant “come at me bro” to all the terrorist organisations and deranged individuals in the world.

It is also unlikely to have escaped your attention that, having painted a giant target on the country, the way to deal with this threat is to deploy surface to air missiles in some of the most densely populated areas of London, the most populous city in Europe.

I’m not quite sure why the government has engaged in this strange and polarised rhetoric about how the Olympics are simultaneously the best thing that has ever happened to the country and the most dangerous thing to ever happen in this country, but they have. As such, there is a pervasive need to be seen to be doing something to address this hyperbolic threat. The most recent iteration of this is announcing that the roof of an apartment complex is the ideal place to locate a missile battery.

Yet this show of strength is impotent.

In a replay of 7/7, missiles will not save us. From Omagh to Oaklahoma to Oslo, terrorists have struck not from the air but on the ground, with homemade bombs hidden in unremarkable vehicles or about their person. And really, by the time the bomb is in place, it is sadly too late.

Even in a 9/11 situation, are we really going to start shooting down planes over previously mentioned densely populated areas and Olympic venues? From some of the busiest skies in Europe?

There probably are people out there who would love to blow London sky high during the Olympics, or crash planes, or release toxins. However, I trust our security services and police to stop them in advance, like they did on 21 July 2005, or with the liquid bomb plot. This is surely what we all want.

Missiles on rooftops and heaths are not reassuring, they are ludicrous and give the impression that the government has not only lost the plot, but lost control. If we get to the stage where we are blowing things up ourselves in the name of safety, then God help us all.

“Wawawewa! Hackers everywhere! OMG they’ve hacked the government! *headspin*”

This was pretty much the reaction from the media when TeamPoison (or TeaMP0is0N, as I believe they prefer to be called – 83c4U53 U51Ng l337 M4k35 7h3M 3v3N M04r 5C4rY & H4Ck3r15H, or something like that) apparently hacked the MI6 anti-terrorist hotline, recorded the calls and ‘leaked’ them on YouTube.

Wawawewa indeed.

But feeling skeptical, I headed over to listen to these hacked phone calls – the proof of hackers’ omnipresence and omnipotence on the web. The experience went something like this:

YT: (picture of ‘phonejacker’) ring-ring, ring-ring

Me: …hmmm

YT: “hello hotline” “how you doin’ girl?” “fine thank you” “so I got some terrorist infor…”

At this point, I hit stop. Why? Because what had been posted on YouTube was clearly just a self recording of ‘TriCk’ calling the hotline and, in my opinion anyway, you can’t really ‘leak’ your own phone call. But it’s too late, the media is going nuts with hackershackershackershackers. It later transpires that the kids behind the phone call actually set up an automatic re-dialler to jam the hotline’s phones – sort of a telephone equivalent of how most website ‘hacks’ take place, by overwhelming the system with requests. No, you’re right, I would have no idea how to do either a DDOS or jam a phone line, but just because a guy does a thing on the internet, calls himself a hacker and then brags about it, doesn’t make it so.

And this is kind of important when it comes to reporting ‘cyber crime’ and ‘cyber terrorism’. One cannot underestimate the ego on these guys; it’s what fuels their hacker battles, it’s what makes them advertise their activities to the world and, ultimately, it’s what gets them caught (which is why Anonymous used to have a habit of outing anyone who tried to rise to prominence or said they spoke for the collective). And caught they have been.

No doubt there are real hackers out there doing real hacker stuff (e.g. the guy recently sent to jail for *actually* hacking the BPAS website and getting names and addresses), and there is definitely real cyber crime, but is some 17-year-old posting his own phone conversation online really newsworthy? Before going OMG H4CK3RZ, wouldn’t it maybe be worth taking time to investigate what has actually happened? Because the media (and I’m looking at you particularly, the Guardian) behaving like an over-excited dog every time a guy does a thing on the internet is not good journalism and, frankly, is getting kind of old.

The abortion debate has been steadily coming to the surface again lately in this country.  Abortion in this country became legal in 1967, but women are still facing intolerance about the choices they make with their bodies. Just this week, a member of the hacking group Anonymous was jailed for 32 weeks after hacking into BPAS and stealing the details of thousands of women who were seeking a termination, with the intent of publishing those details. There are stories of increased protests from anti-abortionist activists, where women are being harassed and intimidated as they walk into clinics. There is the anti-abortion group ‘Abortion 67’ who protest outside clinics with very graphic photographs blown up large of various stages of abortion. I’ve just been watching the BBC’s The Big Questions, where they were asking whether abortion should be a private matter. The representative from Abortion 67 insisted that all his group are doing is providing the truth, but having looked at their website, and watched the minute long video of an abortion, with various tiny parts of foetuses on display, I come to the conclusion that there’s being truthful, and then there’s forcing graphic images in vulnerable women’s faces in an extremely crude way. What annoys me most is that these groups do not know, or perhaps even want to know the reasons a woman decides to have an abortion. They do not know if a woman has made the decision after being raped. They do not know if the decision has been made because of a risk to the woman’s life if the pregnancy were to be carried to term. They do not know if the foetus has been diagnosed with having impossibly horrendous problems that could only lead to suffering to both mother and child. But even if a woman has made her decision, and it has nothing to do with any of those reasons, I believe it to be nobody else’s business, other than that woman’s.

It seems that people are divided into ‘pro-life’ or ‘pro-choice’ categories. I actually disagree with the term ‘pro-life’, and prefer to use ‘anti-abortion’, as although many anti-abortion activists claim to be looking after the rights of the unborn, they’re completely overlooking the rights of the woman. However I don’t think that ‘pro-choice’ could be deemed as ‘pro-abortion’. I don’t think there’s any woman in the world that ‘wants’ an abortion, just like there probably isn’t any human being in the world who wants to have a hip replaced, or teeth extracted, or any type of procedure. All these things are done out of necessity for their wellbeing.  I am a 30 year old woman, and have never been inclined towards becoming a mother. I like children, I have two wonderful nieces, and a beautiful new nephew who I dote over, but for me, I can’t see myself ever becoming a mother. I know that in my life right now, if I were to fall pregnant, the right choice would be for me to have an abortion, and I know that I would be judged by society for making that choice over my body. I could choose to carry the pregnancy to full term and then give the child up for adoption, but as I look around the country, and the world today, I see so many children who are unloved, who are not looked after properly, and worst of all abused. Why would I want to bring a life into the world that I don’t want, to then put into society where it would add to the number of unloved, neglected children? For me, that isn’t right. Also there is also my own wellbeing to consider, which as anti-abortion activists aren’t bothered about, I have to think about it myself. Carrying a pregnancy to term can be a lot more risky to the body than a termination. Of course, there are risks when having a termination, which need to be considered, but if I had to weigh up the choices, I know which way I’d go.

There is a huge debate over where ‘life’ actually starts. In my opinion, a human life only starts when it can survive outside of the womb. The limit on abortions is currently 24 weeks, and I am willing to trust the experts that came to this conclusion. But I feel I need to stress that this is my personal opinion, and an opinion I don’t feel the need to inflict on others. I’ve been reading with growing concern the hostility coming from organisations towards women who want the right to make the right choice for them, for their body. As a young(ish) woman, this is a choice that I am determined to hold onto, because the alternative, of either being forced to carry a pregnancy to term, or to have to go to a back-street clinic, where the risk of infection and something going wrong are vastly increased is an alternative that I don’t even want to contemplate. 

Pickles wants to improve cohesion by having a "Big lunch" where people sit down with a sandwich or possibly a curry from his new "Curry College" As we know Warsi railed on secularists for eroding our values and twice last year David Cameron said we were a Christian nation.

If Christianity and by extension religion has 3 senior members of the government "Defending" it I can't see how it's under threat. To claim a religion is under threat is down right stupidity. That excuse has been used to defend action that are a dark stain on Human history. From the Crusades in the middle ages to indiscriminate slaughter in World war two to trouble spots in the world today.

In my mind those that claim a religion is under threat then use the power the people, of whom hold many beliefs not compatible with each other is nothing short of tyranny . Religion provides comfort, it instils a moral code of care and compassion and provides comfort to millions. it is also true that it is manipulated and perverted by those that try to use it as justification for their immoral acts. It should be free of those people, It should not be used as a political pawn. The state should not interfere with religion and it should not legislate on a persons right to worship. In my mind religion holds no position in the affairs of state and vice versa.

Atheists are not all the same, like religion it comes in many flavours from those who don't believe and respect the beliefs of others, to those who pursue a no religion at all for any one agenda. To rail against all atheists is the same as discriminating against all Muslims because of the actions of a few. It's wrong and cheapens not only our beliefs but yours.

As you can imagine I was pretty miffed and for a split second I sympathised with those from the EDL who get called Nazi's for simply raising their right arm. Warsi's article is the usual from her, a tasteless attempt at self promotion, defaulting to the age old argument of Christianity is a foundation of our country while maintaining an ignorance of History any 13 year old can identify.

Warsi claims that Religion is being sidelined in modern life, this claim is no doubt spurred on by the ruling a few days earlier banning prayer before a local council meeting.

Religion is being sidelined in this country but not by "Millitant secularists" but by our own government. Michael Gove has decided that religious education, one of the fastest growing subjects is not to be part of his flagship Baccalaureate scheme. The chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission today said that religious authority should stop "at the temple door." Warsi's main fault in this argument isn't the complete disregard for History or even the shameless self promotion it's the blatant tarring of the brush on Secularists.

I am a secularist, I do believe Religions role in law should stop at the temple door. I believe that in this day and age to show preference of one religion over another is insulting to the followers of the other. I believe Parliament has no right to legislate based on religious dogma. I was insulted to be linked to Nazism and Communism (although it takes a special skillset to be labelled as both) However just because I believe these things doesn't mean I think religion is "stupid" or those who follow it are. I believe those who use religion as a political tool are stupid. And those who use phrases like "militant secularism" and invoke images of the holocaust are stupid, contemptible and not fit for public office, likewise I feel the same who belittle someone's personal belief.

To claim that religion is under attack when there are Bishops sitting in the Lords, when the Monarch is defender of the faith and where the Pope attracted a massive crowd to his various events is a bit rich. To be associated with an ideology that massacred millions based on Religion or an ideology that caused some of the darkest days in modern history is beyond contempt, Warsi should chose her words carefully.

Sensationalist warnings on the Internet - particularly in social media - about 'those scary Muslims' appear frequently. The latest one is the SCARY AS HELL: WARNING FROM A FORMER MUSLIM. An example of this was posted on Facebook over Christmas by one of the EDL Divisons.

Being social media, this gets shared. In this case, 15 times.



Also, given the nature of social media it gets commented on.

The SCARY AS HELL: WARNING FROM A FORMER MUSLIM! post makes people angry. It also frightens them.



Fear and anger fed by a healthy dose of paranoia, all from one post on the internet. The SCARY AS HELL: WARNING FROM A FORMER MUSLIM is having the desired effect.

But before you start stockpiling weapons and food for the coming civil war (or nuking people), it's worth digging deeper into where the SCARY AS HELL: WARNING FROM A FORMER MUSLIM post comes from. It's easier and better all round for the planet. It's certainly much less frightening, people's blood needn't boil and those nukes can stay in their silos. Everyone's a winner, baby, as Errol Brown once sang.

The date this appeared on the EDL pages was the 30th December 2011. However, it appeared roughly a month earlier (28th November 2011) on the ironically titled The Real Truth blog by Bradley Ortloff




Ortloff credits Davis Vic who in turn writes that "Judi Randolph Gardner Read this warning from a former Muslim..(.website: Islam Rules!)"

Notice that the 'SCARY AS HELL' part of the 'SCARY AS HELL: WARNING FROM A FORMER MUSLIM' is missing? Someone, somewhere added the 'SCARY AS HELL' part between November and December 2011. In the world of conspiracy theories details like this are important. Conspiracy theories are built on rumours. The sum really is greater than the parts.

Trying to trace verifiable facts on the Internet is often a thankless task. The Islam Rules website where Judi Randolph Gardner claims she found the SCARY AS HELL WARNING FROM A FORMER MUSLIM being a case in point. Gardner herself is fairly easy to find. She's a believer in causes such as



and


Unsurpringly, she also supports - and gets her information from -

Given that she herself didn't give the website address, it was necessary to try another tack...

The earliest mention of this SCARY AS HELL: WARNING FROM A FORMER MUSLIM occurs in August 2006 on Daniel Pipes' blog. This comment is on an article about profiling airline passengers. the comment is submitted by 'Abdul Rahman'


 

Compare the text between Rahaman's post: "I, Abdul Rahman, was born and raised as Muslim. My whole family is still Muslim. I know every genetic code of Muslim. I know Islamic brain. I know every blood cell of Moslem. I live and breathe with them. I am an insider. I left Islam when I understood that Islam is a sick and evil religion."

with that of the EDL's post: "I was born and raised as Muslim. My whole family is still Muslim. I know every genetic code of Muslim. I know Islamic brain. I live and breath with them. I am an insider. I left Islam when I understood that Islam is a sick and evil religion. The following are the Islamic message to the West."

Variations: Rahman's name is missing as is the every blood cell line. Psychologically, excluding Rahman's name also has an interesting effect. It's no longer one Muslim named Rahman; it's any Muslim. Frightening stuff...

One important aspect of Rahman's post is that there's no mention anywhere of it being a SCARY AS HELL: WARNING FROM A FORMER MUSLIM It's not even a WARNING FROM A FORMER MUSLIM. In 2006 the SCARY AS HELL: WARNING FROM A FORMER MUSLIM! didn't exist. It was SCARY AS HELL: WARNING FROM A FORMER MUSLIM Both the SCARY AS HELL: part and the WARNING FROM A FORMER MUSLIM part were added later. Another little teaspoon of paranoia and fear-mongering to add to the conspiracy theory.

Pipes himself is well-known in the anti-Islamophobe world. Here he is on Islamophobia Watch



And here he is on Loonwatch 

But the really interesting person in all this is Abdul Rahman. If Abdul Rahman is the originator of this post, then who is he? Could it be this Abdul Rahman?

Perhaps, perhaps not. On the 29th March 2006 Rahman was in Italy. He was still there awaiting asylum a month later



So unless the Abdul Rahman who wrote in a comment on Pipes' blog (writing from America) was fast-tracked to America between the end of April 2006 and the end of August 2006 - of which there's absolutely no evidence - it's highly unlikely that it's the same person. Why would he be writing to Pipes' blog? Especially just to a comments section? Additionally, in 2006 Abdul Rahman was the cause celebre; Pope Benedict XVI himself interposed on Rahman's behalf, which is why Rahman ended up in Italy.

But, like all good conspiracy theories, this doesn't stop people believing...

Fast forward to August 2011. The modern version of the SCARY AS HELL: WARNING FROM A FORMER MUSLIM makes an appearance. This time it's published on the Citizen Warrior blog, renamed Warning to the West. (Which is also the name it appears under in the blog cited by Judi Randolph Gardner 3 months later in November.) It's given more gravitas by Citizen Warrior claiming "The following is an email we received from a former Muslim. We are reprinting it with his permission" It seems that Abdul Rahman (who isn't really Abdul Rahman the Afghani convert) is still writing the same(ish) email 5 years later.

Which is odd.

Compare the original Pipes' blog text here from August 2006: http://www.danielpipes.org/comments/53707

With this here from July 2011: http://www.citizenwarrior.com/2007/07/warning-to-west.html

Notice how the text has changed? The original Rahman text from the Pipes' blog (written by the fake Rahman) is still there, but this time it's a lot more threatening. And a lot fuller. It presents the full agenda of 'those evil Muslims'.

And this, in essence, is how conspiracy theories are born and snowball until they become both threatening and dangerous. One person pretending to be another posts a comment in a relatively minor Islamophobe's blog. That post is picked up by another Islamaphobe and embellished. That is picked up and embellished further by another Islamophobe's blog. And so on, and so on, and so on...

Until you end up with blood boiling and calls for nuclear attacks. 

As Rod Serling once said "You're travelling through another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound but of mind; a journey into a wondrous land whose boundaries are that of imagination. That's the signpost up ahead - your next stop, the Twilight Zone!"

Conspiracy theorists - bringing the Twilight Zone alive.

 

Now having read the speech in full I have a better understanding of where he was coming from. For those not in the know Cameron was giving a speech on the 400th anniversary of the King James bible, which was the third bible to be translated into English. Now as a book there is no doubting the importance of the KJ version. However to state that we are a Christian country was technically correct but grossly offensive and wrong on a practical level.

For the Prime minister his administration hasn't had an easy ride. The largest outbreak of civil disobedience in a decade, skyrocketing unemployment and an economy that is terminal. He has taken us to war in Libya and won. He has also faced anger amongst his party for giving too much away to the Liberal Democrats their partners in crime and for sabotaging a vote on the UK's role in the European union. So it is no wonder that in the last few weeks his stance has hardened considerably.

First he told the EU to get stuffed winning praise from his party and the press who are too wrapped up in their own xenophobia and fear of Brussels to see that his actions will undoubtedly come at a huge cost to the ordinary people of the country. His actions destroyed any political capital he gained over Libya and effectively sent Anglo-French relations back to 2003 levels. It isn't a shock to see Cameron return to the talking points that saw him "elected" in 2010.

His most controversial theme remains this myth of a Broken Britain. It was on he used verbatim during the riots this summer, his belief that absent fathers, a dependence on benefits and "lax morals" resulted in it have been put under scrutiny not at least by the Guardian who have been running a pretty conclusive study (in association with the LSE) about the causes. The most conclusive came from the Children's society that found 53% of rioters came from 20% of the most deprived areas in the uk. An MoJ study found that of the young riot defendants 64% came from the poorest fifth of areas and only 3% from the richest fifth. Now there is a correlation behind deprivation and some of the symptoms of this "broken Britain" it is likely that in a deprived area there will be high unemployment a dependence on benefits and youth crime. But this isn't because of a lost sense of Morals that Cameron thinks we have.

This is because of government incompetence. Instead of saying Boo to Europe to save his mates in the city who, lets face it are the main cause of this epic 1930's mess we're in now Cameron should be doing everything in his power to help those less off. Instead of spending billions on a rail system no-one needs or dodgy tax tax deals with big corporations or even slashing the budget on those benefits people need he should be re-instating EMA with better controls so those that need it get it, he shouldn't be cutting the disability benefits for those who cannot work, he shouldn't be abandoning those who need help, writing off an entire generation of young people, people with hopes and potential to go onto great things and he shouldn't be harking back to a 1950's rosy cheek ideal. Unless of course he isn't a sentimentalist and is indeed taking us back to a vilified youth and economic desperation. Cameron needs to remember the key lesson in Christianity. That of Faith and Charity and Hope.

If he want's to be a Christian country that applies Christian morals then surely helping the needy is the main one. Not the money lenders at the temple.

“WHAT A CROCK OF CRAP..... We can't say Merry Christmas now we have to say Happy Holidays. We can't call it a Christmas tree, it's now called a Holiday tree? Because it might offend someone. If you don't like our "Customs" and it offends you so much then LEAVE I will help you pack. They are called customs and we have our traditions If you agree with this...please post this as your status!! I AM A PROUD (*insert nationality here) CITIZEN... MERRY CHRISTMAS! Do you have what it takes to re post this??”

Every year, I hear the same thing…. We can’t say Merry Christmas, we’re not allowed to celebrate Christmas, schools are not allowed to have nativity plays, we can’t call it the Christmas season/Christmas Holiday’s, we HAVE to call it WINTERVAL.

People come on, you really believe this? Every year I see Christmas decorations, presents and cards getting in to shops earlier and earlier! This year I saw our local supermarket with a whole aisle of Christmas products at the end of August/beginning of September! How can you now say you’re being stopped from celebrating Christmas? So please STOP posting silly statues like above! No one, except YOU is stopping you from having a lovely Christmas! So please go and celebrate however you want; eat drink and be merry!

I do, however, agree with a recent status I have seen.

