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The World News Headlines Muslim inmates ‘involved in prison disturbance’
This Week Minister’s home bombed
Three small homemade bombs exploded after being hurled at the house of Bangladesh’s foreign minister early on Tuesday but no one was injured. Foreign Minister Dipu Moni is currently in London but her family was at home when the bombs were thrown at the residence, her spokesman Monirul Islam Kabir told AFP.
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wo Muslim inamtes were reportedly involved in a prison officer being taken hostage and attacked by three inmates at a maximumsecurity jail near York. The incident on Sunday at Full Sutton prison in East Yorkshire lasted four hours, the Prison Service said. The male officer suffered a broken cheekbone and has been discharged from hospital. A female colleague who tried to help him suffered cuts to her arm. The North East Counter Terrorism Unit, which is investigating, said two of the suspects were aged 25 and the other 26. The men are not in prison for terror-related offences, a spokesperson for the unit said. In a statement, the unit said it would take time to establish the full details of what had happened, It added: “Searches by specialist teams are underway within the prison for any evidence which may assist the police inquiry.” Police had been called to a report of a “hostage situation” at the facility at 16:30 BST on Sunday. The BBC’s Ed Thomas said prison officers in riot gear were brought in to end the incident. The Prison Officers Association (POA) said it was sending a national representative to the jail to determine exactly what happened. Steve Gillan, POA general secretary, said: “The POA are aware of the attack on two prison officers at HMP Full Sutton including a hostage incident. “Until the full facts of the incident are known, we do not wish to comment further for fear of compromising any police investigation.”
EU could arm Syrian rebels
Only 12 countries in the world have more than 100m active subscribers – and Bangladesh is one of them. Photo by Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka Tribune
100m Bangladeshis now use mobile telephones B
Muhammad Zahidul Islam angladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission on Tuesday officially announced to cross the 100m active mobile connection subscribers’ landmark. The industry has made this achievement on April with 101.205m subscribers. BTRC claimed that the mobile penetration is 66.36% among the whole population with a growth of 10% per annum. Grameenphone led the market with 42.37m mobile phone subscribers, compared with 41.79m a month earlier. Banglalink’s customer base inched up to 26.3m from 25.92m subscribers, while Robi ended April with 21.69m, up
from 21.40m users in March. Airtel’s customer base was 7.47m in March, and after April it reached to 7.55m. Teletalk’s, the state-owned and the only 3G operator in the country, ended April with 18.44m subscribers which includes 1.831m subscribers than the previous month. Citycell, the oldest and now the lowest subscriber base operator contains 1.425m subscribers from 1.451m earlier. The number of Citycell subscribers have been declining
for the last couple of months. Along with Bangladesh, only 12 countries in the world have more than 100m active subscribers. l Meanwhile, political turmoil continues to engulf Bangladesh. Police say opposition activists have set off homemade bombs and damaged several vehicles in Bangladesh’s capital as they launched a general strike demanding resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina before general elections,
Grameenphone led the market with 42.37m mobile phone subscribers, compared with 41.79m a month earlier
which are due early next year. Police official Monirul Islam said no one had been injured in Sunday’s incidents, and more than 10,000 security forces were deployed in the face of massive protests. Many stores and schools were closed in Dhaka and few vehicles were plying the roads, following a call by an alliance of 18 opposition parties for a nationwide dawn-to-dusk shutdown. The opposition wants Hasina to hand over power to a non-partisan caretaker administration before the elections, set for January 2014. The government says the demand is unconstitutional. The opposition says polls under Hasina’s government would not be free or fair.
Mosque offers tea and a game of football to EDL protest
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mosque has been praised for serving tea and biscuits to English Defence League supporters after the far-right group arranged a demonstration there. About six people turned up to protest at the mosque in Bull Lane, York, on Sunday and were invited inside to play football with worshippers.
