ASIAN IMAGE Article- Sex education for five year olds?

A campaign has been launched in Rochdale following a new government project for primary schools which is set to be rolled out later this year.

The controversial Sex and relationships (SRE) studies, aimed to open up the minds of five year old primary school children towards understanding sexual behaviour, orientation and managing relationships is currently in the consultation process but has already sparked debate in many communities across the UK.



Rochdale residents have shown growing concern as many people had not been made aware of these plans for their children's education.

Further, once in fruition, parents do not have the choice to opt their children out of the lessons.

The studies were designed with the perceived wisdom that ‘good sex education' leads to better informed children and the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STIs), teenage pregnancies.

Britain remains the lead country in Europe with the highest figures of teenage pregnancies whilst number of abortions carried out on girls aged under 18 in Wales was at a five-year high, assembly government figures show.

Majed Iqbal, a Rochdale based blogger and community activist has embarked on a campaign to challenge the SRE project to be taught at primary schools.

North West Women's conference addresses the future of Gaza

By Majed Iqbal- While international pressure seems to have produced a ceasefire in Gaza, feelings of outrage have not dissipated easily left by the international silence by leading powers whilst the aggression was taking place in Gaza. Bitter taste can be felt resounding in many countries and seemed no different for the Muslim community in the UK.



Beyond the Gaza episode and the alleged ceasefire by Israeli forces, debates and discussions continue to look at a viable alternative to achieving territorial integrity and liberation for the Palestinians and mapping out the main obstacle in the way of achieving this.

To discuss these issues over a 150 women attended a one day Conference which looked beyond the ‘ceasefire', evaluated the practical steps that could have prevented such atrocities and mapped out a future political set up to ensure stability and peace for the region

The women's chapter of the Islamic political party Hizb ut-Tahrir organised the conference in Longsight, Manchester opening a robust debate on the Gaza issue.

It's time to look beyond Obama

By Waseem Aslam- The inauguration of Barrack Obama was a true 21st Century world event, with live coverage being beamed all across the globe. Obama for many is not just a replacement for George Bush but a real sense of hope for the future - this includes many in the Muslim world.



A charismatic speaker who has a way with words, it is easy to see why so many are drawn to the new President of the Untied States. Add on top of that the fact that he is the first Black President then it is little wonder the world is in such awe of Obama.

It is however, imperative that Muslims across the globe look at Obama in the cold light of day and not with rose tinted glasses. Despite the fact that he has promised to close Guantanamo Bay (which was due for closure anyway) his attitude towards the Muslim world is little different to that of the Bush administration. It must not be forgotten he pledged to follow the Taliban into Pakistan and has pledged 100% backing for the state of Israel, both financially and politically.

Many of these issues require a more detailed discussion; however, one thing the Muslims who are dumfounded by Obamamania can learn from the man himself is the idea of self reliance. The core message of this campaign was for average Americans to help themselves and thus help America.

Rochdale Imam accuses local Mosques of 'Child Beatings'

By Majed Iqbal- According to a new report compiled by Irfan Chishti, a government adviser on Islamic affairs and a close ally to Hazel Blears on her agenda to tackle Extremism, has stated that Muslim children are being beaten and abused regularly by teachers at some madrassas.

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Students have been slapped, punched and had their ears twisted, according to the unpublished report by the Rochdale imam based on interviews with victims in the north of England.

The times newspaper, who ran the story and claimed Exclusive coverage for it, was forthright in painting a bleak picture of Muslims In Rochdale and their institutions. It is yet to be verified as to how the report came to the attention of the times newspaper.

Rochdale Muslims have met the news with utter disgust and have been sceptical over the last months of the direct repeated references being made about Rochdale Muslims in Press and Government Circles. This news story adds to the frenzy which has gradually been whipped up in recent weeks.

Musharraf Resigns- Is there anything worth rejoicing for?

Published on the Asian News Letters Section

By Majed Iqbal- Today's announcement by Musharraf of his resignation has come at an interesting time. I'm sure, this move has sparked off a wave of emotions in Pakistan as well as catching the attention of keen Observers of the country which has played a pivotal role in Americas "War on Terror".



Ever since the Elections in February this year, Pakistani Politics has circled around personal vendettas, Career goals, securing seats, and concocting plans to get a fair share of the Cake whilst in power.

Musharraf's resignation comes in light of the above issues where personal rivalries with Nawaz Sharif, who has taken upon it himself to oust the President, ever since he stepped back into the country coupled with a conniving Asif Zardari who has used his spouses assassination as a stepping stone to creep back into the political scene has played the key role in bringing Musharraf to this stage.