“I DO NOT CARE IF THIS DOES OFFEND SOMEONE…THIS IS WHAT I BELIEVE…I AM SICK AND TIRED OF EVERY YEAR WHEN CHRISTMAS COMES AROUND; THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO TAKE CHRIST OUT OF CHRISTMAS BECAUSE IT MIGHT OFFEND SOMEONE…WELL, HOW ABOUT ALL OF THE CHRISTIANS?...WHAT ABOUT OFFENDING US BECAUSE YOU ARE TAKING OUR CHRIST OUT... OF CHRISTMAS?...CHRIST IS CHRISTMAS!...IF YOU AREN'T CELEBRATING CHRIST THEN WHY ARE YOU CELEBRATING?...CHRISTMAS IS ABOUT THE BIRTH OF OUR SAVIOR!...CHRISTMAS IS ONE OF A FEW HOLIDAYS LEFT THAT CELEBRATE "MY" CHRIST!...LEAVE "MY" CHRISTMAS ALONE!...AND TELL EVERYONE MERRY CHRISTMAS, NOT HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!...RE-POST IF YOU’RE NOT ASHAMED!!”

Well part of it, I do believe the Christian aspect of Christmas is being lost. As the years have gone by, Christmas has become more and more commercialised. It’s becoming more and more about the presents we give and receive, rather then the obvious aspects of going to Church, lighting advent candles, and helping those less fortunate around you. As a Muslim, who went to a Catholic School, some of my fondest memories come from watching the Advent Candle being lit, going to Mass around Christmas time, preparing shoe boxes of gifts for the children and women of the local women’s refuge. This to me was Christmas, more so then the exchanging of gifts and cards on the last day of term.

I do understand that a lot of people who are not practising Christians also celebrate Christmas, as a cultural custom, I my self am one of those people, yes, yes I know, O M G a MUSLIM celebrating CHRISTMAS????? Yes I am and I know many Muslims who may be reading this will tell my I’m not allowed to be celebrating etc, but I have Christian in-laws. There is one thing I would like to urge those people like my self, please do not forget the core values of Christmas. Don’t panic about getting the most up to date gadget, the most expensive piece of jewellery, because I honestly believe your loved ones and friends would prefer to just spend some time with you and would appreciate a thoughtful gift that doesn’t leave you in debt till next Christmas.

So from a Muslim to everyone out there, I hope you all enjoy this time of year, whether you are celebrating or not I hope you all have a Merry Christmas!

Naaz on Twitter @USOBNaaz

I'm going to start this with an admission that by the standards of the times makes me worse than Hitler.

I'm not wearing a Poppy.

Nowhere on my person will you find a poppy, my jumper is poppy free, my underwear is devoid of poppies in fact the closest thing to a poppy on me at this very moment is a poppy seed stuck in my teeth from a bagel.  There is of course a very good reason for this.  I have grown to dislike the poppy, not its symbolism or what it stands for, but the object itself.

An American by the name of Moina Michael wrote a poem called "We shall keep the faith" so moved was she by the words of "Flanders fields" by John McCrae that she vowed to always wear a red poppy in remembrance of those who were killed in the Great War. Eventually this idea caught on and it is the reason for a week or so in November the poppy is worn.

So here's whats wrong with it, as we saw yesterday the Poppy has become a source of temporary insanity in this country, those who choose not to wear it face criticism and abuse, and this doesn't just extend to people in the public eye.  My daring to appear in public without a poppy on clearly irked one drunken oik who decided to call me a "traitor." David Cameron facing more pressure from all quarters to actually do something in government wrote a letter to FIFA asking for them to repeal their stance that the Poppy was a "political or religious symbol." Theresa May tonight facing more pressure to resign after a calamitous scandal involving the border agency and her imminent embarrassment as the-now former- head of the border agency looks set to win an unfair dismissal case, decided to announce that "Muslims against Crusades" would be banned from Midnight.
Muslims against crusades cause public anger when they burned poppies during the two minutes silence last year and had planned to do the same again this year. Muslims against crusades were also known as "Islam4UK" who planned to march through Wooten Basset, before being.....banned, so as we will inevitably see they'll return.

The English Defence league, who rose to the bait and challenged MAC see the burning of the poppy as the ultimate sacrilege , the EDL who disrupted the launch of the British Legions 2011 campaign because they were planning another "peaceful protest" in the same area as the public launch. The same EDL who sold poppies last year with the EDL logo on, and didn't give the money to the RBL, who in fairness wouldn't take it.
My favourite criticism of non wearers is "They fought for your freedom" yes, yes they did. My freedom which means I can wear what I want and not be lectured by someone who probably wore the same poppy the year before. We're free to wear it and we're free not to.   I'll remember them for longer than the two minutes. If you need to hide behind a poppy to prove you remember them then it's hollow. Remember them every-time you disagree with someone, or when you vote, or even get up on a morning.

Robert Fisk I think wrote a brilliant piece on the poppy and I whole heartedly agree with it. The poppy is in danger of straying from its original purpose, it's already been caked in extras like a green leaf, and the less said about those huge gaudy ones the better.
The poppy has become less a symbol of remembrance and more a cheap political stunt and a fashion accessory, a tool by which the plastic patriots force others to wear lest they be labelled "scum" or "traitor".

Tomorrow I will wear a Poppy, I'll drop a few pound in the Help for Heroes tin when I see one and I will stop for 2 minutes tomorrow at 11. I will stick my RBL wristband on since they last longer than a paper poppy and don't get as tattered plus you can wear them all year round. It's a simple gesture to someone who is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice, and a small token of hope that no more fall for the old Lie; Dulce et Decorum est Pro patria mori.

On twitter: @GreggSmith1

On the web:Innerspace

I believe the UK should stand back and take stock before it ends up throwing its lot in with killers and thieves.

Gadaffi's death was undoubtedly a turning point in the Libyan civil war. Died with him were 4 decades of suffering, misery and oppression. There was no doubt that when he was captured hiding in a sewer drain he wouldn't see the end of the day, no way would he survive his capture and there was little surprise when he ended up killed.

NTC claimed he had been killed in "crossfire" between his captors and loyalists. Slowly the videos and images emerged. One showing Gadaffi bloodied but very much alive, then his lifeless corpse, blood oozing from his face. Then it got more disturbing, footage of him being sodomized with a metal object, a video showing him being beaten and finally with a pistol to his head, conveniently when his body was on show the head was tilted covering the area the gun was pointed at. It turns out the manner of his death summed up his entire rule on Libya, painful and cruel.

Many will argue that Gadaffi deserved to die, however I disagree. Gadaffi should have been kept alive, placed on trial and allowed to speak. What would he have said though, it's pretty certain that there would be ranting, but what about the meetings with Blair, Oil deals, Lockerbie and the murder of Yvonne Fletcher.

With the announcement that Libya will be run in accordance with Shariah, and the spate of murders as scores are settled, Libya is at a dangerous crossroads, Libyans fought hard for this, and it would be a crime if they were pushed one way without a say. The announcements made during the official declaration of liberation raised a few eyebrows both in the wider world and in Libya. One person on Facebook remarked that:

"First Abdul Jalil is not the one who should change or add rules, it's not [part] of his powers. He was aperson that we agreed on for temporary period until we get a constitution that we vote on then political parties.[The]thing is islamists are pushing on him and they have been supported by qatar and got [have] power on the ground. Most people are afraid to oppose someone [who] talk about religion. I'm afraid we are not free yet from police/military dictatorship to people speaking with religion dictatorship .

I and many will go with a liberal government. and others with Islamist. It depends but I will accept the elections and what most of the ppl vote for, even if i don't like it. If you can follow my arabic status it's all about these since days I went out for freedom .and that means freedom for all ..including libyan jews.

The 4 wives thingy is rather silly to mention it in such a speech and most women don't agree on it and it won't happen in real. i think Abdul Jalil was trying to convince islamists that he will not go secularist as they keep saying. However, it can't happen [the]thing is we DON'T HAVE ANY POLITICAL GROUND! it's really hard there r alot of ppl trying to force their view with force ..some coprruted ppl with their money some islamists has been given money and power from qatar and wants to push themselves in. and you got large number of youths who doesn't really know what's politics and dont really care to learn. I'm rather pissed since we made it into tripoli because many incidents happened (jew thingy. fashion show and also sufi's temple being destroyed) I want a democratic state which respect everyone's views"

His declaration was carefully planned. To be seen as too secularist would mean alienating people, being too religious would alienate the western nations that helped remove Gadaffi. These are tough times for Libya, times that do not call for too much western interference, because we all know how that ends.

Libya is suffering a complete collapse of the government there is very little power amongst the politicians and in a country that is -now Gadaffi is dead- tribal there is a real risk that unchecked there is a potential for a Somalia type failed state.

Libya must choose it's own path, however with so much at stake there are too many vested interests for this to happen. Western governments want a friendly face in charge, Saudi Arabia, Quatar and other big muslim countries will want friendly governments in charge and there is no Doubt Iran will have a hand in there somewhere.

However I believe the UK should stand back and take stock before it ends up throwing its lot in with killers and thieves. And for once, let the people decide.

On twitter: @GreggSmith1

On the web:Innerspace

Dominating the headlines for the past decade has been the intolerance expressed by various regimes across the world towards other faiths. Not only that, but with homegrown groups such as the EDL and BNP claiming Muslims on the whole are an intolerant bunch things can get out of hand.On the face of it, tolerance seems a strange thing to ask for, it is asking for someone to accept that their view point is not the most important, that other people have a right to a view point. It is however, a fundamental right that should be universal to all. When a person in Iran may be sentenced to death for homosexuallity, when a so called church in America can condemn people by the millions for disbelief, when children speak of fire and brimstone from above as a perfectly fine conclusion, you understand that things have gone far enough. None of the three Abrahamic religions who are at the centre of this burning argument preach that it is okay to forcebally oppress the non-believer. None of them say that Religous is compulsory.

One of my favorite sayings goes as follows: "You can show someone the door, hell you can even open the door for them, but, ultimatley, it is they themselves who must walk through it, pushing them through it leads only to wrongdoing." This saying is exactly what my attitude to religion is, rightly or wrongly expressed depending on who you talk to. However, I remain confident that this is the right choice to make, why? Because free will exists. If God so wanted, everyone would be religious and there would be no evil. However, God in almighty wisdom gave us the choice. So who are other humans to take away that choice? Should a person be ostracised from society because they make non-relgious choices? No. We live in an era where differences are supposed to be accepted.

From my personal experience, many have complained to me, saying "Islam is intolerant," I will not deny, that in some places, it can seem so. In Saudi Arabia where clerics frequently rant against the evils of the non-Muslim world to Iran where Islam is mired in a deep political game. Needless to say, that there are examples of intolerance within the bible and the Old Testemant. But is that a reason to disregard the wider message of Peace and love to all of God's creatures?

The path of intolerance, on the part of Islamic extremist, on the part of Christian extremist, on the part of Jewish extremists leads only to destruction of all. Believer or non-believer, humanity was collectivley outraged at the attrocities comitted during the Holocaust. We must again ask ourselves, how did the holocaust start? Because of the intolerance of a few led to the intolerance of many. We must stand up for each other. I respect my atheist friends right not to believe in God just as I believe in my Hindu friends right to believe in a different God to me, just as they do for me. That is tolerance, that is what makes us strong, that is what leads humanity to a better path. When future generations look back at us, will they look back at us and say "They were the ones who taught us that every human has a right to a choice?" Or will they look back and say "They were the ones who destroyed other humans because they were too barbaric, too uncivilised to understand every person has a right to an opinion."

Which one do you want to be? You don't even have to proclaim to the world that you have had a change of heart. All you have to do, is the next time you see someone who has a different faith or opinion, even if you disagree, try to smile at them, try to learn about them, try to understand them. And maybe, just maybe you will come to understand that our free will is one of God's greatest gifts to humanity.

On September 21 at around 1108 EDT Troy Davis was put to death by the State of Georgia, after spending 20 years on Death row. While this would just be a case of "Justice is done" it has instead become one of the grossest miscarriages of justice in modern times.

On the evening of August 18 1989, Davis was at a party with some friends, after setting off there was an altercation with the occupants in another car which resulted in one being shot in the face, allegedly by Davis himself. After meeting a friend outside Burger King the friend, Sylvester "Redd" Coles then proceeded to argue with a homeless man over a can of beer. At this time an off duty policeman named Mark McPhail was shot and killed as he tried to intervene. A day later Coles went to a police station and said that Davis had commited the crime. On August 23rd Davis surrendered to the police after negotiating his arrest after death threats were made against him by local drug dealers, since the police investigation was interrupting business.

During the trial the prosecution alleged that Davis shot Michael Cooper met up with Coles , pistol-whipped the homeless man in the parking lot and then killed Mark MacPhail. Coles admitted arguing with Young, but stated that Davis had hit him with a pistol. During cross-examination, Coles admitted that he also had a .38 pistol, but stated that he had given it to another man earlier that night, more importantly no murder weapon was recovered, the one piece of evidence that would have secured a conviction of either Davis or Coles was found. Instead prosecutors used the casings and matched them to the earlier shooting after the party. The Jury took two hours to find Davies guilty and a further 7 to recommend the death penalty.

Davis unsuccessfully appealed numerous times even citing Haebus Corpus issues with the police search of his mothers home, and after all attempts the sentence was confirmed. From around 1996 things seemed to look up for Davis, seven of the nine main witnesses changed their testimony, one going as far as to suggest blackmail from the police as she was on parole for shoplifting. Three witnesses signed affadavits saying Coles had admitted the murder to them. The judge in the 2004 appeal remarked that "submitted affidavits are insufficient to raise doubts as to the constitutionality of the result at trial, there is no danger of a miscarriage of justice in declining to consider the claim."

Davis excecution date was delayed at the last minute 3 times before the final date of September 21 was set. Even then at the last second the Supreme court stepped in to evaluate the case. And despite the lack of a weapon, allegation of illegal tactics by the police, the changing in testimony of practically all the witnesses and the confession of another to the crime the supreme court denied this final appeal.

At around 10 to 10 Davis was lead into the excecution, 2 IV's were placed in his arm and after final remarks in which he again protested his innocence he was given a lethal cocktail that ended his life at 1108 EDT.

It is my opinion that the Death penalty is an evil we can do without, this need for "vengence not justice" is the final hang on to our ancestors need for an eye for an eye and is just wrong by any measure. The Death penalty is a final act, evidence later may find the accused innocent, but by then it is too late, you can't release a dead man back into society. History is filled with examples of this state sponsored murder. Derek Bentley was excecuted in the UK on January 23 1953 he was 19, and medically recorded as being "borderline feeble minded." He was excecuted for the murder of policeman Sidney Miles after a "stand off" on a roof following a burglary. In the altercation another policeman Detective Frederik Fairfax was shot, Bentley didn't fire a shot and was already under arrest at the time of the killings. However under "joint enterprise" it was bentley not the youth who fired the shots who was excecuted, only finally recieving a full pardon in 1998.

While it is unlikely the Death penalty will ever be repealed fully in the US if it must remain on the books then if there is even a morsel of doubt to innocence then it shouldn't be used at all.

The US legal system failed Davis in the most horrific way, the rescheduling and last minute intervention by the Supreme court must count as cruel and unusual punishment and must have been mental torture to Davis and his family. And the fact the highest court in the land, where allegedly the smartest legal minds in the country sit, think it is ok to excecute an allegedly innocent man should sit uneasily in the minds of Americans.

For a country that aims to export its rights and ideas of justice to the rest of the world, it may be best to get your own house in order.

Twitter @GreggSmith1

I find I’m actually a calmer and more composed person in Ramadan, perhaps the assertion of control over my habits and metabolism is the cause of such deliverance. I guess it goes without saying that fasting makes you a more patient person. Despite paling in comparison to the starving in 3rd world countries, fasting certainly gives you a taster of more difficult times.

Although it is not commonplace, I find it strange when I hear of Muslims desiring and requesting people to not eat within distance of them during the month of Ramadan; surely one of the major benefits of Ramadan is to build willpower so without the temptation where is the willpower? Additionally I refuse to expect people to change their daily routine and norms due to my beliefs. Another minor gripe is the rushing around I see of other Muslims, it seems like needlessly adding pressure, having said that it looks as if they revel in it and could be there way of gaining willpower.

I’m generally a nonchalant person hence the lack of appeal. Fasting as a whole provides you with a means of scrutinizing your diet, since you’re eating at very specific times (before sunrise which is known as sehri and upon sunset which is known as iftaari). With this in mind I look for healthier foods that provide a slow release of energy and help maintain a balanced digestive system. Yoghurt based foods, porridge and fruit salads are the norm in Ramadan for me as is a proportionate rotation of meats, fish and pulses. As a self-proclaimed foodie this isn’t too difficult as I like to try new meal ideas. Islam encourages moderation so I make my hunger is satisfied but not to become bloated when eating outside the times of fasting. Due to the aforementioned scheduled timings, you find yourself acknowledging the passing of time and find spaces in the day that were otherwise absent. With this new found time I’ve recently found space to exercise and with the knowledge I’m eating healthier, I’m in the frame of mind that every rep, crunch and curl is not being offset by an over-indulgent diet.

Gone are the fried brunches and toasted carbs with a spread of “it’s not really butter, but it’s still fat”, gone are the high-levels of sugar in the coffee machine (which I’m sure is the sugar rush not caffeine kick that gives me that added “perk”). The concern that is raised the most is that we go through daylight hours without drinking water. I rarely drink water on a normal day sadly, the lure of the coffee machine always supersedes the water cooler. Due to the added awareness of my dietary habits I tend to consume more water outside daylights during Ramadan, than I would usually drink throughout a full day outside of Ramadan. Ramadan is a time for self reflection. Abstaining can lead to self-consciousness but with a degree of fulfillness. The self-discipline gained seems to increase the desire to better oneself and the 30 days of fasting certainly gives you the momentum to stay healthy and increase productivity post-Ramadan. All in all it is a time for abstaining, which ultimately results in gaining.

Originally posted here

 It would be rather wrong for me to just ignore what probably would be the biggest story of the year so I have decided to at least say something. Now I don't have the facts, but that doesn't seem to be stopping politicians, the press, and the man on the street so here goes.

What happened in London and other areas is reprehensible. It was wrong on a level that is just below genocide and just above going out in white socks with black shoes. What we saw wasn't an "underprivileged minority" or a group "angry at the recession and the cuts" or even a group angry that the police appear to have shot a guy for no reason. Instead what we saw was the worst in a person, the worst in a city and the worst in a country. From youngsters with their lives ahead of them crushed under cars to a student who was mugged by the people who he thought were helping. There is no excuse to be found for this behaviour. Despite what we get told.
Those on the left will say it's anger at a government which has cut services and removed hope for future generations, those on the right say it's a symptom of broken Britain and a dependency on our benefit culture. However most convicted so far seem to have been pretty stable, one worked as a teaching assistant in a local school. And others were kids as young as 11. 

Have you asked a kid about cuts to services, the majority don't care, they'll leave school and spend a life signing on (the myth that no-one wants to be on benefits is a bit of a lie, I've encountered many who are happy that they can get more off the state than I do working.) For most it was just a case of convergence theory. Normally if you're in a crowded place you wouldn't steal something in-front of others, but when everyone else is doing it, then why the hell not. 

Cameron gave the police more powers last week, while still insisting that his cuts will work (and rather bizarrely using the riots to justify it) and Ed is just nodding along happy for a change. However nicking people is a very short term solution. This country has been on a slide for 20+ years now, our kids are leaving school illiterate and without many skills vital to make it in today's world. Only investment in the futures of young people will finally work, education is the silver bullet, smarter kids means a better chance of a job, means higher earnings which for the government means more income through taxation, they have a better standard of living and that is transferred to their kids. Smart countries do well, this is why Asia is booming even in the middle of a global depression.

Instead of blaming society and the government, let's try and get it all working together.

However it isn't all doom and gloom, while the worst in a nation was on show to the world the bet was also out, from the armies of volunteers who turned up with brooms to clear the debris of the riots to those who went out all hours with fresh tea for what were tired and in some cases, I suspect, terrified police officers. Those who did this should be commended, they demonstrated what it is to be British, it isn't some mythical ideal, it's a "keep calm and carry on" ideal, with tea.