More than 100 supporters of the mosque had gone there after learning of the planned EDL protest. Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu said the mosque’s response was “fantastic”. He said: “Tea, biscuits, and football are a great and typically Yorkshire combination when it comes to disarming
hostile and extremist views.” Father Tim Jones, who went to the Bull Lane mosque, which is situated in his parish, said: “I’ve always known they were intelligent and compassionate people and I think this has demonstrated the extent to which they are people of courage – certainly physical courage and also a high degree of moral courage.”
Hull Road ward councillor Neil Barnes said it had been a “proud moment for York”. Fears over a demonstration grew after Yorkshire EDL Scarborough Division posted a message on its Facebook page calling for supporters to gather outside the mosque. Imam Abid Salik said: “We did have a few people who did
come to protest but when they came some of the members of the mosque went over and they engaged in a conversation. “Some people went over with cups of tea and biscuits, they were talking for about 30 or 40 minutes and then they came inside, which was a really, really beautiful thing,” he added.
Several countries have warned the EU against arming Syrian rebels, saying more weapons will lead to more deaths as the conflict spreads to neighbouring countries. Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said that there would be “more violence, more deaths and more destruction” in Syria as a result of the lifting an EU arms embargo.
Taliban pops balloon idea
The official Taliban website has published an article criticising an art project in which 10,000 pink balloons were given away for free in Kabul, saying the event encouraged un-Islamic behaviour. Under the headline “Was it a balloon show or a mini-skirt show?”, the piece said that the conceptual artwork was a trick to promote Western values among the young Afghan volunteers who helped hand out the balloons.
Maoists kill 27 in India
Heavily-armed Maoist rebels have killed at least 27 people, including Congress Party leaders, after ambushing a convoy in a remote tribal belt of central India. The head of the party in the state of Chhattisgarh, Nand Kumar Patel, and his son, who were kidnapped by the rebels after the attack on Saturday, have also been found dead.
Bashir warns South Sudan
Omar al-Bashir, Sudan’s president, has said he will order the flow of oil from South Sudan to be cut off if it backs rebels in the insurgencyhit Sudanese states of South Kordofan and Darfur. He said on Monday he would “completely close the pipeline” that carries oil from South Sudan to ports on Sudan’s Red Sea coast.
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News Reports of shots heard in Bethnal Green Park
This Week Many deaths in Iraq violence A bombing and a shooting left eight dead in Iraq Tuesday, the latest violence in a country beset by sectarian and political tension. Seven people died and 34 were injured when a car bomb exploded in Baghdad. In the northern city of Mosul, attackers gunned down a Nineveh province intelligence official in a drive-by shooting, killing him.
Baby found in toilet drain
A newborn baby has been rescued from deep within a sewer pipe by Chinese authorities who believe the parents may be responsible for flushing the tiny newborn down the toilet.
Two-baby limit on Rohingya
Aung San Suu Kyi has joined human rights activists in criticising a two-child limit imposed on Muslim families by authorities in areas of western Myanmar in an attempt to control their population. The government of Myanmar’s Rakhine State says the restriction was ordered in two townships that have the biggest populations of Rohingya because of concerns about their high birthrate.
Gunmen kill aid workers
Gunmen fired on two female health workers administering polio vaccines in northwest Pakistan on Tuesday, killing one and wounding the other. The shooting on the outskirts of Peshawar was the latest in a series of deadly attacks against those giving out the vaccine.
President ‘laundered $70m’
Former Guatemalan President Alfonso Portillo will appear in a New York court Tuesday to answer to charges he laundered $70 million through US banks while in power. Portillo, who was extradited to the US last week, denies the charges against him and says the accusations are based on the lies of political enemies seeking revenge.
Black Panther wants return
Should William Potts, a former Black Panther revolutionary and an American fugitive living in Cuba, ever set foot in the US again, he faces an indictment for airplane hijacking and a potentially lengthy prison term. So why is Potts now battling to return to the same country that wants to imprison him? In 1984, Potts hijacked a Piedmont Airlines passenger plane bound for Miami with 56 people aboard.
