It seems there is a by-election in Ealing Southall and it looks to be a fierce battle between the Tory candidate and Lib Dem. It seems MPACUK have really come out with all guns blazing with this campaign as I saw them in Southall both today and yesterday handing out leaflets urging people to vote and to vote wisely ... more info of their leaflets coming up... In the interim, if you live in this constituent get out and vote! Research all the candiadates first, see what their views are on Iraq, Palestine, Afghanistan, the new terror law Brown is trying to pass, etc. And then Vote at crunch time!

I love this article from MPACUK, so sincere, so motivating! Check it out:

http://www.mpacuk.org/content/view/3835/35/

And once more unto the breach the MPACUK team are forging ahead, while terrorists try to steal the political agenda, Zionists are trying to marginalise all Muslims, and mosque leaders are fast asleep at the wheel the MPACUK team are in a bullish mood.

We are sick of Muslim apathy to making a difference, we are sick of allowing ourselves to be marginalised, allowing ourselves to be victimised, learning to live with disappointment, learning to live as second class citizens in our own country.

MPACUK have always believed the key to greater emancipation is greater involvement, a greater say in the issues that affect us and the ability to join the debate without having our views brushed aside. Whenever Muslims talk about 'foreign policy, Palestine, Iraq or anything other than Halal meat' we are considered extremists. Well MPACUK doesn't play that game, we elect members of Parliament and we expect them to represent us both on the national stage but also against demonisation and one of the best times to make ourselves heard is during an election.

Lo-and behold, is that a by-election on the horizon? Is that a constituency with a population over 13,000 Muslims? Is that a chance to make our voices heard? Why yes to all of the above, and MPACUK have a powerful voice and we aim to ensure that we are heard!

The Muslim community have to understand that while the bulk of Muslims have let the agenda get hijacked by Muslim extremists on the one side and Zionists on the other, they have passively accepted the situation and by sitting idly by have sanctioned the crisis that is engulfing us now. They did nothing for Palestine, they did nothing for Iraq while sanctions killed a million of its children, they did nothing while Afghanistan imploded, they did nothing to stop the invasion of Iraq and now when extremists have taken on the agenda of the powerless they still do nothing.

Muslims did nothing while Zionists wrote Islamophobic articles, passed Islamophobic laws, propagated Islamophobic stereotypes and they still do nothing.

Muslims did nothing while their mosques turned into magnificent prayer-halls befitting graveyards, splendid chandeliers, and appalling toilets, no place for children, debate, education or women. Women were forced out the mosque and by extension community life, Muslim men did nothing. While Mosque Mafias took over their communities and sold them down the river for a picture with an MP and the prestige that goes with being a community leader, ordinary Muslims did nothing. While their kids stopped studying and turned to crime, and then extremism, they did nothing. As the drugs problems engulfed their neighbourhoods and crime became a regular feature of their mundane lives, they still do nothing.

MPACUK, for the last 7 years, has been calling for greater democratic participation, greater democratic adoption and greater integration. We have been shunned by the same mentally poverty-stricken Muslims, regardless of our stunning successes we have given the Muslims of the West in defending them and still the Muslims do nothing.

Well we have an answer, we have a way forward, if Muslims want change, and are sick of being self marginalised, or forcibly marginalised then adopt the beautiful, empowering democratic process, by joining the debate, ensuring that enough people from all hews agree with us, so that people, regardless of their race or faith, are elected who will put policies into place that are sympathetic to the plight of the Palestinians and unsympathetic to Islamophobes, or Islamophobic laws. It's as simple as that. To be truly part of society we must care about what happens to it enough to get involved and without fear or apathy be proud to have our voices and opinions heard.

And while Muslims haven't taken control of their own destiny others have and now all of us are in the firing line. MPACUK are emphatic believers in democracy and with the focus on the by-elections in Southall and Sedgefield we will send out a message to the Labour Party that you may have changed leaders but you haven't changed polices - we will not vote for you. We will send out a message that while Iraq burns, Labour will haemorrhage votes and we will send a message to extremists and Muslim dictators around the world. Democracy will prevail and they will be driven and consigned to history within our lifetimes.

Join the campaign. Join MPACUK in getting Muslims out to vote for the Southall by-election.

London & Scotland Attacks Al-Qaeeda Inspired?

The question reeling everyone's minds - were these 'terrorist' attacks by Muslims inspired by Al-Qaeeda networks? Lets hope the security services carry out a more thorough investigation this time round with concrete evidence of those responsible for what could have been 2 very disastrous attacks. And here's to hoping UK Mosques and institutions will take this as yet another example of what the outcomes are of not teaching the youth to channel their (justified) frustration and anger over UK's foreign policy via democratic means.

Our Mosques need to reform and revive - fast - with programs to educate the community of how to make a difference democratically, how to lobby the media, how to counter islamophobia and misrepresentation in society, how to outreach to the non-muslim community, how to engage the youth and women in the community in the running of the Mosque...man the list goes on. Unfortunately, I have yet to know of a single Mosque with plans such as these in the pipelines (well apart from the outreach to non-muslims). I've been (trying!) to approach the few local Mosques in my area for a while now about these issues, but guess what - 'no women allowed!' So I have to overcome this barrier first (or dress like a man?!) before my views and suggestions are even heard of! Aaaaaagggggghhhhhhhhhhh!

-----------------
Scotland is reeling from its first al-Qaida-inspired attack, after a car bomb was rammed into Glasgow Airport. Security sources believe that the attack, which happened at 3.15pm today, is linked to the two attempts to devastate London's West End 36 hours earlier, also using vehicles packed with petrol.

Gordon Brown tonight convened a meeting of the government's emergency Cobra committee to discuss the latest incident and be given the first intelligence reports. Airports around the world were put on alert for a further wave of potential terrorist attacks.

In Glasgow a burning green Jeep Cherokee was driven at speed towards the front of the terminal. Robin Patterson, 42, of Rochester, Kent, described the moment he saw the car burst into flames at the airport.

'It was just a small fire at first. Then there was an enormous explosion and it really was a big explosion,' he said. 'The guy next to the car, his skin and clothes just fell off him. He came running away from the car and he was like an absolute lunatic. He was just literally running away from the police.'

Travellers described how they saw two Asian men, one of whom was on fire, coming out of the car. One of them was seen pouring petrol around the car and on himself before people at the airport jumped on him and he was led away. Strathclyde Police confirmed that they had arrested two men, but gave no further details.

Several witnesses gave dramatic accounts of the apparent attempt to storm the departure lounge and harm holidaymakers. Richard Gray said: 'A green Jeep was in the middle of the doorway burning. There was an Asian guy who was pulled out of the car by two police officers, who he was trying to fight off. They got him on the ground. The car didn't explode. There were a few pops and bangs, which presumably was the petrol.'

Louise Robertson, 49, from Helensburgh, was checking in for her flight to Mallorca with her husband and son. She said: 'We were in check-in and were about to go up to the desk when we heard people shouting that there was smoke. I knew instinctively that something wasn't right and we just ran to the nearest exit as fast as we could.

'When we got out I looked back and I could see the Jeep was stuck at the door and it was on fire. 'I then saw a man who was partly on fire running from the car and he was being chased by police who eventually caught him and wrestled him to the ground.

'I have heard that the police are concerned there may be [explosive] devices in the car park.'

One unnamed witness told the BBC: 'I heard the sound of a car's wheels spinning and saw smoke coming out. I saw a Jeep Cherokee apparently as if it was trying to get right through the doors into the terminal building. There were flames coming out from underneath, then some men appeared from in among the flames. The police ran over and the people started fighting with the police. I then heard what sounded like an explosion.'

Two men, one of whom was said to be badly burned, were reportedly seen being led away in handcuffs. The airport was evacuated and all flights suspended following the incident. Roads around the airport were closed.

A spokesman for the British Airports Authority said that the emergency services were at the scene. He added: 'Our advice to passengers is to check with their airline to establish if their flight will be operating.'

http://www.guardian.co.uk/terrorism/story/0,,2115693,00.html

RESULT: UNISON Votes To Boycott Israel!

