Category Archives: Resisting Islamophobia

Luton Muslim school demands Ofsted re-inspection over ‘extremism’ claims

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Olive Tree Primary SchoolA Muslim school says it will seek legal action unless a new Ofsted inspection is carried out, after saying it was depicted it as a “hotbed of extremism”.

The Olive Tree Primary School in Luton said it was criticised for promoting fundamentalist Islamic beliefs. It added that inspectors also asked children inappropriate questions about homosexuality and terrorism.

Ofsted has declined to comment on the draft report, which it says was given to the school “in confidence”.

The independent school said it was rated “inadequate” by the educated watchdog after it carried out an emergency inspection, triggered by its headteacher expressing views about Islam and homosexuality on local radio. Inspectors subsequently withdrew from the school on the second day following complaints about their questions on homosexuality, but the body said it had already gained “sufficient evidence” to form a report.

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Cameron urged to reconsider ‘review’ of Muslim Brotherhood

Posted on by Bob Pitt

The following full-page advertisement appeared in yesterday’s Guardian:

Open Letter: British Prime Minister’s inquiry into the Muslim Brotherhood in the UK

We, the undersigned, express our deep concern at the Prime Minister’s recent decision to order a “review”, looking into the Muslim Brotherhood’s activities in Britain and abroad. We believe that the process and terms of the review represents a risk to British liberties and could further erode human rights standards.

We are concerned that this review is the result of pressure placed on the British government by undemocratic regimes abroad, such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. It is not acceptable that any autocracy attempts to limit the lawful activities of any group in a democracy. The Prime Minister risks setting a dangerous precedent.

The review, to be conducted by the British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, comes at a time when the Muslim Brotherhood, victors in Egypt’s only free election to date, is being subject to the most ferocious repression by the military regime. With hundreds of Egyptians killed, over 1000 sentenced to death in farcical “trials” and tens of thousands languishing in prisons, the British government remains largely silent.

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Row after Robinson backs ‘Islam’ sermon

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Peter RobinsonFirst Minister Peter Robinson has defended the evangelical pastor who is at the centre of a police investigation into a sermon which has been accused of amounting to a hate crime against Muslims.

Pastor James McConnell sparked controversy when he likened “cells” of Muslims in Britain to the IRA and told his congregation that Islam was a “heathen” doctrine which had been “spawned in hell”. The preacher, from the Whitewell Metropolitan Tabernacle on the Shore Road in north Belfast, has already told UTV that he stands by his comments and has rebuffed calls for an apology.

Representatives of the Muslim community in Northern Ireland have expressed shock.

But, in an interview with the Irish News, DUP leader Peter Robinson said it was “the duty of any Christian preacher to denounce false doctrine”. The politician, who attends the church in question, added: “He’s perfectly entitled to do that – it’s an appropriate thing for a minister to do.”

Mr Robinson said he did not trust Muslims who were involved in “terrorist activities” or those “fully devoted to Sharia law”. According to the First Minister, not trusting someone does not amount to hate crime, using an example of the media not trusting politicians.

In a later interview with UTV, Mr Robinson said he stood by the comments and that his interview had been taken out of context. He said: “Of course there are people out there who are up to mischief and want to sensationalise what was said. The reality of course is that many Muslims in Northern Ireland have made a very significant contribution to life in Northern Ireland. But would I trust them for spiritual advice? No, I wouldn’t and that’s a matter of fact.”

When asked about those Muslims who have said they feel aggrieved by the First Minister’s comments, Peter Robinson added: “The people who will be offended would be those who are Muslim terrorists, those who carry out Sharia law, and those who want to offer me spiritual advice. Those are the only people who I referred to.”

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Three-week public inquiry into West Ham ‘mega-mosque’ to launch

Posted on by Bob Pitt

NRAP Riverine Centre designA public inquiry into Newham Council’s rejection of plans for a mega-mosque in West Ham will open at the ExCeL exhibition centre.

The inquiry into the controversial mega-mosque at the Abbey Mills site is expected to last three weeks and is due to start on June 3. It will give Communities Secretary Eric Pickles the final say on plans by Anjuman-E-Islahul-Muslimeen Trust to develop what has been described as a mega-mosque at the Abbey Mills Riverine Centre, situated at the end of Canning Road.

Newham councillors voted unanimously to reject plans for a 9,000 capacity building for Muslim worshippers in December 2012. The Riverine Trust appealed against the decision which will now be examined in the public inquiry of the Planning Inspectorate.

A recommendation by the Planning Inspectorate will be followed by a decision by Mr Pickles.

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Second Dudley mosque appeal allowed amid political motivation allegations

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Dudley Muslim Association (DMA) can once again take its case to the Court of Appeal after a decision by one of the country’s most senior judges.

Dudley Council launched a legal bid to reclaim land, in Hall Street, which had been earmarked for the site of a new multi-million pound mosque. The DMA had lost its initial appeal after its defence against the move was struck out at a hearing earlier this year at London’s High Court. But now the association has been granted the chance to mount a second appeal after Judge Sir Stephen Sedley ruled there is an ‘arguable’ case that Dudley Council may have committed an ‘abuse of power’ over its dealings with the association.

The case will be heard by a panel of three judges at the Court of Appeal in London at a date to be confirmed later this year. If the appeal is successful, the matter will then go to trial.

In a ruling in February, High Court Deputy Judge David Halpern QC upheld the decision to throw out plans for the new mosque. He said while the association may have been able to resist the council’s claim, it had failed to serve a ‘credible’ defence during the proceedings. But at court last week, Sir Stephen Sedley disagreed, finding the association had successfully pleaded in its defence that there was a so-called ‘legitimate expectation’ that the council would extend a deadline for the development.

Speaking in court last week, Sir Stephen Sedley said: “The association missed the deadline for completion of the mosque because the MBC [Dudley Council], which had set the deadline, had in practice made it untenable by a succession of steps it took in relation to planning consent.”

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Presbyterian moderator slams Pastor’s Islam comments

Posted on by Bob Pitt

The moderator of the Presbyterian Church has criticised remarks made by Pastor James McConnell who described Islam as “heathen” and “satanic” in a sermon. Pastor McConnell, of north Belfast’s Whitewell Metropolitan Tabernacle Church, made the comments last Sunday.

Speaking yesterday on Sunday Sequence this week, Rev Dr Rob Craig said the comments were unacceptable. “They are not consistent with the Gospel of Christ and the love of God,” he said. “I would be deeply offended if someone were to brand either all Presbyterians or all Christians with some extreme act by someone who claimed to do it in the name of Christ. I want to treat my neighbour as I would want to be treated myself.”

Police have said they are investigating Pastor McConnell’s comments. He told his congregation “a new evil had arisen” and “there are cells of Muslims right throughout Britain”.

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Iceland: Progressive Party in hot water over anti-mosque comments

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Sveinbjörg Birna SveinbjörnsdóttirSveinbjörg Birna Sveinbjörnsdóttir, first on the Progressive Party’s list in Reykjavík for Saturday’s municipal elections, voiced her opposition to the proposed mosque in Reykjavík on Friday. Reykjavík City Council has already allocated a lot for the mosque and construction is set to begin this year.

Sveinbjörg told visir.is that her opinion was not based on prejudice but on experience, having lived in Saudi Arabia for one year. She said that it was important for people to abide by the customs in a country in which they move to.

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