A Well known television presenters and religious scholars explained the significance of every important step on the tour in Saudi Arabia
Pilgrims follow in Prophet’s footsteps on unique tour
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Abu Talha Chowdhury lobal Aid Trust, in association with Bismillah Hajj & Umrah, embarked on its first-ever educational trip of Makkah and Madinah in the first week of April. The project was titled, “In the Footsteps of Prophet Muhammad (SAW)”, and it duly lived up to its billing. The unique tour was arranged in order to engage British Muslims with the history, culture and legacy of the Prophet’s message. A dynamic, diverse and highly-knowledgable team of scholars accompanied the Footsteps Team, with prominent scholar Abdur Rahman Madani, the eloquent young speaker Shaykh Shafi Chowdhury, our well-known TV presenter Barrister Rizwan Hussain and one of Global Aid’s trustees and
imam Mufti Tarik Nasrullah. The Umrah and Seerah Tour of Makkah and Madinah was highly anticipated as seats were booked within a day of the launch. A 33-page guide book was prepared and the Seerah Tour had been devised. Flying via Abu Dhabi, the team was destined for Madinah first. There, the team had the privilege to be accompanied by these scholars to various historical sites, including the Prophet’s Mosque, Masjid Quba, Masjid Qiblatain, Mount Uhud and many other discreet sites of significance. The beauty of this tour was
the unique and in-depth commentary of the scholars at each location and the whole experience felt like the team flew back in time to tread ‘in the footsteps of Prophet Muhammad’. In addition, seminars were arranged every night at the 4-star hotel’s Mezanine floor, where the speakers discussed about the Islamic State, the battles in Islamic history, the peace treaty and the emotional topic of the Prophet’s farewell. After a highly charged 4-day stay at Madinah, the team set off for Makkah on 4th April 2013. The tour was logistically devised in this way, as our aim
The scholars gave a detailed insight into the Prophet’s time in Makkah and wrapped up an intensive, emotional and grouped venture
was to emulate the Prophet’s one and only Umrah, as he began his journey by taking niyyah from the Dhul Hulaifah Miqaat point (near Madinah). A guided Umrah and seerah tour proceeded, with emotions and practices multiplied by the sheer significance of the holy land. The scholars gave a detailed insight into the Prophet’s time in Makkah and after a further six days wrapped up an intensive, emotional and grouped venture. The success of the project has prompted Global Aid Trust to make the Footsteps Umrah & Seerah Tour a mainstay of their UK education programme, so look out for it! For more information about the Footsteps project or the other amazing work of Global Aid Trust, please call us at 0207 422 7551 or visit www.globalaid.org.uk.
rmed police surrounded a block of flats after reports of a shooting in Bethnal Green on Sunday evening. Residents said they heard multiple gun shots, with riot police attending the scene in Approach Road. Police were called at around 8.15pm on Sunday, but said they could not confirm whether the shots were fired from an air gun or a firearm. No arrests had been made at the time of writing. Witnesses on social media reported seeing armed police and helicopters at the scene, and being warned to stay inside during the incident. Approach Road, was cordoned off at both ends, according to residents. A London Ambulance Service spokeswoman confirmed a man, believed to be in his thirties, was treated at the scene and taken to hospital “as a priority”.
Bethnal Green Park on Sunday
Chhatok Jubo Shongsta elects Zoinul Abidin as chair T
Emdad Rahman he Chhatak Jubo Shongsta UK Annual Members meeting was held on 20 March 2013 at Waterlily Banqueting Hall and a new committee was elected to serve the interests of the Sylhet region for 2 years from 2013 – 2015. CJS (UK) have selected Zoinul Abidin as Chairperson, which is rather unique and the first ever organisation of this type in the UK, to have selected a British born Bangladeshi. Zoinul was born in the
Zoinul Abidin is CJS’ new chair UK and brought up in London. The long serving community activist adds a fresh perspective and proven leadership to the running of the organisation.
