Belfast woman exposed as EDL-supporting racist

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Margaret BrophyA former North Belfast Catholic schoolgirl who travels to England to take part in mass anti-Muslim marches organised by the extreme right wing group the English Defence League (EDL) has been exposed by her former fiancé.

Margaret Brophy, who attended Little Flower Girls’ school and who lives in the Cliftonville area, regularly travels to England to take part in the often hate-filled marches and has even been pictured stewarding an event in Bristol.

A Facebook profile under the name Margaret Boomer Brophy has also come under the attention of a number of websites aimed at identifying members of the anti-Muslim group. Vile racist ‘jokes’ posted on Brophy’s Facebook refer to Islam as Pisslam with the rest of the content being too offensive to reprint.

On some of the sites, the 49-year-old mother and carer is branded as the “Irish Angel” – Angels being the name of the women’s wing of the group – and numerous racist posts and insults made under her name are shown.

Her former fiancé David Ewing said he wanted to highlight his ex-partner’s involvement with the group to the unsuspecting North Belfast community where she lives and works.

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Harrods shoppers ‘are buying into terror’ (it says here)

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Exterior of the Harrods department store in the Knightsbridge area of London.. Image shot 2007. Exact date unknown.Customers of Harrods are being urged to boycott the department store in a symbolic protest against its Qatari owners.

Qatar, which bought Harrods in 2010, has been accused of either directly funding terrorist groups or turning a blind eye to financiers operating out of the Gulf state.

It is now facing a backlash from protesters sickened by the executions of Western hostages in Syria and the violence wreaked on the region by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Isil), al-Qaeda and other offshoot terror groups.

Harrods was sold by Mohamed Al Fayed, its previous owner, to Qatar Holdings, part of the Qatar Investment Authority, the state’s sovereign wealth fund, in May 2010 for a reported £1.5 billion. The sale was concluded by Qatar’s then prime minister Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber al Thani, who was also chief executive of the wealth fund.

Under his rule, Qatar also owns or co-owns a number of other landmarks including the Shard, Europe’s tallest skyscraper, as well as large stakes in some major UK businesses.

Now Harrods is facing a boycott as a consequence of criticism of Qatar’s links to Islamist terrorists.

Mark Lewis, the solicitor who represented the family of Milly Dowler among others in the News of the World phone hacking scandal, is leading calls for a boycott. Mr Lewis said: “We can stand back and do nothing, but when we do, we are paying for that terror … People need to know where their money is going.”

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Bishop of Tewkesbury visits Barton’s Jama Al-Karim Mosque in educational visit

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Rt. Rvd Martyn Snow and Councillor Said HansdotFaiths and cultures came together at Barton’s Jama Al-Karim Mosque today during an educational visit by the Bishop of Tewkesbury.

Rt. Revd. Martyn Snow was joined by a group of Christians from Gloucester for a guided tour of the mosque in All Saints Road and to hear educational talks.

Visitors learned how Muslims pray, about the teachings of Islam and what the mosque has done for the Gloucester community over the years. The purpose of the visit was to educate the community about the Islamic faith, to meet neighbours and to foster a greater religious and cultural understanding between different groups.

Rt. Revd. Snow, who is currently the acting Bishop of Gloucester, said: “This visit was held to try to learn from each other and show that Christians and Muslims can live in peace. It’s all about growing an understanding of each other’s faiths so we are more able to live together and work together. We hoped to bring as many people along as possible to learn as much as we can about a different culture.”

Said Hansdot, city councillor for Barton and Tredworth who attended the event today, said: “Education about other’s cultures is very important if we all want to live in harmony. Events like this help because not everyone visiting here today has been to a mosque before. Hopefully it will be an eye-opener for them.”

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Unimpressive turnout for EDL protest in Birmingham

Posted on by Bob Pitt

EDL Birmingham 2014 (2)

In contrast to last year’s violent scenes, yesterday’s English Defence League protest in Birmingham passed off relatively peacefully, with only ten arrests. Although 750 demonstrators were expected, and some EDL sources had been predicting as many as 3000, the Birmingham Mail‘s reporter estimated attendance at “not more than 500”. Some 300 anti-racists joined a counter-protest organised by Unite Against Fascism.

