BROWN sidelines the "REAL" Issues

By Majed Iqbal- The unfortunate incidents of Glasgow and London have once again drawn the spotlight onto the Muslim community despite the “fresh” angle from PM Gordon Brown in not using the words 'Islam' or 'Muslim' in relation to the incidents that took place on Saturday. However benevolent the new terminology may sound from a new prime Minister trying to create a sound image for public consumption, the facts remain the same, the targeted community through stops and searches and labeling remains the same and the underlying approach remains no different from the outgoing Prime MinisterBrown like Blair, has stifled the REAL discussion on the causes of such unacceptable activities on British soil; foreign policy.

Mr. Brown's new terrorism adviser, the former Metropolitan Police chief commissioner John Stevens, said al-Qaeda had imported "the tactics of Baghdad and Bali to our streets……And it will get worse before it gets better."

An honest and impartial observer would naturally question these remarks; "Is the debate to do with tactics or is it to do with the root causes that are propelling such behaviour?" Instead of scrutinizing his predecessors policies internationally, namely Iraq and Afghanistan, all Brown has done is re-word Blair’s Rhetoric in new dressing.

BROWN sidelines the "REAL" Issues



By Majed Iqbal

The unfortunate incidents of Glasgow and London have once again drawn the spotlight onto the Muslim community despite the “fresh” angle from PM Gordon Brown in not using the words 'Islam' or 'Muslim' in relation to the incidents that took place on Saturday.

However benevolent the new terminology may sound from a new prime Minister trying to create a sound image for public consumption, the facts remain the same, the targeted community through stops and searches and labeling remains the same and the underlying approach remains no different from the outgoing Prime Minister

Brown like Blair, has stifled the REAL discussion on the causes of such unacceptable activities on British soil; foreign policy.

Mr. Brown's new terrorism adviser, the former Metropolitan Police chief commissioner John Stevens, said al-Qaeda had imported "the tactics of Baghdad and Bali to our streets……And it will get worse before it gets better."

An honest and impartial observer would naturally question these remarks; "Is the debate to do with tactics or is it to do with the root causes that are propelling such behaviour?" Instead of scrutinizing his predecessors policies internationally, namely Iraq and Afghanistan, all Brown has done is re-word Blair’s Rhetoric in new dressing.

"We have to send a message that terrorists must not be allowed to disrupt our way of life" said Brown. Is that the case? Is it because terrorists hate British freedoms as the new home secretary Jacqui Smith put it?

It is high time that this new Prime Minister and his new cabinet washes the sins stained by the misadventures of colonial Tony to reap any real salvation and to ignite the correct debate in the UK on Foreign intervention into the political destinies of sovereign countries which ignite hatred that leads to such behaviour.

Its not words but time that will test the credentials of Brown.

The "PEACE" Maker?

The "PEACE" Maker?



By Maqsood Ahmed (ROCHDALE)

No doubt most of you are absolutely flabbergasted but not surprised that Tony Blair has landed the job of peace envoy to the Middle East. With So much blood on his hands can Tony Blair really wear the gloves of The Peace Maker?

His track record shows that he’s never really been interested in peace. He’s been more interested in “getting a piece”. He backed the immoral war in Iraq to ensure UK didn’t miss out on any deals, he also continues to champion the misadventure in Afghanistan, he remained silent when Lebonan was being flattened.Some would say he’s had a lot of experience in the Middle East - after all he has had holidays and summits in Sharm-el-Sheikh, he’s “done deals” with the Saudi’s before, he’s hosted Jordan at 10 Downing St., (that’s the King of Jordan). Surely, he’s gotta be the man for the job!

He’s a man that calls for democracy, but won’t support the will of the Palestinian people in their choice of leadership. He’ll have cordial relationships with people who are known to torture their citizens. He sells fighter jets to India whilst urging peace with it’s neighbour.

Surley, he’s the wrong man for the job!

OKAY – Who else could do it?

It’s not about the man, it’s about the agenda and the will, and neither can bring REAL PEACE at this time!

The "PEACE" Maker?



By Maqsood Ahmed (ROCHDALE)

No doubt most of you are absolutely flabbergasted but not surprised that Tony Blair has landed the job of peace envoy to the Middle East. With So much blood on his hands can Tony Blair really wear the gloves of The Peace Maker?