Chhatak Jubo Shongsta UK was formed in 1998 as a charity to alleviate poverty and provides financial assistance to the poor people of Chhatak, Bangladesh. The charity over the years has undertaken a number of projects most notably provided financial assistance to the poor and those affected during floods and natural disasters. It also undertook an education project by providing the salaries of teachers in mainstream schools in Chhatak, Bangladesh and has inspired young people by recognising and
awarding their exams success. The charity has been registered with the charity commission in the UK and currently has a total of £49,553 in its Bangladesh and UK bank accounts which is equivalent to 58,96,807 Lac taka. Amongst the guests who attended and spoke at the event were; Tower Hamlets Mayor Lutfur Rahman, ex chair of CJS, Master Mushahid Ali, Founding chair of CJS UK, Md Sanawor Ali, K.M. Abu Taher Chowdhury, Manchab Ali JP, Dr Hasnath M Hussain MBE,
prominent businessman Jamal Uddin Mokkodus, academic Dr Harris Ali and CJS member Mohammed Moshahid Ali. Zoinul said: “My vision is to develop a sustainable project where the charity assists someone who is poor and by our assistance it brings them out of poverty for life.” Zoinul will be assisted by General Secretary Abdul Kadir and Treasurer Mohammed Nanu Miah. Kadir and Nanu are successful business men who will bring additional expertise and experience to support Zoinul.
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News Court orders worshippers to give up mosque
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slamic worshippers have been ordered to quit the site of a former chemical works in West Ham used as mosque after a High Court decision. Newham Council has been granted an injunction ordering the Anjuman-E-IslahulMislimeen Trust, which uses old industrial buildings on the Riverine Centre site, to clear the land despite pleas from the group’s legal representative, Anne Williams, that this injunction will cause “untold harm” and “destroy a vibrant religious community”. But the council has offered to work with the Muslim movement’s trustees to find an alternative temporary site for the 3,000 worshippers currently using the site. The council’s barrister, Douglas Edwards QC, told the High Court on Wednesday that the Anjuman-E-IslahulMislimeen Trust had repeatedly breached planning controls at the site, also known as the Abbey Mills Mosque. Mr Edwards said the site, close to West Ham railway station, had endured “a long process of unauthorised development” since the trust bought the land in 1996.
‘Urgent need’ for danger dogs law
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Bangladeshi man whose six-year-old son was mauled by a dangerous dog has reacted angrily to the recent killing of an elderly man – 79-year-old Clifford Clarke – in Liverpool by another dangerous dog. Dilwar Ali, who happens to be a councillor in Cardiff, said: “How many more children and adults must be killed and injured by dogs before effective laws come into force?” He added that there is an “urgent need” for a law on dangerous dogs and their owners.
Labour veteran pays tribute to heroes of English Civil War
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eteran politician and socialist Tony Benn paid tribute to the English Civil War movement and unveiled a plaque in Wapping commemorating Thomas Rainsborough who fought for equality and democracy for all. The plaque unveiling was organised by Tower Hamlets Council in conjunction with the National Civil War Centre on May 12 at St John’s Churchyard. Rainsborough was the most senior officer of the New Model Army to support the Leveller movement which sought to give ordinary citizens a voice not just the rich and powerful during the mid 1600s. Rainsborough whose family were from Wapping, spoke in defence of the Levellers Agreement of the People in the Putney Debates in 1647. He was killed by a Royalist raiding party during the siege of Pontefract castle and his funeral became a mass demonstration of the Leveller movement. Tony Benn was joined by MPs Jeremy Corbyn and Andy Slaughter, Baroness Pola Uddin, Cllr Rania Khan from Tower Hamlets Council and broadcaster and campaigner John Rees, Lindsey German and former London Dockers’ Leader Brian Nicholson at the celebratory event. Tony said: “We have made great progress in fighting for equality and Thomas Rains-
Score summary: Scintilla CC - 129 all out (38 overs) Newham CC - 69 all out (18 overs) Scintilla win by 60 runs
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cintilla CC from Barking & Dagenham have p[icked up yet another impressive win after crushing Newham CC in the latest round of matches in the Essex County Cricket League’s Premier Division. Skipper Ahmed Choudhury had studied the promis-
Clifford pleads ‘not guilty’
PR consultant Max Clifford has pleaded not guilty to 11 charges of indecent assault allegedly committed between 1966 and 1985. The alleged offences relate to seven different women and girls ranging in age from 14 to 19.
