Sunday 05 December 2010
Threatened with death in shop windows: Channel 4 News Midlands Correspondent Darshna Soni investigates allegations of hate crime against Ahmadi Muslims in the UK.
It's not known exactly how many Ahmadis have settled in Britain - because many are too fearful to even admit they belong to the religion. They are a small, peaceful community who came here after fleeing persecution in Pakistan.
But many Ahmadis are now living in fear for their lives - because they claim a campaign of hatred against them by other, extremist Muslims, is being exported from Pakistan onto the streets of the UK.
Earlier this year in Lahore, Ahmadis were targeted in a murderous attack. 93 worshippers were killed including a number of Britons. Police fought a 3 hour battle with gunmen who had stormed two Ahmedi mosques - the group's religious views are highly controversial, because they dont believe the Prophet Mohammad was the last messenger. It's a view orthadox Muslims find heretical and clerics have lobbied the Pakistani government to introduce a number of anti-Ahmadi laws.
Lutfar Rehman survived the Lahore massacre, but witnessed others being killed. He says the ideology behind the attack is now being preached here in the UK.
"I was inside the mosque when we heard gunshot and the attackers came in. Sitting next to me was a little kid, with his father, his father was trying to save him... The attacks didn't just come suddenly, they were the climax of years of hatred and abuse against us. Ive seen all kinds of problems and hatred in society in Pakistan, now the same thing is happening here."
Since the attacks in Pakistan, we've found worrying evidence that a campaign of hatred is spreading in the UK. We've spoken to Ahmadis who have been physically attacked in the street - and to others who've been sacked from their jobs because they've refused to convert.
Zaheer Mirza owns a butchers in Tooting. He says in recent months, customers have been boycotting his shop after a lefleat started to appear in the community. The lefleat states that because he's an Ahmedi, his meat is not halal. "A lot of people hate us, that's why," he says.
I spoke to others who also claim they are victims. Abdul Majeed has just won an tribunal against his former Muslim employer - the panel found Mr Majeed was sacked because he's an Ahmadi and refused to convert. He told me that he had worked for his boss for two-and-half years - and had felt sick and upset, when he was asked to leave. We were unable to contact Mr Majeed's ex-employer - but during the tribunal, it was claimed he was influenced by anti-Ahmadi conference held in south London after the Pakistan attacks.
This is how it all begins. Shops boycotted, posters going up in windows, people sacked from their jobs.
Lord Avebury
Soon after the conference, our investigation found hate leaflets openly on display. In one shop selling hair products, we found a poster warning Muslims to stay away from Ahmadis. Police in Lambeth confirmed to us that they had been asked to investigate whether the poster constituted a hate crime. I went inside and spoke to the shopkeeper, Adeel Rubani. He told me that he disagreed with the Ahmadis' religious views and felt he had an obligation to "give information to other Muslims."
When I asked him whether he thought this added to an atmosphere in which Ahmadis were being singled out and targeted, he said no. "I've never heard of an Ahmadi being attacked," he said.
But the sentiments against Ahmadis have caused huge concern - and the matter was recently debated in parliament.
The human rights campaigner and Liberal Democrat peer, Lord Avebury, warns that the hate campaign could soon become "a holocaust." He says "This is how it all begins. Shops boycotted, posters going up in windows, people sacked from their jobs."
We tracked down the organisation behind the posters. Khatme Nubbawat - or finality of the prophet - is a British off-shoot of a Pakistani group accused of leading an extremist campaign against Ahmadis. In a recent speech, one of their preachers states that the Lahore attacks were an Ahmadi conspiracy. They are based in east London, and we were given a rare interview.
"I can assure you there is no such hate campaign going on here..."Akber Choudhry, the group's spokesman told me that they are simply countering Ahmadiyya propaganda. I showed him the posters we found in shop windows, and asked if they are inflammatory. "Certainly not."
Mr Choudhry says that the CPS had investigated the posters, but found that although unpleasant words were used, no laws were broken. "If speaking unpleasantly was a crime, democracy would not exist."
The Ahmadis are now seeking independent legal advice, to see whether the CPS can be made to re-investigate any alleged hate crimes.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Friday
No sign of Maurice on Skype this evening, and he hasn't left a message to say that he'd tried earlier.