Last month delegates at the inaugural congress of the UCU voted in favour of a motion calling for the circulation of 'the full text of the Palestinian boycott call to all branches for information and discussion'. Delegates deplored Israel's occupation of Palestine and the violation of Palestinian educational rights by curfews, checkpoints and travel restrictions. Although this is not a direct boycott of Israeli academia, the motion allows a Palestinian voice to be heard. This is a commendable decision made by the delegates at the UCU and highlights the moral stance of British academia.

As a result of this conceded campaign by the UCU, UNISON votes to boycott the Racist, Apartheid regime of Israel! Check out the following article by MPACUK:

http://www.mpacuk.org/content/view/3772/64/

We Brits are known for our tolerance and sense of fair play. When Governments around the world stood by and did nothing about the apartheid in South Africa, it was ordinary men and women who stood against the racist regime. Over time their boycott spread from organisation to organisation, from churches and mosques, schools to universities, and finally the Governments of the World which had turned a blind eye to the injustices could no longer shy away, eventually taking their lead from the people.

UNISON is Britain's biggest trade union with over 1.3 million members. At its Annual Conference on 20th June 2007, the union passed Motion 53 on Palestine, stating that “ending the occupation demands concerted and sustained pressure upon Israel, including an economic, cultural, academic and sporting boycott.”

The motion, which was passed to cheers from the hall, urges Israel to respect the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and to establish a state in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip with its capital in Jerusalem.

MPACUK commends the decision made at the UNISON conference with their pledge to support Palestine.

This follows hot on the heels of the recent UCU motion to boycott Israel, please see:
- Support the Anti-Apartheid Boycott

We would encourage our readers to contact UNISON to offer their whole-hearted support and to thank them for leading the way in this noble effort.

Only if we the British people work together with our common sense of fair play can we give hope to our fellow men, women and children in the occuppied territories who are living under a brutal occupation. Let the people of Palestine know that they have not been forgotten.

What you can do:

- Contact UNISON thanking them for passing Motion 53 on Palestine.

email UNISION on:
irelations@unison.co.uk
And / Or

'Phone UNISON on:
0845 355 0845

Looks Like Mad Mel’s Been At It Again.

Notorious within the Muslim community with a title that seems more apt then just ‘Mad Mel’, Melanie Philips was named the "Most Islamphobic Media Personality of the Year " by the Islamic Human Rights Commission (in 2003).This time, she’s been in a major ding dong with Arab Media Watch and urged her fans/readers to write to them. Surprise, surprise, AMW were then inundated with racist hate mail…..coincidence? Me thinks not!


The Guardian on 18 June 2007 reported the row between Arab Media Watch and Daily Mail regular columnist and BBC Moral Maze regular Melanie Phillips, whose blog post urging her readers to write to us resulted in racist hate mail that we sent to the media.

This is what the Guardian had to say:

"An entertaining spat between the Mail's Melanie Phillips and Arab Media Watch has taken an unfortunate turn. The lobby group urged people to complain to the Mail over a Phillips column about the Arab-Israeli conflict. Phillips, in turn, suggested on her website that her readers might like to write to Arab Media Watch. And boy, have they written, reports its chairman Sharif Hikmat Nashashibi. 'One might wonder whether she hoped for the kind of vulgar, racist abuse, not to mention grammatical and linguistic embarrassment that her blog post generated,' he writes. No room to reprint the messages in full, thank goodness, but suffice to say they included the phrase f*** off back to where you came from'. With readers like that, does Phillips need critics?"

AMW's press releases concerning the hate mail received are available at:

http://www.arabmediawatch.com/amw/Articles/PressReleases/tabid/77/newsid391/3959/The-hate-mail-continues/Default.aspx

http://www.arabmediawatch.com/amw/Articles/PressReleases/tabid/77/newsid391/3946/AMW-responds-to-Melanie-Phillips/Default.aspx

Salman Rushdie

Today is Salman Rushdie’s birthday, and I’m sure it’s a wonderful present to him- certain countries endorse him being killed.

I personally do not have a view on him either way, and as with the others that are to receive knighthoods, do not really care. Who knighthoods are bestowed upon, at this moment in time don’t really bother me. (This post is not on the wrongs and rights of awarding Rushdie a knighthood.) I am too young to remember any of the original big furore over The Satanic Verses. I have never read any of his books, less still The Satanic Verses, so I can’t comment on his skills as an author, or his storylines. I do know others who have read Midnight’s Children, and my mother and one of my closest friends maintain it is one of the most well-written books they have ever read, and both are pretty well-read. I don’t know a single person who has ever read The Satanic Verses though. I vaguely remember a Bremner, Bird and Fortune sketch which mentioned the fatwa on Salman Rushdie, and them going on to argue that fatwas in everyday life would be pretty useful (although not killing ones). He was one of those people whom I’m sure I’ve asked about in the past, but forgot the answer, and whose books I’ve felt I should read.

And then this incident starts. I have to admit its pretty embarrassing explaining to someone that Islam is a peace-loving religion and then reading a headline “Rushdie title 'may spark attacks'”.

For those of you that do not know, (and I doubt any of you are as unclued up about this issues as me but just in case) the low-down of the Salman Rushdie affair (courtesy of Wikipedia and the BBC) is that in 1988 he published a book called The Satanic Verses. The book is described as “a cosmic battle between good and evil, set in contemporary England and combining fantasy, philosophy and farce…. It included an extended section that appeared to denigrate the prophet Muhammad and the Islamic faith.” It is this section that meant many Muslims, most without reading the novel, came to believe that it contained blasphemous references, leading to the book’s banning in several countries. In 1989 Ayatollah Khomeini, issued a fatwa that called for the death of Rushdie and claimed that it was the duty of every Muslim to obey. “A large bounty was offered to anyone who would execute him and the author was forced into hiding, with full-time police protection, a condition that endured for many years.” In July 1991 Hitosh Igarashi, the Japanese translator of the book, wass stabbed to death, and Ettore Capriolo, the Italian translator, was seriously wounded.

The issue has now risen up again as Salman Rushdie is to be awarded a knighthood. This has led Pakistan's national parliament to pass a resolution yesterday condemning the award. Now ain’t no expert on Pakistani politics, but from what I have read and heard of about the unrest in Karachi alone, surely they have more important problems to deal with? Instead Religious Affairs Minister Ejaz-ul-Haq stated “If someone commits suicide bombing to protect the honour of the Prophet Mohammad, his act is justified," he said, according to the translation by the Reuters news agency. "If Britain doesn't withdraw the award, all Muslim countries should break off diplomatic relations."

This type of thing makes me angry for many reasons. Lets’s break it down before my anger just ends up as an unreadable mess (well more-so)
1. It’s a flippin FICTIONAL book. What’s to get so worked up about? There are SO many more things to pay attention to. In Pakistan alone- poverty, UNEMPLOYMENT, disease, the rat children, women’s rights, all that feudal crap, racism, to name but a few. My personal belief is that where people do get worked up, its because they have nothing better to do with their lives. If these people had jobs and cared about their families, they would surely have bigger worries than an English written book, that had this mass hysteria not occurred, most people would not have heard of it anyway.
2. Break off diplomatic relations? Oh that’s a good idea. Let uss all act like we’re four again and when we don’t like what someone does we won’t talk to them. Let’s just alienate ourselves.
3. In this county, I will be mighty annoyed if anyone starts violently protesting. If you live in a democracy, other people expressing their view is a part of it. If this book was that offensive, if one had half a braincell, the author would be ignored until he faded into obscurity and past generations. As it is, he’s just received one hell of a lot of publicity.
4. I seriously can not believe people were killed over this? An innocent translator, who did nothing more than do his job. Is this something to proud of?
5. Let’s end with what a great advertisement this is of the religion. Not. We must remember, despite Islam being the fastest growing religion on Earth, most will never have met a Muslim in the flesh. Therefore the way the Muslim community acts in the news is how Islam will be judged. When it seems that all Muslims do is react against perceived insults, it makes people wonder why the religion can’t tolerate it, and I’m sorry to say it, but if they are all “savages”.

To clarify, I do not mean to belittle Salman Rushdie’s supposed insult to Islam. But I find it hard to believe that it will “encourage people to commit blasphemy against the Prophet Mohammad”. Islam is much stronger than that. Its so much more than that. And it is bloomin about time that the Muslims start rising above, and start acting like that.