Hence, we must ask is there any joy for celebration or are we in for a re-run of October 1999? This was when Musharraf ousted Nawaz Sharif and sent him to exile in Saudia Arabia. and now we are seeing Nawaz playing the same role but this time in a more commanding position.

Letter- Cameron jokes about Shariah Law after bike is stolen

By Waseem Aslam- David Cameron is famed for his biking riding adventures. He will tell you all that is a part of his new green image for the future of Britain and the world. Mr Cameron will tell us all a lot of things. He is a man of many forthright views, most of these views (he would call them policies) when put to the test fail miserably.



There was his 'hug a hoody' fiasco when Mr Cameron's attempt to reach out to the disaffected youth of the council estate in Britain backfired. The only problem here was that the hoddies quite frankly didn't want to be hugged. They seemed more content on expressing their Democratically won freedom by displaying their knives and gang signs on You Tube (15 minutes of fame and all that).

The hoodies got their own back on Mr Cameron by stealing his bike from outside a Tesco store in London, the bike had been chained to a 3ft high bollard and the theives simply lifted it up and over the bollard for an easy steal.

What was Mr Cameron's response? Did he announce he wanted to give the thives a big old fashoined bear hug? No!

Are British Muslims "Attention Seekers"?

By Majed Iqbal- A report issued this month has found eye-opening evidences that Muslims living in Britain suffer disproportionately more from discrimination, racial abuse and racial attacks than any other faith group, and the more openly devout they are, the more likely they are to experience harassment and abuse.



The Study titled "Muslims under siege- Alienating Vulnerable Communities" was used as part of the Channel 4 Dispatches program aired this month which went out actively to prove that Islam and Muslims are used as political tools for Politicians, Propaganda stories by press and consequently left open to ridicule.

Report commissioners Peter Oborne and James Jones in their Report Introduction write "The seed for this pamphlet was planted in October 2006 when Jack Straw and other cabinet ministers raised the issue of Muslim women wearing the veil. It soon became clear that this was more than a random rumination from a member of the government. Rather Labour appeared to have made the extraordinary decision to try to identify with a general mood of resentment and anxiety about the presence of Muslim communities in this country and to intervene in the politics of religious identity".

LETTER- Bishop Nazir Ali's comments on Islamic Extremism

Published in the Asian News Letters Section

By Waseem Aslam- Regarding the recent comments made by Nazir Ali stating that the vacuum left by the Christian faith in British society is being filled by Islamic extremists.



I would agree that British society is godless and that religious faith plays no role in the day to day function of the society as a whole. This void has been filled by gods of the 21st Century such as Celebrity, Sports stars and designer gear. The fact that the neo-gods cause debauchery and social meltdown as is being witnessed speaks volumes for the failure of British values.

Nazir Ali naively suggests that the ideals of freedom, respect and tolerance exist in British society and that the extremism of Islam is a threat to these values. For any Muslim who have lived through the past few years in Britain it is clear that freedom is selective; the 28 day detention without charge is testament to this.

Can Muslims take a joke?

By Maqsood Ahmed and Majed Iqbal- Borat approached a passer-by in a New York street and said in the style of his Kazakh alter ego: "I like your clothings. Are nice! Please may I buying? I want have sex with it." But the target of his joke didn't see the funny side and punched Cohen repeatedly in the face.



This is not the first time Americans failed to get the Borat joke. Two US students who appeared in the Borat movie are suing Sacha Baron Cohen, the architect and player of the notorious Kazakh Borat character claiming they have suffered "mental anguish" after they were filmed making racist and sexist remarks.

Borat aired international reputation after the launch of his film 'Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan' where audiences apparently laughed non-stop as he poked fun at Jews, feminists, gays, blacks, US President George W. Bush's "war of terror", frat boys, evangelicals, Kazakhstan and its neighbour Uzbekistan and included a clip where he goes into a redneck bar and sings "a song from my country, 'Throw the Jew down the well'".

Dutch MP’s Anti- Quran Film: Is this the road to Integration?

Published on LookAsia and Asian News

By Majed Iqbal- It was on September 30, 2005, when the Danish daily newspaper Jyllands-Posten's, published cartoons depicting the Prophet of Islam in an attempt to "test the level of tolerance of Muslims" living in Danish Society.



Two years on from the international furor created by these publications, a sequel with an even more loaded message to this issue is about to re-kindle another international situation.