Bhante rang. The Forest Hermitage has been isolated by heavy snowfalls, and the failure of the Council to clear the side road to the monastery. And into the bargain, he's had a nasty bout of flu, from which he's just recovering. The forecast is that the zero temperatures throughout the country will continue over the weekend.
Bhante rang. The Forest Hermitage has been isolated by heavy snowfalls, and the failure of the Council to clear the side road to the monastery. And into the bargain, he's had a nasty bout of flu, from which he's just recovering. The forecast is that the zero temperatures throughout the country will continue over the weekend.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Wednesday
The last day before the Christmas recess. I had the topical question, for which there is a ballot. The question was on the Government's reaction to the National Institute for Economic and Social Research report on caste discrimination in he UK. Under the previous Government, it was clearly understood that if the research found that caste discrimination does exist in the UK, they would activate Section 9(5) of the Equality Act, in effect treating caste as a 'protected characteristic along with age, race, religion, disability, marriage and civil partnership, gender and sexual orientation. The Minister who replied, Baroness Verma, was very lukewarm about the possibility of using the legislation that's there.
Later, down to Woking for cousin Dudi's funeral at the crematorium. She was 93, and had been getting steadily weaker. Very sadly also, her sharp mind had started to fade.
Later, down to Woking for cousin Dudi's funeral at the crematorium. She was 93, and had been getting steadily weaker. Very sadly also, her sharp mind had started to fade.
Short week
Monday Syed T H came to see me for a discussion over a cup of tea. I was delighted to hear that he had sold a painting - he is a foremost expert on Islamic calligraphy, and some of the major auction houses have been staging auctions of Islamic art.
Later, I had a meeting with Peter Low, who has succeeded Gaby Drinkwater as Coordinator of the Peru Support Group. With the Foreign Office taking greater interest in Latin America, we should be able to expand the membership.
Tuesday, I had a visit from some Bahraini teenagers, and was delighted to show them round the Palace.
Later, I had a meeting with Peter Low, who has succeeded Gaby Drinkwater as Coordinator of the Peru Support Group. With the Foreign Office taking greater interest in Latin America, we should be able to expand the membership.
Tuesday, I had a visit from some Bahraini teenagers, and was delighted to show them round the Palace.
Tuesday morning, I chaired a seminar on the catastrophic deterioration of human rights in Bahrain. 23 leading human rights activists are in trial for a variety of nebulous offences, and all of them had to endure a period of solitary confinement during which they were tortured The judge dealing with the case refused the defendants' plea that the torture should be investigated first, on the grounds that false confessions had been extracted from them, and this was the only evidence for their 'crimes'. The defence lawyers then walked out, and the judge said he would appoint replacements, but the defendants said they wouldn't accept that proposal, which is contrary to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Under the ICCPR, everyone is entitled to appoint a lawyer of his or he own choice. At question time, we had an exchange on the Chagos Islands, see www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201011/ldhansrd/text/101214-0001.htm#10121445000903. The Government line is that they have been told by the Americans that any return of the inhabitants who were kicked out by the British to make room for a us military base would create unacceptable security problems. Before President Obama came into office, the FCO twice persuaded the Americans to put their objections in writing to help with the court case, but now we are supposed to believe that only a verbal reiteration of the previous administration's policy has been offered. Wikileaks published the desperate plea of the FCO for the Americans to put it in writing, and the fact that they haven't done so makes it look as though there would be no security concerns if the few Chagossians who would want to return lived on the outer islands, 140 miles from Diego Garcia.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Last Saturday my cousin Dudi died at the age of 92, after spending quite a few years in nursing homes, steadily needing more care as time went by. She hated being dependent, and was lonely because she didn't make friends easily with the other residents. I felt guilty for not visiting her more often. It must be really hard to lose all your friends and relatives one by one, and to have very little in common with the people around you.