British Government Can Help End Siege on Palestinians

Violence between Hamas and Fatah have caused nearly 100 lives, Abas has 'dissolved' the Hamas government, and a state of emergency has been declared. The Palestinian Solidarity Campaign group have hit the nail on the head and outline how this catastrophe was sadly an inevitable outcome of the illegal Israeli occupation and the west refusing to recognise the elected Palestinian government.

PSC Letter in the Guardian - Causes of the crisis in Gaza
Friday 15th June 2007

http://www.palestinecampaign.org/

Causes of the crisis in Gaza

The current crisis in Gaza and the West Bank (Fatah on the run as Hamas wages battle for Gaza's streets, June 14) is the predictable outcome of the policy of Israel and the west of boycotting the democratically elected Palestinian government, which has repeatedly offered a comprehensive ceasefire and negotiations with Israel. The deliberate creation of a humanitarian crisis by the EU, the US and Israel is a shameful and cowardly attempt at regime change.


The refusal to recognise Palestinian democracy, including a unity government representing 96% of the electorate, has created despair. Following the Palestinian elections in January 2006, Israel and the west have punished the Palestinian people by depriving the Palestinian Authority of its own tax revenues and aid. A brutal siege has been placed upon the Palestinians, with Israel preventing even humanitarian supplies such as food and essential medical supplies from entering. The use of aid agencies is ineffective, as graphically demonstrated in the recent Oxfam report, as well as UN documents and the report of the World Bank.

Democratically elected Palestinian parliamentarians have been abducted and imprisoned by Israel - a third of the Palestinian legislature is incarcerated by Israel. The responsibility for the crisis lies with governments, including our own, which have created these intolerable conditions for Palestinians and continue to deny Palestinians basic human rights.


We call on the British government to act now: to end the siege on the Palestinians and immediately reinstate the funding to the Palestinian Authority; to respect Palestinian democracy and fully recognise the Palestinian Authority; to ensure Israel releases the imprisoned MPs and all other political prisoners; to act to end the Israeli occupation; and to ensure Israel abides by international law. The foreign secretary, Margaret Beckett, should use the EU meeting next Monday to press for these changes in EU policy.


Betty Hunter

Palestine Solidarity Campaign

March in June

Well I’m back again- for a while…..
Had exams, but unlike Abu Funza I can not prove that is what I was doing as, well, I’m pretty sure they don’t allow you to take photos in the exam room. I suppose I could have asked though.

Went last Saturday to the demonstration WA mentioned. There I was actually going to take pictures, but I have a real poor memory and left the two cameras on the kitchen table. You should probably be glad I did forget though when I have a camera I take pictures of anything that interests me. I tell you this because while my friend was buying some inspirational postcards in Trafalgar Square, I was watching the naked people cycle past. (It was legal and had something to do with highlighting climate change - I wasn’t just in a real dodgy part of London.) At one point whilst I was standing there with my mouth wide open, an old man, well over the age of 50, got off his bike and just stood there for a good couple of minutes, completely stark naked. I do believe I have been scarred for life. Had I remembered my camera, I would I have shared the image with you, my privileged readers.

The demonstration itself was probably one of the best I had been to- although that’s only because I actually got somewhere to sit, and the fact that at the end, a couple of people at the front started an impromptu Palestinian dance, and with a few minutes about 10 people had joined in, and another hundred had gathered round watching and taking photos. I think the original dancers were a little shocked.

On the serious side, I was struck how brave some of the people there were. I heard from famous Jewish actors/ actresses who risk there careers by coming out against Israel, because we all know how good the Zionist machine is. I listened to priests and ordinary people who had dedicated their lives to helping the Palestinian people, and trying to find a solution. Most inspiring however was an Israeli from Combatants for Peace - a truly impressive and amazing organisation set up by Israeli and Palestinian Individuals – whose courage and beliefs brings hope to the conflict.

So whilst I saw many Jewish and Christians there, I noticed, as usual, how little Muslims there were. By far the majority there were non-Muslims which kind of makes you wonder. Whilst the Muslims may complain in their houses, when there comes a legitimate way to express their grievances where are they?

Whilst I agree that it is unlikely the government will not be particularly affected by the demonstration, I don’t believe this is why the Muslims don’t turn up.

So is it laziness, ignorance, apathy? I find it hard to believe it is apathy, because I find it that is a general trend among Muslims, no matter how little politics they know, they will still know of the “Palestinian Brothers, Sisters and Mothers” they do so much for.

Whilst there were many Jews there, who I know may find it a little patronising me saying this but you have got to rate them as some risk social stigma, and for some, especially Israelis, it goes against everything they have been brought up with. The Muslims who have a religious obligation were nowhere to be found.

Somebody please explain to me….

Academics Get Smart and Boycott Israel

Last week University lecturers backed calls for an academic boycott of Israel at their inaugural national conference. Delegates at the University and College Union (UCU) conference voted 158 to 99 to circulate its branches with the boycott call from Palestinian trade unions for "information and discussion".

The motion calling for an Israeli academic boycott came jointly from the University of Brighton and the University of East London. They asked members to rally to the call from Palestinian trade unions "for a comprehensive and consistent international boycott of all Israeli institutions". Their motion also called on university lecturers to condemn the "complicity of Israeli academia in the [Palestinian] occupation".

And now our very own Tony Bliar is denouncing the boycott of Israel…man do these pro-Israeli lobbies have connections…

Blair: ‘Drop the boycott – it’s no good for peace’
http://www.thejc.com/

TONY BLAIR has led the worldwide condemnation of the British academics’ union supporting moves towards a boycott of Israeli universities. In the Commons on Wednesday, Mr Blair called on the University and College Union to drop the resolution, passed at its annual meeting last week.

“I hope very much that the decision is overturned because it does absolutely no good for the peace process or indeed for relations in that part of the world,” Mr Blair told MPs. “The only solution ultimately is to relaunch the framework for a negotiated peace with a two-state solution at the heart of it.”

The New York based Anti-Defamation League took out display advertisements in The New York Times, the International Herald Tribune, the Financial Times and today’s JC pointing out that, at a time when journalists were being arrested in Iran, activists tortured in Zimbabwe and 400,000 people murdered in Darfur, “British unions have singled out Israel for boycott. That’s antisemitism.” – The inevitable anti-semtism card is played by the ADL!

A long term campaign has been launched by British Jewish leaders such as the Britain-Israel Communications and Research Centre (Bicom), the Jewish Leadership Council and Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks.

I guess at times like these you can truly rely on the pro-Israeli lobbies to kick into overdrive and prioritise Israel over and above Britain:

A fundraising effort was also under way. “We are in this to win and campaigns like this do not come cheap,” Ms Fitzsimons pointed out. “The aim is to persuade [UCU general secretary] Sally Hunt to do as she promised in her election manifesto and hold a ballot of all UCU members on the boycott motion.”

Taken from the British anti-Zionist Jewish blogger Mark Elf.

To thank the UCU for passing a motion clearly standing against the state of Israel and defending the rights of Palestinians, use the below details. It only takes 5 minutes to email/call and log your appreciation. The Zionist lobbies have mobolised and orchestrated a campaign to try and get Sally Hunt and the UCU to overturn the motion. The least we could do is support those who dare to stand up to Zionist bullies and advocate justice and peace in the Middle East.

Sally Hunt
Joint general secretary
shunt@ucu.org.uk
02076709729

Paul Mackney
Joint general secretary
pmackney@ucu.org.uk

Head Office:
hq@ucu.org.uk

Making a Stand...

Anyone going to the march tomorrow? Stay tuned in for a write up of our ‘marching’ over the next few days …

http://www.islamophobia-watch.com/

Enough! End the Israeli Occupation – Justice for the Palestinians!
2007 marks the 40-year anniversary of the Six Day War, in which the Israeli army took military control of the Gaza Strip and West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Join the Enough! coalition demonstration tomorrow Saturday 9 July. Assemble 1.30pm at Lincoln's Inn Fields for the march to Trafalgar Square.

And speaking of actively making a stand…

Groningen University in Denmark is in talks with a law student who insists on wearing a full veil/Niqaab (face covering) to class. The university says the student may not take any exams with her face covered and has given her a few days to consider her position.