Dutch lawmaker, MP Geert Wilders, who last summer called for the Quran to be banned in the Netherlands has now made a movie, entitled "Fitna", to support his contention that the Koran inspires "intolerance, murder and terror."

Wilders, leader of the Freedom Party had long threatened to release a film exhibiting, in his words, "the violent and fascist elements of the Muslim faith".

Holland- Serious about Cohesion?

Published on the Asian News Letters Section

By Maqsood Ahmed- Fitna, a film directed by a Dutch Parliamentarian, Geert Wilders, and to be released shortly has openly called for the Quran to be banned and likens the Quran to Adolf Hitler's book Mein Kampf. All this is done in the name of "freedom of expression".



At a time when the propaganda on Islam is on the rise, and Muslim community is being coerced to assimilate into the dominant culture, it is imperative we look deeply at the issue of community cohesion. This term "community cohesion" seeks to gel the community together on a set of "common values".

Surely community cohesion must mean all cultures are respected for their values for greater harmony in our community. Yet, in the name of "freedom" Islam is mocked and insulted and Muslims are expected to buy into this "universal idea".

Pakistani Elections 2008- What now holds for the future?

Also available on the Asian Image Website

By Majed Iqbal- February 18th 2008 saw Pakistan embarking on its Election Day amidst the chaos, Political unstability, violence, Foreign Interference and heavy handed tactics of the darling of London and Washington, the self styled "President" of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf.



Dubbed as the most crucial and most important Elections in Pakistan and the sixth in the country's fifty one year history, international Media and Western states alongside a "Special" Foreign Election Investigators team sent to observe the whole process, were watching events with close attention as events unfolded minute by minute in this country described as a "volatile" and a "politically unstable" area.

If Elections in Pakistan ever changed anything, They'd be Abolished!

Published on the Heritage Section of Asian News

By Majed Iqbal- Today is February 18th 2008. A much awaited day and for some a day which supposed to have begun last month for many. Today, Pakistan is embarking on its Election Day amidst the chaos, Political unstability, violence, Foreign Interferance and heavy handed tactics of the darling of London and Washington, the self tyled "President" of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf.



Discussions on Elections and restoring the country onto a democratic route have been heavily discussed by Pakistani politicians, TV Channels, Newspapers and by the existing government officials.

Promises flavoured with enticing language of development, progress, education for all, rooting out corruption, free media, helping the poor, quashing extremism and placing the country of Pakistan back onto the international stage with pride amongst the world community; all such lollypop advert styled slogans have come thick and fast in efforts to engage the nation into voting for the "right choice".

How Rochdale "greeted" Musharraf on his UK visit

By Majed Iqbal- How many times have you visited a relative's home and saw you elderly engrossed in a discussion and argument about Pakistani politics over a cup of tea in the vicinity of their large traditional front room? Seems to ring a bell! Déjà vu for definite! Heated debates, full of resentment against Pakistani politicians, utter disgust at the state of affairs and that's all it's left to.



Unfortunately that's how far it will go with our community; hot air and outbursts of raw emotion. We are quick to raise the finger but have next to no thought on how to translate this into positive action.

Musharraf, whom some consider the Mugabe of South East Asia, was on his UK tour, drumming up support to place a charade over his ill seeds planted in his country, the brunt of which his nation is taking. The question on peoples minds should have been- how can we living in the UK challenge him on his failed policies, subservience to foreign interests, massacre of his own citizens, blaming terrorism instead of his own failures on the downfall of Pakistan, and being given full VIP treatment her in the UK by the British Government?

The Obesity Epidemic- Cashing in on the Problems

Published on the Asian Image and Asian News Website

By Majed Iqbal- People who are overweight could be paid to get slim, the government has suggested this week as part of its national strategy to tackle the obesity epidemic. Proposed measures include involving schools, employers, the food industry, GPs and others which are intended to encourage individuals to eat better and exercise more in part of the governments £75m campaign plans.



It is believed without action, almost nine in 10 adults and two-thirds of children will be overweight or obese by 2050 and at risk of diabetes, cancer, heart disease and other health problems, costing society £50bn a year, according to a recent report by scientists commissioned by the government.

The "paid to get slim" idea is a proposal to offer cash incentives to adults comes from the US, where a study last September found that the more money people were promised, the more weight they lost.

Hazel blears launches Muslim Women "Assertiveness Courses"

Published on the Asian Image Website

By Majed Iqbal- After the joke and unsuccessful attempts of former Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly in launching her Nasiha project for imams and mosques to tackle extremism in Muslim communities, her new successor Hazel Blears has shown that she is even more far ahead than Kelly when it comes to Political entertainment.