Tuesday morning, I chaired a seminar on the catastrophic deterioration of human rights in Bahrain. 23 leading human rights activists are in trial for a variety of nebulous offences, and all of them had to endure a period of solitary confinement during which they were tortured The judge dealing with the case refused the defendants' plea that the torture should be investigated first, on the grounds that false confessions had been extracted from them, and this was the only evidence for their 'crimes'. The defence lawyers then walked out, and the judge said he would appoint replacements, but the defendants said they wouldn't accept that proposal, which is contrary to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Under the ICCPR, everyone is entitled to appoint a lawyer of his or he own choice. At question time, we had an exchange on the Chagos Islands, see www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201011/ldhansrd/text/101214-0001.htm#10121445000903. The Government line is that they have been told by the Americans that any return of the inhabitants who were kicked out by the British to make room for a us military base would create unacceptable security problems. Before President Obama came into office, the FCO twice persuaded the Americans to put their objections in writing to help with the court case, but now we are supposed to believe that only a verbal reiteration of the previous administration's policy has been offered. Wikileaks published the desperate plea of the FCO for the Americans to put it in writing, and the fact that they haven't done so makes it look as though there would be no security concerns if the few Chagossians who would want to return lived on the outer islands, 140 miles from Diego Garcia.
Wednesday morning, EU Select Committee, at which evidence was taken from Robert Wainwright, Director of EUROPOL, in connection with our inquiry on the EU Internal Security Strategy. The five aims of the ISS are to disrupt international crime networks; to prevent terrorism and address radicalisation; to raise levels of security in cyberspace; to strengthen security through border management, and to increase Europe's resilience towards crises and disasters. The European Commission has submitted proposals to the Eiropeand Parliament and the Council for achieving those objectives, and it is that document with 41 proposed common actions, that is the subject of our inquiry.
Wednesday afternoon, a meeting of the All-Part Group on the Chagos Islands, chaired by Jeremy Corbyn MP.
Thursday morning, an appointment with my GP, Dr W, to make some adjustments in the medication I take for blood pressure.
Tuesday morning, I chaired a seminar on the catastrophic deterioration of human rights in Bahrain. 23 leading human rights activists are in trial for a variety of nebulous offences, and all of them had to endure a period of solitary confinement during which they were tortured The judge dealing with the case refused the defendants' plea that the torture should be investigated first, on the grounds that false confessions had been extracted from them, and this was the only evidence for their 'crimes'. The defence lawyers then walked out, and the judge said he would appoint replacements, but the defendants said they wouldn't accept that proposal, which is contrary to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Under the ICCPR, everyone is entitled to appoint a lawyer of his or he own choice. At question time, we had an exchange on the Chagos Islands, see www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201011/ldhansrd/text/101214-0001.htm#10121445000903. The Government line is that they have been told by the Americans that any return of the inhabitants who were kicked out by the British to make room for a us military base would create unacceptable security problems. Before President Obama came into office, the FCO twice persuaded the Americans to put their objections in writing to help with the court case, but now we are supposed to believe that only a verbal reiteration of the previous administration's policy has been offered. Wikileaks published the desperate plea of the FCO for the Americans to put it in writing, and the fact that they haven't done so makes it look as though there would be no security concerns if the few Chagossians who would want to return lived on the outer islands, 140 miles from Diego Garcia.
Wednesday morning, EU Select Committee, at which evidence was taken from Robert Wainwright, Director of EUROPOL, in connection with our inquiry on the EU Internal Security Strategy. The five aims of the ISS are to disrupt international crime networks; to prevent terrorism and address radicalisation; to raise levels of security in cyberspace; to strengthen security through border management, and to increase Europe's resilience towards crises and disasters. The European Commission has submitted proposals to the Eiropeand Parliament and the Council for achieving those objectives, and it is that document with 41 proposed common actions, that is the subject of our inquiry.
Wednesday afternoon, a meeting of the All-Part Group on the Chagos Islands, chaired by Jeremy Corbyn MP.
Thursday morning, an appointment with my GP, Dr W, to make some adjustments in the medication I take for blood pressure.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Tuesday, meeting of Parliamentary Human Rights Group officers
Wednesday, PHRG meeting with Thomas Hammarberg, High Commissioner for Human Rights at the Council of Europe, an old friend. He spoke about the treatment of minorities, and particularly the Roma and gays. I sent him the 'letter of allegation' from the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Adequate Housing, the draft response that was submitted for approval to the CLG Minister Andrew Stunell MP, and my note on the 20% of the Traveller population who are homeless. Also my note on restoring the right of appeal against refusal of asylum to gays from countries that are considered 'safe'.