Woman dies snorkelling
A British woman has died in Malaysia after reportedly being hit by a boat while snorkelling. Madaline Cole died off Perhentian Bersar Island on 27 May, the Foreign Office said. She was from Hereford.
Ban on smoking and driving
Clockwise from main: a detail from a painting about the English Civil War; Tony Benn; Thomas Rainsborough borough started that journey hundreds of years ago. We still need to continue to fight those battles to make the world a fairer place.” The Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman said: “Tower Hamlets has a great tradition of historical figures and movements which have shaped our nation’s history and paved the way for a better society where everyone no matter what your background or status can achieve great things.”
Cllr Rania Khan, cabinet member for Culture added: “It is an honour to pay tribute to someone as remarkable as Thomas Rainsborough who stood for equality, religious tolerance and democracy. He was an incredible young socialist and I hope he inspires others to follow in his footsteps.” In a separate event the day before, a moving service was held to mark the 70th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic on May 11 at Trinity
‘Thomas Rainsborough … stood for equality, religious tolerance and democracy’
Square Gardens in Tower Hill. The Atlantic campaign was the longest military campaign of the Second World War. It was fought for the control of vital supply routes, beginning as war broke out in 1939 and ending in May 1945. The victory was achieved at a great cost with more than 30,000 merchant seamen losing their lives. The Mayor of Tower Hamlets joined the Mayors of Liverpool, Newham and Southwark alongside naval servicemen and women to pay tribute to the brave patriots who perished during the epic battle. The Mayor of Tower Hamlets Lutfur Rahman laid a wreath during the service.
Scintilla win battle of the boroughs in cricket Emdad Rahman
This Week
ing conditions presented by a flat track and chose to bat after winning the toss. Syed Tamim Karim did not waste team as he powered to a quick fire 44. Fellow opener Mohsin Bashir Dar frustrated the opposition attack , staying at the crease for 32 overs to reach a nifty 21. Karim was bowled by Choudry after Scinitlla passed the half century mark. The earlier run rate could not be sustained and Nomam (16) and Ahsan Bashir (19) contributed to a total score of 129 on a pitch where Scintilla had previously struck 300 runs. Scintilla were
all out with 9 remaining overs. Newham were out before tea, looking to rack up a decent opening run rate but were met with the whirlwind strike pair of Abul Hasib (4 for 18) and Abdul Mohit (3 for 31). Abdul Quiyum was sent in by Choudhury to join the attack and three successive wickets ended any further Newham resistance.
Elated Scintilla Captain Choudhury said: “Whenever we play Newham it always ends up in a low score battle as they have a quality bowling side. We scored over 300 runs at this ground two weeks ago so winning the toss meant only one thing - to bat. Though Karim gave us a brilliant start, the rest of the line up struggled against a disciplined Newham bowling attack. “The only other positive was that Mohsin Dar stuck around for 32 overs. Both Hasib and Mohit are on form and I knew they would attack the batsmen from the word go. They duly obliged.”
A bid to make smoking in vehicles when children are present illegal has been launched by an MSP. South of Scotland Liberal Democrat MSP Jim Hume wants to introduce a members bills at the Scottish Parliament which would bring in a ban.
Pakistan flight arrests
Two men have been arrested on suspicion of endangerment of an aircraft after RAF Typhoon jets were scrambled to escort a passenger plane over the UK. Police boarded Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight PK709, originally en route to Manchester from Lahore, after it was diverted to Stansted.
62,000 shops to close down
The Centre for Retail Research is warning that High Streets could see 20 per cent of their shops close down within five years as more people turn to the internet for their shopping. The organisation, which conducts research into retail, technology and crime, says this would equate to 62,000 shops closing down.
Ross: ‘rape not always rape’
Former Crimewatch presenter Nick Ross has issued a statement defending himself against criticism over comments he made about rape. In his book, Crime, he said it had become “sacrilege to suggest that there can be any gradation: rape is rape… The real experts, the victims, know otherwise,” he said.