Homosexuality is a big, big issue in modern Britain: Previously taboo being gay is now accepted in the ‘liberal’ western society. Or is it? 
According to a recent survey conducted by the Policy Exchange, 72% of Muslims want homosexuality re-criminalised. Looks like I am a minority. I expect if you conducted a survey with Christianity, you would find similar results. 
Is it really such a big issue if a man or woman feels attracted to a member of the same sex? Okay it might not be to my taste, but as a lad who fancies the lovely ladies, that much is obvious. But to criminalise it? Really? That is just down right stupid. Okay, I might not like it too much, I might not understand it. But there is nothing to make an issue out of. So what I ask you? So what if a guy likes another guy? So what if a girl likes another girl?
What I'm trying to say is it is simply none of our business if a person is straight or not. What is the problem? Okay, they are homosexual, big deal. Get a life. You have people dying on the streets of Libya for freedom from tyranny and your arguing because someone sleeps with the same sex? Go figure. 
Now, the biggest critics of Homosexuality are the religious folk - people supposedly like myself, but who are backward, who do not move with the times and who do not accept differences. Well, I am quite religious and I take my religion very seriously, but I don’t have a problem with it.
 
Shock horror, Muslim male has no problem with homosexuals - Well it's not that inconceivable! It's true that, Islam is not exactly pro gay rights, however, sexuality is an issue that is left between the person and God. It's as simple as that. If I want to commit a sin, it is not between me and five other members of the community. It is between me and God and that is simply it. All it boils down to is people trying to impose their ideas upon others, trying to take away their choice.
I am sure, if God frowns upon homosexuality, God would frown equally as much on the fact that someone has their freewill taken away, made to endure what to them is torture, simply because they are homosexual. Why put people through that? Okay, it might not be your cup of tea, but to put people in prison because of that? To kill people because of that? Are we living in the 21st century or we living in 600 AD? If you want to throw homosexuals in prison, why not throw women in prison for being a teacher or telling her partner what to do? after all, that’s what St Paul says in his First Letter to Timothy(1).
 
Come on people, wake up! The mark of a true advance civilisation, is not the fancy gizmos it has, but the mark of how it treats its people. If we are going to start picking at differences we are straying dangerously close to Hitler and we do not want to go there. You don’t have to take to the streets during the gay pride parade, but how about some acceptance? Maybe even some of that famous tolerance that Jesus and Muhammad (pbuh) had. Is that so hard to ask for?
 
Don’t ever forget, at the end of the day, we are all humans: skin, flesh and bone. The same, equal in the eyes of God. How about we let people make their own choices in life, let them choose for themselves and leave the judging part to God? We have too many problems to deal with, without having to fight amongst ourselves. I leave you with a famous dictum from Martin Niemoller, just substitute the words in there for homosexual and you see what I mean.
 
First they came for the communists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn't speak out because I wasn't a Jew.
Then they came for me
and there was no one left to speak out for me.
 
Please, think and try for some tolerance.
 
 
 
(1) 1 Timothy 2:11-13

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I heard they kept arresting people in my town. Planes still coming too many! and full of mercenaries! some videos where taken they used schools to accommodate them! The airport is only internal and it was a military one. but they use it for international private missions a.k.a like Hajj or well like now. i thought it might be like that yesterday..but they showed a footage on aljazeerah about those planes were full of mercenaries!! they keep coming.

Thanks to the UN..specially to Gabon. I've always been proud African. those mercenaries will not destroy the relation's between libya and Africa..It's not about colour or geography It's more than that I was happy that some African has spoken against Gheddafi this made me so happy and so proud to be an African!

I watched some words of some representatives this "Quick" decision was so fine and I'm glad they finally acted. because I'm sick of hearing condemnation all over. the best part was about ICC but how they are gonna get his arse to holland? yes a embargo would be great because almost 4 Huge planes landed in the Airport coming from the east ... I hope those were not full with mercenaries tho!

most Libyans are Afraid of military actions as his son's went like..you gonna be like Iraq and the US will invade bla bla.. this is the propaganda they are showing in national tv. but nothing would be better than bombing the heck out of Bab Al Aziziya the 1st base for him. no one would ever oppose some kind of military intervention it's actually so need in this situation

I'm (well recently) aware of the UN military intervention rules :( which make them useless for now. However, most Libyan people Unlike what G is ranting about are United for one thing is removing G and placing a democracy with an institution etc. 
this has to be done with an International help. further, to help to make people trust a legal clean elections. as you know G Has destroyed all the basic rules. banned all political Parties removed the institution replaced them with his crazy world's third theory. 
so to be on the safe side..I must say Libya will need International help. Just in case, I can see all people wants democracy and a law country not a military police dictatorship. but first of all we need to get rid of G. which I hope will be soon. we need to keep protesting. but we are losing ppl per every demo. we need ppl in the east to form a local government and to head to west to liberate us.

wallah I can't share some vids from my friend's war it's just too graphic. wallah I'm a man and i can't watch some pictures ..yet i have alot. this guy think he can cover the truth by taking the bodies from the tripoli medical centre. or by cleaning the blood from the streets..or by arresting doctors!! how silly! btw they took bodies even from streets!!

How he uses Alqaeda to gain some support the USA has already made their statement. He was Asking for western intervention and calling us a terrorists yet in the same speech he calls us a western packed and we will support a western intervention. oh not to mention the hallucinogenic pills! not only he or his dad.. but also some fake sheikh on the national TV!

Sunday 27/02/11 (1)

some ppl i know told me "NOW" they can get me funded for my studies. but fuck them.. 500 LD and all you can do is to bring your Family certificate..to any Governmental Bank! 2morrow. and they want to fund 8000 new students to study abroad ..pfft. lol what they think we are? they can buy us with money ??? All ppl I know won't give a shit about them they will not take any money ..they want their freedom. however, some ppl probably pro gheddafi will go to complete his drama scene!

Unfortunately some ppl will fall for his trap. He's desperately wants to bring life back he urges schools to open and he told kids to go to schools ..they promised to pay 2 billion for loans to give scholarships for 8000 students just for now! 500LD for every Family certificate.. the lowest wage will be 450 LD as he said.. lol they are losing it badly! see the bastards wasted more then 10 Billions funding the IRA and some African Militias and buying off the Families of victims of both lockerbie and IRA . let alone 2 million for 1 hour for beyonce! let alone millions that were wasted on parties for his son's in Monaco. let alone Billions was wasted buying weapons to that used against us.

and He still can't get it.. IT'S NOT ABOUT MONEY ..IT'S ABOUT HONER DIGNITY AND FREEDOM!

He's trying to lie as much as he can.. well his son's do this job better. 
his bla bla is funny.. but his son's is bit smarter and know how to lie..but his lies is ridicules for us because we know the truth!

Saturday 26/02/11 (1)

‎2 Huge Planes just landed in the Airport.. in Just 15 mins!!! I think time is not on our side gheddafi is getting stronger at least here in tripoli!

I'm followed by security men who couldn't identify me pheww lucky again!! my friends told me 2 strangers asked them about me and they told them "that guy who was with you and after gave a speech on the main well of *******.. my friends suspected them and answered we don't know him he just came in and we had small chat" 2 of the men who gave speeches were arrested :( .. I didn't go out today tho missed big chance to speak to English journalists at the funeral in here. but Im leaving home 2morrow for my safety . until things changes. so I might not be able to update anymore.. keep hope! keep up the fight!

These ppl will disapear once gheddafi falls. so i hope he don't stay for long.. now they are arresting ppl and following everyone they suspect .. they kinda return their control on tripoli. They arrest ppl from their houses. I still have hope that he is falling.. if he didn't and this revolution didn't succeed then i have to leave to any country. They took advantage of this calm to arrest ppl. so I'm just being cautious I will hide for a bit until we regain our strength to fight back, I'm afraid ppl r givin up after yesterdays loses :(

Friday 25/02/11 (3)

I was too far from shooting once and i missed a bullet like i still can't believe.

now i can say i was 200% lucky wallah that day i was shocking like for 1 hour after.. first bullet was pretty high so i had to hide behind a palmtree and that was in 3 seconds another bullet went in the same position i was standing i was like OMG.. and it was 14.5 mm Bullet!! bullet kept coming from the sky ..i had to run to the nearby house was so freaky ..oh god i still can't believe it i'm not dead

Friday 25/02/11 (2)

so this is the update for today.. I overslept.. for the lack of food and sleep I missed Juma'ah Prayer..I woke up around 15:00 by a friends call he told me they were in A**** heading to soug al Juma'a ..and they were thousands.. so I followed them but we were stopped in the 4 ways in Arada ..by that time they were in ALtarasana(soug alJumaa) in the 4 ways there was heavy shooting so we had to jump of the car and try the side broken roads.. we made it after that point.. but after 10 mins we had calls that the protest was spread and they are returning..we waited for them we was told this : they gathered after Juma'a Prayer and some of the Military Police sides them ..they didn't want to go with people but they gave them 4 (AK-47) and thousands went from tajoura and the number increased rapidly by every town they went through ... they arrived that point that was like a trap snipers all over the area and soldiers around so they started shooting at ppl and ppl spread the 4 guys who had weapons fought back and they injured one of the snipers but then they are not well trained they wasted the ammo...ppl in there way home were also killed in A**** road bypass and in the 4 ways too the same point that we couldnt go further.. they were going home but they were shot dead there. and many many many ppl died.. it's terrible I know 6 people who died in my Area. some of scared ppl went to houses in soug al Jumaa and stayed there.. some are missed .. there were some kids aswell. I will try to get some footage 2morrow for what happened.

we were stuck in between bifi and the 4 ways in a very shitty area i never been through..but it was safe as the main roads was not safe enough ....however they small resist 4 (AK 47) made it even worse the gaddafi pro forces killed as many as they can. they thought there might be more armed protesters.. however it's like war now. 

******* is not free they just backed of to soog aljumaa they can't offer a fight in ..that will be a waste of time for them but they sent their militia like daily..they even ruined the graffiti on gheddafi..

Friday 25/02/11 (2)

It was a bloody massacre rip A**** E*****! :( inna lilaah wa inna ilayhi raj3oon .. I don't feel good I don't think we can do it ... I'm bit dizzy but home and safe my cousin is missed thousands went out of ******* was stopped in ******** many ppl died.

we do need someone to stop this lunatic bastard ..he's blocked us from entering the green square we were thousands of ppl but after heavy shooting we had to back off. He also paid 3000 LD to whoever goes there and chant for him.. i'm not sure bout this but my friend called and told me he was offered this money if he can go to chant for gheddafi..and i trust this friend.. also like 3 planes landed in the nearby airport he's getting more help.. unfortunately :(

Friday 25/02/11 (1)

I'm fine, trying to be careful they were arresting people today. Tonight was quiet but there is too many tanks heading to tripoli from the military base in here. looks like they are also ready for 2morrow!

There was like 20 Tanks heading to His main place in Tripoli ..that from the base in my town only. I'm hoping more army leaders disobey him that would be the key. regarding the Cam-Oba meeting It's so early they should postpone it it'll be on Oil..be we didn't get rid of gheddafi yet. oh we are not relying on them really. they can help us with bombing gheddafi place if they want. Hopefully we get rid of him before their meeting anyway inshallah :)

 I hope 2morrow will be the last update about gheddafi and the rest will be about after gheddafi :)

On freezing his assets:

unfortunately he withdrew most of his money from their after his son's problem. arghhh he was lucky in this bit.

Thursday 24/02/11 (2)

unfortunately our town east of tripoli is still under his control :( he is losing it.. but he will not give it up i'm afraid he will order the tanks to bomb us.

 very quiet (today)..none outside unlike what gheddafi hoped for a "normal life" everything is closed.

most of the time we go out after 17:00 anyway..i'll be going out later to check what we will be doing. they are still invading our place. so we would probably go around

Thursday 24/02/11 (1)

i don't want to die for nothing..if am gonna die i will die for something worthy. Yesterday when an old man told them to settle ..they refused and said we were just speaking for days and what we did nothing but got killed we want to walk to the base.. i took the mic speaking to them :young men: to be patient they wanted to attack the militia base to get weapons and liberate our city..i told them we all want that but the snipers will shot us like playing COD it'll be fun for them for .. very tall wall tanks and snipers everywhere even if thousands went they wouldn't be able to get in . Tomorrow I will be so cautious so no worries.  I hope to see this day: a democratic free Libya!..all Usob will be invited to celebrate in the main sq .

Wednesday 23/02/11 (5)

"No actually i got bad news.. he re-controlled most of tripoli parts and he brainwashed ppl there acting like life is normal forcing ppl to act normal ..like if it was only a riot and it'd finished .. but eastern tripoli a.k.a Tajoura will be always a flame..we are planing to go out 2morrow for big demo ..i'm fearing the tanks will have no problem shooting at us." 

Wednesday 23/02/11 (6)

"Libyan TV stations and Radio stations makes me laugh.

Hiring ppl to lie. omg can't they think things will never be normal again? I know the husband which his wife was killed didn't change his clothes yet he has his wife's blood on it when he hugged her. think again gheddafi you days are numbered...you might kill us all but you won't fool us. Personally I shall continue on that until I die I will never give up. 

 guys don't believe the local media they were saying there is nothing it's just western media ..America Israel bla bla.. I'VE LIVED AND WITNESSED what happened I missed a 14 ml Bullet because i was lucky. i seen ppl shot and die infront my eyes. I couldn't sleep for days because i had to guard my family are frightened because of hearing shooting. this is no NORMAL LIFE. as they are trying. they've just texted me saying guys life is normal go back to school open your shops etc. that means Gheddafi is losing it. NO SURRENDER and this time i'm not taking the piss of the EDL .. I mean it!"

" I don't trust army in here. they are so loyal to gheddafi they would shot at us if we went out protesting they didn't even let anyone to stay there for long..no taking pic or vids is allowed too. just the local tv when there was a pro gheddafi chants. they still much better than the militias ..because you can walk and they won't shoot you for just walking by."

" local Bakery works 24h ..the rest we already had the enough amount of food when it kicked off in bengazi... but it won't last for long..."

semafro is trafficlights... this is the main place where the militia enters the town there is another on on the beach. 

btw just right now too much shooting

i hope so the evil bastard has put his army and militias everywhere to block them from coming even from the west side as some cities managed to get armed too. he also bombed some who tried his airforce is ready to bomb them. before making it to here. this guy is totally crazy .. he wants to punish us he wouldn't mind to kill all of us. but he still have hopes in ruling libya again

Wednesday 23/02/11 (5)

"I haven't been out today I slept and still need more hours to make up the lack of sleeping. so, I had to sneak out to a friend who lives near the centre sq. to get informed. this morning 2 tanks and 18 military Nissan Tundra plugged with anti air fighters. and 20 Tayota station with many buses full of pro gheddafi protesters. invaded our town brought national tv made interviews with those ppl as locals they were saying we are with gheddafi bla bla and then they pro gheddafi demo finished but they were replaced by soldiers and the tanks stayed with the tundra military cars.. nobody of the locals protested but there was some clashes

add for yesterday: last night the militia invaded the medical centre arresting everyone there the volunteering doctors and even the injured ppl in Mustawsaf Abu shusha. Tajoura centre."

Wednesday 23/02/11 (4)

"i wish my eyes can record stuff i will show alot to the world! but what's sure if we made it alive through this i have so much to tell for my grandchildren ."

About news reports:

"only the eastern side. they managed to some weapons ..therefore militias ran away ,, and also some of the army sided them. unfortunately in here.. we don't have nothing to resist it's like war now.. we protest chant hang our flags block streets.. they shoot we throw stones.. we burn tyres they come close we run away they kill some . someone tells gheddafi it's not a game!"

Wednesday 23/02/11 (3)

"we are not wating for anyone to liberate us. but we didn't expect the USA to answer like that.. we just want a warn or something that makes this crazy dictator stop killing all atleast he has no honour killing women and children tfooo at him!"

Wednesday 23/02/11 (2)

i could take some vids and pix for yesterday but before that shit happened because i couldn't have time for it i was throwing stones and running. gheddafi that bastard KILLED innocent women for what for being in her balcony!! nobody wants to kill except him.. i'm really angery that some ppl still fooled by him

"those who are outside of libya have had spoken against gheddafi long time ago must of them were a victims and their families had been killed by this criminal he even sent ppl to murder them there. i for myself will not live in libya if we lost it. i would seek asylum to anywhere. i'd get arrested anyone among the thousands yesterday there would be some hiding gheddafis bastards many took pictures.. but i dont give a fuck anymore we win or die as Omar al Mukhtar said if i didn't die i'll fled ..let this bastard live in here alone ..i'm so so so sick of what i've seen of him"

Wednesday 23/02/11 (1)

sorry no to update it's been a busy BLOODY day

We went out to gather in the city centre as usual with cleaning for the night before mess and organising to help people with food blood donations and everything else. hanging our real Independence flag everything seemed calm people went to pray Maghreb( sun set prayer) in the same time Gheddafi was speaking.

What happened next is people of whom are Gheddafi security men and rest of them got paid ) went out right after gheddafis speech removing the barricades we already set to block the streets and to protect our city .. and they were chanting for gheddafi ..some of us went their way to return everything in it's place they run away leaving their cars which wasn't attack or burned but it was parked in the same roads and used as barricades. However, After an hour or so a bloody militia which is 100% Libyans(not african mercenaries like the last time) and consists of many female fighters having military cars with machine guns plugged came shooting at us we resisted with stones we burned some tyres to block them but that never worked and we had to run most of us made it a live in some places nearby it was dark they can't see us they were shooting everywhere to see where were we hiding.

but a poor guy who is well known he has mental disorder( i can't tel but he's not mentally well) he has been always smiling to ppl he was there he was happy but they got him they fired at him 9 times!! 3 females killed him and danced on his body chanted for gheddafi. we were 10 we couldn't handle it we were crying and we know if we went out we will get killed we don't have nothing to defend with ...we felt like pussies we watched a crime against a poor guy which didn't understand the situation he can't think..he thought they would never shot at him.. he didn't leave his place he was the only man stayed at his place and died. they (gheddafi militia) burned dow our flags threw tear gas everywhere we had to back off we decided to go home but some kept fighting with them. after that we have heard today that he wasn't the only victim a whole family was in their car were killed by the same militia..last night. I'm afraid some of our guys have already gave up we can't win We are all ready to die but we don't want to die for nothing.

Tuesday 22/2/11 (3)

A massacre took place yesterday when mourners tried to head to cemetry of al andalusi in tajoura. Snipers shot at them and those who fall down in streets ppl couldn't get them until late night because snipers were ready to shoot anyone dead bodies were left in street for hours Aljazeera has annoused this thanks to those who spoke to aljazeera. World PLEASE ACT NOW!! We need actions not words. We are figting but we defo gonna lose it as they have fighters in the skies and everything in the ground. Now it's calm apart from ssome helicopters in and out the city but they migh attack us at any point I beg media ppl and every one in the world to speak out it's just gonna Giva us power and increase our moral stamina must libyans know ppl in the world can't really push their governments however we will be happy to hear ppl in the world holding soldarity campaigns and we are not left alone to die

Tuesday 22/2/11 (2)

Blood donation has started in tajoura please if you can do it pls head to abu shusha التبرع بالدم يا ولاد اللي ليلحق واللي ما ياخدش في أدوية 

Allahu Akbar .... We liberated our city of the criminal mentally challenged it was a literal massacre unfair war I've seen ppl die infront my eyes blood everywhere ... We r celebrating in the city center I'm crying like lil baby. Thanks for all who asked about me

p>

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This blog will be updated as soon as we receive more information from A

The News of the world is dead, long live the…. er Sun on Sunday. Yes the Hacking scandal has finally reached the 2nd act climax, the embattled News international organisation did what everyone expected and finally acted.

In scenes that echoed of Napoleon’s farewell to the Old guard, News internationals boss Rebekah Wade (Of hitting Ross Kemp in the face fame) proudly stood in front of the journalists of the News of the world and announced a resignation……. theirs.

While everyone was glad that the News of the World has been sent into the gutter (or as far as one can get into something they already inhabit)  one of the now unemployed  journo’s remarked that “Murdoch has sacrificed a newspaper to save one woman,” In effect he did, while every person either victim or indignant fool eager to get his 15 seconds of fame has come out in joy that was last seen around a toppled statue of Saddam Hussein. However let’s not get carried away.