Thursday, meeting of the All-Party Group on Gypsies and Travellers, to hear from senior officials of the Equality and Human Rights Commission. They are shortly going to publish a new report of the disadvantage suffered by the GRT communities, and it is to be hoped that it will soften the original hard line taken by the Secretary of State, Eric Pickles. The proposal to create an offence of criminal trespass has been dropped, and the funding of new sites and restoration of old sites is to be restored. But the fundamental question is how local authorities are to decide on the amount of land they allocate for new sites. The numbers that were contained in the regional strategies have been abandoned, and every local authority is free to decide what replaces them, on the basis of 'local need'. Of course this means that as long as there is no guidance, no sites will be given planning permission except those for which Travellers themselves win an appeal. Research by Steve Staines of FFT shows that in a sample of local authorities in the southeast that have considered the matter, many intend to provide for not one extra pitch, including London, and the remainder have adopted numbers that are woefully short of the carefully researched requirements that were indicated in the regional strategy.
Friday, another session at King's, this time with the haematologist. Victoria came over, and has made a big difference to the paperwork.
Wednesday, PHRG meeting with Thomas Hammarberg, High Commissioner for Human Rights at the Council of Europe, an old friend. He spoke about the treatment of minorities, and particularly the Roma and gays. I sent him the 'letter of allegation' from the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Adequate Housing, the draft response that was submitted for approval to the CLG Minister Andrew Stunell MP, and my note on the 20% of the Traveller population who are homeless. Also my note on restoring the right of appeal against refusal of asylum to gays from countries that are considered 'safe'.
Thursday, meeting of the All-Party Group on Gypsies and Travellers, to hear from senior officials of the Equality and Human Rights Commission. They are shortly going to publish a new report of the disadvantage suffered by the GRT communities, and it is to be hoped that it will soften the original hard line taken by the Secretary of State, Eric Pickles. The proposal to create an offence of criminal trespass has been dropped, and the funding of new sites and restoration of old sites is to be restored. But the fundamental question is how local authorities are to decide on the amount of land they allocate for new sites. The numbers that were contained in the regional strategies have been abandoned, and every local authority is free to decide what replaces them, on the basis of 'local need'. Of course this means that as long as there is no guidance, no sites will be given planning permission except those for which Travellers themselves win an appeal. Research by Steve Staines of FFT shows that in a sample of local authorities in the southeast that have considered the matter, many intend to provide for not one extra pitch, including London, and the remainder have adopted numbers that are woefully short of the carefully researched requirements that were indicated in the regional strategy.
Friday, another session at King's, this time with the haematologist. Victoria came over, and has made a big difference to the paperwork.
Monday, to King's, to have cardiac ambulatory test. Three electrodes are strapped to the chest, and the signals are collected on a rectangular device about the size of a cigarette packet, over a period of 24 hours.
MRI of the brain didn't show any acute ischaemic lesions but there is a background of moderate small vessel disease. There are some discrete white matter lesions which appear to be more numerous on the left than on the right. Carotid Dopplers showed 40-49% on the right and 20-30% on the left. Interestingly, the white matter lesions on the brain are more numerous on the side of the lower grade carotid stenosis.
Regarding the EEG, the background activity shows a bilateral and symmetrical alpha, at 8-9 Hz, up to 78 μV.It is seen over posterior regions and attenuates on visual attention. Some slow theta and delta activity is seen over temporal regions, especially over the left hemisphere. Some sharp transients may be seen associated to slow waves, and seen over fronto-temporal regions as well as more prominent over the left hemisphere. These probably don't represent epileptiform discharges but rather, non-specific changes which are seen in cerebro-vascular disease.
MRI of the brain didn't show any acute ischaemic lesions but there is a background of moderate small vessel disease. There are some discrete white matter lesions which appear to be more numerous on the left than on the right. Carotid Dopplers showed 40-49% on the right and 20-30% on the left. Interestingly, the white matter lesions on the brain are more numerous on the side of the lower grade carotid stenosis.