Given the lack of an immediate issue over which to whip up the anger of EDL supporters – the publicity for yesterday’s event featured an extended shopping list of Islam-related grievances – it is not surprising that the protest failed to mobilise larger numbers. However, for a demonstration whose ambitious objective was to “give heart to millions who are intimidated by political correctness”, this was hardly an impressive show.

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Muslim school protesters march through Portsmouth

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Portsmouth anti-Muslim protestorsProtesters angry at a planned Muslim school marched through Portsmouth this afternoon.

Around 20 people including members of the English Defence League (EDL) gathered at Lake Road, where the Madani Academy is to be based.

Shortly after midday they set off to march through Fratton Road, Victoria Road South and Albert Road, returning to Lake Road before the march finishes at Guildhall Square.

There was a big police presence in the area as the march began, with around 30 counter-protesters also present at Lake Road.

Some of the marchers wore balaclavas and several were carrying English flags, some with messages such as EDL: NO Surrender written on them.

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San Diego mosque reports threatening letter

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Islamic Center San DiegoSAN DIEGO — A local Muslim civil rights group said a threatening letter was received by a San Diego-area mosque this week and has asked the FBI to investigate.

The letter, which came through the U.S. mail on Wednesday, was opened and included threatening language, said Hanif Mohebi, executive director of the San Diego chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. He said the envelope also had a little plastic bag containing an unknown substance attached to the back of it.

Mohebi said the letter referred to a “death sentence” and also made references to Los Angeles, Oakland and San Francisco. He said the letter has been turned over to San Diego police.

FBI spokesman Darrell Foxworth said the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office is investigating the threat and contents of the letter. Authorities determined Friday the substance is not harmful and poses no threat to public safety.

Mohebi declined to disclose the exact contents of the letter, but said he has asked mosques and other religious centers in other cities to report if they receive similar threats. “Really our aim is to make sure that people are safe and secure,” he said.

In a Facebook post, Mohebi blamed the letter on the “rising level of anti-Muslim sentiment in our society that goes largely unchallenged.”

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Birmingham teacher suspended over Facebook comments mocking UKIP

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Jonathan Parker and Facebook commentsA school teacher has been suspended over allegations he posted ‘racist’ messages on Facebook about Muslims.

Sports instructor Jonathan Parker was sent home from Washwood Heath Academy in Birmingham after an investigation was launched.

It is alleged the teacher wrote messages on social media including one that read, “Muslims cause paedophilia”, and another which said, “Sainsbury have run out of pork chops. I blame the Muslims. Vote UKIP.”

Washwood Heath, one of 21 school at the heart of the Trojan Horse enquiry over claims Muslim hardliners had infiltrated some Birmingham schools, suspended Mr Parker. It is understood he claims the private posts were not genuinely held beliefs and were mockingly racist in tone and aimed at UKIP, the Birmingham Mail reported.

Senior bosses took immediate action after the messages were brought to their attention by concerned pupils attending the 1,400-pupil school which caters for predominantly Muslim children.

Other messages said: “Bloody tax dodging immigrants. If they paid their own way we’d have more money for health, education, public services and pensions. Right I’m off for a STARBUCKS. Vote UKIP.” Another read: “Halal meat used in curry houses up and down the country! Hands off our national dish! Vote UKIP.”

Mr Parker is a middle achievement leader at the privately-run academy having worked there for approximately five years, and one pupil said: “He’s always been a nice teacher. It’s a big shock to us all. Some pupils are very angry.”

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Posted in UK

Birmingham EDL trial: Police came under sustained attack, court told

Posted on by Bob Pitt

EDL Birmingham smoke bombA senior West Midlands officer has told a jury how he was forced to give orders for helmets, shields and batons to be deployed to officers who tried to protect the public while patrolling an EDL demonstration in Birmingham.

Giving evidence at the trial of four EDL supporters accused of violent disorder, Inspector Andrew Bridgewater said that police cordons came under a “sustained attack” from supporters of the far right group during their rally on July 20 last year.