I still find it astounding that the veil can cause such uproar in today’s world. It just goes to show, the more we bury our heads in the sand and think these laws and discriminatory acts won’t affect us, the more likely it will ! So before it’s too late (and I say that lightly as the British government is not exactly improving its relations with the Muslim community) – wake up, get active, and play a role within the very systems and mechanisms (media, politics, etc) that make decisions about your rights and freedoms behind closed doors.

Muslim MPs - they are good for something! Well... one is at least

I cam across this on the MPACUK website:

Shahid Malik Signs EDM!

Last week the Muslim Public Affairs Committee reported that 3 British Muslim MPs had not signed an early day motion regarding Israel's Relationship with the EU. It has now come to our attention that Shahid Malik has signed the Early Day Motion. What is remarkable is that he has had the moral and ethical courage to sign it.

We would like to ask the supporters of a just peace in the middle east to email Shahid Malik MP to congratulate him for signing the early day motion.

Unfortunately Khalid Mahmood MP nor Sadiq Khan have signed the early day motion. Please do email or call them and ask them why they have not signed it yet. There is no shame by signing it but there is shame for not having their names on there

Read more here

It sad that Khalid Mahmood and Sadiq Khan couldn't be bothered to sign the EDM - you know, you'd think that Muslim MPs would atleast want to stand up against injustice, but it's a shame that isn't true.

Insha'allah as we get more Muslims finally getting involved in politics we can make a positive change cos the current ones aren't that good - but it is good to see that Shahid Malik is not a complete sell-out.

*cough* Khalid and Sadiq, sign the EDM *cough*

40th Anniversary

Today marks the 40th anniversary of the start of the 6 Day War, which resulted in the capture, occupation and colonisation of East Jerusalem, The West Bank, The Gaza Strip and the Golan Heights by Israel in contravention of every International Law.

Unfortunately the Democratic Nations of the West refuse to take decisive action to force Israel to honour International Law and give the Palestinians their long overdue right to statehood.

Israel shows no sign of relenting, it continues to build illegal colonies (commonly referred to as settlements) in strategic locations on the West Bank. These colonies are connected by highways that only Jewish residents can use and that also dissect the West Bank. All this means that it is incredibly difficult, near impossible, to create anything that can be referred to as a viable Palestinian state.

There is a march planned for Saturday 9th June to protest the 40th anniversary in London (see here)

Please tell your friends and family so that we get a large turnout for this important demonstration. The Palestinians have been stateless for far too long and Masjid Al Aqsa should be freed from the shackles of Israel's occupation.

Sunny Hundal Exposed

Props to Dr Xiang for exposing this ne'er good doer (I'd use more colourful language but my mum would beat me silly). There are 3 posts on this guys and his behaviour leaves alot to be desired.

Here are the posts:

Sunny Hundal - the Islamophobe, Proudly Flies the Flag for Israel

Sunny Hundal - Pro-Israeli Stooge

Sunny Hundal - Silent Regarding Israeli Human Rights Violations

I must say that after reading these posts about Sunny Hundal I've shocked at his behaviour and at how he can support Israel even when Israel commits acts of injustice against the Palestinians whose only crime is that they were born Palestinian.

I urge everybody to please contact Sunny Hundal to give him your views, or post on his blogs, websites or Guardian 'comment is free'.

He can be contacted at sunny@pickledpolitics.com.

We can't allow this media-bias to continue and should try our utmost to take on such Islamophobic journalists.

Sorry for going AWOL

Sorry for not posting on blog for so long, I had exams and went on a field trip to Surrey (I have pictures to prove it!!!)

But now I'm back :D

There's alot that's happened since I've been away, but don't worry I'm on it.

Btw, here's the proof:

See? I wasn't lying :D

Victory! Mars does a U turn on its decision to use animal rennet

No doubt lots of people would have been disappointed when Masterfoods, the company behind such famous brands as Mars, Maltesers, Bounty and Twix announced that it would be using animal rennet in some of its chocolates. This decision hurt not just Vegetarians but also faith groups such as Muslims and Hindus.

Why Masterfoods would undertake such a step, that excluded a sizeable part of their customer base, is a mystery but what's important is that the people affected buy this decision refused to stay silent and took action.

Over 6,000 complaints were sent to Masterfoods who soon realised the error of their ways and reneged on their decision to the delight of chocolate lovers everywhere!

The real lesson to take away from this though is the success of taking action rather than complaining privately between friends. If there is something that you disagree with then don't stay silent, voice your thoughts in a non-violent manner e.g. through a letter and get your friends to do the same.

If enough people do this then we can make a difference...the masterfoods example is living proof of this. Well done once again to all who took part and happy eating!

Say Enough! Loud and Clear on 9th June

EMPOWERING US Says Enough! To 40 Years Of Israeli Occupation Of Palestinian Territories.

Since that time the government of Israel has built ‘settlements’ in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and assisted its citizens in setting up homes and businesses using land and resources stolen from the Palestinian people. This situation has continued to the current day despite Israel being in violation of international humanitarian law and over 60 UN resolutions.

The Occupation has created serious poverty for the Palestinians, as well as severe human rights violations. But Palestinian suffering dates back further to 1948, when the state of Israel was created and 750,000 Palestinians were driven or .ed from their homes. The United Nations asserted the refugees’ right to return home in 1948, but Israel has refused to allow this. Meanwhile the refugee population has grown to over four million, one of the largest in the world, many of whom live in camps waiting for international law to be upheld.

Britain bears a particular responsibility for this suffering. From 1917 to 1948 Britain controlled Palestine. Along with the US and many EU countries, the UK government is today involved in a close military, economic and political relationship with Israel, and fails to stand up for the rights of the Palestinian people.

We say Enough! We are a group of charities, trade unions, faith and other campaign groups. We have come together because we want peace for Israelis and Palestinians alike. This can only be built on justice, equality and freedom. In order to achieve this goal governments like the British government must stand up for international law and human rights.

Join the Demo on 9th June

Meet at Lincoln’s Inn Fields at 1.30pm for the march to Trafalgar Square

Coalition members: Amicus, Amos Trust, Arab Labour Group, Arab Media Watch, BFAWU, Britain-Palestine All Party Parliamentary Group, Britain Palestine Twinning Network, BRICUP, British Muslim Initiative, CAABU, CWU, Freedom Clothing Project, Friends of Al-Aqsa, Friends of Birzeit University, Friends of the Earth, Friends of Sabeel UK, GMB, Green Party, Interpal, ICAHD UK, Jewish Socialists’ Group, Jews Against Zionism, Jews for Justice for Palestinians, Liberal Democrat Friends of Palestine, Liberation, Medical Aid for Palestinians, Muslim Association of Britain, Muslim Council of Britain, Muslim Parliament of Great Britain, Muslim Public Affairs Committee, National Association of British Arabs, 1990 Trust, NUM, NUS Black Students Campaign, Open Bethlehem, Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Palestinian Forum in Britain, Palestinian Return Centre, Pax Christi, PCS, Qattan Foundation, Quaker Peace and Social Witness, Scottish Episcopal Church’s Justice Peace and Creation Network , Scottish Palestinian Forum, Stop the War Coalition, Trade Union Friends of Palestine, TGWU, UNISON, War on Want, Welfare Association, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom UK Section, Zaytoun Ltd

Brilliant Documentary by Channel 4 and CTVC

A mind blowing, objectional, inspirational expose on the 'Battle of the Holy Land' and its impact upon the Palestinian's plight. This documentary exposed the racist state of Israel for what it truly is and the injustices and oppression endured by the Palestinians since the illegal occupation of Palestinian terrotories as well as East Jerusalem. East Jerusalem is considered by the international community to be illegally occupied by Israel, in contravention of several binding UN Security Council Resolutions.

Read more on the documentary here:

I urge all readers to take some action and email/call Channel 4 and CTVC in humble gratitude for objective, balanced coverage of the true ongoings in the Middle East. The choice of presenter - Paddy Ashdown - was particularly inspiring and refreshing for his objective and informative presenting - finally a presenter and researcher who does not have an ulterior motive and is not driven by a pro-Israeli agenda.

Thank channel 4 and CTVC NOW as no doubt the pro-Israeli community have already complained in numbers, exploiting the anti-semitism card. Don't just lobby the media when they are bias and tar us as extremists and fanatics - lobby them in the postive too! Credit where credit is due! Well done Channel 4 and CTVC!