Regarding the EEG, the background activity shows a bilateral and symmetrical alpha, at 8-9 Hz, up to 78 μV.It is seen over posterior regions and attenuates on visual attention. Some slow theta and delta activity is seen over temporal regions, especially over the left hemisphere. Some sharp transients may be seen associated to slow waves, and seen over fronto-temporal regions as well as more prominent over the left hemisphere. These probably don't represent epileptiform discharges but rather, non-specific changes which are seen in cerebro-vascular disease.
Friday, December 03, 2010
Rest of the week
Wednesday morning, regular meeting of my EU Subcommittee F of the Lords' EU committee on Home Affairs. Unfortunately I can't accompany the Committee to Brussels next week because I have a 24-hour cardiac test at King's
Lunchtime, a meeting to discuss the situation of the Hazara minority in Quetta city, Baluchistan. Terrorists have an almost free hand in the city, murdering and driving out the Hazara (who constitute 10% of the population) and other minorities, and anybody else who doesn't toe their line. The federal government does nothing to protect the peaceful citizens, and as elsewhere in Pakistan, the killers are never tried let alone convicted. Are we going to stand on the sidelines as Pakistan develops into a nuclear-armed Caliphate, dedicated to the teachings of ibn Taymiyya, Qutb and Maudoodi summarised in the previous entry?
Thursday, David Alton initiated a debate on human rights in which I mentioned this issue, as well as a couple of points from Tuesday's debate on Iran. (www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201011/ldhansrd/text/101202-0001.htm#10120240000731) This time we had seven minutes each, again totally inadequate for the extent of problems we face. I had intended to speak about the current situation in Zimbabwe, which hasn't been covered in the Lords for several weeks, and as there was no time, I tabled a motion for a 2 1/2 hour debate in which, as the mover, I would get 15 minutes. There is a ballot for these debates so the chances aren't great, but I will also ask the LibDems if they would allocate one of our Party slots to the subject.
Friday, I had a misnamed 'sleep eeg' at King's. As part of the test I took two knockout pills, but in spite of lying still for an hour or so in the dark I was still wide awake. The technician said it didn't matter. The note sent out by the hospital reads:
EEG (Electroencephalogram) is the investigation performed in a variety of disorders of brain function. It is often necessary if the cause of a blackout or other recurring disturbance of brain function is unknown The test is performed by placing 8-16 pairs of small disc electrodes on the scalp, using a watersoluble paste. This is a painless procedure and non-invasive......
The electrodes pick up tiny electrical signals from the brain, which are magnified and stored onto a computer. A specialist consultant then interprets the recording. During the test you will be asked to sit or lie down on a couch and relax. At times you will be asked to open and close your eyes. You will be asked to do some deep breathing for up to 3 minutes. It is often necessary to look at flashing lights at different frequencies. Some people find this slightly uncomfortable.
A Sleep EEG maybe recommended if a wake EEG does not show any definite abnormality. This is because in some patients the abnormalities are only seen during drowsiness or sleep, The procedure is similar to the routine procedure except that you will be asked to take some medication to enable you to fall asleep. The test will last for up to 3 hours; this includes a period of recovery time. The patient will be checked by a doctor to ensure they are fully awake and recovered, prior to leaving the department. As you will be feeling sleepy for the rest of the day you are advised to rest at home and remain from any demanding activities, and not to return to work or drive. If the appointment is for a child of 14 years of age or younger they may continue as normal and may return to school.
The technician performing the test will give a full explanation of the procedure and is available to answer any questions you may have. EEG (Electroencephalogram) is the investigation performed in a variety of disorders of brain function. It is often necessary if the cause of a blackout or 6{her recurring disturbance of brain function is unknown.
Lindsay picked me up after the test and I went to bed with a hot water bottle for three hours or so, but got up at 16.00 and have been working since then ( 5 1.2 hours) with a break for dinner.
Lunchtime, a meeting to discuss the situation of the Hazara minority in Quetta city, Baluchistan. Terrorists have an almost free hand in the city, murdering and driving out the Hazara (who constitute 10% of the population) and other minorities, and anybody else who doesn't toe their line. The federal government does nothing to protect the peaceful citizens, and as elsewhere in Pakistan, the killers are never tried let alone convicted. Are we going to stand on the sidelines as Pakistan develops into a nuclear-armed Caliphate, dedicated to the teachings of ibn Taymiyya, Qutb and Maudoodi summarised in the previous entry?
