Hijab headscarves were torn off two Muslim women during one of a spate of racist attacks in Edinburgh by children as young as eight, police said yesterday.
The women, in their early 20s, are said to have been “traumatised” by the incident which happened last week, in which two children hurled racial abuse at them before ripping off the hijabs. The culprits are believed to be aged eight and 14.
A rally is being staged in Dumfries to protest at a planned anti-Muslim demonstration by a far right group. The Scottish Defence League’s visit on May 18 is set to be countered by a march through the town staged by Dumfries TUC.
Secretary John Dennis said: “The Scottish Defence League (SDL) have a Facebook page called ‘Casuals United’, which is monitored by Unite Against Fascism. They alerted us to the fact the SDL have got four different places where they’re having anti-Muslim demonstrations. One of them’s in Dumfries.”
Mr Dennis says that the SDL visit was prompted by a planning application made on behalf of Dumfries Islamic Society for a mosque on Annan Road to allow visiting imams to stay overnight. He believes that the SDL will assemble for a static protest.
A priest who has allowed Muslims to pray in his church has been hit by a barrage of abuse by internet “trolls”.
St John’s Episcopal Church in Aberdeen became the first church in the UK to share their building with Muslims after Rev Isaac Poobalan saw members of a neighbouring mosque praying outside in the snow because of a lack of space.
Hundred of Muslims now pray in the church’s main hall and chapel every week, but the news has not been well received by some Christians, who have taken to the church’s Facebook page to blast the decision.
Unite Against Fascism Scotland Conference Sat 23 March 2013
Stopping the rise of fascism and racism
Celebrate Multiculturalism, Challenge Islamophobia
11.30 – 4.30pm
Unison Glasgow City Branch
84 Bell Street,
G1 Glasgow,
United Kingdom
For more information contact: uafscotland@gmail.com
A Scottish reverend has invited Muslims to pray alongside Christians in an Aberdeen church because the nearby mosque is so small that some worshippers were forced to pray outside.
The rector of St John’s church, Rev Isaac Poobalan, has made parts of the building available to the congregation of the mosque. Up to 100 Muslims now pray in the main chapel five times every Friday.
Islamophobia Awareness Conference: Edinburgh 2013
Muslim Bashing … so wrong … so stop it now!
Saturday 16th March 2pm to 5pm
Augustine United Church, 41 George 4th Bridge, EH1 1EL
Speakers:
Inayat Bunglawala: Muslim writer (inayatscorner.wordpress.com)
Yvonne Ridley: Journalist and war correspondent
Eddie Truman: Co-founder of Islamophobia Watch
Craig Murray: Former UK Ambassador to Uzbekistan
Margaret Woods from Unite Against Fascism
Organised by Edinburgh Stop the War, Radio Ramadan, Muslim Women’s Association of Edinburgh, SACC, Unite Against Fascism
Stalls and food at the event
No charge for entry but donations to cover costs welcome
The Scottish Sun exposes the Nazi connections of leading SDL supporter Paul Newlands.
Five people were arrested amid clashes and disorder as an anti-Islamic group and its opponent marched through a border town.
Potential troublemakers were also escorted from the scene and potential racist language reported as the Scottish Defence League (SDL) and United Against Fascism (UAF) both staged marches in Berwick on Saturday.
Northumbria Police has said appropriate action will be taken where offences have been committed.
The UAF group has hailed the day a victory for the people of Berwick in their stand against fascism.
The newly-formed Berwick Unite Against Fascism group has been drumming up support ahead of a demo this weekend. The group, which came together in response to Scottish Defence League plans to march in the town this weekend, pledges to bring all platforms and all colours together to show that the town is united against fascism.
A spokesman for Berwick UAF said: “We had a very good day in Berwick on Saturday and garnered a lot of local support for opposition to the proposed SDL march in Berwick next Saturday. We distributed hundreds of leaflets explaining the situation and the reasons for opposing the SDL. The demonstration is open to all who oppose the SDL and other racist groups who threaten our town.”
Community groups from both sides of the border are preparing to unite in the face of provocation from a right-wing pressure group.
Bodies including the transport union RMT, the Berwick upon Tweed and District Trades Union Council and Unite Against Fascism have banded together to form the Berwick & Borders Anti Fascist Alliance.
The move comes ahead of a protest by the Scottish Defence League (Borders Division) scheduled to take place in Berwick on Saturday, February 16.