Contact Channel 4:

Tel: 0845 076 0191
Email:

Contact CTVC:

tel: +44 (0)20 7940 8480
email: info@ctvc.co.uk

Trust MPACUK to cover the documentary and try to convert it into positive action for readers (aka political and media lobbying): http://www.mpacuk.org/content/view/3668/64/

And Jonathan Fryer has made a very interesting and informative post on his blog:
http://jonathanfryer.wordpress.com/2007/05/19/paddys-battle-for-the-holy-land/

Jews for Boycotting Israeli Goods (J-BIG)

A letter from Jews for Boycotting Israeli Goods (J-BIG) to The Guardian in support of the boycott. (The Guardian leader opposed the boycott but got alot of complaints from readers):

We welcome the courageous decision of the National Union of Journalists to boycott Israeli goods (Letters, April 23). Given Israel's contempt for international law, with the complicity of the US and UK governments, pressure has to be increased by civil society if justice is to be achieved. A boycott of Israeli goods is a legitimate form of grassroots action and is particularly appropriate as Israel is destroying the Palestinian economy. Such a boycott has been called for by Israeli peace organisations.

As a result of its illegal occupation, Israel is able to flood the Palestinian market with its products, while preventing Palestinian farmers from growing and trading their own. We believe Israel's actions betray Jewish ethical traditions - the cutting down of olive and fruit trees is prohibited by Jewish law. The continuing occupation and exploitation of Palestinian land is a major obstacle to peace for Israelis and Arabs alike which has global implications for world peace.

Deborah Fink, Naomi Wimborne-Idrissi, Mike Cushman, Sylvia Finzi, Tony Greenstein, Ruth Tenne, Deborah Maccoby, Prof Moshe Machover, Mike Marqusee - Jews for Boycotting Israeli Goods

----------------------------

This article about J-BIG highlights things we should all be actively doing:

Jews for Boycotting Israeli Goods - A Spearheading New Initiative

"...the viability of a future Palestinian economy depends significantly on its trading opportunities."

The latest report of the International Development Select Committee regarding the Occupied Palestinian Territories (31 January 2007) makes for very distressing reading. [...]

In order to challenge the stronghold Israel has on Palestine and its fledgling economy, a group of Jewish and Israeli residents in Britain was set up as a subsection of the campaign undertaken by Boycott Israeli Goods – BIG. The new group, J-BIG, is an outcome of the deep frustration Jewish peace activists feel towards the inaction displayed by the Jewish community and its liberal wing with regard to Israel's repressive occupation of Palestinian land. J-BIG members believe that Israel's policies "constitute a betrayal of the best trends in Jewish ethical tradition" and operate a form of racism which is reminiscent of South African Apartheid [...]

J-BIG's campaign however, is not focused on one-off events. It is in the process of launching an ongoing campaign which will put pressure on supermarkets by informing them and their customers about Israel's violation of human rights in the Occupied Territories, and of Israel's use of unethical and exploitative methods in marketing the produce of its illegal settlements in the West Bank - taking advantage of Palestinian labour and produce. In addition, J-BIG members will be requesting supermarkets to clearly label all goods which originate from the West Bank and Israel in order to help consumers make an ethical choice.

An additional aim of J-BIG is to promote Palestinian produce, especially extra virgin, organic, olive oil which is marketed by Zaytoun in accordance with the Fair Trade's code of practice. [...]

On a political level, members of J-BIG have joined the wider campaign for abolishing the special trade and economic benefits granted to Israel as part of its trade agreement with the European Union . Indeed a significant number of British MPs appear to support this campaign. In February 2007 an Early Day Motion (EDM) submitted to Parliament by Derek Wyatt notes that Israel "has routinely prevented the free movement of Palestinian goods and people and has withheld Palestinian funds from their people...... These and other grievous human rights abuses represent a clear breach of Article Two of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, which calls for adherence to human rights." [...]

Being an Israeli-born citizen I hope, like the rest of my colleagues, that our campaign of boycotting Israel's produce of repression and "fruits of injustice" will successfully spearhead a grass roots action within the Jewish community against a brutal occupation which seeks to stamp out the Palestinians' legitimate aspirations for nationhood.

full article: http://usa.mediamonitors.net/content/view/full/42134
more info: http://s188604020.websitehome.co.uk/...-israeli-goods

Celebrating the 40th anniversary of a crime....a slap in the face for the International community!

Nothing is more disturbing than seeing the glorification of criminal activities, one would think that such acts would only be restricted to common crooks who hold scant regard for the rule of law. Yet the Zionist Federation of the UK is doing precisely that, they are celebrating what they are calling the 40th anniversary of the "re-unification" of Jerusalem.

In reality it is, sadly, the 40th anniversary of the illegal occupation of Jerusalem, which Israel continues to occupy in defiance of UN resolutions and international law.

The legal position on Jerusalem is well known and undisputable. East Jerusalem is considered by the international community to be illegally occupied by Israel, in contravention of several binding UN Security Council Resolutions. In these resolutions, the United Nations Security Council has also called for no measures to be taken to change the status of Jerusalem until a final settlement is reached between the sides: declaring Jerusalem as Israel's capital is an attempt to change this status, and is thus a violation of these Security Council resolutions.

Yet despite this we see continuous settlement expansion and increased hardship for Palestinian citizens of Jerusalem making it harder for them to live in their home city...in short implicit ethnic cleansing.

The sickening part is that all this is happening for all the World to see yet no Western Government pays anything more than lip service to this grave situation.

The celebration by the Zionist Federation is a slap in the face of Western Democratic Values... it stands for 40 years of injustice, occupation and racism and they should be ashamed of themselves!

David Cameron - Our Friend?

David Cameron has spent the last week living with a Muslim family in Birmingham. I’ve been going over this in my head and have contemplated what his true motives behind this could be. It’s not every day politicians decide to move in with us! Was it a publicity stunt to appease voters from the Muslim community? If so, he must have had to deal with the inevitable wrath from the pro-Israeli lobbies in the UK and abroad who undoubtedly must have given him hell for reaching out to Muslims. Does he truly want to reach out to us, to try to understand us, because he really does care for all citizens of our country? Either way, Muslims must take note that Cameron could be the next PM and it is about time we started to pay attention and look into those who reach out a friendly hand. I’m not saying Conservatives and Cameron are the answers to our prayers in relation to the horrific foreign policy our country turn a blind eye to. But research into the Conservatives, into Cameron and we could be pleasantly surprised….

In the meantime, I urge people to post some appreciative feedback on his blog for trying to reach out and extend a hand to us. Remember, if you don’t, pro-Israeli Zionists will speak on your behalf damning his actions…or even worse certain people from our own community!

Some extracts from his blog:

http://www.webcameron.org.uk/118

My final thought yesterday was that integration is a two way street. Yes we can ask minority ethnic communities to work at integrating with British society as a whole, but we have to recognise that it won’t happen unless there’s something attractive to integrate into. Time after time I heard people here talking about the uncivilised behaviour and values that they see all around them. As I’ve said before, we can’t just bully people into being more British, we’ve got to inspire them. And frankly, there are many aspects of our society today which are hardly inspiring – the drinking, the drug-taking, the rudeness and incivility, the lack of consideration for others, anti-social behaviour…we’ve got a serious fight on our hands to build a responsible society that is the kind of society people admire and want to be part of. I know we can do it because most people in this country, like the people I’ve met here, are decent, hard-working and committed to their communities. We’ve got to much more to make sure that those are the values that win out.

Hijabi Power in Action!

In western Sweden, a Muslim woman has won her battle with a supermarket which told her at a job interview that she couldn't work there if she refused to remove her headscarf. The woman took her case to the Ombudsman against Ethnic Discrimination and was awarded compensation. The ICA Kvantum supermarket in Västra Frölunda were ordered to apologize to the woman and pay her around $11,000 in damages. The supermarket has adjusted its dress code for staff.

…And who says Muslim women are oppressed, meek and timid characters…! I rate this woman for refusing to be victimised or compromise her right to wear hijab in a workplace. I rate her for not just making a fuss and moaning about this form of discrimination and oppression – she took some solid action and worked within the systems to make an effective change for her and her community.