Communities Secretary Hazel Blears is to give instructions that some of a £70 million Government fund set up to encourage "cohesion" should be used to try to bolster the confidence of women. Sounds great, sounds ambitious and what a nice way to help British women feel involved, especially after the sexual harassment received at workplaces, having been victims of domestic violence which constitute a quarter of all crimes reported yearly, the un-equality in pay which has been raging on for decades and the gender stereotypes for particular employments. Thanks hazel.

SLIDESHOW- After Benazir- What next for Pakistan?

Published on the Asian Image Website

By Majed Iqbal- Ever since Benazir stepped backed into Pakistan, security was the key concern for her to ensure she could kick start her Political rallying after securing her deal with the then ‘uniformed’ Musharraf. Her episode in the Karachi Rally where she narrowly escaped death re-asserted the lack of Political security offered from the state and highlighted a new phenomenon on Pakistani terrain- that of suicide bombings, something which was unheard of prior to Pakistan engaging in the War on Terror.

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However, last Thursday, Benazir became the new casualty in the episode of this External War which has found a front in Pakistan through the discredited military dictatorship of Musharraf. But this has not been the focus of discussion! Both national and international media have been glued to the tug of war taking place between the government and the Pakistan Peoples Party’s version of events. What exactly happened? Who was the Assassin? Where was security? Was it Bullets, Shrapnel or the bang on the head?

The Phony Politics of Pakistan

Published on the Asian Image Website

By Moh Bloggs- The events of the last 36 hours in Pakistan should have shown us all something , beyond the death of Benazir Bhutto and above the billowing black smoke as Pakistan burns in rage there should have been an epiphany (a sudden insight into the reality) for the people and press Pakistan. It was a moment in History where you would hope a people would collectively stop, look and think about the situation they are in.



However the media on mass have refused to question the very status quo that has allowed Benazir to be killed in almost broad daylight in front of scores of people. Rather as is the nature of Pakistani’s there is nothing more they love than a good old conspiracy theory, so theories of who and why someone would have Benazir killed have been doing the rounds on channels such as GEO and the like.

The Age of Irony is Dead!

Published on the Islamic Times website

By Andrusha Wickremeratne (Hebden Bridge)- In 1973 Henry Kissinger was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. As Tom Lehrer, one of America’s leading satirists remarked at the time: “political satire became obsolete when Henry Kissinger was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace”, since amongst Kissinger’s contribution to peace that year was the continuation of the bombing campaign of neutral Cambodia, started in 1970 and instigated by that esteemed diplomat and peacemaker, resulting in an estimated loss of 600,000 lives.



Sadly present day Tom Lehrers are thin on the ground. Tony Blair’s newly appointed position as Middle East Envoy with a special remit to, amongst other things, bring about peace between Israel and the Palestinians, has not been greeted with howls of disbelief, disdain or ridicule, but treated with all due gravitas and seriousness within the parameters of liberal journalism and commentary.

First, lets set a few things straight. There was no popular clamour for Blair to be seconded to this role. Indeed ordinary people around the world would probably agree with Lehrer’s appraisal of Kissinger as applied to Blair. For those Iraqis and Afghanis, the recipients of Western beneficence and bombs, the reaction would probably be somewhat stronger. No, Tony Blair was appointed to his new role by the “Quartet”; that is, representatives from the US, UN, EU and Russia. And who are these representatives? Highly educated diplomats, consumers of free lunches, people who appreciate a fine vintage wine, and who, like Kissinger does today, charge exorbitant sums of money for a speaking engagement on Peace.

FROM ISLAMABAD to London to Washington

Published in The Islamic Times Newspaper


By Majed Iqbal- Sacking of the Chief justice, Lawyers rallying on the streets, MQM activists murdering protesters, Madrassah students trying to create a state within a state, the Lal Masjid showdown; Pakistan peoples Party’s switch in allegiance to the Musharraf regime; Pakistan has seen it all in the last seven months.



With deep discontent and resentment rising over the unfolding sagas in the last months, President Musharraf is bordering a Political crisis with elections looming on the horizon and ace cards to place on the table to obtain support seem to be running out.



Support for Musharraf has plunged since February, according to an opinion poll published on Wednesday 2nd August 2007. The latest poll, conducted by the Washington-based International Republican Institute, found dissatisfaction with the president has surged this year with 63 per cent of respondents calling for him to quit.