His track record shows that he’s never really been interested in peace. He’s been more interested in “getting a piece”. He backed the immoral war in Iraq to ensure UK didn’t miss out on any deals, he also continues to champion the misadventure in Afghanistan, he remained silent when Lebonan was being flattened.

Some would say he’s had a lot of experience in the Middle East - after all he has had holidays and summits in Sharm-el-Sheikh, he’s “done deals” with the Saudi’s before, he’s hosted Jordan at 10 Downing St., (that’s the King of Jordan). Surely, he’s gotta be the man for the job!

He’s a man that calls for democracy, but won’t support the will of the Palestinian people in their choice of leadership. He’ll have cordial relationships with people who are known to torture their citizens. He sells fighter jets to India whilst urging peace with it’s neighbour.

Surley, he’s the wrong man for the job!

OKAY – Who else could do it?

It’s not about the man, it’s about the agenda and the will, and neither can bring REAL PEACE at this time!

Brown IN - Blair OUT

It is a known fact that the eye of the storm is it's calmest part, from this eye the strom will unleash it's anger and wrath upon all that stand in it's way. With Tony Blair stepping down on 27th June 2007 there has been a sense relief and calm amongst some of the Muslim community in the UK, a feeling of the dark clouds having lifted and a real hope of a new start ahead.

After all Blair was the problem not the otherwise "muslim friendly" Labour Party who for years had defended the rights of minority communities in the UK. Anyone starting a new job will know that there is a need to make a statement early on to show the kind of qualities you posses and what can be expected of you , with Gordon Brown it is no different. Journalists, Politicians and the general public have been speculating for months about the kind of approach Brown would have in key issues such as Security.

What Gordon Brown revealed during his recent speech to Labour Party activists destroyed the illusion that the calm that some felt was anything but a figment of their imagination. With the Muslim community having battled against the 90 day detention without trial law for months to see it binned in favour of an equally unjust 28 day law, most had hoped that was the end of that. But it seems Brown want's to make his mark as PM by reviving the idea of detaining suspects for 90 days without charge.

Brown IN - Blair OUT



By Waseem Aslam (ROCHDALE)

It is a known fact that the eye of the storm is it's calmest part, from this eye the strom will unleash it's anger and wrath upon all that stand in it's way. With Tony Blair stepping down on 27th June 2007 there has been a sense relief and calm amongst some of the Muslim community in the UK, a feeling of the dark clouds having lifted and a real hope of a new start ahead. After all Blair was the problem not the otherwise "muslim friendly" Labour Party who for years had defended the rights of minority communities in the UK.

Anyone starting a new job will know that there is a need to make a statement early on to show the kind of qualities you posses and what can be expected of you , with Gordon Brown it is no different. Journalists, Politicians and the general public have been speculating for months about the kind of approach Brown would have in key issues such as Security.

What Gordon Brown revealed during his recent speech to Labour Party activists destroyed the illusion that the calm that some felt was anything but a figment of their imagination. With the Muslim community having battled against the 90 day detention without trial law for months to see it binned in favour of an equally unjust 28 day law, most had hoped that was the end of that. But it seems Brown want's to make his mark as PM by reviving the idea of detaining suspects for 90 days without charge.

Commenting on the proposal of Brown Shami Chakrabati of Liberty said "Twenty-eight days is already the longest period to hold a person without charge in the free world. If you go beyond 28 days it is internment" so much for an easing of the pressure on the Muslims under Brown. Making these statements just days before John Ried proposed similar things shows it was Browns first influence on policy making in the government, and although the idea of "stop and quiz" laws being introduced was shunned by Reid it wouldn't surpise anyone if this was introduced as well.

These new proposals do nothing to quiten the noise being created about the Muslim community being a problem community in fact they do quite the opposite and suggest that despite all the demonisation and arrests on false evidence more needs to be done to "control" the Muslims in the UK. Brown suggested to Party supporters in Glasgow that his leadership would be one for listening to the Party and public. Brown could do worse than listen to the voices of reason that say holding people for 90 days without charge will not diminish distrust of the government, nor will it gain them friends amongst the Muslims. In fact it just exposes the government plan to continually bully the Muslim community into submission to an unjust foreign policy and medieval anti-terror laws.