Murdoch is many things, tyrannical, powerful but he’s a shrewd businessman, the NotW may be dead but it will be back granted it will have a nice new “sun”ny name and feature the hard hitting news of which the smartest stuff is said by bekki 29 from Essex who manages to channel Shakespeare and Voltaire (which to Sun readers remark “who’s he signed with, City?”) Murdoch came to the conclusion long ago that the Screws needed to be cast off like the fat guy from Survivor or the Boring one from Big Brother, this scandal has given him the method to get rid of a money black hole. With the NotW gone he can speed up his already progressing plans to merge the Sun and NotW now without the cancer of the hacking threatening to kill this idea.

It’s not so much Murdoch sacrificed one paper to save one woman. It’s more he took one paper turned it into a oily rag then set it on fire to hide the fact he has an oily rag. This method is also currently been passed around the NotW office as “Brooks farewell gift” her being the rag.

However there is a bigger turd in the gutter that is looking a bit suspicious with reports tonight that the Sun may now face investigation over hacking allegations when a certain person was in charge. While we mocked Tony Blair for being Teflon Brooks must be made of lubricant.

This has been a crazy 24 hours, and I don’t think it’s about to stop now. In case you have been on holiday, in which case it would be inconceivable that you would know anything about this, Britain’s biggest newspaper, News of the World, has been shut after it emerged that not only had journalists there been involved in hacking the phones of celebrities and the Royal Family, they had also allegedly been hacking the voicemails of murder victims.

Yep, you read that right – murder victims. High profile child murders, no less, as well as the victims of the London July 7th bombings. Oh and dead soldiers.

I might make a ‘stay classy’ comment at this point, were it not for the fact that News of the World won’t be staying anything, since it was dramatically shut last night, with 500 people losing their jobs.

At this point you may be thinking “well cry me a river, you allegedly phone hacking bastards!” However, it’s not that clear-cut. The phone hacking that occurred and is suspected to have occurred at NOTW at least appears to have been historical, meaning that at the very least the majority of the staff working there at the moment would not have been involved. Secondly, this is no contrite move by News International, the UK branch of News Corp, which owns (owned?) News of the World, the Sun and the Times. No, this is a very strategic move to try and stop the rising waters of scandal, filth, public outcry and other Sun headlines from reaching the higher echelons of News International.

Last night, one of the senior journalists at News of the World was quoted as saying that “For the sake of one person, 500 people at the News Of The World have been sacrificed.” The one person he/she was referring to is Rebekah Brooks, former editor of News of the World and now CEO of…. News International! She was indeed the editor at the time much of the alleged hacking took place, although according to her is inconceivable that she knew of any illegal activity and anyway she was on holiday at the time.

But I am not convinced that it is just one person that all those people were dropped for. No, you see, James Murdoch, Rupert’s son, is the CEO of News Corporation Europe and Asia. So really it now becomes a question of how far up does the rot go and how many people will be thrown to the wolves as everyone scrabbles to save themselves.

Things are moving very fast with this, so I will be Tweeting as much as possible, rather than doing loads of full updates (@anti_s_media). For now I leave you with the news that Rebekah Brooks is reportedly going to be giving a speech to a waiting lynch mob the News of the World staff at 4.00pm BST and with this news video from Taiwan (I think)

Jane McCallion

So as we are all probably aware, the rapture didn't happen last night. I will admit that I thought it was a bit of a laugh at first, and generally mental, but as time went on I became more and more worried about the people involved. With it now being the 22nd everywhere, it's clear that Harold Camping's predictions didn't come true. While I never believed it was going to happen, there are many who did believe and who have been left disillusioned, for want of a better word.

For me, this is no time to gloat. There are people who have lost everything and even caused rifts in their own family. Aside from reading about people who have lost all their savings, there are also those parents who declared to their children, siblings and friends that they did not believe they were going to heaven. Whatever faith you are from – or none – you can’t ignore the need for compassion, even if it’s not for Mr Camping, but for those ‘true believers’ who have been left despondent and penniless.

Reuters reports (http://reut.rs/laAuGI) the story of a retired agency worker who spent $140,000 of his savings warning people of the impending Apocalypse. As the hour of the Rapture came and went, his only words were "I do not understand why nothing has happened." To me, this is the saddest part of it. While people were joking about the non-event, people who included me, there are other real people who have literally lost everything. I am not trying to be pious here – I’m sure I shall laugh heartily at the next Apocalypse – but we should not mock the people who really did believe: There is no reason to rub salt into a very open wound.

Whether you are religious, spiritual, atheist, agnostic or other, compassion towards others is a cornerstone of what we are. It is not up to us to judge those who followed Camping’s predictions (although we may, of course, wish to speculate on the motivations of the man himself), as this will achieve nothing. They will, currently at least, be crushed under their own disappointment. Now is our chance to show that, even if they judged us to be unworthy of heaven, we will not engage in the same kind of judging that we disapproved of. Be kind, be compassionate, and be prepared to help. Be human. You may one day be in need of such human compassion yourself.

Is it really that important? Do we in the UK really need to learn about other people’s religions and customs? Why should we? Our country is a Christian country at its base, so why should we? 
These are the usual arguments fronted by people with narrow opinions, people who would prefer to keep the UK back in the days of colonialism and slavery. 

Allow me to retort. Education about others is the most important aspect of our time in school. But why? The reason it is, is because it allows us to appreciate others. Educating about others now means that we have the tools to interact socially with others. The world now is easily accessible, it is virtually impossible to keep a country that is free and democratic closed off to other religions and cultures. Mixing will occur. This means that to prevent tension and arguments in our society, to keep our country from tearing itself apart, we must educate our young about others. To prevent people from insulting others, to prevent misconceptions from occurring and creating large divisions. 

Education about different faiths means that silly misconceptions that the tabloids peddle or the EDL and BNP or hate peddlers like Geert Wilders commonly portray can no longer exist. If the German school children pre-Hitler had been taught about other religions would Hitler have risen to power so easily? I doubt it; he still may have taken over but it would have been a lot harder. If we educate ourselves it can prevent the large number of hate crimes which to this date cause problems and affect us all.

Since time immemorial, fear has been bred through ignorance; we as humans fear what we do not know or cannot understand. Why does my neighbour pray to a blue skinned statue? Why does my neighbour bow to something 5 times a day? Why does my neighbour do strange things? These are common questions. Since nations have existed, there has always been outsiders that are different, if you learn about them it reduces the damage done by social hate. It reduces the easiness with which people like Nick Griffin can play blame games.

The simple fact of the matter is that the world has moved on. As technology has advanced, so has people's ability to move around the world. I can hop on a flight tomorrow and go just about anywhere I please. This means that in the work place we will be exposed to many cultures and ideals. An old UK tradition which is being trampled on now, is the tradition of acceptance. The UK has always been diverse and willing to accept other ideals and religions. Universities now prefer those not just academically successful but someone who is well-rounded, and can socialise. Employers now prefer those that will get along in the work place, not those that will cause divisions. 

These uneducated misconceptions are a cancer in the very body of the society we live in. Uneducated remarks mean that we end up insulting the very people who can help us. How can the UK regain its place at the top of the world if its citizens make it such a hostile place to those who are ‘different’ that they start stop coming over? 

Underneath, we are all the same, we are all still humans. We are all still part of a global nation. Should we fear someone because we do not understand why they do something?

Instead of fearing something you do not understand, try to learn about it instead. I can guarantee you that it will make your life better. You will make new friends and, more importantly, you may just discover something new within yourself that all look for and seldom find: a sense of peace within.

At the United shades of Britain, we try to give you that education. We have people from different religions who are willing to answer your questions, to create a sense of community that transcends all race, religion and colour. So that we can unite as the people of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 

This Friday Prince William will marry Kate Middleton. Hurrah! It's a lovely time for the country, the first Royal wedding in 30 years. Lots of people will be travelling to London to see if they can get a glimpse, there will be much flag waving, picnics in all the parks, and general merriment. All around the country there are going to be street parties, and all sorts of events happening to celebrate the happy couple's nuptials. It is a time when people can either enjoy the events going on in London, or just enjoy having an unexpected day off! This is a global event, TV stations across the world will be broadcasting, the world's eyes will be upon us for the whole thing. I've asked many people how they feel about the wedding, there are a lot of people looking forward to watching it, especially to see what dress Kate is going to wear. There is also quite a lot of indifference to the whole thing, which I myself can understand. I'm happy for them of course, but in reality, their marriage is not going to affect me, and I shall watch the evening news to catch up on the gossip.

Of course, there is always a fly in the ointment. The extremist group Muslims Against the Crusades have announced they are going to be doing their level best to disrupt the Royal Wedding. They applied for permission to hold a demonstration, which has apparently been denied. Muslims Against the Crusades (formally known as Islam4UK) caused quite a lot of upset back in November on Remembrance Day when they held a demonstration and burnt poppies. They cause a lot of anti-Muslim bigotry in this country, even though they are really quite a small group, and all of the Muslims I know are absolutely disgusted with them. Their reason for this latest publicity stunt is that they believe Prince William has a

“yearning desire to commit acts of terror and Nazism, in Afghanistan. ”

They go onto say that “his deliberate and heartfelt expressions of melancholy and frustration at being prevented from joining his (crusading) brethren abroad, in imposing democracy by the bullet, are ample proof of the need to decry what is undoubtedly, the makings of a modern day Nazi”

Are you rolling your eyes yet? Because I am!

So, on the opposite side of this farce, we have the English Defence League claiming they will form a 'ring of steel' around the wedding. Yes, of course you will, but you'll be just outside of the 4000 police officers who have been drafted in to oversee the big event. They've also said they will be going to all the Tube stations, and preventing any MAC member from getting into central London. Although how they will know just who is MAC (unless all MAC members wear badges), and not just a Muslim going about their normal day is anyone's guess. What I find funniest is that they think they have more power than all of our security services put together. For the last few weeks London has been getting ready for this event, with regular patrols, searching each square inch to minimise the chances of anyone being an utter twit and trying to cause trouble.

I'd like to send a polite request to both MAC and EDL:

Please, just don't bother. Let Kate and William get married for crying out loud. Just keep away, all of you. This country could do with a few happy days!  

Gregg Smith:

Mass immigration policies pursued by both Labour and Conservative parties have caused English-speaking children to become a minority in 1,500 schools in Britain and, if left unchecked, will see British people reduced to an absolute minority within 30 years.

Ed UsoB:

Nothing could be more different from one week to the next. Luton today is practically deserted. What shoppers there are look nervous. Security guards lounge expectantly outside the empty shops. It resembled nothing so much as the set for Romero's Dawn Of The Dead.

 This is what happens when the EDL come to town.

 Outside the shops are boarded up. Luton looks like a town that's preparing for a hurricane. The UAF demo is in full swing before the EDL arrive: Bob Marley is pumping out of their sound system, there's very few police and the protesters look happy. The atmosphere is jovial and good-natured.

 At the other end of town the police have erected 3 metre high movable metal barriers that block the exits to St George's Square. We have to walk round the back of the Town Hall to get to the demo site. There's plenty of activity before the EDL arrive: all the major media companies are here, as well as what I think are French and German news outfits. There are police here and there on the ground, overhead the police helicopter. We're told that most of the police are still being held in reserve and will be deployed when the EDL arrive. Paramedics in body armour pass by. There's a sense of nervous expectation in the air from the few non-police around, a febrility that was entirely absent from the UAF demo. 

 At 1.20 Nazia and Aoife are asked by the police to leave the square for their own safety. Nazia because she's an obviously Muslim woman wearing a hijab, Aoife because she's in a wheelchair. Jane and I remain. The EDL are on their way. Now the police are everywhere, lines forming across and beside the route of the march. All have body armour on, over or under their uniforms. They look like extras from some dystopian sci-fi film.

 At 1.30, led by mounted cops, the EDL arrive. 'Muslim bombers off our streets!' is being chanted, along with 'E-E-EDL!' They file slowly past our position, gurning and playing up for the cameras. Many are drunk and staggering, holding on to their mates. I see Kevin Smith walk past, probably taking some time out from putting pigs' heads on mosques. I think to myself: "somewhere some village is missing its idiot". EDL Abdul is also in the march, the EDL's very own (and only visible) token 'Muslim'. The crowd is 99.3% white. Abdul and a black guy I see later on are the only brown faces there. One of the EDL's slogans might be Black and White Unite, but only white people seem to have got the message. 

As the EDL march finally gathers in the square the police seal them in with the moveable barriers. Now there's only one exit from the square: towards the train station/coach park. There is, literally, a ring of steel around the area, with a ring of coppers guarding the cordon. Jane and I are between the cordon and the coppers. It's difficult to see what's happening in the demo, and the sound is intermittent because of the wind blowing. We can make out Yaxley-Lennon spouting some nonsense or other. I can't see him, though. He's far too small and too far away.

The crowd, not big to begin with, gets progressively smaller and smaller. At 2.30 it has shrunk by a quarter. The atmosphere is non-existent. Apart from the occasional E-E-EDL  they are very subdued, very quiet. It's more like some bizarre wake than anything else. Many of the protesters are looking around them, perhaps looking for something to do to relieve the boredom. A couple of them take it upon themselves to have a scuffle, which is quickly broken up by the police. A woman is stretchered out. We later learn it's because of a pre-existing back injury. By 3.05 the demo has finished. The crowd - which started with around 1500 people - has thinned out dramatically. There are perhaps half the number left. As the main set protesters leave they strike up with "I'm England til I die", apart from a group who stand in front of Jane and I and sing "Mohammed is a paedo". I feel like saying to them: "smile for the video camera, lads." as we film away.

So, The Big One? Not big, that's for sure. 1500 protesters, 1700 at the absolute maximum. A dismal failure for the EDL, who like to speak of themselves as 'the largest street movement in Europe'. Despite their boasts of 70,000 supporters on Facebook, this doesn't translate at all into feet on the street. All that was achieved by the EDL on Saturday was to bore a lot of its supporters senseless, land taxpayers with a hefty bill, give some coppers some overtime and cause a lot of businesses to lose money. What a pointless, pointless organisation.

So I missed the program, but suddenly became aware of hundreds of comments about ‘Madrassahs’ and child abuse on Facebook. I wondered what had happened;  surely it was just another program about stupid people preaching their usual stupid rubbish that they’ve plucked from the air and yet again everyone was in uproar. I thought do I want to watch this?

Not really. I am sick of having to watch these documentaries where so much hate is being spread to young children, and feeling ashamed of those who apparently follow the faith I do, regardless to what extent. Eventually it became necessary to watch it and I prepared myself for the shame and embarrassment yet again. Pupils are fighting and being looked after by older children who ‘beat’ freely and use violence to discipline. It was uncomfortable but I powered on through. And then I heard ‘if a man has a beard smaller than your fist, stay away’. Did I hear that right?

Continuing on I hear more nonsense like the only time a Kafir can get into heaven will be when a camel can pass through the eye of a needle, something about unIslamic hair and other laughable rubbish. The first thing that came to my mind was, have these children’s parents been informed? Do they know what their children are being taught? Surely these children go home and their parents ask ‘so what did you do in school today?’  

I wanted to know if they did.  I wanted to see the parents interviewed and shown to be disagreeing with this nonsense, see them being shocked that their children are being taught lies and hate.  I think this was a huge angle of the documentary that was missed, but does it exist?

I am acutely aware that I have asked lots of questions and that is because that’s what I do.  If I see something shocking I ask questions. I ask because if something is uncomfortable for me then, for me, it makes no sense and I feel I surely must have missed something. Some may feel that is naivety, but I feel it means you get a balanced sense about what you’re being shown. Having independent thought is a wonderful thing. 

So I read the response from Darul Uloom (the school featured in the documentary) thinking ‘right this will make me understand that this was just another way to alienate Muslims’, and it was skilled editing that made it sound like nonsense.

However, I found a few things confusing: the young man who spoke about ‘cow piss’ was unsupervised as he imparted his ‘knowledge’ to the young children. This, it seems, was the reason he was not stopped in his speech. Is that ok then? – Of course it isn’t. Why was he unsupervised and how long did it take to exclude him? Furthermore was he a model student? Had he proven that he was a student for the younger children to aspire to? None of this was addressed in the response.

The response also references outside speakers and explains, essentially, that it would be rude to interrupt a visitor to the school.  There was more than one speaker as far as I could tell and did the school not make clear their aims and objectives? Do they just invite someone in and hope for the best? Surely for the reasons of safeguarding their pupils - which I am sure these schools must adhere to - not only do they do their criminal checks in terms of their past but also do checks as to whether these people are appropriately briefed about the ethos of the school, and if they will be able to uphold that ethos in their speeches?

The last point made does hold some water with me.  It explains that they ‘reject any assertion that this [Deobandi teachings] is hard-line or extremist’. Are those that follow the Deobandi teachings ‘extreme Muslims’? A term I am not very comfortable with by the way - to be extreme do you simply have to focus on your faith personally, have a beard and (for men) have your ankles showing? No, of course not. Can we say for sure that the problem here is Deobandi teachings? No I don’t think we can, I know I can’t.  I think to assume that would mean I was not using independent thought. I would need to devote a lot of time researching the teachings and clarify my thoughts with scholars before I could say without a doubt that the teachings were the issue or whether it was the teachers. Do all Muslims think the way children are being taught in these Madrassahs is OK?

No.

Are there some people out there, their minds riddled with hate, lies and misconceptions, that think this Madrassah was doing a good job?

Yes. There will always be stupid people in the world.

Maybe its time to not only highlight this, but also start highlighting those that are doing it right.  I am sure many Muslims know of Madrassahs that are doing amazing jobs and teaching Islam in the right way.  Maybe this doesn’t occur to those without any rational, independent, thought.

All in my humble opinion of course... 

From the top of the hill Luton spreads out below me. Behind me is Farley Hill, a run-down, post-war housing estate. During its life, the estate became home to a large number of mainly Irish Catholics. Sadly, Farley Hill is also the birthplace of the English Defence League. The irony of the EDL having its roots in a largely Irish immigrant population is not lost on me. 

Coming back into the town centre I park my car in the grounds of St Mary’s church. Round the back of this beautiful building is where the Carnival dancers and performers set out from, the offices of the UK Centre for Carnival Arts.  A giant cat-like thing with white and brown fur is bouncing around. A man (or perhaps a woman; it’s hard to tell) on stilts towers over me, decked in blue and green rags, his arms extended with poles, draped with material that floats in the cold air. A troupe of children dressed as Aztecs with headdresses of fiery red and burning gold feathers amble past, smiling like the Sun-God himself. Quetzalcoatl would have been proud. A lady dressed as a white peacock, her tail plume twice as tall as she herself is, struts by. A gang of what appear to be Chinese Coolies make an appearance, the children’s faces hidden under oversized black and red Asian conical hats. The beauty and colour of the costumes on display contrasts radically with my earlier experience at Farley Hill.

 

 

 

I follow the performers into town, to where they gather in Park Street. A PA is pumping out music, the children and adults dancing. George Street is festooned with purple balloons and ribbons. A group of young Muslim girls stand on the steps wearing purple hijabs. Two of them are holding a sign made from pieces of tissue paper that reads: HARMONY. They smile broadly when I ask to take their picture. On their faces – as on many others – they’ve painted purple harmony notes. An extremely smiley lady asks me if I’d like a purple ribbon. I gladly accept. I use it later as a cheeky way of introducing myself to strangers and asking to take their photographs. There’s a fantastic feeling of friendliness here. People are chatting to each other, laughing and smiling. And it’s a real mix of people: white, brown, black, purple, young, old. Everyone just rubbing along, going with the flow of the day.

 

As the temperature drops the Luton In Harmony event heats up. A group of what looks like cheerleaders is followed by the Emerald Pipe Band from the Luton Irish Forum. Hearing bagpipes I decide it’s as good a time as any to find a cup of tea and get warm.