Martinez leaves Wigan
Roberto Martinez has resigned as manager of Wigan and will hold talks with Everton about succeeding David Moyes. The Spaniard led the club to a historic FA Cup triumph this season but could not prevent relegation from the Premier League.
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Features Police make arrests after Woolwich
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olice are continuing to hold a 10th person in connection with the murder of soldier Lee Rigby in Woolwich. The 50-year-old man was arrested in Welling, south-east London, on Monday, on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder. Police are also searching two addresses in south-east London and one address in south London. Two suspects who were shot by armed police at the scene of the killing remain in hospital. Michael Adebolajo, 28, and Michael Adebowale, 22 – both Britons of Nigerian descent who are understood to be converts to Islam - are in a stable condition. The Metropolitan Police said the men would not be questioned until they had been discharged from hospital, and the time they had spent under arrest so far would not count towards the maximum amount of time they could legally be held without charge. Of the eight other people arrested so far, five have been bailed and two released without charge. Questions are still being raised over what British authorities knew about the suspects before the killing. Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee is to investigate the security service’s actions in relation to the case. The committee’s chairman, Sir Malcolm Rifkind, told Radio 4’s Today programme that he was “very confident” the committee would get to the bottom of the matter. He had already had a conversation with Andrew Parker, the head of MI5, he said, and “he wishes to co-operate very fully with the investigations by the committee”. He said the committee now had the powers to “not simply ask questions of MI5... we can have access to all the relevant files, internal papers and any documents that are relevant to this matter.”
all communities to remain united and work together in the face of this atrocious event.” The incident triggered protests from far right group the English Defence League, with reports of bottles being thrown at police in the area of south east London. Mayor of Tower Hamlets Lutfur Rahman said: “I utterly condemn this appalling act of violence in our neighbouring borough of Greenwich. This is a cowardly, disgraceful and truly shocking act and our thoughts are with the family of the victim.” Other organisations across the country released statements.
R Anti-clockwise from main pic: the murderers commit their act in broad daylight; then they explain their actions to passers-by; police arrive in around 15 minutes and shoot both of them; English Defence League reacts with anger and attacks on Muslims increase
Muslims condemn savage murder
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uslim leaders and politicians have condemned the brutal murder of a soldier in a suspected terrorist attack in Woolwich last week. The man, believed to have been a soldier, was killed outside a military barracks yesterday afternoon, with one of the perpetrators filmed saying he carried out the attack because British soldiers killed Muslims abroad every day. Two attackers – now named as Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale – who were carrying knives, butchers’ cleavers and a gun, were shot by police at the scene, before being taken for treatment in a secure hospital. Footage taken by passers-by showed one of the men making political statements. “You think politicians are going to die?”, he said. “No, it’s going to be the average guy – like you – and your children. So get rid of them. Tell them to bring our troops back so you can all live in peace”. But the London Muslim Centre released a statement condemning the attacks, which took place yesterday afternoon in broad daylight. “There is no justification for such a heinous crime; criminals and murderers do not represent any community or religion”, it read. “We remain steadfast in opposing all forms of hate and terrorism. Our prayers and thoughts go out to the family of the victim.We ask
‘You think politicians are going to die? No, it’s going to be the average guy – like you – and your children. So get rid of them. Tell them to bring our troops back so you can all live in peace’
Muslim leaders and community groups have reacted with shock and horror at the savage murder in Woolwich of an offduty British soldier with experience of fighting in Afghanistan
Tower Hamlets Labour Group esponding to the attacks in Woolwich yesterday afternoon, Leader of the Labour Group, Cllr Sirajul Islam, said: “The events in Woolwich have shocked and appalled everyone across our community. There can never be any justification for this kind of senseless and brutal violence. “To try to use a warped view of any religion or faith to justify these acts is plainly wrong and should never be tolerated.” “We are strongest when our community is united, as I know we shall be in the face of this dreadful attack. Our thoughts will all be with the family, friends and colleagues of the victim.”