It’s so refreshing to hear Muslim women refusing to accept discriminatory acts and take it upon themselves to empower themselves and stand up for their rights. Remember ladies, if you want something bad enough – you’re gonna have to go out and do it yourself!

Girl power rocks!

Israeli Animals in Action

A clip from "Dispatches: The Killing Zone" (Channel 4 UK), showing perhaps one of the most tragic of several documented cases of Palestinian civilian casualties of Israel's 'war on terror' - even though this victim, a schoolgirl shot through the head while sitting in class in a UN-run school in Gaza, survives her injuries. When she awakes from coma she and her family find out the brain injury she suffers has made her blind.

This video truly is sickening. I can barely type after witnessing the brutality inflicted upon the Palestinians. Words cannot express how I am feeling right now. May Allah help us help them, Ameen.

Foreign Policy isn't THAT bad...is it?

I came across this on a blog which seems to be run by dogs - little bulldogs that is:

Finally, we have the very vocal MPACUK. In a piece today they blame our foreign policy for radicalising young Muslims (something which we know not to be true because most of these Muslims were involved with Al Muhajiroun pre-9/11). They also blame the Mosque leaders for not doing anything. At least we can agree on the latter.

What I find interesting is that people only seem to think that after 9/11 foreign policy became an issue.

Puh-lease!

Israeli occupation of Palestine has been going on for decades and some politicians have backed Israeli. Now I'm pretty sure that has something to do with foreign policy.

It worries me that alot of people on this earth do not seem to find anything wrong with what Israel is doing. The Palestinians don't have a voice. I bet some Non-Muslims and Muslims don't even consider it a problem - now that is disturbing.

We need vocal groups like MPACUK to say something - the killings of the Palestinians can't continue in silence anymore - we have do something. It's time to rise up and live up to the title that Allah gave us - Muslim.

It's time for those that have an ounce of humanity in them to stand them. Because if we don't stand for something, we'll fall for anything.

Crazy dude arrested - Muslims don't care because he's crazy!

Check out this video that I found on this blog



This blogger* thinks that Zulfi Bukhari (from MPACUK) was making an incorrect point, but I agree with Mr Bukhari - Abu Izzadeen is nothing but a loudmouth who no one actually listens to.

But the media love talking about/to him - he's nothing to the Muslim community! He doesn't represent anyone, and he just goes on about stuff that nobody really gives a flying hookah about.

To have arrested him, like Mr Bukhari said, will not go down well within the Muslim community - what great steps we're taking towards helping Muslims to "integrate"

*this blogger has the funkiest views on the Middle East Conflict - he thinks is Israel is good! lol! how stupid can someone be? May Allah help the Palestinians through their suffering and pain. Ameen

Muslim schools – 'a ticking time-bomb waiting to explode' - ???

Speaking at a seminar on the subject of segregation, Nick Johnson of the Commission for Racial Equality asked:

"If a Muslim child is educated in a school where the vast majority of other children are also Muslim, how can we expect him to work, live and interact with people from other cultures when he leaves school? This is a ticking time-bomb waiting to explode."

I personally have mixed views about segregating our future generation from one another, based on their religious beliefs. By all means everyone is allowed the freedom to choose the best educational facilities for their child - I know I’d appreciate it! But coming from a professional from within state education, as well as a young British Muslim, I can appreciate the sentiments behind Nick Johnston’s statement. We live in a multicultural, cosmopolitan society, world even whereby we must interact with people of different backgrounds, cultures, religions, colour, dialects – you name it! So to understand them, to appreciate what they contribute to our society, should we not then be integrated with them in all aspects of our lives – be it from school to shopping at a supermarket and working with them professionally.

But how will our future generation even acknowledge the beautiful diversity we have in this world if they are educated strictly separately from them?

At the same time, I can appreciate why parents may decide to send their child to a ‘Muslim school’ – I’ve had heated discussions with my bro-in-law’s decision to send my above average niece to one (she’s so damn bright, I’m telling ya!). Bringing up children with the core principals, values and teachings of Islam is becoming a challenge in today’s ‘western world’ as he put it and hence they want their child to have a solid foundation of her religion from a young age – before college and university.

But what happens when my 6 year old niece gets to college where her peers are both male and female and of different colour, background, beliefs? Will she be able to adapt to this new ‘world’? Will interaction come second nature to people she may never have come across before…? To people she will live with in society?
And if every, no scratch that, if half of Muslim children went to Islamic schools – who would be left in state schools to represent the Muslim community to make known that we’re not a bunch of fundamentalist extremists that want to be segregated from non-Muslims?

But I’ll leave you with this note, how many times have you heard people in influential positions slam Islamic schools as a threat to community cohesion and unable to prepare Muslim children as good British citizens. Why are Muslim schools singled out when there are thousands of state-funded Christian schools, compared to about 5 state-funded Muslim schools? And while only 3% of British Muslim children attend Muslim schools 49% of British Jewish children attend Jewish schools.

Findings of a recent study by Dr Andrew Holden stated: "The greater degree of racial tolerance in an overwhelmingly Asian/Muslim populated school again calls into question the common sense assumption that mixed schools represent the most tolerant environments."

The biggest and most important issue that Nick Johnson and the Commission for Racial Equality should be concerned about in order to foster an inclusive, cohesive British society, is Islamophobia in state schools. What is being done about this! Rather than moaning and bleating about Muslim schools, collect evidence of Islamophobia in schools and counter it!

Latest example of Islamophobic racist kids in action:

Phew…feels good getting that off my chest!
Peace out.

Who's the Terrorist?

When I witness true, uncensored expose's of the Israeli aggression, illegal occupation, humiliation and torture upon the innocent, defenceless Palestinian people I thank God for all I have and pray for those poor defenceless souls. The Zionist lobbies have mastered the propaganda war and rarely, if ever, are we embraced with the true terror inflicted upon the Palestinians.

This is a political Arab rap performed by the Palestinian hip hop group called DAM. They sing about the struggle of the Palestinian people and highlight the oppression they experience every single day

Check it out:

If only I could use my Kufi as a weapon...

Speaking of others, I just want to make my way back to Mad Mel. No I haven't got a personal grudge against her (although it may seem it at times).

The reason I bring up Mad Mel is because, not only does she have wacky views when it comes to the environment, but she thinks that the Israelis are the victims!

Here's one of her latest articles:

As Hamas screams for yet another round of attacks against Israel, and claims responsibility for volleys of at least twelve Kassam rockets and eight mortar rounds fired at Israel from the Gaza Strip this morning, HonestReporting.com points out the astounding-if-it-wasn’t-so-routine fact that, while the western media insist that the Palestinians have maintained a ‘cease-fire’ against Israel for the past five months, the following Palestinian terrorist incidents have taken place:


• Islamic Jihad terrorist captured near Tel Aviv after his bomb belt fails to detonate

• Palestinian bride arrested on suspicion of planning to carry out suicide bombing

• 3 Israelis injured in shooting attack near Modi’in

• Hamas calls for further kidnappings of Israeli soldiers

• Israeli cars shot at in West Bank

• Israeli civilian wounded in West Bank drive-by shooting

• Arrests prevent huge Hamas-planned car bomb in Tel Aviv

• Egypt arrests would-be Hamas suicide bomber near Israeli border

• Palestinian rockets hit Sderot home; several Israelis treated for shock


Indeed, as in this typical Associated Press story, the media claim the existence of this Palestinian ‘cease-fire’ while in the very same story recording the never-ending Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel. The inescapable implication of this systematic and mind-twisting denial of Palestinian military aggression and equally systematic concentration on Israeli measures to counter it is that such Palestinian attacks aren’t considered to be attacks at all because their targets are Israelis, whose own self-defence is thus characterised falsely as aggression. Thus Israeli victimisation and Palestinian aggression continue to be airbrushed out of the moral equation, and Israel continues to be wickedly demonised in the eyes of the western world.

How dare she say that Palestinian aggression is airbrushed?! If anything, the injustices committed by the Israeli soldiers are airbrushed.

I swear, sometimes I feel like shoving a kufi down that woman's throat - but then that would be a waste of a good kufi.

