Category Archives: Resisting Islamophobia

Britain First ‘invasion’ FAIL

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Britain First 'invades' ELMBritain First, the fringe far-right, Muslim-hating group, made a second visit to the East London Mosque today (apparently an “invasion” which involved four people).

They left pretty quickly, after a local Community Support Officer spotted their car on zig-zag traffic lines, and run a red light as they made their “getaway”.

Britain First’s previous visit, as part of their misnamed ‘Christian Patrol’, showed them bravely swigging lager and unfurling a banner on the street outside … before again running off quickly.

Of course, members of the public are welcome to attend the mosque and, with a booking, take a tour of the facilities (perhaps Britain First had trouble writing down the number).

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Bishop refuses to take action over vicar’s ‘creeping Islamisation’ article, says he ‘would not wish to discourage’ such views

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Last week Canon Eric Woods, the Vicar of Sherborne in Dorset, published an article in the Western Gazette opposing “the invasion of halal meat”, which he claimed was part of “the creeping Islamisation of our country”. Unsurprisingly, Woods’ article has been enthusiastically welcomed by far-right Islamophobes and fascists.

I wrote to the Bishop of Salisbury, the Right Reverend Nicholas Holtam, to complain about Woods’ shocking outburst of anti-Muslim bigotry.

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Scottish Government criticised as Show Racism the Red Card’s funding reduced by two-thirds

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Islamophobia FilmThe Scottish Government has been accused of complacency about racism after cutting the funding of the national charity working to tackle racial intolerance and hate crime.

Show Racism the Red Card has warned it will have to drastically cut its activities in Scotland this year after its grant was slashed by more than two-thirds in three years.

But campaigners say anti-racism education is more vital than ever, with tensions raised as parties such as Britain First, an offshoot of the BNP, campaign ahead of the European elections. The far-right group, founded by Scot Jim Dowson, recently sent members into mosques in Scotland as part of a self-styled “Christian crusade” against Islam.

Show Racism the Red Card, the only national charity with a focus on anti-racism, received government funding of £70,000 for this work in 2012-13. Last year, it was cut to £40,000 and for 2014-15 the funding will be £20,000.

Vicki Burns, campaign manager at Show Racism the Red Card Scotland, said the cash was essential for maintaining core services, such as running the office.

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Nick Griffin visits Bolton to protest against plans for Farnworth mosque

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Nick Griffin Farnworth mosque protestNick Griffin and members of the British National Party held a controversial protest in Victoria Square against plans to build a new mosque in Farnworth.

About 20 supporters of the far-right nationalist party protested on Saturday afternoon, against Bolton planning committee’s decision on May 1 to allow the Sugrha Mosque in Granville Street to be knocked down to make way for a new one.

Some Bolton residents who walked past the protesters opposed their view and backed the committee’s decision. And Bolton Council bosses insisted the application went through exactly the same process as any other.

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EDL march through Newcastle meets anti-fascist counter-protest

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Newcastle Unites banner May 2014Up to 400 English Defence League supporters joined forces yesterday to march through Newcastle.

The event started at 1pm in the Bigg Market, snaked along Collingwood Street, on to Westgate Road, along St James’ Boulevard, on to Barrack Road and into Leazes Park. The procession was led to the beating of a drum and chants by its members. Supporters draped in Union Jacks and St George’s flags where hemmed in by lines of police.

The far-right group landed at Leazes Park to the sounds of a DJ in the sweltering heat. And from the bandstand they listened to a string of speakers.

Police wearing high visibility jackets flanked the crowds and in the park they carried riot helmets in case of any trouble.

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IUMS to issue fatwa against UK over Muslim Brotherhood inquiry

Posted on by Bob Pitt

International Union for Muslim Scholars

Sources from the International Union of Muslim Scholars have stated that over 50 of its senior members from various countries are preparing to issue a fatwa against Britain in the event that the government takes measures against the Muslim Brotherhood. A committee appointed by Prime Minister David Cameron has been tasked to investigate the movement.

The sources also told Asrararabiya that the fatwa will call for the boycott of British goods and services as well as urging Arab tourists not to travel to Britain. If the report issued by the committee is negative, they said, the fatwa will consider it to be “a declaration of war against the Islamic communities and organisations in Britain and Europe and will fuel discrimination against Muslims worldwide.”

Those preparing the fatwa hope that thousands of their fellow Islamic scholars from all over the world, including the West, will sign it, allowing the legal opinion to reach a larger group of Muslims.

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Police plan to stop English Defence League march through Newcastle’s West End

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Newcastle Unites Against the EDLPolice plan to stop the English Defence League marching through Newcastle’s West End tomorrow.

Northumbria Police’s Chief Constable Sue Sim has asked the far-right group to alter the route for its demo believing it would cause distress to residents. However, The EDL has refused to compromise with the force.

Chief Cons Sim said: “Northumbria Police has been speaking to organisers from the English Defence League for a number of weeks following their announcement that they want to hold a march in Newcastle on Saturday, May 17.

“The EDL expressed an intention to march in the West End of the city through a highly populated, residential area. We have made our position clear that we do not support this as the impact on the local community is too great. It poses a risk to public safety, will cause people fear in their own homes and create significant disruption as people try to go about their daily lives.

“Northumbria Police has always tried to facilitate peaceful protest and has worked with the EDL in the past to agree suitable routes for them to march and protest. We also regularly work with other groups with a range of opposing views to agree routes for marches and protest locations.

“Regrettably, this time EDL organisers have not been prepared to compromise on an alternative route, although we would remind them we are still prepared to discuss alternatives.

“Those planning to attend should be aware there has been no agreement with police with regards to meeting points or route locations.”

Protest group Newcastle Unites has also spoken to police about marching through the West End tomorrow. After discussions, the route of this demonstration was altered.

It is understood officers will not allow the EDL marchers to enter the West End.

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SDL members to lay wreath for Lee Rigby

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Edinburgh anti-SDL protestMembers of the far-right Scottish Defence League are planning a wreath-laying ceremony in memory of murdered soldier Lee Rigby in the centre of Edinburgh tomorrow.

Up to 100 SDL activists are expected to take part in the lunchtime event outside the Scottish Government building in Regent Road, marking the first anniversary of the brutal killing near the Royal Artillery Barracks in London. Two men are serving life sentences for hacking Drummer Rigby to death.

But campaign group Unite Against Fascism has accused the SDL of using Lee Rigby’s murder to promote a message of hate and spread racism. And it is organising a counter-demonstration in nearby Waterloo Place. from 12.30pm.

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‘Trojan Horse’ takeover plot by Muslims rubbish says Trust

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Park View School

The Trust which runs a Birmingham school at the centre of allegations of a “Trojan Horse” takeover plot by hardline Muslims has issued a statement rubbishing the claims.

The Park View Educational Trust, which runs three schools in Birmingham, said the political storm surrounding the alleged plot had created a “heightened climate” for false allegations to be repeated.

In its nine-page statement, the Trust claimed the “Trojan Horse” document outlining the allegations had created a backdrop “for the settling of political scores” that have nothing to do with its schools and students.

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