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Council of Mosques he Council of Mosques speaks out against the horrific event that took place in Woolwich, south-East London. Eyewitness reports claim the murderers spoke Islamic slogans and are said to be Muslims. There is no place in Islam for such barbaric and mindless violence. The perpetrators do not represent anyone or faith groups except themselves. This horrendous act of murder towards a member of the armed force is extremely dishonourable and the Muslim community in east-London are completely shocked by the incident. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family. We should let the police authorities investigate further and support them where we can. This incident will stoke tensions in the community and we request the local authorities to assist the community in helping to keep tension at a minimum.
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Conservative Muslim Forum he Conservative Muslim Forum is shocked and horrified by the murder of a soldier on the streets of Woolwich. The Conservative Muslim Forum condemns this murder in the strongest possible terms. The killers and any accomplices should be punished with the full force of the law. No political or ideological beliefs can justify such a crime. Any claim by the killers to be acting in the name of Islam is totally wrong, and invoking God’s name while committing a crime is an unacceptable act offensive to all Muslims. Those who commit such crimes often wish to divide our country and set Muslim and non-Muslim citizens against each other. The Conservative Muslim Forum calls upon all Britons to unite against such criminals, and to reject any attempts to destroy the harmony of our peaceful society. We should remember that there are nearly 2.8 million Muslims in the United Kingdom, nearly all of whom are law abiding citizens. Sadly amongst them is a tiny minority with distorted and incorrect views which lead them to commit criminal actions which are not permitted in Islam, killing or injuring their direct victims, and seeking to damage our society’s cohesion. In contrast to such criminals, many Muslims serve in our country’s Armed Forces and police services helping to protect our society against external and internal threats. The Conservative Muslim Forum encourages Muslims to pursue these careers and our chairman Lord Sheikh has consistently supported the Armed Forces Muslim Association and the National Association of Muslim Police.
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This Week Gang rape case: five in court
Mayor fires off angry letter over Banglatown
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ayor of Tower Hamlets Lutfur Rahman has published a letter clamming planned changes to the borough’s electoral wards following the conclusion of a public consultation. In the strongly-worded letter, Mr Rahman called on the Local Government Boundary Commission to scrap its plans to re-name wards after the tumultuous consultation period came to an end on Monday. Mr Rahman’s detailed his response to the plans, writing that he objected in the “strongest possible terms” to the pro-
posals to scrap ‘Banglatown’, the removal of ‘St Dunstan’s’ from the Stepney Wards, and the re-naming of East India and Lansbury as Poplar North. Referring to the move to drop the name ‘Banglatown’ from the Spitalfields and Banglatown ward, he wrote: “I struggle to comprehend why any individual or political entity would regard dispensing with this name as desirable, aside from as a very cynical blast on the proverbial dog whistle, aimed at attracting support from people who resent the Bangladeshi com-
‘Renaming the (Banglatown) ward as merely ‘Spitalfields’ would be a hugely reactionary, retrograde and provocative step’
Mayor Lutfur Rahman munity’s presence in t he area. “Accordingly, renaming the ward as merely ‘Spitalfields’ would be a hugely reactionary, retro-
grade and provocative step”. The Commission is due to publish its final recommendations in Spring this year. Its draft proposals had also attracted criticism for removing the names of former Labour Party leader George Lansbury and former Bishop of London St Dunstan from
ward names in the borough. Mr Rahman concluded: “I hope that you will consider my submission, as well as the views of hundreds of local residents expressed in related petitions, extremely carefully when arriving at a final decision.” eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk
Five sentenced to death for murder in Dhaka of Saudi diplomat
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special tribunal sentenced to death five Bangladeshi men for killing a Saudi diplomat in an apparent street crime earlier this year. Initial speculation about the shooting had focused on Iran, which denied the accusations. The suspects told investigators they were trying to rob the diplomat and shot him accidentally. Khalaf bin Mohammed Salem al-Ali, a 45-year-old official in the Saudi Embassy’s consu-
lar section, was killed near his home in Dhaka in March. Tribunal Judge Mohammad Motahar Hossain handed down the verdict Sunday, chief prosecutor Rafiqul Islam said. One of the men was tried in his absence, Islam said. He said the men can appeal the verdict. Iran has been accused of other international attacks or attempted attacks against diplomats, including Saudis. Days after the shooting, Saudi Arabia sent investigators to assist
Khalaf bin Mohammed Salem al-Ali was killed near his home in Dhaka Bangladeshi detectives. The defendants pleaded not guilty at the trial. After their arrest in July, the four men told investigators they tried to rob the
diplomat as he was going for a walk on the deserted street and shot him accidentally during a scuffle. Police said the men were ar-
rested after a revolver and a car used in the killing were found in their possession. Muslim-majority Bangladesh enjoys good relations with Saudi Arabia, which is a top destination for Bangladeshi migrant workers. Relations between the countries were tested in October last year, when Saudi Arabia beheaded eight Bangladeshi workers who were found guilty of robbing and killing an Egyptian.