Insp Bridgewater told Birmingham Crown Court that officers had initially attended the demonstration wearing Code Two clothing – normal patrol wear. But orders for more protection were given as many of the 2,000 demonstrators turned on officers and threw missiles at the Library of Birmingham, which was still being built at the time.

“They seemed to focus both on the cordon of police and the hoarding surrounding the library,” he said. “A number of officers there were assaulted. Officers were kicked at, missiles were thrown, beer cans, bottles, bricks. It was at that point I issued orders to get changed into Code One equipment because I have a duty of care to my officers. Those officers were coming under a sustained attack from missiles.”

The line under attack stretched across Broad Street near the former municipal bank. It was intended to stop the EDL and counter protesters Unite Against Fascism from clashing. Insp Bridgewater continued: “Officers were given clear instruction to keep a sterile area, they would have been using verbal commands and force to keep that area clear, preserve the Queen’s peace and keep the groups apart to prevent a large public disorder.”

As officers came under further attack, he said the order was given for batons, and said: “A show of force can be effective in certain circumstances. I’ve seen it work well when 25 people get their batons out.” But asked by prosecutor David Bennett if the action had any effect on the disorder, Insp Bridgewater said: “Absolutely none.” He added police dogs were also deployed within the library building site when hoardings were pulled down.

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Dozens of anti-Muslim attacks as Islamic leaders warn of community fear

Posted on by Bob Pitt

There have been at least 30 attacks on Muslims – mainly against women wearing the hijab – in the three weeks since the police anti-terror raids and threats by Islamic State put relations between the Islamic community and mainstream Australia on edge.

Muslim community leaders are compiling a register of religiously motivated incidents, which includes reports of physical and verbal assaults, threats of violence against senior clerics and damage to mosques.

They claim “mistrust” with police had led to the real rate of anti-Islamic episodes going unreported and the threat of segregation for women wearing the niqab into Parliament had licensed a new wave of people willing to vent against Muslim women in public in recent days. Muslim groups have begun arranging escorts for women to go shopping.

While national security agencies have been boosted with almost $650 million in new funding, Muslim leaders are critical of the level of police resources put into stopping hate crimes at street level.

Among recorded incidents, a woman was threatened with having her hijab torn from her head and set alight, a cup of coffee was thrown through the car window of a woman driving in a hijab, and a pig’s head and cross were thrown into the grounds of a Brisbane mosque.

A mother in western Sydney was spat on and had the pram carrying her baby kicked, according to the list of incidents compiled by the western Sydney-based Muslim Legal Network and the recently launched Islamophobia Register.

A list of verbal attacks includes a Muslim mother in Melbourne who was warned to remove her child from playing with group of non-Muslim children at a play park.

At least four mosques have been targeted with written threats, graffiti and thrown objects. Queensland has the highest rate of personal assaults and threats to mosques, according to the list.

Solicitor Lydia Shelly, of the Muslim Legal Network, said:  “We have noticed an increase in attacks against Muslim women in public places, of those who wear a scarf or a hijab. As a Muslim woman, I am very concerned that this is impacting on the rights or perhaps the freedom of movement for Muslim women, because they simply do not feel safe any more.

“We have had property defaced. We have had death threats issued to our spiritual leaders and threats to bomb the mosques and things like that.”

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Brooklyn man celebrates lenient sentence for anti-Muslim hate crime

Posted on by Bob Pitt

Chaim WeissLast July, at the height of Israel’s genocidal assault on Gaza, Chaim Weiss repeatedly drove his car, which was decorated with Israeli flags, past the Islamic Society of Bay Ridge during early morning prayers blaring out Israeli music.

After worshippers came out to remonstrate with him, Weiss fled the scene. He later returned and parked his car outside the building, playing the music at such a volume that it drowned out a recitation of the Qur’an inside.

This week Weiss appeared at Brooklyn Criminal Court charged with disruption or disturbance of a religious service, funeral burial or memorial service, and disorderly conduct. He was sentenced to one day of community service and agreed to stay out of trouble for six months. As you can see from the photo, Weiss was well pleased with the result.

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Posted in USA