Thursday, David Alton initiated a debate on human rights in which I mentioned this issue, as well as a couple of points from Tuesday's debate on Iran. (www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201011/ldhansrd/text/101202-0001.htm#10120240000731) This time we had seven minutes each, again totally inadequate for the extent of problems we face. I had intended to speak about the current situation in Zimbabwe, which hasn't been covered in the Lords for several weeks, and as there was no time, I tabled a motion for a 2 1/2 hour debate in which, as the mover, I would get 15 minutes. There is a ballot for these debates so the chances aren't great, but I will also ask the LibDems if they would allocate one of our Party slots to the subject.
Friday, I had a misnamed 'sleep eeg' at King's. As part of the test I took two knockout pills, but in spite of lying still for an hour or so in the dark I was still wide awake. The technician said it didn't matter. The note sent out by the hospital reads:
EEG (Electroencephalogram) is the investigation performed in a variety of disorders of brain function. It is often necessary if the cause of a blackout or other recurring disturbance of brain function is unknown The test is performed by placing 8-16 pairs of small disc electrodes on the scalp, using a watersoluble paste. This is a painless procedure and non-invasive......
The electrodes pick up tiny electrical signals from the brain, which are magnified and stored onto a computer. A specialist consultant then interprets the recording. During the test you will be asked to sit or lie down on a couch and relax. At times you will be asked to open and close your eyes. You will be asked to do some deep breathing for up to 3 minutes. It is often necessary to look at flashing lights at different frequencies. Some people find this slightly uncomfortable.
A Sleep EEG maybe recommended if a wake EEG does not show any definite abnormality. This is because in some patients the abnormalities are only seen during drowsiness or sleep, The procedure is similar to the routine procedure except that you will be asked to take some medication to enable you to fall asleep. The test will last for up to 3 hours; this includes a period of recovery time. The patient will be checked by a doctor to ensure they are fully awake and recovered, prior to leaving the department. As you will be feeling sleepy for the rest of the day you are advised to rest at home and remain from any demanding activities, and not to return to work or drive. If the appointment is for a child of 14 years of age or younger they may continue as normal and may return to school.
The technician performing the test will give a full explanation of the procedure and is available to answer any questions you may have. EEG (Electroencephalogram) is the investigation performed in a variety of disorders of brain function. It is often necessary if the cause of a blackout or 6{her recurring disturbance of brain function is unknown.
Lindsay picked me up after the test and I went to bed with a hot water bottle for three hours or so, but got up at 16.00 and have been working since then ( 5 1.2 hours) with a break for dinner.
Tuesday continued
From 13.00 to 14.00, a meeting with Equalities, a newly formed Government body to co-ordinate policy on women and gender equality issues in Government. I wanted to inquire whether they had considered Gypsy and Traveller inequality or would do so, and the answer is that Traveller organisations concerned with women's rights should submit evidence to them, and I'm drawing this to the attention of the UK Association of Gypsy Women.
At 15.390, a one hour debate on Iran in which all except the mover and David Howell, the Minister who wound up, had a mere three minutes, see http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201011/ldhansrd/text/101130-gc0001.htm#10113044000138. There's so much to be said that a one-hour debate isn't appropriate, though arguably a psychopathic regime that stones its victims to death executes children and stones people to death for 'blasphemy' isn't susceptible to criticism from the House of Lords.
In the evening, a meeting in Committee Room 16 to launch the report of the Parliamentary Human Rights Group on the mission to Pakistan, to look into the current situation of the Ahmadiyya Muslims. They are suffering violent persecution, repression and discrimination, yet they steadfastly uphold their principle of 'Lover for all, Hatred for None', even in the face of atrocities like the suicide bombing of their two principal mosques in Lahore in which 92 worshippers were killed and scores more seriously injured.