Global warming and others

Its interesting to see what those more read and influential than us here at Empowering Us have to say over the Global Warming Issue. Whether it be religious leaders, politicians, journalists, etc. As I (obviously) think it is a big issue that needs to be dealt with pretty urgently, what other people think about global warming often affects my view of them. Like any prat that drives round central London in a 4x4 automatically gains my wrath and WILL get a dirty look from me. The need? A friend was speaking to a colleague of his that lives in the rough terrained Chelsea and drives one. “Ever heard of global warming?” he asked him. “Oh yes, but this thing is marvellous - you can’t feel it at all!” referring to his monster. Blooming pompous twat. Of course I don’t blindly discriminate as some people have genuine reason for them. Well actually I do because apart from 3, everyone I know that drives one its blatantly a status thing.

Last week reading the Observer I came across Nick Cohen whose article I was pleasantly surprised by. He wrote of the danger of extremists undermining their own cause: as by the “eco-extremists” picking on Al Gore for his private electricity bills they are diverting attention away from the real cause. He states it’s the last thing we need - eco-extremists “trumping Gore’s inconvenient truth with a convenient excuse for doing nothing”. This article makes me like Nick Cohen as I have yet to form my own opinion on him. (I will read something about him or that he’s written and I’m like what a fool, but then on some domestic issues I generally agree with him e.g his stance on ID cards, grammar schools.) On the other hand there are people whose stance on the environment makes me dislike them even more. Jeremy Clarkson famously doesn’t give a monkeys, which definitely makes me dislike him even more. If you’re wondering he’s just too over the top and whilst when Hammond or James May do something it’s funny, when Clarkson does its normally pathetically sad/lame. Also sometimes I feel he just promotes or goes on about something just for the sake of it, although I did think he was funny on Have I Got News for You a couple of weeks ago. Then we come to Melanie Phillip’s views as below. I frequently read her stuff although why I bother is a mystery to me. Her views on global warming are positively bizarre, especially coming from someone who has no doubt never studied the subject, let alone devoted years of her life, like global warming scientist researchers have. Strange strange lady. (No, I ain’t picking on these people but when someone is so off on one issue, it kind of makes you question their other beliefs, no?)

Lastly, the religious leaders and their responses make for interesting reading. The Church of England last week released The Ten Green Commandments entitled “How many light bulbs does it take to change a Christian?” (Every time I read that I chuckle, but then I tend to find godawful jokes like that funny). Many of my friends have told me of their local rabbis talking of the need to take urgent steps. But the Muslim leaders, the imams? Well my local imam could be talking about climate change and what we could do, but they don’t allow women in, and don’t speak in English so not like I’d know. Now I know criticising the mosques is Funzie’s special area, but the Church of England taking steps has got to have shamed them in to doing something? Somehow I doubt it.

Let’s not end there. Let’s end on this instead:
“According to a survey in this week’s Time magazine, 85% of Americans think global warming is happening. The other 15% work for the White House.”

(Like i said, i like godawful jokes)

Global Warming is a lie! well that's what Melanie says

Speaking of contrasting views about environmental issues, Melanie Phillips (that's her mugshot on the left) is one who certainly falls into that category.

Here's an excerpt from one of her more "thought-provoking and intelligent" articles:

Channel Four’s devastating documentary The Great Global Warming Swindle has blown an enormous hole in every fundamental claim made to support the climate change obsession — including the claim that the argument is over.

A procession of eminent scientists — climatologists, meteorologists, oceanographers, geologists, biogeographers, astrophysicists, professors of earth science, plus the former head of Greenpeace, who said that the global warming proponents were ‘anti-human’ — showed on the contrary that the theory bore no relation to science whatsoever.

The earth was much warmer during many periods in the past; the ice caps were always expanding and contracting and Greenland was much warmer 1,000 years ago; most of the atmosphere was not warming as much as surface temperatures; volcanoes, animals and vegetation each produced infinitely more carbon dioxide than human activity; carbon dioxide could not possibly be the culprit for climate change since historically the warming of the atmosphere preceded any increases in carbon dioxide, thus showing up a central claim made by Al Gore in his movie to be utter rubbish; and so on.

Read the rest of this article here

For someone who is seemingly very intelligent, to think that the issues of global warming "bore no relation to science whatsoever", well that's just crazy.

I think we can all see how the environmental changes are affecting thousands of lives - be they of humans or animals. To think that nothing needs to be done, well Melanie Phillips has then certainly lost her head.

No wonder they call her 'Mad Mel'

A Different Perspective?

A slightly different perspective by some - the glaciers are NOT melting rapidly, reducing co2 in our environment will have a devastating impact ... ? What do you make of it?



And if you think Global Warming won't affect you as you'll prob be dead by the time it all kicks in, think again:



And just something a lil' humorous as no doubt we can find any excuse to take the mick outta Bush:



Fact of the day:
*An area of rainforest - the size of England - is cut down every year!

Wake up to reality - take up the Green Jihad today!

Take up the Green Jihad

To keep in tune with EMPOWERING US’ Environmental Week, I thought I would carry out research via the inexhaustible internet. I have to add here that I was slightly apprehensive about what I would find (or how little I would find!) but I’m pleasantly surprised at what’s out there. Today I’d just like to remind readers of one of our many duties as a Muslim – our God-given responsibility to care for and safeguard our planet, what is ordained upon us by our Creator and the importance the Holy Quran gives to nature…

A fascinating article by Fareena Alam and Abdul Rahman Malik makes some crucial and insightful connections to Islam and the environment we live in…

Sacred balance

For most Muslims, Islam is more than merely a cultural or political identity. Religion matters – and thus any motivating argument about environmental activism must have at its core a message drawing on the sacred. The spiritual dimension, in other words, is at the heart of ‘Islamic environmentalism’. Nature is a sacred web of relationships, finely balanced and resonating with divinely given life. As the Quran says, “The sun and the moon follow courses precisely reckoned and the stars and the trees bow themselves in adoration and the heavens, God has raised them up, and set a balance. Transgress not in the balance.”

To transgress this balance is to commit a crime against God. Even the other creatures that inhabit this vast sacred dominion are not considered incidental. “No animal is there crawling on the earth and no bird flying on its wings that is not part of communities like yourselves,” the Quran reminds us. When we disrupt the natural order, we are upsetting communities as complex and diverse as our own. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) once said: “The Earth is like your mother; you came from it and you will return to it.”

The relationship is intimate. By polluting the source of life and damaging the Earth we are actually doing irreparable harm to ourselves. Men and women of faith never used to see themselves as separate from the environment. They were always attuned to the natural order and the movement of the sun, the moon and the stars guided their devotions. The reality of climate change and other “inconvenient truths” are indicative of how we have upset both the physical and spiritual order of the earth.

How, then, to reconnect? As Abdal-Hakim Murad puts it: “The Prophet Muhammad gave people something they could actualise in their worlds, in order to give them a form of life that would allow them to reconnect with nature. What is it that we in the modern world can offer?”

To answer this question, he does offer some practical advice. “We can be, as we so often are, moaning from the edges. It cannot be a menu of pure Luddite rejectionism. We need to make calls to people to be recognisably human in the middle of the modern world. Muslims engage in fasting, one of the most ancient of human rituals, perhaps like no other sacred tradition in the world. We pray not according to a timetable set by someone in some distant hierarchy, but in tandem with the planet beneath our feet, the sun and the moon. We break fast when the sun drops below the horizon and no amount of manipulation can alter that. To be embedded in the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, is to be embedded in the natural world. That is the kind of Muslim voice I think should be heard. We must exist, in the things we say and do, with our lifestyle, to be living witnesses to a form of life that is genuinely pre-modern. We drive cars, become lecturers, use computers – but in the basic patterns of our life, we are following a form of life that is pre-modern.”
The word on the street

This practical message has resonance for a new generation of Muslim environ-mentalists. In London, a remarkable community-based group has grown out of the work of IFEES. The London Islamic Network for the Environment, established by the World Development Movement activist and former IFEES project manager Muzammal Hussain, aims to make the message real at the grassroots level – through local events and campaigns where participants can get their hands dirty.