 

 

 

Luckily, right next to the performers is the SOS Bus, a group who are dedicated to improving the safety of Luton at night and assisting in community outreach during the day. Carly, the boss, is too busy to have a chat but I manage later on to get a photo of them. On the bus I get chatting to Chief Superintendent Michael Colbourne and Temporary Superintendent Dave Boyle. Naturally, we discuss the EDL demonstration planned for the following weekend. I’m impressed with what I hear: 21 forces and assets are involved; 40 police horses will be deployed; dogs and handlers from across the country; 2000 officers on the day. Dave tells me that the scale of planning is immense: “Nothing of this size has been seen since the G20 Summit.” When I ask him about his thoughts on the coming demo he tells me that he wishes it wasn’t happening. Michael deflects my questions with a heartfelt sentence: “I want people to remember today… remember how normal and pleasant the Luton In Harmony event is.” I know I won’t embarrass him by writing this, but he loves Luton and wants only the best for his town.

 

Back out in the cold I get introduced to Gavin Shuker, the Labour MP for Luton South. He’s very young (to my eyes), very sharp and very down-to-earth. We talk about recent events. He tells me that it’s manic. He’s been rushed off his feet with interviews for all the major 

media companies. I ask him about next weekend, about what he’ll be doing. I’m disturbed to hear that he can’t show his face on the day because of the danger posed to him from EDL extremists. I can’t help contrasting this scenario with the one around us. Here he is, talking casually to me in the street, standing in the middle of a smiling crowd, an MP with his people. No danger, no worries. Next weekend will be very different.

 

Suddenly, the event is on the move, the procession dancing down George Street. I tag along at the back, trying to avoid the bagpipers and failing. The procession ends up gathered at the War Memorial outside the Council offices where the Mayor gives a speech. To a chorus of cheers he tells the crowd that the EDL are not wanted in Luton. The disgust in his voice is evident. To the accompaniment of party cannons and an explosion of purple confetti the Luton In Harmony flag is raised. After the Mayor's speech a lot of church leaders, Muslim leaders, along with Jewish, Sikh and Hindi leaders gathered for pictures on the town hall steps, a visual summation of what Luton In Harmony means. As they retire a choir sings out bringing the Luton In Harmony event to a close.

 

 

Before visiting Luton I wasn’t sure what to think of the town. Obviously I’d heard a lot about it, not all of it good. However, the people I met on Saturday were, without exception, friendly and welcoming. I got nothing but positive messages from everyone I spoke to. And they’re hopeful for the future of the town. Gavin Shuker summed it up for me when he said:“Regardless of anything that happens next weekend, they can’t take it away. Luton’s always been cohesive, and always will be.”

Rabiya Ali:

Covered up women seem to have recently become the bane of Europe. In countries where religion flourished because of the rights of their citizens to practice their faiths, there is now suspicion, antipathy and even outright hatred towards symbols of religion. In many cases it is directed towards Muslims, and within the Muslim group, towards veiled or covered women.

I am a female Muslim teenager from the UK. I was born here, and have been brought up here as a full British citizen. I've lived through the time when differences and distinction were accepted, and have come to see the change in British society towards women who are covered. I was 10 years old when the World Trade Centre crash occurred, and I suppose that in a sense, you could say that this is where the story begins.

Prior to 9/11 the West was aware of Islam. France has Europe's largest Muslim population, Britain has seen an increase in immigration from non-EU countries, particularly so from South Asia, and America was wholly built on settlers from different lands. All in all, the West very much knew of Islam's existence. The difference was, that before 9/11 no-one cared if the person next to you was dressed head to toe in black; no-one cared if the guy stood next to you wore a skull cap and had a beard. These people were just there, and it didn't make a difference. They were accepted as being there, just the same as everyone else. Then 9/11 happened. And suddenly these insane Muslim people were intent on destroying the world.

I think it's safe to say that post 9/11 the world view of Islam changed radically. Suddenly, the black robes became equivalent to terrorism with Muslims being seen as outsiders even though they had lived in their respective countries for most of their lives; the men with long beards became the stereotypical image of suicide bombers everywhere. And then came the endless rhetoric of why so many women wore black.
Let me make one thing clear - when most people think 'Muslim woman' they see this picture in their heads:

Firstly, not all Muslim women wear this. This face covering is called 'niqab.' It is more prevalent in the Middle East than with Western Muslims for a number of reasons. Culturally, the Middle East is more conservative than the West. The niqab's origins come from the Qur'an (the Muslim holy book). However, contrary to some opinions, the Qur'an does not say that Muslim women must only go out in head to toe black, faces included. The Qur'an mentions in ONE verse that niqab should be adopted by the wives of the Propehet Muhammad (SAW). There are 6000 verses in the Qur'an. Only one mentions covering the face, specifically for the Prophet's wives.

The two main points relating to this are, firstly that the Prophet's wives were told to wear this because they are regarded as the 'mothers of the believers.' They have a specific status in Islam as the Prophet's wives, which puts them above the rest of the female Muslim population. Secondly, the religious reason behind why many women wear the niqab today is in order to emulate the Prophet's wives. It is a mark of respect, of honour, of dignity. It is not some sort of political statement saying, 'we're better than you.' It just means that they choose to copy women they hold in high regard.

The niqab is not a compulsory requirement in Islam. But as you may see around you, many women choose to wear it. Which is fair enough in my humble opinion, but if you happen to live in Saudi Arabia you'll see every woman wearing it. The government of Saudi Arabia have made it compulsory attire by using a strict interpretation of Islamic dress to keep their Wahabi's and Salafi's happy. As one Christian friend put it, 'Maybe if I lived in Saudi, I would be forced to do so [wear the niqab].'

A different, more common sight in the West is this:

This is the 'hijab' or headscarf. It covers the head and front of the chest, and leaves the face bare. Most Muslims today (the ones I know, anyway), would say that Islam requires women to adopt this level of covering. There are a few reasons why women wear hijab; on a religious level, hijab should be worn to ensure modesty in covering. Islam doesn't say, 'wear this, this and this.' Islam says that whatever you do wear, make sure you're covered, it's loose, not low-cut and ensures modesty.

This is why Muslims don't have a 'typical' set of clothing. Muslims in the Middle East tend to favour long robes, flowing and loose fabrics to ensure Islamic compliance and to keep cool in the heat. In South Asia, women wear long flowing skirts and tops, with a wraparound shawl (a sari), or long tunics paired with loose trousers, (shalwar kameez). In the West many Muslim women wear Western clothing and make it comply with their religious beliefs. Most will also cover their head, if not their faces.

In the Middle East there is a general consensus amongst Muslim women that it is better to be convinced about wearing the hijab before doing so, as being undetermined about its value and removing it after having adopted it is viewed as a greater sin. A verse in the Qur'an states that believers (Muslims) will be judged according to their intentions. This verse is used to justify not wearing the hijab until, as one friend put it, she feels, 'determination and willingness to actually endure the hijab.' This may make it sound somewhat rather trying, but being a Bahraini princess, she assures me, 'I hope someday to be resolved to the hijab but at the moment I know I would just end up going against hijab rules. I lack determination. I would rather wait to have the strong will to do hijab.' This seems like a fair enough idea, although it is very different to what I experienced growing up in the UK. Many of the girls I know (including myself) adopted the hijab at quite a young age and haven't let it go since; perhaps a symbol of differences in outlook and upbringing.

As well as complying with religious requirements, I have found that hijab allows a Muslim woman to remain distinct, yet approachable. You will have noticed, if you live in the West especially, that if a woman walks outside in short, tight, low-cut clothing, she gets a lot of male attention; usually of the salicious comments/jeering variety. The difference I have noticed with women who adopt a more modest approach is that men treat them differently. There seems to be a level of automatic respect because they cover up and there is always a slight distance as if the man recognises the boundaries immediately. As one of my male friends put it, 'Seeing a Muslim sister fully covered lays the foundation of mutual respect.'

It is clear to me that hijab in all its different forms, has its place in societies across the world. Islam, as a trans-national faith has influenced life to an extent in almost all corners of the world. Coupled with the trend of globalisation it is difficult today, to find someone completely unaware of Islam as a religion, and hijab as a practice. I do not intend to pass judgement on either Muslim or non-Muslim women; simply to explain that the reasons you may have in your head for women covering up may well be a lot more sinister than is truly the case.

I hope I have cleared up at least a few of the rumours about hijab. If you have any queries please don't hesitate to get in touch.

With special thanks to my contributors, especially Noora H Al Khalifa (Princess of Bahrain).

Reproduced with permission from Rabiya Ali's blog: http://www.themusingsofasimpleton.blogspot.com/

Jabran Ali:

For those of us that have always referred to mainstream "Barelvi" Islam as a "moderate" opinion within Islam, we have been left to face some uncomfortable truths. The killing of the Pakistani politician Salman Taseer was not carried out by a religious fanatic inspired by puritanical "Wahhabi" Islam from Saudi Arabia, but a member of the supposedly "moderate" Sufi-inspired sect called "Dawat-e-Islami" characterised by their devotion and praises of the Prophet Muhammed and their missionary travel.

What is more shocking is this callous and premeditated act of murder, rather than being condemned was applauded by a large section of this supposedly "moderate" majority calling him a brave man and showering him with flower petals. In Pakistani the Sufi-inspired "Barelvi" sect account for approximately 60% of the population and are an overwhelming majority in the wealthy Punjab Province of which Salman Taseer was governor. Religious parties have traditionally not gained a large vote in elections but many peoples underlying sympathies will always be with them as religion is an integral part of the Pakistani identity.

In the 1980s blasphemy was made a crime punishable by death. This law has been used to great effect to target religious minorities and spurious claims can be made against anyone without any evidence to back it up. For those that wish to defend anyone accused to blasphemy they are themselves declared blasphemers and can meet violent retribution. Salman Taseer is one such example of this.

Salman Taseer made a perfectly valid comment, the existing man made law is not perfect and therefore should be repealed or reformed. In a supposedly, albeit flawed "democracy" such as Pakistan, people must be allowed to have public debates about sensitive issues without a small minority of extremists using fear and intimidation to silence them.

For those that defend Mumtaz Qadri and commend what he did I would like to point out the following things to show that there is no religious basis in these actions.

• All laws are in effect "man-made" even those that claim to be derived from the Qur'an and Sunnah by the simple fact that it is man that interprets them. This is evident by the number of opinions and sects we have in Islam and differences in opinions over trivial issues. Man-made laws can be criticised and changed.
• Blasphemy is not a crime mentioned in the Qur'an and during the time of the Prophet he encountered far worse without having to murder anyone.
• Islam does not condone murder, there is no religious justification of it and nobody has the right to take a life except for Allah. Murder is Haram (forbidden).
• For those that mention "Amr bi 'l-marûf & nahi 'ani 'l-munkar" (bidding the good and forbidding the evil) there are a set of strict criteria for this that developed during the time of the Caliphate for a so called "Islamic State", one which Pakistan is not. There is no example of an "Islamic State" anywhere in the world because any State in which people do not have free choice over religious actions can not be said to be one that is Islamic. Islam requires that all Muslims declare their belief in God and the Messenger through their own free will without any force which can not be done in a State where Islam is the "official" religion and there are strict penalties for made up crimes like “apostasy” or “blasphemy”.
• Islam places strict emphasis of fairness, justice and equality. Any law which targets a minority and is unjust can not be said to be Islamic.
• Attaching Gods name to a criminal act does not make it Islamic. Extremists blow up Mosques in the name of Islam and there is no justification for this. This is Haram (forbidden) as demonstrated by hundreds of scholars in various fatwas.
• Bringing disgrace to the name of Islam is a far more serious crime than suggesting that a law isn't necessarily fair and justified and therefore should be repealed or reformed.
• The Qur'anic injunction against murder:

  (005:32)
  YUSUFALI: On that account: We ordained for the Children of Israel that if any one slew a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people. Then although there came to them Our messengers with clear signs, yet, even after that, many of them continued to commit excesses in the land

  (005.33)
  YUSUFALI: The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger, and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution, or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land: that is their disgrace in this world, and a heavy punishment is theirs in the Hereafter;

• Isn't abusing Islam and the Qur'an for power and authority the definition of "spreading mischief through the land"? In that case, what is the Quranic punishment for these people?
• For followers of a religion that teaches kindness and compassion how humane is it to rejoice and celebrate someone's death?

As a believer of Islam and a follower of the Prophet Muhammed I am shocked and outraged at this brutal murder which can not be justified in the name of Islam and it is contrary to all Islamic teachings. There is nothing more blasphemous than using Islam as a tool to justify murder and violence.

Kate Robey:

We've officially been running for a year now, and tonight on the Facebook group we shall be having a little party to celebrate. Please pop along and say hello!

It seems like it's been longer than a year, truth be told, but what a fantastic year it's been for us. Over the past year we've grown a lot, I know I personally have learned a hell of a lot, and we've built ourselves a great online community where people can share their experiences, debate about pretty much any topic under the Sun, learn about each others similarities and differences, and together have become an online opposition to groups like the English Defence League, Islam4UK/MAC, and the BNP.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all the other administrators on United Shades of Britain, and all of our regular members that make the group a great, vibrant place to be part of. We've got a lot of very hard work ahead of us, and so many things that we'd like to make happen. But I've got a feeling 2011 is going to be a very good year.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=181130258573678&index=1

"Countering the EDL online is also a possibility. This might involve Facebook groups challenging the myths and half truths peddled by groups such as the EDL. A worthy example of this type of approach is the one adopted by United Shades of Britain."

Drew Sutton:

This summer bank holiday weekend thousands of people will be descending on Bradford.  It’s not for a mass barbeque unfortunately; it’s for a set of demonstrations instigated by the English Defence League.

The EDL will be having a static demonstration in Bradford Urban Gardens and this will be countered by Unite Against Fascism and We Are Bradford’s Static demonstration at Crown Court Plaza. There is also a community celebration event by Be Bradford – Peaceful Together at Infirmary Fields. I believe the last one is backed by Hope Not Hate who are also having a peace vigil the night before.

The EDL claim they are going there to demonstrate against radical extremists in Britain but why Bradford then? I believe the real reason is to directly provoke ordinary Muslims into fighting back. The EDL have demonised them for over a year now. If the EDL were truly against extremists and not all Muslims then they wouldn’t be campaigning against Halal food and any more Mosques being built. Their admins should be banning their members when they make racist posts on their Facebook groups and forums. Instead of this they don’t even try and challenge the racism, they even join in some times. The EDL use semantics like ‘Islam’s not a Race it’s a religion so I can’t be Racist’ to justify their actions and virtually every demo they have had has resulted in violence and arrests.

So I say again why Bradford? Bradford suffered some of the worse riots in modern history in 2001 when the National Front was banned from protesting there but went anyway. Just like how Wootton Bassett was the wrong place for an ISLAM4UK protest Bradford is the wrong place for an EDL protest. The EDL know this but they need an enemy. They want local youths to fight back against them both to keep their football hooligan members happy and to provide the enemy that justifies their existence.

Hope Not Hate ran a fantastic campaign to try and prevent the EDL from marching through Bradford which the Home Secretary agreed to when the police requested that all marches be banned for the weekend however you can’t legally stop a static protest.

The UAF plan to hold a counter protest against the EDL. However how successful have UAF counter protests been so far? There have been many activists arrested for going too far at their demos and knowing that in 2001 the ANL were blamed as much as the National front for their counter demo whipping up tension in Bradford it will only take one spark to create the same dynamics that could cause a repeat. Luckily the police have positioned them well apart from each other, but since the EDL have been known to tear through barriers and barricades elsewhere is this going to be enough?

Bradford has made it clear that the majority of its residents don’t want the EDL there. Many have also said they don’t want the UAF there either. This is why I and the rest of the USoB admins can’t support any demoing in Bradford over the weekend. The potential problems it could cause outweigh any benefits.

I hope the community celebration is a success and people look at this as a far more effective way of showing their distaste towards the EDL. A group of people giving them no attention and enjoying themselves somewhere else in a show of community and multiculturalism is far more positive than any demonstration.

We understand why people want to counter protest this weekend but I ask you to consider the result and the reaction you hope to gain by doing so. Please weigh up the risks involved; we hope that no one comes to any kind of harm including people not protesting as well as protesters and of course the police themselves who will be trying to keep the peace.

Just a day after his arrest in a mens lavatory in Kandahar, for allegedly soliciting himself and committing a lewd act on himself, he, once again, landed himself in hot water on Friday night, when he was arrested in Kabul’s Malibustan District for a drink driving offence, as well as for making derogatory anti-semetic comments.

Fazlullah was charged with misdemeanor drunken driving, and driving with an elevated blood alcohol level, and with a crate of alcopops in his car, kept next to his personal collection of gay porn magazines, prosecutors said.  Police also added that he may also have been committing a lewd act on himself whilst driving!

"A breath test indicated Fuzlullahs blood-alcohol level was 0.30 percent," law enforcement officials said.  In Kabul, a driver is considered legally intoxicated at 0.0 percent.

August court date

Fuzlullahs arraignment was set for August 28, in Malibustan Superior Court.  If convicted, Fuzlullah faces up to six months in jail, fines and suspension of his driver's license.

During his arrest, Fuzlullah asked the arresting deputy whether he was a Jew, and said, “The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world," according to a sheriff's report .

In an apology, Fuzlullah said the anti-Semitic comments were, "blurted out in a moment of insanity."

"There is no excuse, nor should there be any tolerance, for anyone who thinks or expresses any kind of anti-Semitic remark," Fuzlullah said, in a statement read out by his Publicist, Maqsood Clifford, who spoke in an outrageous Lilly Savage accent!  "I want to apologize specifically to everyone in the Jewish community for the vitriolic and harmful words that I said to a law enforcement officer on the night I was arrested.  Hatred of any kind goes against my faith"

A highly controversial, unsavoury and downright sleazy figure, he’s best known for his avant garde Jihadhi videos, which are often dismissed as nothing more than torture porn, and totally lacking in style or substance.  They usually depict violence and beheadings.  Some even go further, to suggest that Fuzlullah actually kills his subjects on screen!  This seems highly unlikely, though, as an American Soldier, apparently beheaded on screen in one video, later showed up alive and well in Anaconda 6: The Mutation!

Battling alchohol, drug and sexual addiction, Fuzlullah is a surprisingly staunch supporter of the enforcement of Sharia Law.  A native of Pakistans Swat Valley, he has been living in self imposed exile ever since a failed attempt to enforce Sharia on the people of Swat back fired when the Pakistani Army launched a military operation against Fuzlullah and his Taliban comrades in 2009.

The Hacienda Club in Kabuls trendy District of Kensingstan, where Fuzlullah was due to DJ, removed all his flyers, and a spokesperson said he will never DJ there again after this shocking incident.

To further compound his misery, he was also sacked from Mullah FM, where he moonlighted as a talk show host, as soon as the news of his arrest broke.  His lucrative sponsorship deal with TerroristsRus, where he modeled his own line of winter suicide jackets, was also terminated with immediate effect.

Fuzlullah announced that he is participating in an "ongoing recovery program" to battle alcoholism, and his own personal demons.

To that end, the rabbi of a Kabul synagogue has invited Fuzlullah to speak to its members on Yom Kippur -- The Day of Atonement.

"Yom Kippur, the most sacred day of the Jewish year, is a time of reflection, fasting, forgiveness and healing," Rabbi Chaudary Nawaz Cohen said in a letter to Fuzlullah.

Many people will ask, though, whether a Leopard can really change it’s spots?-AFP

Mullah FM shot to notoriety two years ago for starting an illegal radio station in Pakistan’s Swat Valley, delivering hard hitting and fiery speeches, as well as playing Gangster Rap, Ska and New Wave music.  His famous catchphrase, which he shouted into the microphone, was, “FILTH, FILTH, FILTH!  THAT’S ALL YOU LOT EVER THINK ABOUT!”

He also mounted a violent campaign to enforce in Swat what the Taliban believed was Sharia Law, opposing education for girls and beheading opponents until the Government ordered in thousands of troops.

AFP obtained an exclusive video recently showing Fuzlullah addressing a group of would be suicide bombers and shooting an AK-47, shouting, “Yeah baby, yeah!”

In another scene, the same men are seen sitting barefoot on the floor, surrounded by large plush cushions, playing Xbox 360 video games and, apparently, smoking marijuana.  Fuzlullah can been seen commenting, “This skunk is damn good sh#t homes!” whilst a large bearded man, apparently a Sheikh, sits in the corner of the room giggling to himself, and answering, “Damn Straight!”