These voices of reason must eminate from Muslim communities up and down the country and be made louder by support from every sphere of the community. It is a time for a unifid message to be sent to the goverment and all other political parties that the Muslim community is not a political football with which to gain political points or make your mark as the new PM.

CNN Report on Salman Rushdie's knighthood

Despite the knighthood being a national ceremony awarded to deserving British people, the recent knighhood of Rushdie has sparked off an international row with many people argueing that this has deepened the Gulf between a 'Liberal west' and a huge section of the world who models their behaviour on Islamic laws and teachings.

SALMAN RUSHDIE- The Brave Knight?

By Majed Iqbal- Once again, discussions over freedom of speech have sparked off tensions in europe with the knighting of Salman Rushdie by the Queen last week. There have been protests internationally as well as critical debate at home in the UK on the rationale behind the controversial knighting.

Over the last year we have seen the cartoon outrage depicting the Prophet of islam in a negative light. The pope folowed by quoting from a centuries old Christian ruler who stated that the prophet of Islam had spread nothiong except evil. Charles clarke, former Home Secretary stated that Shariah rule in the Muslim world is unacceptable. Blair termed parts of Islam as an Evil Ideology. Jack straw orchestrated tensions by terming the Hijab as a sign of segregation and describing it as a barrier to communication.

And now............ in the name of contribution to literature, Salman Rushdie, Author of the book "Satanic Verses", which makes insulting insinuations about the prophet of islam and his wifes is celebrated on a state level and given a Royal honouring, endorsed by the british Government for his works.

RUSHDIE- The Brave Knight?



By Majed Iqbal

Once again, discussions over freedom of speech have sparked off tensions in europe with the knighting of Salman Rushdie by the Queen last week. There have been protests internationally as well as critical debate at home in the UK on the rationale behind the controversial knighting.

Over the last year we have seen the cartoon outrage depicting the Prophet of islam in a negative light. The pope folowed by quoting from a centuries old Christian ruler who stated that the prophet of Islam had spread nothiong except evil. Charles clarke, former Home Secretary stated that Shariah rule in the Muslim world is unacceptable. Blair termed parts of Islam as an Evil Ideology. Jack straw orchestrated tensions by terming the Hijab as a sign of segregation and describing it as a barrier to communication.

And now............ in the name of contribution to literature, Salman Rushdie, Author of the book "Satanic Verses", which makes insulting insinuations about the prophet of islam and his wifes is celebrated on a state level and given a Royal honouring, endorsed by the british Government for his works.

All of these tensions have arisen in the midst of Government lectures given to the Muslim community in the UK about how they should feel a part of British society, integrate and work towards cohesion of communities. Minister after Minister as well as oppostion party members have continuously ruttled the same mantra, each time pointing the finger to the muslim community as probelmatic, not flexible and leading Parallel lives.

Once again, the Muslim community is being questioned on their "Tolerance levels". Rather than looking crtically at the event and its repercussions in relations in the UK, Secularism, the relegation of relgion to personal domains, is still being hailed as the key to success in forging a successful society where evryones rights are protected.

British Home Secretary John Reid alluded to this to an audience in New York that many Christians had been offended by Monty Python’s Life of Brian, while some Jewish people were offended by Mel Gibson’s film The Passion of the Christ;

"We have very strong laws about promoting racial tolerance. It isn’t a free-for-all. We’ve thought very carefully about it, but we have a right to express opinions and a tolerance of other people’s point of view, and we don’t apologize for that.”

The Muslim community remains confused. How serious is the government on Integration OR is this simply one of the exercises to mark how integrated we are; the benchmark being our ability to tolerate slingshots on Islam in the name of Freedom of speech. Surely that would mean were more tolerant, accepting, integrated and British. Doesn't it?

QUESTION TIME on Salman Rushdie's knighthood

QUESTION TIME on Salman Rushdie's knighthood

Panelists reason out the link between gaining a knighthood and its offence on sectors of the community. Once again, Freedom of Speech is categorised as a non-Negotiable concept for western countries to bargain on for any issue. People should accept it and be thankful for it.

Click to see the SHOW