There is a growing number of fanatics who believe in the division of the world into Dar el-Harb, the realm of the infidel, and Dar el-Islam, the realm of the believers. This is not yet a geographical division, because there is no country in the world that is governed strictly in accordance with the principles of the 'rightly-guided Caliphs' who immediately succeeded the Prophet. When the Taliban ruled Afghanistan, they approached this ideal, and the objective is to re-create the Caliphate in one country, as a preparation for extending its rule throughout the world. Getting rid of the infidels in countries that are prevented from adopting rules of governance and jurisprudence derived from the Qur'an and the Sunnah is a first step towards this ideal, and because those infidels are 'wajib ul-qatl', worthy to be killed, there are rewards in paradise for the assassins who kill them.
So it isn't only the Ahmadis who are systematically murdered and driven from their homes and jobs by the Salafist fanatics, and it isn't only in Pakistan that religious hatred is driven to these extremes by Salafist prayer leaders in the mosques and madrassas Christians, Hindus and Shi'a Muslims are also on the receiving end of terrorism throughout the Islamic world, and the propagators of hatred are even establishing a foothold here in Britain. It is futile to imagine that we can defend ourselves against this threat militarily in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Indonesia, Somalia or Yemen. when the real need is for an ideological counter-attack in which the interpretations of Islam that are based on tolerance and coexistence are given the prominence they were accorded by the Prophet himself.
At 15.390, a one hour debate on Iran in which all except the mover and David Howell, the Minister who wound up, had a mere three minutes, see http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld201011/ldhansrd/text/101130-gc0001.htm#10113044000138. There's so much to be said that a one-hour debate isn't appropriate, though arguably a psychopathic regime that stones its victims to death executes children and stones people to death for 'blasphemy' isn't susceptible to criticism from the House of Lords.
In the evening, a meeting in Committee Room 16 to launch the report of the Parliamentary Human Rights Group on the mission to Pakistan, to look into the current situation of the Ahmadiyya Muslims. They are suffering violent persecution, repression and discrimination, yet they steadfastly uphold their principle of 'Lover for all, Hatred for None', even in the face of atrocities like the suicide bombing of their two principal mosques in Lahore in which 92 worshippers were killed and scores more seriously injured.
There is a growing number of fanatics who believe in the division of the world into Dar el-Harb, the realm of the infidel, and Dar el-Islam, the realm of the believers. This is not yet a geographical division, because there is no country in the world that is governed strictly in accordance with the principles of the 'rightly-guided Caliphs' who immediately succeeded the Prophet. When the Taliban ruled Afghanistan, they approached this ideal, and the objective is to re-create the Caliphate in one country, as a preparation for extending its rule throughout the world. Getting rid of the infidels in countries that are prevented from adopting rules of governance and jurisprudence derived from the Qur'an and the Sunnah is a first step towards this ideal, and because those infidels are 'wajib ul-qatl', worthy to be killed, there are rewards in paradise for the assassins who kill them.
So it isn't only the Ahmadis who are systematically murdered and driven from their homes and jobs by the Salafist fanatics, and it isn't only in Pakistan that religious hatred is driven to these extremes by Salafist prayer leaders in the mosques and madrassas Christians, Hindus and Shi'a Muslims are also on the receiving end of terrorism throughout the Islamic world, and the propagators of hatred are even establishing a foothold here in Britain. It is futile to imagine that we can defend ourselves against this threat militarily in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Indonesia, Somalia or Yemen. when the real need is for an ideological counter-attack in which the interpretations of Islam that are based on tolerance and coexistence are given the prominence they were accorded by the Prophet himself.
Thursday, December 02, 2010
Going back to Tuesday, the morning was taken up chairing and making introductory remarks at a roundtable on Peru organised by the Peru Support Group, and backed by the NGOs CAFOD, Progression and Christian Aid. The principal speakers were JOHN PAUL RATHBONE, Latin America editor of the Financial Times; JAVIER DIEZ CANSECO human rights and anti-corruption activist and former member of Congress; ANNE LINDSAY, Lead Analyst on the Private Sector at CAFOD, the official overseas development and relief agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, and JOSE DE ECHAVE, head of the Collective Rights and Extractives Industries programme at the Lima-based NGO CooperAcción (Programa Derechos Colectivos e Industrias Extractivas).