He rejected the Governments claim that it had restored peace in Swat.  “We do not concede defeat…it was part of our strategy and a tactical retreat,” he said.

Fazlullah also criticized the Government for recently holding a peace festival in Swat, and, “promoting vulgarity and obscenity”.

Pc Abdul Norris, who arrested the fugitive Cleric, said, “I’d just started my shift. I was making my way over to Dunkin Donuts when I saw a man, clearly under the influence, stagger out of the strip club, Karzai’s Palace.  He then very slowly made his way over to the men’s lavatory across the road.  I thought nothing of it at first, but, a few minutes later, an elderly man approached me, saying that a vagrant repeatedly pestered him for sexual favours.  That’s when I arrested him.”

An anonymous associate of Fazlullah, with a strong Liverpudlian accent, said, “ He’s been on a downer and completely let himself go recently.  I mean, he was ousted from Swat.  He was a celeb there, who boasted more listeners than Terry Wogan.  It just isn’t the same thing in Afghanistan.  Then the radio equipment that he owned and purchased through hard earned drug money was donated to a more moderate and peace loving Sufi Cleric, who constantly plays Abba, Avril Lavigne and Take That, as well as classical music.  If there's one thing Fuzzy can’t stand, it’s classical music.  We wuz Hardcore man!  And, to add insult to injury, the building that once housed Fuzzys radio station has been handed over to an Afghan Womens Lib Group!  He’s livid!”

A resident from Kandahars leafy suburb of Egdastan, sporting a Birmingham accent, said, “It’s strange how this man spoke out against S_E_X and filth but was extensively involved in it himself!”

Despite Fuzlullahs sordid indiscretions, he still has his supporters.  One man said, in a heavy Yorkshire accent, “ Aye!  He alright our Fuzzy!  He’s a God fearing man of piety and religious devotion.  It’s a smear campaign, I tell ya!  I blame Mossad, The Zionists, India, The CIA, The freemasons and The Illuminati!”

It’s not yet known whether Fuzlullah will be sentenced in Afghanistan or deported back to Pakistan. - AFP

With piercing red eyes and elongated canines, one of the men announced, in a tough Glaswegian accent, “We are terrorists!  Hand over the good stuff!”

Witnesses report that another bank robber said, in a Terry Christian Mancunian accent, “This is for our injured Comrades!” whilst biting and sucking down hard on a bag of AB negative.

A third was heard saying, in a hard Jimmy Nail accent, “Sh#t! Mon! This sure hits the sweet spot!” whilst guzzling down on a bag of type A positive.

Suspicion immediately fell on Count Von Orloff Al Shabab, Mosul’s self proclaimed, 800 year old resident vampire!  A posse of angry villagers, armed with burning torches, pitchforks, and shovels, then descended onto Castle Shabab under the cover of moonlight to exact violent revenge.

However, their minds were soon put at ease when the Count gave a pacifying and impromptu press conference right outside his castle, after serving tea, coffee and buffet to his guests.

The flamboyant Count, sporting an outrageous shocking pink cape and garish green Armani suit, and flanked on either side by two buxom Czech pornstars, said, in his trademark Lilly Savage accent, “Honest to God! I’ve got absolutely nothing to do those amateurish w*nkers!  Anyone who knows me knows I like to go about my business in a professional manner.  I prefer to wine and dine willing and buxom young wenches before digging my canines into their slender and juicy necks!  Frozen food just isn’t for me, I’m afraid!"

He also denied that he was involved in terrorism, and said that, if he could, he would, “String em up by their b@llucks!”

A spokeman for Al Qaeda denied that the bloodsuckers were on their pay roll.  “It is haram for Muslims to intermingle with these eternally damned, sunlight shy, undead blood drinkers,” whilst the Pentagon laughed off and denied Vampires existed out right, saying, “Vampires only exist at True Blood conventions, and in the dark recesses of the Human mind."  AFP

Kate Robey:

Today, an article came up about Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani being reprieved from being stoned to death in Iran, after being charged with adultery.  She still could face death by another method, but, for now, she is alive.

This is something that I find very upsetting; that, in some places in the world, people are buried and stones are hurled at them.  In Iran, it is legal to stone a person to death, but illegal to throw a stone of the wrong size.  I find this baffling and abhorrent.  A man is buried up to the waist, but a woman is buried up to the neck.  If either can get free, whilst being pelted with stones, they are allowed to live.  So, what chance does a woman, buried up to the neck, have, whilst a man is only buried up the waist?  Just to be clear, both are wrong, but why is a man given more of a chance of living than a woman?

What I am finding increasingly frustrating is the seeming apathy about the situation in Iran.  Twelve other women face death in this way at the moment there, so why isn't more being done about it?  I donate every month to Amnesty International, but it seems pretty useless.  I feel so frustrated that these things are happening to people, and being done in the name of a religion, when it goes against pretty much all religions to treat humans this way.

The death penalty violates two fundamental human rights, as laid down in Articles 3 and 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:

• the right to life, and

• the right not to be tortured, or subject to any cruel, inhumane or degrading punishment

I've never been a supporter of the death penalty.  I don't think we, as humans, have the right to decide who lives or dies.  If someone murders someone else, then killing that person for being a murderer is just the same thing, but you've had a load of lawyers and judges try to make it seem morally acceptable.  What really devastates me is that in some countries you can be put to death for things that are not even crimes, like adultery, or homosexuality, just to name a couple.  It is said by some that the death penalty for such things acts as a powerful deterrent, and that statistics for things like adultery are low because of such deterrents.  I ask those particular people to, just for a few moments, imagine themselves buried up to the neck and having stones hurled at them, and then come back to me and say that a deterrent is justification for such a barbaric act.  There is no justification for it, as far as I can see, and I would go as far as to say it's despicable to agree that these acts should be used as deterrents.

I want more to be done about this.  I honestly can't bear the thought of people suffering like this, and it makes me angry that so many are so silent about this.  These acts are being committed in the name of Islam, but how can this be Islamic?  And if it isn't Islamic, then why are such acts being allowed to be committed in the name of Islam?  Why isn't more being done?

What I find equally distressing is that many victims of such barbarity are abandoned by their families, because of the shame brought to the family, whether the person is guilty or not.  Some even fear for their lives if they are not stoned, but they actually fear their families as well.  This again is something I cannot understand.

Iran regularly censors information about stonings, as they are embarrassed by the attention they have attracted, but all those on death row at the moment, all 12 of them, women and men, have been convicted of adultery.  The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a party, requires states that have not yet abolished the death penalty to restrict its use to the “most serious crimes”.  So, why are Iran not being held accountable to this?  Is adultery a serious crime?  Is it a crime at all?

More has to be done.  People cannot be allowed to be abused in this way.  I call on the whole of the Muslim community worldwide to oppose this, to say that this cannot be Islamic, and to use all of their weight to get this stopped.  I will join them in doing so, and I hope others will, but I really think the Muslim community needs to come to the fore on this issue and say, "Not in the name of Islam!"

It had been billed as the victory party to end all victory parties, and it didn’t disappoint me.  I’ve been a huge Rage fan since I was in my early teens, yet it was one of the few bands I hadn’t seen live, and I’ve been at a lot of gigs.  It was a free gig to celebrate beating the X Factor to Christmas number 1 after the infamous Facebook campaign.

When I originally heard about the Rage for Xmas Number 1 group last November, I didn’t think it stood much chance, but as I saw more and more friends join it each day, I decided to take a look.  To my delight, I saw 300,000 people had joined and I realised that, not only did it stand a chance, it would do it.

I said all the way through that I was happy we had turned it into a race again, after five years of procession, but when we got to hear Scott Mills say those dramatic words, I, for one, count it as a great moment in my life.  There was more to the whole thing than just a chart race, though.  Not long after I joined the group, Tracy Morter started the Just Giving appeal to raise money for Shelter to accompany the efforts.  This really inspired me, and was something I am extremely proud of being a part of.  There were many people that helped to push the total raised through donations alone to over £100,000.  Wes White deserves special mention for starting a group after Christmas to have a huge surge to break the target, but there are so many, and to name them all would take forever.  My second favourite day was the first of February, or Surge Day as it became known.  We partied all day, and so much effort went into the whole week running up to that day.  Rage fans from all over the country promoted the charity surge with quotes from films and TV programmes, each day having a different theme.  Every person who donated is a hero in my eyes, from £2, to the massive donation of over £2000 pounds on January 31st.

So, back to the Gig.  I met up with some friends from United Shades before the doors opened, and we got to Finsbury Park just as Gallows started their warm up set.  For the first band on they did a really good job.  They had good energy and worked the quickly massing crowd well.  It was towards the end of their set that I briefly bumped into Jon and Tracy Morter, who started the whole campaign, and I felt quite privileged.

Roots Manuva played next, and I watched this over a few drinks after meeting up with some more friends.  It was nice to get a good balance of acts on the bill; I have a very varied taste in music.  The final support act was Gogol Bordello, who I’ve been quite impressed with at previous gigs.  Once again he met with expectations.

Finally, at about 9pm, Rage came on.  Their set started with a satirical cartoon of Simon Cowell on the video screens, which helped build the atmosphere.  The expectation hanging in the air was evident as the anarchist star was raised at the back of the stage, and as Rage came out the crowd erupted.

Testify was the first song played, and they followed it up with a string of great tracks, including the Clash’s White Riot.  The crowd was amazing, and deserve as much praise as Rage do for the gig.  The movements of a mosh pit can be dangerous, and it was great to hear Zack say, “Take care of each other tonight,” after the first song.  Everyone did exactly that, and still managed to have a great time.  Whenever anyone got knocked over there were plenty of hands helping them back up again.

One of the best parts of the gig was Jon and Tracy being invited on stage when Rage announced the total raised for Shelter from all the donations, gift aid and profits from the song.

After 11 songs, the band disappeared for a few minutes.  Before coming back to do their encore, another video came up on the screens, and Joe Mcelderry’s song started playing.  We got to see quotes from Cowell and the media following the run up to Christmas.  The final caption came up: X Factor 450,838 Rage 502,672.  ‘The Climb’ stopped playing, YOU MADE HISTORY came up on the screens, then the one and only song left to play, the song everyone had been waiting for, came on; Killing in the Name.  The pit exploded one last time, and with more fervour than at any other time in the gig.

Rage are more than a band to me, they helped form my political and social opinions.  In my latter teenage years, they gave me direction. Their music has inspired so many, and continues to, as proven by the age ranges of the people attending the gig.  As one of their songs says, ‘why stand on a silent platform,’ and they live up to this motto.  Their good work and charitable help extends to many projects.  They don’t just talk about ideas, they get out and help people.  The Christmas campaign to get Killing in the Name to number 1 started out as a simple idea, but achieved so much.  Not only did it achieve its aims, it also brought people together.  I wouldn’t be part of United Shades if it hadn’t happened.  So many good causes have either been born from it, or been inspired by it.  So many people have found like minded individuals.  There is much an idea can achieve.

http://england.shelter.org.uk

You can find out more about the work Shelter do by following the link above, and if you'd like to donate, Tracy's Just Giving page can be found here:  http://www.justgiving.com/ratm4xmas

Source: Libcom.org

As the BNP continue to implode the EDL are siphoning off support for their own brand of racism.

BNP

It has been a bad week for the BNP again with the guilty verdicts on hedgerow terrorist David Lucas for gunpowder and ammo and Peter Tierney of Liverpool BNP guilty of assault (they apparently share the same fashion consultant). Liverpool BNP are also in a bit of a homophobic tizz over the sexual proclivities of one of their members. (There is an amusingly rancid thread on VNN if you need any more info on that one.) Post-election Red, White and Blues have drastically affected Nick Griffin and there is much disharmony in the party. Griffin is clearly worried about a coup and in-between expelling former golden boy Mark Collett and being shafted by Simon Bennett over the website, he has been busy expelling members in the West Country and seeking out other victims. Eddie Butler is attempting a leadership challenge with some support from the disparate Nazis posting on the forums and the pro-Griffin smear machine is in full swing against him. All of which, combined with the dismal showing at the hustings, is benefitting the EDL.

The EDL

The ‘non-racist, non-violent’ EDL are much more attractive to the casual and not-so-casual racist in that they offer the potential of a scrap, a barrel of lager and a much needed ego-boost. This week has been eventful on a small level for the EDL. At the weekend a few EDL ‘supporters’ confronted a pro-Palestinian demo in Birmingham and after a bit of fruitless argy-bargy attempted to go and watch the England game but found themselves barred from the boozers and filmed by the cops. They then went home to watch the telly. On Tuesday, a handful of EDL went to Whitechapel in East London and after being kettled into a boozer for a bit were then escorted out of the area by the cops for their own safety, pursued by a large and angry crowd of locals. We can presume that the EDL are not likely to set up a local chapter there. Further out in Barking on the same day the EDL/BNP were attending the Royal Anglian homecoming parade as were ‘Muslims Against Crusades.’ This new grupuscule is very similar in tactics and ideology to Anselm Choudary’s Islam4UK and after making a bit of noise they were abused by the EDL/BNP contingent and then escorted away by the police. These ‘militant Islamic’ groups are as suspect as the EDL in that they gather in extremists who are then more easily monitored by the state. With their usual naivety the EDL assume that all anti-fascists, UAF, SWP etc., support these bozos and are therefore claiming a great victory against anti-fascism. So this week’s activities by the EDL have amounted to little more than a humiliation in Whitechapel, several photos to put in their hooligan scrapbooks and a few crowing posts on Indymedia. The SDL have also planned a demo in Kilmarnock this weekend but if their previous excursions north are anything to go by this may be dismal.

English Values?

The EDL claim that they are standing up for English values yet are vague about what these actually are. Most people would say ‘English values’ are tolerance, plurality, peace, a long heritage of mixed ethnicities dating back to Roman times and a simple desire to get on with life. The EDL’s values tend to revolve around drunken violence. The way that the EDL website perceives themselves and the reality differ enormously: they describe EDL demos like Sunday picnics, all lads together being hassled by the cops and the beastly UAF.

Peace?

The EDL say they are a peaceful protest group who merely oppose militant Islam but their visits to places like Whitechapel and the planned one in Bradford are guaranteed to cause trouble. The EDL inflate the threat of ‘militant Islam’ and use the term loosely to legitimise their racism. Why do they choose Bolton or Bradford? Is it because they know for a fact there are ‘preachers of hate’ there or is it simply to have a go at Muslims? Where is the evidence that Bolton or Bradford are full of ‘Islamic extremists’ as opposed to just Muslim communities? The racist/pro-BNP chants on the demos do little to disguise their bigotry. On the various forums the EDL criticise the burkah and halal as if they are pro-feminist vegetarians which again serve as an excuse to have a go at Muslims. The EDL provoke communities with a strong Muslim presence and then pretend surprise when they are opposed by people who take umbrage at a bunch of outsiders disrupting their town. And the potential for violence is precisely the attraction of the EDL: they attract fascists who can no longer hold marches as they are outnumbered by the opposition, and football hooligans who can no longer fight at football matches due to heavy surveillance.

How many more photos and quotes do the EDL need before they admit they are riddled with BNP members, drunks, hooligans, racists and fascists. No one is saying that all EDL are like this for there is clearly a moderate wing but to deny this is beginning to sound a bit delusional. If the EDL really had it in them, they would forcibly exclude the vocally racist, provocative behaviour and Nazi following. But they do not. The fascist websites frequently include comments from those who have been on the demos. One reason the EDL are less keen on a productive exclusion policy is that like most far-right groups they really on quantity not quality. This has led any number of fascist grupuscules imploding in acrimony, accusations and violence. They will take anyone regardless of ideological purity. These ‘internal contradictions’ will cause the EDL problems in the future.

‘Malatesta’

NB: all material by ‘Malatesta’ is copyright free. Please pass it on to anyone who may find it useful.

Kevin Ackerman:

Before I begin my unbiased opinion of today's events, I would like to say a big thank you to the all the police forces from around the country who took part in protecting our city today. Well controlled boys....and well done!!.

I didn't manage to catch the beginning of the march that started in the Oval basin in the Bay, but I was just in time to see the beginning of the head to head chanting between the UAF and the EDL/WDL at Cardiff’s city hall. When I arrived all was very peaceful and people were gathering on the grass outside the City hall (some were even playing football). There also happened to be a wedding reception in the city hall that had to wait for all the protesters to leave the area before they could proceed with their wedding day. The police were using great tactics to keep the traffic flowing and keeping people tightly fenced in. 

The EDL turned up as promised at the city hall....about 75 of them at best it seemed. The UAF turned up too...approximately 150-200 of them. It was a peaceful protest to be fair and the only stupid chants came fromm the EDL and WDL. This is one of their chants today whilst pointing their fingers at the people of Cardiff and the UAF......"You're not English anymore"!!!. When they sang this I laughed so much..... This is Cardiff, we weren't English in the first place you morons. Didn't anyone even think about telling them that? 

There was also one guy in front of me with a dog, can of lager in his hand and being deliberately abusive. He was chanting "You nazi scum" "You effing nazi bath bastards"...he definitely wasn't a local and I really wanted to point him in the direction of a shower room to be perfectly honest. The police warned him several times and eventually managed to calm him down a bit. He was, what I would call, an agitator and no better than the ones he was shouting at! The UAF were chanting something like " nazis go home and take your friends with you". 

Then the first incidents appeared. 

At "Boulevard de nantes" a van full with EDL, jumped out and punched a female UAF supporter in the face....she managed to take a photo of the offender and also managed to grab his top (which she has kept). At the same location some Muslims were hiding and waiting for the EDL behind police lines and also managed get a few punches in to the EDL. As far as I know there were no arrests over this incident and I didn't personally see any. The police on this occasion seemed to allow the odd disturbance here and there, and I think they were more concerned about the whole place kicking off. 

The EDL/WDL then began their counter-march singing their "E E EDL" chants as they went. The grass at the city hall was cleared and everyone was sent through the subway away from the EDL/WDL march. As they entered "Dumfries Road" a small congregation of Muslims from the "Islam for humanity" organisation were waiting for them at the end of "Queen street" to chant their stuff at them ....although I have no idea what as I got there just as the EDL/WDL had just passed. They also couldn't get anywhere near the EDL/WDL protesters and only spoke on a megaphone to protest against them.

All along the EDL/WDL march, I felt they were being highly protected and kept well away from the counter protesters. At best, I think 300 yards was the minimum distance between the 2 sides apart from the "Queen street" Muslim demo which indirectly was a bit closer. 

I'm not sure where everyone went after that but small groups of people were trying hard to get in front of the Police in order to give them a farewell wave, but I guess there's still is the potential for trouble in the city as some of the EDL will stay in Cardiff and mingle with the rugby crowd. This can also be said for the UAF and other Cardiffians. I'm not connected with anyone who is on either side of the demo's to find out.

At the city hall a reporter wanted a photo of my United Shades of Britain shirt but without my face. It will be in one of the local papers and I explained to him before taking the photo that we are a peaceful organisation and against any any kind of extremism, violence or protests. Many people at the protest were asking what the "United Shades of Britain" are all about and many were very interested in my reply when I told them what we're for and against.

Today Cardiff proved to the EDL and WDL that they were not wanted here. This is too diverse a city for the likes of their rhetoric. We live in relative peace here and we want it to stay that way. This is also my view of the UAF.....yes guys, what you did today was a real good thing but personally, I think it makes things worse when you're shouting abuse at them.

There's an elephant in the room: the English Defence League

Here at United Shades of Britain we know how low they are prepared to stoop. We have written in various places here and on our Facebook group our opinions of the EDL's tactics, their wasting of public money, and their persecution of Muslims. 
United Shades of Britain have always welcomed debate with EDL members, despite receiving abuse from some members in the form of tweets on our twitter page, on our Facebook group, and on various other groups on Facebook. This article details something more childish that they have perpetrated against us. 

On Tuesday 25th May 2010 a member of United Shades of Britain came across a United Shades of Britain fan page on Facebook. We all went to have a look and were quite puzzled by it as none of the admins had made it, and we hadn't ever considered making up a fan page as we have a great group page. There was no clue on the page at that point as to who had made it, so checks were made with lots of members to see if it was one of us. The answers all came back as no.

