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!
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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