Borrowing from the approach of other community-based social justice movements, Hussain has sought to promote regular local engagement, with monthly meetings and links with existing campaigns, bringing a unique Islamic take to such events as last November’s Campaign for Climate Change march. Both LINE and IFEES also worked with the London Sustainability Exchange (LSx) in an innovative project in Tower Hamlets to sponsor Friday sermons on explicitly environmental issues [see Mosque with a mission].

LINE’s local focus and Hussain’s open-door approach has led to the initiative being replicated in the Midlands (MINE), Sheffield (ShINE) and Wales (WELCOME).

So to sum up – remember what has been prescribed to you by your creator. We will all be held to account for our actions (or lack of) on the Great Day so alongside our other responsibilities and obligations as a Muslim, make ‘Green Jihad’ one of them!

“The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) once said ‘The Earth is like your mother; you came from it and you will return to it.’”

Muslim Organisations and the Environment

Keeping in line with environmental week, I've decided to write about Muslim organisations and the environment.

Without a doubt, the environment is very important, and you'd expect Muslims to be right at the forefront of doing good work in this field - however, it seems that this is not the case at all.

There are very few Muslim organisations that are doing something: LINE, IFEES and MPACUK (they have a section called Green Muslims which I think is really useful) are the ones that come to mind.

I have to admit, I would've rather had said the names of mosques instead of these organisations, because the mosque should be the are where we go to learn about Islam in every sense of the word.

Imagine if our mosques taught us to be more environmentally friendly, imagine the postive impact on society. Yes, caring for the environment is common sense, but the mosque could be the centre from where we could learn how to refine our need to help the environment.

I know I seem to have moved onto the mosques, but that's because they are so important for Muslims, yet the mosque leaders don't seem to see this. I think it's great we have some organisations doing something, but imagine if our mosques were active (or atleast more active than they are), then we wouldn't need other organisations. Our mosques would be the centre of reforming society.

In conclusion, our mosques really need to shape up if they want to be the beacons of light they once were - may Allah guide us all to being true Muslims, and not just people who follow a bunch of rituals. Ameen.

“You are the best of the nations raised up for (the benefit of) men, you enjoin what is right and forbid the wrong and believe in Allah…”

(Surah Al Imran 3:110)

I recently came across this leaflet on climate change geared towards Muslims (it had pictures, parts were underlined, but i don't know how to get them to be shown so please forgive me- twas much brighter and more interesting). I implore you (don't worry I have never actually used that phrase while talking) to distribute this amongst Muslim friends (preferably by email) so in this area Muslims can be an example to the rest of the world.Here it is:

GLOBAL WARNING: THE ENVIRONMENT IS CHANGING FOR MUSLIMS TOO

As our various nations have developed and continue to develop, we need an ever increasing amount of energy to service our every day needs, such as heating, lighting, air-conditioning, travel etc. If this energy does not come from a renewable energy source, we are simply using up finite fossil fuel resources (of oil, coal, gas). More alarmingly however, we are polluting the environment to such an extent that the effects will be catastrophic. Similarly, as populations have increased, there are a greater number people using fresh water and producing a greater amount of waste.

It said in Islam that if one kills a single person, it is like killing the whole of humanity and if one person is saved, it is like saving the whole of humanity. If we compare this saying to the numbers of people that are being killed or may be killed in the future by our incorrect use of energy and our indiscriminate disposal of waste, we will have much to answer for.

It is said that there are 3 types of people:

1. Those that strive to have less than they need.
2. Those that strive to have only what they need (and no more)
3. Those that strive to have as much as possible no matter what the consequences.

By using more than one’s needs of finite resources, just means that in time, somebody else will have less.

It is acknowledged that Islam is not just a religion, but a way of life. A way of life that respects the rights of other people, (of whatever belief, and of no belief), of animals, birds, fish, of plants and of the environment in which we live. As Muslims we should undoubtedly be treating our environment with respect, in order that it may maintain its equilibrium and in turn it will sustain our children and grandchildren.

The problems include:
1. Global warming and air pollution caused by burning fossil fuels.
2. Household waste disposal.
3. Industrial waste disposal.
4. Pollution of our rivers and seas

The moral questions facing Muslims today include:

1. In order to achieve a better quality of life, should we readily accept that our actions will have a negative (and sometimes disastrous) effect on the life of others?
2. Can we afford to tolerate the wastage of water whilst we watch others suffer without?
3.Should we be [at least] attempting to minimise the negative impacts?
4. What can we do?

As Muslims we should be striving to lead the way as conservationists. Possible actions include:

1. Use of alternative energy sources, e.g. wind and solar power
2. Use of public transport whenever possible
3. Investment in bio-fuels
4. Water conservation
5. Minimising waste disposal
6. Recycling of waste
7. Planting trees wherever possible


Renewable energy

• Muslims should invest in and learn about development of technology to harness wind & solar power for the masses (e.g. solar energy to power water de-salination plants)
• Micro-generation of wind & solar energy at a local level (wind is free and blows in most parts of the world).

Waste Disposal

• Minimising disposal of waste should be a primary concern. Wherever possible, waste should be re-cycled. Only as a last resort should it be disposed. Even then it should be treated before being allowed to flow into our rivers and waterways. As we are aware, whilst Islam is a way of life built upon hygiene and cleanliness, in most parts of the (Muslim) world our waste is not treated and therefore comes back to haunt us in the form of contamination, disease and easily preventable illnesses.
• As a high proportion of the world’s population, Muslims are currently contributing significantly (some might say disproportionately) to the waste produced, whether it be day-to-day rubbish, green house gases or industrial effluent. In some instances we are literally choking on our own waste.

Recycling

Many Muslims in the West originally come from countries where in rural areas nothing is wasted, and where for example recycling a cow-pat to use as fuel for a fire is not given a second thought. Yet many of us appear to be ignorant of the need to recycle the bottles, cans, newspapers and plastics etc that we buy and throw every day. Put in perspective, the energy saved in making one tin can, is in the order of that required to power a TV for one hour.

Use of Water

As Islam was born in the desert, it is no surprise that water is honoured as the “secret of life” and that usage of water without benefits to mankind, animal, birds or plants is forbidden.

Solutions

Muslims must therefore be looking to lead the way when it comes to protecting the environment and conserving our finite resources. Initially, by learning about the environment and how to protect it. Then by implementing practical solutions, for example (but not limited to):

• For every barrel of oil extracted, there could be a tree (costing perhaps just a few pennies) planted somewhere in the world.
  
• Use of small scale wind turbines for rural communities, particularly for water extraction
  
• Micro-generation using wind and solar power to supplement domestic properties
  
• Use of grey water (i.e. collected rain-water) for use in our gardens and where possible to flush our loos
  
• Use of public transport wherever possible, (or use a bicycle for short journeys)
  
• Ensure that our vehicles burn fuel efficiently and produce minimal emissions. [Developing countries should introduce stringent MOT style tests to ensure that road vehicles, especially government vehicles, comply with emission reducing requirements.]
• Wherever possible, protect the rights of animals (of any species). It is forbidden in Islam to kill an animal cruelly or for mere play. Islam has forbidden wastage of animals and plants in peacetime and even in time of war.

As an Ummah we should be practicing green policies that will contribute safeguarding the environment for our children, grandchildren and all future generations. As current, custodians of the planet, we bear the responsibility for our actions or indeed our in-action. Yet it is future generations that will suffer the consequences of our ignorance and selfishness.

The Prophet (pbuh) said:

"That which is lawful is plain and that which is unlawful is plain and between the two of them are doubtful matters about which not many people know. Thus he who avoids doubtful matters clears himself in regard to his religion and his honor, but he who falls into doubtful matters falls into that which is unlawful, like the shepherd who pastures around a sanctuary, all but grazing therein. Truly every king has a sanctuary, and truly Allah's sanctuary is His prohibitions. Truly in the body there is a morsel of flesh which, if it be whole, all the body is whole and which, if it be diseased, all of it is diseased. Truly it is the heart."

None of us can truly say in our hearts, that we are doing everything we possibly can against the injustice of environmental pollution. This short paper can by no means raise, let alone answer the many questions about global warming that we as Muslims (and non-Muslims) should be addressing. There is however little doubt that if we as Muslims do not act quickly and effectively against what is perhaps the greatest ever challenge to humankind, we shall be answering for it in this life and in the hereafter.

Print only double-sided on recycled paper
March 2007