The next day the page was suddenly alive with lots of posts about United Shades of Britain supporting the English Defence League, and promoting the demo in Newcastle. It became immediately apparent that this page had nothing to do with United Shades as we would never support the EDL, or their demos. In turn each of the admins posted on the page stating the page was not run by us, and that we did not support the EDL. One by one we were all banned from posting on there and our posts removed.

The fanpage had used our logo and our name so we contacted Facebook about the use of our intellectual property. We felt the page had been made to discredit the United Shades name, and were worried about our members being confused about the sudden change of stance. We also made up our own 'Official United Shades of Britain fanpage'  and made it clear that we did not support the EDL. We called on various groups to help report the page for impersonating us so as to get it shut down as quickly as possible.

The following day was a long one. We had had no reply back from Facebook yet, and were increasingly worried about the posts being put up on the fake page, and were still unaware of who had made the page. I contacted the EDL media group to ask them to look into the group as it was pretty clear it had been made by an EDL member. I spoke to Donna Mortimer who is one of the media team. I told her the situation and that we believed it was an EDL member, and that we would have to look into legal action if the issue wasn't resolved. Donna was immediately defensive about it, and told me not to threaten the EDL. I replied that it wasn't a threat, it was simply a course of action.

Donna then went over to the fake page and asked the admin to message them privately.

From this Donna took the admins word and came back to tell me on the thread in the EDL media group that it wasn't an EDL member. Also note on the above screenshot that the admin had pretended to be Jabran Ali (UsoB Admin), which even Donna knew was a joke, so not only was this using our intellectual property and impersonating United Shades, but they were also now impersonating Jabran Ali. The admin of the fake page also then said “I am a member of USOB just pissed of (sic) with there (sic) anti English propaganda. They have some good values but seem to hate anything English or British.”

Donna insisted that it had nothing to do with the EDL and told me to look at my own group instead of the EDL. Interestingly, on the screenshot below Regan Hamilton is also posting on here, and Donna asks her if it's ok to delete the post I had made, to which Regan was very happy.

After further investigation one person on the fake fanpage had managed to uncover who the admin was. What we didn't know at the time was that if you click 'flag' on a post the admin has made on a thread, and then 'report' the name of the admin comes up. With more investigation a post made on a profile by Regan confirmed that Regan Hamilton was the person behind the fake fanpage.

So, Donna Mortimer, one of the EDL's media representatives, had specifically told me on the EDL media group that Regan Hamilton was not an EDL member, as well as through a private message.

Further investigation found that Regan was in fact an admin on the EDL fanpage, which Tommy Robinson (leader) also is admin of.

And to top that off, the fake fan page was even being advertised on the EDL updates twitter page

Donna then, through private messages, still tried to deny that Regan Hamilton was the person responsible, and even went as far as saying it was someone else. At her request I emailed all the evidence I had over to her at the time, to which I received no reply. It seemed that the matter had been closed to her, even though she had taken no action about it after receiving the evidence I provided to her.

Unfortunately for Donna, Regan actually admitted to being the person responsible on the Facebook group 'Exposing racism and intolerance'

Donna then went on to deny even knowing Regan, despite Regan being on her friends list

I forwarded the screenshot of Regan being an admin for the EDL fanpage to Donna.

This is the response I got:

I'm not an unreasonable person, but I do take exception when I'm blatantly lied to. It's worth remembering that in the EDL media group Regan Hamilton was commenting on the thread I was talking to Donna on, even though she is apparently not an EDL member. Donna Mortimer is one of the EDL's media team, and therefore represents them. The EDL leadership may have spoken to Regan about the fanpage, and stopped promoting it on the EDL fanpage, but they were not truthful to United Shades of Britain, or at the very least honest about the source of the fanpage.
To me, this does not show the English Defence League in a very good light. They have a media representative that lies, and then gets slightly abusive when her lies are uncovered.

Regan Hamilton has been shown to be a person who will impersonate an organisation that is seeking to do good, and has also been shown to try to impersonate one of the United Shades admin team, as well as using our Intellectual Property which is against Facebook Terms and Conditions.

Facebook finally contacted us and informed us that they were removing the page for breach of intellectual property on 27th May 2010

The English Defence League have been shown through this to be an organisation that can't be trusted and will lie if they feel they need to cover themselves.

My advice to the English Defence League is that liars are always found out, so it is best to tell the truth to save embarrassment.

The EDL have created a Facebook fan page in homage to us, and for that we are extremely flattered – as they say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. We, however, do not approve of unofficial fan pages; if you are a fan of the United Shades of Britain, or if you want to get to know us a bit more, come on over and join our Facebook Group (with over 14,000 members!) or our Official Fan Page.  

I would like to thank the leadership of the EDL for being our fans, but would also ask them to stop violating our copyrighted logo, it is not in the public domain and we do not approve of its use in unauthorised pages. Outside of our own work, the only approval we give for the use of our logo is as the profile picture of our supporters. This is not the first attempt by the EDL to imitate us, they have learnt their tricks from racists in the BNP who created a website in our name using the “.org” domain name.

We feel it’s sad that, as well as hurting local communities through antics such as trespass and “protests” that often turn violent, the EDL feel the need to try and undo any good work that is bringing communities throughout the UK together. We would rather that hundreds of thousands of pounds of taxpayer money be spent in local communities instead of policing a mob and I’m sure the good people of Cardiff and Newcastle share in that sentiment.

Anyway Tommy & co, cheers for the support, but please refrain from copying us – thanks!

Drew Sutton:

I am an Atheist. It’s not something I define myself by I simply find the notion of any religion being right to be somewhat implausible. However it’s very important to me to not rule anything out. I was raised as a Methodist Christian and when I decided I didn’t believe in God I became quite anti religion for many years. I felt I had been betrayed and lied to. How could anyone believe in something that I saw so many flaws in when science had so many answers that were far more tangible? 

Something changed one day though when I was 21. I realised that religion is very metaphorical. I’m not going to go into the details about what went off but let’s just say I was somewhat intoxicated. I suddenly realised that it didn’t matter if religion was right or wrong that it is a tool that can be used for good or evil. I also realised that humans are naturally arrogant. As soon as we figure something out we think we know everything. This period of my life taught me humility and it is a lesson I consider made me into a man. I may have been old enough to be a man before that but I certainly wasn’t mature enough or wise enough. Furthermore other people noticed it too, they didn’t know what had changed but several people told me how I had grown up recently.

So I have religion to thank for this. The journey I went on may not have been the standard path most tread but it worked for me and has allowed me to look at the world in a fair and purposeful way. What troubles me now are other people who consider themselves atheists who are anti religion. I understand why they are, they see too many problems with it. But there are just as many problems in everything really. We single out religion but it is politics that is causing the real problems in our lives. I don’t look at these people and think I’m better than them though, I wonder how can they expect respect from people when they don’t show it to whole demographics of society? Atheism should not be a movement. It should not have leaders or scientists known for their views on religion more than the achievements they have made in their specialised field. It should just be a word used to describe people on official statistics. For those that use it to define themselves they are too busy seeking answers still to see what is right there screaming out at them. Instead of looking for faults look for answers, they might lead you somewhere you weren’t expecting to go but I’m pretty sure you will like the destination. The more we are able to understand someone else’s views and show respect for them, even if we don’t agree, the easier it will be for people to work together to fix the problems in the world. Hate and bitterness are the enemy’s of everyone ultimately and are only used to divide us. How can you be happy and content with yourself if you are carrying anger around with you?

I’ve always had a problem with definitions. While they give us identity they also show our differences. This doesn’t necessarily have to be a problem if we are willing to accept our differences but people seem to be defining themselves by them more and more. Personal identity is one thing but when we use them to take on cultural and group identity we run the risk of losing our individuality and allowing others to judge us based on their own assumptions. But identity is important and it’s instinctive to want to be part of something.  So the important thing is treating everyone with respect, learning about each other’s beliefs and not taking yourself too seriously if someone is trying to offend you.

So I’m left wondering, how do I define myself?

Tall, thoughtful, eager to learn, British human being who wants peace for the world.

What about you?

Kate Robey:

St George's Day has been and gone. People put up flags, dressed up as St George, played lots of lovely English music (Elgar is a favourite of mine), and generally had a happy time. Well, most people. 

In the run up to St George's day there has been a lot of discussion over English and British culture, and how it is defined. It has started to feel like there's a right and wrong over how it can be defined, to me. I had a chat with a chap earlier in the week over this very topic, and I asked him to list me how he specifically defined English culture, and from his list, I think I could find one similarity over how I view English culture, which I think was fish and chips (even though the Jewish immigrant Joseph Malin was the first to open up a fish and chip shop in this country). I could list all the things I consider to be English culture, but I don't really want to. To me, it's not a set thing. 

Instead I'm going to talk about the things that I don't think are anything to do with English culture. First up, we have the British National Party, who say they are fighting to protect our culture, even if that means booting out a load of people from our country. Watching the interview between Griffin and Paxman tonight once again confirmed to me (although it doesn't need confirming anymore) that this 'party' do not really care about this country, or its citizens. These people want to get all Muslims out of this country. They do not like Islam whatsoever, and repeatedly lie about the true nature of Islam. Reading this, you might think I'm a Muslim, but I'm not, I'm a Christian. Nick Griffin said only the other day that he wasn't anti-Muslim, but that he was anti-Islam. That just doesn't make sense to me. You're against a religion, but you're not against its followers who practise that religion? 

So next up, I shall talk briefly about the English Defence League. The English Defence League claim to be protesting Islamic Extremism, and they allegedly welcome all faiths in protesting peacefully together. 

So, when you first listen to what they have to say, you might think, yeah okay that sounds reasonable enough. Nobody wants Islamic extremism here, so yes, they have a valid point. However, delve a little deeper (and it doesn't take much digging) you find that there's a little more to it than that. 
The English Defence League protest against the burkha in this country, citing security reasons, not assimilating into 'our way of life', and also the oppression over women. 
They also protest against halal meat, in particular recently KFC restaurants. There's a lovely youtube video doing the rounds of a few EDL members going into a restaurant, intimidating the manager in there, and warning her they'll be back next weekend with many more people. This manager has absolutely no control over company policy whatsoever, she just does her job and probably for not a lot of money, so why is it they think they will get answers from her?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8h2NtLWqNns 
And the other big issue to them is Mosques in this country, the building of, and seemingly just the mere existence of any Mosques, because of the chances of Islamic extremism rising out of them. 

So basically, in a nutshell the English Defence League are happy with you being Muslim as long as you don't want to wear what you want, don't want to eat what you want, and don't want to use a place of worship that is specific to your religion. 

Everyone is entitled to a point of view but not when it starts to persecute a section of society, and that is what I think the BNP and EDL are doing. If you've seen any footage of an EDL protest, you'll notice there's nothing that peaceful about it (as they claim), and instead seems to be a lot of football chanting going on, although the words have been adapted accordingly. Since when did chanting 'Allah, Allah, who the f*ck is Allah' help to combat extremism in this country? How does that invite people from all faiths to join in protesting against extremism, when you're deliberately offending a particular faith by being so rude about Allah? And on top of that, Allah is the same God that Christians and Jews worship, so they're not just offending one religion, but three in one fell swoop. 
Unfortunately though, it's not the chanting at protests that is the worst thing about the EDL. We've seen numerous bouts of violence, we've seen destruction of city centres, and we've also seen just how much these demonstrations cost the taxpayer and country in general. The latest figure for this is £2 million, and it has come at one of the worst times, when this country is still struggling to stay on its feet financially.

 http://www.sundaymercury.net/news/midlands-news/2010/04/18/sunday-mercury-unveils-face-of-leader-of-edl-whose-group-has-cost-taxpayers-2-million-66331-26264953/

Their next demonstration is in Aylesbury, and already the local market that runs on a Saturday has had to be cancelled. And the response from the EDL? Well, apparently we should be grateful that they care so much, and one day we will thank them. Somehow, I don't think people who rely on good trade on a Saturday (like a lot of retailers) will be thanking the EDL in a hurry. 

My point of this ramble is that the above things I have talked only ever so briefly about are not how I define English culture. One of things I am proud about this country has always been our acceptance of different cultures, religions, backgrounds, and that it all makes our country to be a great wide and varied mix of talents, specialities and interests. That to me is English culture.

Jabran Ali:

The United Shades of Britain is a pretty awesome name, isn't it.  We think it accurately reflects modern Britain today.  Regardless of the colour of our skin, our religion, or our sexual orientation we are united against intolerance, bigotry and extremism.  The British National Party, which is a racist, intolerant and xenophobic organisation, evidently also like this name, which is why a BNP supporter has decided to try and misrepresent us.

Nice to see BNP supporters resort to playground antics rather than dealing with problems in a mature way.  Then again, what do you expect from the BNP?

Do not be be fooled.  There is only one United Shades of Britain, and that is this one.

Gregg Smith:

*All policies come from the BNP website. I'm not making these up*

Defence
►Policy #1 - Strengthen our conventional forces;
Ok a good one considering the situation we're in at the minute with minimal turnaround between Tours and a shortage in troops. Currently the UK has a military of ~240,000 (Not including Reserves that number 195,000) of which:

• 39,000 are in the RN
• 112,000 are in the Army
• 43,000 are in the RAF

The Number has increased from 189,000 in 2006.

The BNP don't really expand on this policy (shock horror) So let's assume "Strengthening" means increasing manpower and equipment.

That means paying for more personnel, their training, food, uniform, accommodation and equipment. The military have a return of Service (compulsory service on completion of training) for the Navy it is about 2 years, simply because putting a person through the system costs a lot of money. Now the Economy section of the BNP makes no real mention of budgets for individual departments, but going off their other defence policies they will be saving some money by pulling out of operations. However this still won't cover the cost for multiplying the military. At the minute all new ratings (Non officers) go to HMS Raleigh in Torpoint, at this time for the waiting lists for Ratings go from 9 months to 30 months.

As for strengthening them through better equipment see Policy #2

►Policy#2 - Retain a genuinely independent nuclear deterrent and produce all our weaponry in Britain;
It's hard to see what they mean by Independent, there were reports in the papers over attempts by France to share the Deterrent but even an infant can see that wouldn't work. At the Minute the Deterrent is ran by the Royal Navy and the Trident system, and has a pretty effective fail-safe, should Brown lose the plot and want to Nuke the Sun Headquarters.
It could be argued that by independent they mean "home-made"

Firstly a British-made nuke;

Well we already have this and it isn't likely to change if trident does get replaced.  Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) is responsible for the design, manufacture and support of warheads for the United Kingdoms Nuclear deterrent.  AWE plc is responsible for the day-to-day operations of AWE. AWE plc is owned by the British Government and managed by Jacobs engineering group, LockheadMartinUK and Serco through AWE Management Ltd who hold a 25 year contract. Also let us not forget the many NATO bases that have the Early warning system WE will need.

On a more serious note the cost of the Trident system amounted to $14bn (adjusted for inflation original cost $9bn) and the Government has announced it will upgrade the Trident system to extend the life of the weapons.

As for British Made weapons, clearly just an extension of the "British Jobs" nonsense.
The Challenger 2 MBT is British, as is the AS90 Self Propelled gun. Our ships are made in Britain.
The BNP haven't quite grasped the idea of equipping soldiers. It's not about where it's from but it's about getting the best, our Missiles are all American because they're tried and tested and work. Our Fighter comes from a European consortium because it would be cheaper than getting a home grown plane designed and built and guess what? It's the best.
Our new vehicles are Italian, but again because they fit the criteria the MOD were looking for, and again worked out cheaper than getting BAE to design, build and test it. And knowing BAE it will be overpriced and overdue. (Apparently Front line troops in Afghanistan have just received their first shipment of BAE muskets ordered in 1780)

►Policy #3\#4
-Refuse to risk British lives in meddling ‘peacekeeping’ missions in parts of the world where no   British interests are at stake;
-Only commit British forces when British national interests are at stake;

A sound idea considering the situation in Afghanistan and what happened in Iraq. However this seems to be another "We hate brown people" message.

Peacekeeping is what stops 'peacekeeping' becoming 'having to go over there and kick arse'. It's there for a reason, and I really shouldn't have to explain why stopping peacekeeping is bad.

But I will say:
The reason the British Military is so good is because the training has come from 60 odd years of having to do 'peacekeeping'. It's what stops us turning into the US Military - 'good for a fight, piss poor for anything else'
As for 'British Interests' any event will inevitably harm British interests, be it an oil company in Nigeria or an engineering firm in Bosnia. Isolationism has been tried by many countries (including us) and in all occasions it has failed spectacularly.

All this talk of only interfering is an echo of the line "A quarrel in a far-away country between people of whom we know nothing" said by Chamberlain on the Sudetenland crisis, and we know how that ended.

►Is It Viable?
Yes. But keeping our head in the sand means it's easier for something to bite you in the arse.

►Policy #5 - Preserve and restore our historic County Regiments;
The county regiments were an easy way to raise troops, you get them from a specific area and you don't have to waste time getting them to know each other, and is also a hanger on from when we had Scotland breathing down our necks and the French. The County regiments were amalgamated into more flexible units. But to be honest it's just a policy to hark back to the days of 'Queen Victoria and Michael Caine shooting a few '****' before breakfast. A pointless idea that will cost a lot and increase paperwork for the sake of tradition.

►Policy #6 - Bring our troops back from Germany and withdraw from NATO, since political developments make both commitments obsolete;
NATO was formed after WW2 to protect Europe from the Soviet Threat, It's also why there's a sizeable presence in Germany.
It could be argued that since Soviet Russia is no more and there's no imminent threat to Germany there's no reason to be there. However at the minute there is no place in the UK to house them. Also NATO was engaged in the Balklands and is in Afganistan now.

►Is It Viable?
Yes.

As a result of Policy #7 there will be plenty of space to stick the Germany forces back in the UK, although I think becoming a pariah state for going it alone with our Nukes means we won't bring them back, more like Dunkirk II: Electric Boogalloo.

As for NATO, It can be said that pulling out would work as there's no Soviets. However let's not forget it's more than a big organisation it's an actual military alliance. When New York was still on Fire NATO sat and said "Yes it's a deceleration of war, we're all in it so let's go" Hence you have all these other countries in Afghanistan. NATO whether they like it or not is relevant. Also even with a "strengthened conventional force" we would find it difficult to actually fight a well equipped enemy.

►Policy#7 - Close all foreign military bases on British soil;
Nice wording from our Nick. In reality they are not foreign bases, they are ours but we let them out to the US so they have somewhere closer to all the action. Although as I said with Policy 6, they will be abandoned once we go all Dr. Strangelove on the world. Currently the 'Bases' include RAF Mildenhall and RAF Menwith Hill (Vitally Important Intelligence facility Joint UK-US). In reality the number of bases is minuscule and are in the process of being scaled back.

►Is It Viable?
Given the BNP's other Foreign/Defence policies it would be a case of the US pulling out to avoid the cataclysmic s*itstorm that would head our way. Also seeing as the BNP are against the US/UK alliance.
The US will simply redeploy what is here to other bases in Europe. A minor inconvenience at most

►Policy#8 - Restore national service for our young with the option of civil or military service.
This is like something straight out of a certain right-wing daily paper. It's clearly tied in with policy #1 in strengthening our forces. However the idea is shouted down by the top soldiers. Many argue (mostly those who have done it or those who are too old to avoid the draft) that it will help straighten out the youth of today. Many other countries have a conscription style system in place, and in some it does work, although if implemented here it would be a victim of costing an arm and a leg. However in the event of a major war - who would you rather have on side; A group of motivated volunteers -or- a group of people who don't want to be there.

►And there we have it.
The BNP clearly have no idea what they're talking about on yet another issue of national importance. The BNP will essentially turn us into a rogue state with a massive Army, but with shoddy gear and a lot of very annoyed people.
The Economy would never be able to take the strain of these policies let alone ALL the policies.

I wouldn't trust these guys to run a toy army, let alone an armed army that are fighting Al Qaeda (which apparently Andrew Brons thinks doesn't exist). Give them a nuke.  Brilliant get ready to be invaded by the US.

Nasir Janjua:

Recently, a claim has been made by certain groups that mosques across the UK are being funded by Wahhabi Arab-Muslims. There is no evidence to suggest that this claim is based on any truth and it is, therefore, completely unfounded. It appears that certain factions of the far-right or anti-Islam sympathisers are using deceit in an attempt to represent the Muslims and the building of mosques as a tool to spread extremism. Enough about extremism, however.  It appears that the Saudis are not actually investing in, or funding, mosques but in something that the majority of the British non-Muslim population consider to be very much part of the culture.

It seems that the Arabs, as well as citizens of other countries, are finding a new pastime to spend money on. Something that is seen by many as a religion, an interest that is strongly followed by a lot of the EDL, the BNP, something that unites all religions for banter and entertainment, as well as commitment. Like a religion, many Brits make a pilgrimage to follow it every week...football.

With the millions being spent in football, capitalism has had a somewhat back and forth affair with the beautiful game, especially in England. It has enabled us to catch up to the big European clubs, such AC Milan, funded by Italian Prime Minister and media mogul, Silvio Berlusconi.  It has also, however, put strain on smaller clubs such as Portsmouth.

With the current state of the economy, the big clubs themselves have suffered. Clubs such as Arsenal and Manchester United have been forced to restrain themselves during the transfer windows. Arsenal themselves have been unable to fund replacements for an injury plagued side, whilst Manchester United have been unable to replace key players such as Cristiano Ronaldo. The financial crisis has hit clubs hard despite the wealthy owners, such as Liverpool's American co-owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks, who themselves have had to restrict the amount a club with the history and reputation of Liverpool has slipped out of the top four.

Additionally, Manchester United and their respective fans are on bad terms, due to a controversial takeover by American businessman David Glazer. The fans have been proven to be correct as the Glazers seem unwilling to support the team with funds, as well as struggling to help sustain a club with the calibre of Manchester United.

Troubled times, then, for both elite English clubs, as well as the smaller ones. However, there is one beacon of hope... the Arab world. Fans of Liverpool, Arsenal and Man U should certainly welcome the benefit from the financial muscle of Arab businessman. In fact, it would be safe to say that many football fans, who may have associations, as well as sympathy with, the likes of the English Defence League or the BNP, are crying out for the very Arab's they claim to hate to invest in their club to make then bigger.

Take new high-fliers, Manchester City. Currently, Khaldoon Al Mubarak has worked wonders for Man City, bringing a class of footballer and quality usually associated with Barcelona. In fact, it was Mubarak’s millions that saved the illustrious club from being close to liquidation after the previous owner, Thaksin Shinawata, was found guilty of corruption. With the Arabs funding Manchester City, the mighty big-four looks to have been conquered.

Whilst cynics suggest that a club has stormed the league funded by money, and it's unfair on teams that have earned their way there without the cash flow of Manchester City, then we have to look at our Western ideals. This is capitalism.

The top four usually stay in the top four because they make money due to the Champions League, making them distance themselves from the rest anyway, be it through finances or building a bigger following. That in itself isn't fair, so for another club to get a cash injection the way Manchester City have to catch up with the big four, I think it certainly levels the playing field. Why should the big four runaway with it and create such a massive gap between the rest?

Mubarak has nothing to gain from managing Man City.  His only goal is to place a positive influence of the Arabs, as well as fulfil his interest in sport (as well as being the chairman of Manchester City, he was a key player in creating the beautiful Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix).

Khaldoon has often spoken of his commitment to both the academy, and to understanding the proud heritage of the club and its fans. As he says, “The fans are the heart and soul of this club, that's one of the most rewarding aspects of being involved with Manchester City.”

By doing this he has made the league far more interesting, and introduced a quality of football player that seems reluctant to come to England. Whilst the English Premier League was seen by many, including myself, as the best league in the world prior to the Arab businessmen taking over, the club has improved it further and has provided another prospect of sustainability for the league, especially considering that the majority of player purchases have been within the country, so the money is also being distributed largely to other English clubs. As a neutral, I'm all for it.

"Football's not a matter of life or death. It's much more important than that." Bill Shankley

Finally, it is a worthy statement to advise that the very people who claim to hate the Arabs, their culture and religion are benefiting, or would be willing to cry out for a wealthy Arab to fund the club they have faith in, worship week-in and week-out, travel the country, as well as the continent, to follow. This is the hypocrisy of the far-right fascists; on one hand, they will look to undermine and belittle the Arab world, on the other they will happily welcome the financing of the very tycoons they claim to hate. Indeed, with the variety of players in our beautiful league, there is no room for such racism or fascism. The false statement made by the EDL, that the mosques of the UK are being funded by Extremists, is untrue, because the Arabs are, in fact, funding something we all follow... Football.

Mel Brown:

A lot is said about English culture, and how it is being swept away by immigrants, so what exactly is "English culture"? You may think of starting your day by brushing your teeth, and having a nice cup of tea. Perhaps you will be going to the bank to get some cash out, or choosing between a curry, a kebab or a Chinese after an evening out. How about spending a nice Sunday afternoon watching the sport of kings, horse racing, followed by a tasty Sunday roast?

All the things mentioned above have been brought to us from other cultures, through invasion, immigration and, something we're really good at, infusion. Brushing teeth was brought to us from India. Tea was originally from Imperial China. Banks were adopted from Holland. The cash in the banks was brought by Roman invaders, who also gave us the Sunday roast. Horse racing originated in Asia, and it's fairly obvious where those late-night meals came from.

Even our patron saint, St George, appears to have been a multicultural marvel. His name was derived from the Greek name, Georgios, with his emblem, the St George cross, also originating in Greece. He is thought to have been born in Turkey, later moving to Palestine, before subsequently becoming a Roman soldier. The story of St George was brought back to England by soldiers returning from the crusades, since originally he was revered by eastern Christians.

We can add to the list of more recent arrivals the Notting Hill Carnival, eating al fresco, rock and roll (along with the jitterbug), major supermarket chains, such as Tesco and M&S, and, something some people find less welcome, the Americanisation of our language, with over 3,000 American words now found in the Oxford dictionary.

England has always been a country that embraces other cultures, and it is thanks to this that we have so many of the things we enjoy today. As a relatively small island, how else are we to grow and develop? Immigration should not be seen as a threat, but as an opportunity to learn and evolve. Without it, I wouldn't be here, since I am descended from recent Irish immigrants. The England I love is the one that has always welcomed people, whomever they are, wherever they're from; a place where people can be free from persecution and fear; a place where we have the freedom to practise our chosen religion, or lack thereof; a place where we treat others as we would wish to be treated ourselves; a place where we help those that need it. That's the England I love, and that's the England I'm proud of.

References:

Discovery Channel (2010), available from http://www.yourdiscovery.com/history/mongrel_nation/index.shtml accessed on 9 April 2010

BBC Religions, St George (2009), available from http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/saints/george_1.shtml accessed on 8 April 2010

United Tea Council, History of Tea (2010), available from http://www.tea.co.uk/history-of-tea accessed on 9 April 2010

Seiyaku.com, Greek Cross (date unknown), available from http://www.seiyaku.com/customs/crosses/greek.html accessed on 9 April 2010

Behind the Name, the Etymology and History of First Names (2010), available from http://www.behindthename.com accessd on 8 April 2010

Kate Robey:

At Christmas I got stuck at home. I was ill and my car had broken down, so I had to cancel my trip to see my family. Weeks before Christmas I had joined the 'Rage against the machine for No.1' Facebook group. I often went into the group to read what was going on. It seemed like a great community had formed, and it was always an amusing read. Just after Christmas somebody posted a link to  the 'No to the march by Islam4UK through Wootton Bassett'  group. There was a comment on it from someone who had taken a look, saying it seemed to have a lot of racist comments on it. Being a bit nosey, I went to take a look. It didn't take me long to see how much racism there was on the page, and it really did shock me to read some of the views.

 I'll be honest, I've never experienced racism really, only what I've read in the papers, from history classes, and books. I come from the South East originally, and although the area I come from is quite troubled, there was never really a racist element to it. 

Islam4UK was a relatively small group of Muslims (around 40 members), headed up by Anjem Choudry, and to me his views did not represent what I thought the Islamic faith was about. The type of comments I was reading were directed at all Muslims, and seemed to be ripping apart the Islam faith.  So after reading a few, I decided to dive in. I wanted to get the right information out, instead of reading so many misconceptions. I began posting to people that Islam4UK did not represent the Muslim community, and that it was a very small minority who shared their views. It felt like an endless task after a while. The group was being flooded with messages, and the administrators didn't seem to be doing a good enough job at moderating the site. I was commenting for literally hours and hours, and this went on for several days. I debated with many people, trying to put out the right message, instead of the twisted message that was trying to take over the page.

I've never felt so deeply ashamed of my country as I did in those first few days. I was embarrassed by the ignorance of some people, and I felt afraid from reading so much hatred from so many people. I felt so frustrated that there were so many people out there with such awful views towards people of the Islamic faith. After a few days a new group came up called 'Muslims against Islam4UK march through Wootton Bassett'. I went to have a look, and saw a few familiar names that I'd seen on the other march group. I hesitated at first before joining, as the title did say Muslims, but I really wanted to say that not all non-Muslims had this view of Islam, or Muslims. The welcome into the group was lovely, and within a couple of days I had been made an Administrator. In the early days of the group, it was a really good place to go, to talk to people with similar views, and to get away from some of the hate we were all seeing. The other March group had gained a lot of media attention, and had grown to over 700,000 members by that time, and the Admins were still not getting a grip on all the racist and Islamophobic posts. Slowly our group began to grow, and we decided to include 'Non-Muslims' in the title, because we wanted to show that people of all faiths were standing together against Islam4UK. 

More and more people joined our group, saying how good it was to find a group that opposed the march, but wasn't racist and Islamophobic to all Muslims. So many great discussions started to happen, between people from all faiths/backgrounds, each wanting to learn from each other. I found myself learning about the Islamic faith, and I was able to ask lots of questions, without feeling ignorant for asking. After the Islam4UK march had been called off, none of us wanted to disband the group. We had built a great online community, but obviously we needed a new focus. The name was changed to United Shades of Britain (Muslims and Non-Muslims who oppose Extremism), and we began to look at a wider range of topics. Whenever I look through the discussion board, the range of topics we have debated amazes me. 

Over the last three months we have grown an incredible amount.  I've found myself learning about so many different subjects, things that have confused me in the past, but not had the opportunity of asking questions about. What I've also found since joining this group is my voice. I've always kept up with what goes on in the world, I've always been interested in the political side of our country, and I've always wanted to be a part of something where I could say how I felt, and hopefully do some good. I've often felt so frustrated at the injustices there are in society, across the country, and the world. Part of that frustration was the inability to do anything about it. I'm not an expert on anything really, I'm not an academic either, but I do know right from wrong. I'm a bit of an idealist, because I do believe that people can get along with each other if they understand each other, or at least respect a person's view, even if it is not something you agree with.  So that's my reason for being here really. I'd like less hate and ignorance in the world, and more understanding and empathy, and I do believe that communication and education is the way to break down barriers that are put up in society.

Jabran Ali:

Hey guys.  Thanks for visiting the official website of the United Shades of Britain (Muslims and non-Muslims against extremism) Facebook group.

The United Shades of Britain Facebook group has over 13,000 members, so we thought it was about time we had a website to make our voices, and most importantly your voices, heard!

If you have not already joined our Facebook group, please do so.  We will be using this website to post articles and information relevant to the group.

For those not familiar with the group, the United Shades of Britain are opposed to extremism, intolerance and bigotry of all kinds, whether it is the xenophobic policies of the BNP, or the terrorism of Al-Qaeda. You do not have to be British to join, and we welcome people with alternative views (providing they stick to the rules of the group).

I hope you keep visiting this website regularly.  Over time we will be adding to it, and we hope it will be a popular and useful resource.

Do not fear, we have not abandoned the Facebook group! This website is just an additional resource that we hope will promote the views of the group to a wider audience.  Ultimately, this is your website, so send us your suggestions and comments in the group.

Ching Norris:

The Arabic word ‘hijab’ holds a variety of similar meanings: to cover, conceal, hide, screen, and shelter. Among Muslims, ‘hijab’ commonly refers to a woman’s headscarf, however in broader terms it refers to a full system of modesty that also applies to Muslim men.

As a Muslim woman who wears the hijab, I do it purely for myself and for God. I do not do it as any type of political or hostile statement, and I view the hijab as something honourable. Although not all Muslim women cover their hair, we all agree that modesty is an important part of being a Muslim. Those of us that do wear it justify our decision by the following two verses in the Qur’an:

"And say to the believing women to lower their gazes, and to guard their private parts, and not to display their beauty except what is apparent of it, and to extend their head coverings to cover their bosoms, and not to display their beauty except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband's fathers, or their sons, or their husband's sons, or their brothers, or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their womenfolk, or what their right hands rule, or the followers from the men who do not feel sexual desire, or the small children to whom the nakedness of women is not apparent..." (surah an nur: 31)

"O Prophet! Say to your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their outer garments close around themselves; that is better that they will be recognized and not annoyed. And God is ever Forgiving, Gentle." (surah al-ahzab: 59)

Perhaps the most common misconception regarding the hijab is that Muslim women do not freely chose to wear it and are forced into doing so by the men in their family. Undoubtedly that can happen, but in the U.K those cases are in the minority, and the majority of Muslim women who cover do so out of our own free will. In fact, if any man forced a religious command on other person they would be going against what our religion tells us, namely that there is to be “no compulsion in religion” (surah al-baqarah:256).

In Islam the hijab is not a symbol of oppression nor a sign of a woman’s subservience to men, but is something liberating, dignifying and honourable. To wear the hijab and to identify yourself as a Muslim is not an easy thing to do in these times - you have to put up with constant stares, the racist remarks, the abuse, the feeling that all eyes are on you as you step onto the Underground (look around and they usually are!). To stand out is something that takes courage. Despite what some people like to suggest, the hijab doesn’t stop us from interacting with others, or from being active members of our society, able to contribute as much as anybody else. Like a lot of women all over the world, regardless of religion, we take the view that our bodies are our own, and are not public property. In covering our bodies we can be assured that we are being valued for who we are, for what we say, and what we stand for rather than being judged on our beauty (or lack of).

The hijab is not only a protection and an honour for women but it is also a gift to society. When we cover, we are saving our beauty for ourselves, our friends and families, for those who already value us. We live in a time when both men and women will beautify themselves to go out in public only to come home and lounge around in more ‘comfortable’ clothing with their families. People are going out and being surrounded by a beauty that they don’t even have in their own home, whereas as women who cover reverse that trend and choose to keep that precious, valued and intimate part of ourselves private.

When I first became Muslim it took some time before I felt confident enough to go outside wearing the hijab. Whilst incredibly liberating it was sad to see how people’s behaviour changed as if I had suddenly became a different person overnight. As women who wear the hijab, we find ourselves questioning whether people are rude to us because they hold some kind of prejudice, or whether it is just because they have no manners towards anyone. We have to make a point of the fact that we do speak English and can understand what people are saying to us, and about us. We daren’t ever look sad or upset in case people make assumptions about some supposed unhappy and oppressed lifestyle we lead.

It is interesting to look at the mixture of reactions such a simple act of putting a piece of cloth on your head arouses: looks of anger, intrigue, pity, surprise, hostility, contempt, suspicion. What people seem to forget is that it takes a lot of courage to put up with that on a daily basis, it is something that you have to be strong to do but it is not something we are ever given any credit for.

For those people who seem to be set on “liberating” Muslim women, they should realise that we do not need liberating from the hijab and we do not need liberating from modesty. If anything we need liberating from the prejudice and hatred of others, and in that way we are just like every other human being around the world.

Mary Connelly:

On Friday 2nd April, I was preparing to make my way to Church for Good Friday service. The service is the most solemn in the Christian church – when we walk with Christ to Calvary and witness his execution. It is a day of mourning, and as I was getting ready, I realised that this Friday, I wasn’t dressed properly for the occasion.

The dress for Good Friday is as that for any funeral and, while I have the smart black clothes, I realised on Holy Wednesday evening that I have nothing with which to cover my hair.

Many people don’t realise, if they haven’t attended a Catholic Mass, that covering your hair, if you are a woman, is a very strong tradition. Many of you reading this will think of nuns’ habits – those, often elderly, ladies wearing their grey, blue or black headscarves, which cover their hair and forehead. Less will think of the mantilla, the headscarf worn by Catholic women to Mass as a sign of modesty and piety. Made of lace, the veil covers the head and shoulders of the woman wearing it, and they’re often quite beautiful. I am not a very strict Catholic, and have never worn one, but I know and have seen many women who do. Nevertheless, without something for my head on Friday, I felt like I hadn’t really made the effort.

When we talk about religious dress, especially with regards to women and their hair, more often than not we think of Muslim women and their own types of veil. Are they subjugated? Why would a woman want to wear that? But they are not the only ones. Good Friday is the only day I wear a veil, and only in church, but there are some Christian women who wear some kind of head covering all the time. Women in some Baptist Churches dress ‘modestly’ all the time – long skirts, long sleeves and a small, triangular scarf on their head. Are they oppressed? I’ve never asked, but they seem happy enough. Nuns and monks wear unusual clothes, ones that are not worn by the rest of us, every day. They have to for their faith and, effectively, for their job. But most of us wouldn’t consider them to be victims of their orders.

Piety, faith, dress, they are all individual things. If a woman can be forced to wear a veil, by extension anyone can be forced to wear anything by their parents, spouse or community. If someone told me, on Friday, that I could not wear a chapel veil, of another type of head covering - would it not be them who was oppressing me?

These are questions that are worth asking – if we want to ‘liberate’ Muslim women from their hijabs, should we not also be liberating people from religious orders? Should we not be liberating me? Or perhaps we should liberate ourselves from prejudice and from fear- and allow these women to wear what they feel they should.

Jane McCallion:

A bright, sunny summer day.  By the end of the day, seven people will be dead and 500 injured in a terrorist attack.  Almost nine months to the day later, at rush hour, a similar attack on the underground system injures over 5,500 people. Of those 5,500, 12 died, 1,077 were seriously injured and 47 were left permanently disabled.  60% of the remaining 4364 were left with milder vision problems and post traumatic stress disorder. This was the worst disaster to hit the country since World War II, carried out by religious fanatics trying to remove the government and install themselves as rulers.

I am, of course, talking about the sarin gas attacks on the Tokyo Metro, perpetrated by the Aum Shinrikyo cult in Japan, an internationally recognised terrorist organisation that worships its leader, Shoko Asahara.

With fewer injuries but more deaths, a bombing in 1998 killed 29 and injured over 300.  Carried out by a terrorist group that pursued a complete change in governance, amongst the dead was a woman pregnant with twins.  This is the Omagh bombing, carried out by the Real IRA.

What is the point of illustrating these attacks?

Attacks by Al-Qaeda and other extremist Muslim groups stick in our mind for two reasons – because they’re recent, and because they are spectacular.  If you think of the 9/11 attacks, it’s not the rubble that was left at the end you think of – it’s the bright red flames of the kerosene exploding against a clear blue sky.  You probably don’t even think about the missing side of the Pentagon.  Thinking about the July 7th bombings in London, the image is the eviscerated red bus, its roof gone and insides exposed.  Other attacks have left behind grey and brown rubble, if they leave anything at all.  These two attacks leave vivid, emotional images that will stay with us for decades –and that is exactly what the perpetrators want.

Terrorism isn’t called terrorism for nothing.  The attacks are comparatively small scale, but the impact is lasting, breeding suspicion and fear.  If you wonder if that guy wearing a kamize is planning your demise, if you fear to take public transport, if you worry about the future of your country, they are winning.  There have been Muslims living in this country since the 13th century, and the history of Islam in Europe goes back even further.  Through a couple of isolated, photogenic attacks, this brand of terrorist has convinced us that they are a real threat to our way of life.  We forget groups that have been carrying out attacks for decades, like ETA, the Continuity IRA or the Orange Volunteers – all of which are still active.

‘Divide and rule’ is an old maxim, but it still holds true.  Suspicion divides us, and terror rules us, until we tear ourselves apart, but only if we let it. Standing united, whomever we are, is the only way to defeat terror and save ourselves.