Five men accused of raping and murdering an Indian student were read the charges in a nearempty courtroom on Monday after the judge cleared out lawyers for bickering over whether the men deserved a defence. The 23-year-old physiotherapy student died two weeks after being gang-raped and beaten on a moving bus in New Delhi, then thrown bleeding onto the street. Protests followed, along with a fierce public debate over police failure to stem rampant violence against women. With popular anger simmering against the five men and a teenager accused in the case, most lawyers in the district where the trial will be held refuse to represent them.
British soldier shot dead
A British soldier serving with the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan has been shot dead by a man in an Afghan army uniform, according to the US-led military coalition. In a statement released on Tuesday, ISAF said that the incident, which took place in southern Afghanistan on Monday, was “under investigation”. “The British soldier was killed when a suspected Afghan soldier opened fire first at Afghan troops and then at British soldiers,” said Major Martyn Crighton, an ISAF spokesman. “In the subsequent engagement, the attacker was killed by British troops.”
Many killed in drone attack
At least eight people have been killed in two suspected US drone attacks in Pakistan’s northwestern tribal areas, security officials say.Both attacks took place in the Mir Ali area of the North Waziristan tribal district in the early hours of Tuesday. In Khiderkhel, eight missiles were fired at a compound, killing at least four people, security sources told Al Jazeera. In Essakhel, meanwhile, two missiles were fired, killing at least three people.
Messi named world’s best
Barcelona and Argentina star Lionel Messi has been named world footballer of the year for the fourth time in a row, marking another unprecedented achievement. He pipped Andres Iniesta and Cristiano Ronaldo to the title. No other male footballer has been named the best on the planet in four separate years, let alone four in succession.
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Abu Nusaybah, a friend of Mr Adebolajo, told the BBC more about MI5’s involvement and was promptly arrested
man, arrested on Thursday on suspicion of conspiracy to murder, has been bailed to return pending further inquiries. Fiyaz Mughal, director of Faith Matters, said the nature of anti-Muslim incidents since Wednesday’s murder, ranged from attacks against mosques, graffiti, the pulling off of Muslim women’s headscarves and more general name calling and abuse. He told BBC Radio 5 Live: “What’s really concerning is the spread of these incidents. They’re coming in from right across the country. Secondly, some of them are quite aggressive very focused, very aggressive attacks. “And thirdly, there also seems to be significant online activity... suggesting co-ordination of incidents and attacks against institutions or places where Muslims congregate.” Since the attack, a number of people have been charged by police after allegedly offensive messages were posted on social media websites. These include a 22-year-old man from Lincoln, a 28-year-old man from London, a 23-year-old woman from Southsea, and a 19-year-old man from Woking. Three men - two from Gateshead and one from Stockton - have been arrested by Northumbria Police on suspicion of posting racist tweets. It came ahead of a protest by the English Defence League (EDL) in Newcastle in which around 1,500 people took part. It had been planned for months.
An insight into A a murky world It is now established fact that MI5 was in contact with at least one of the men involved in the Woolwich incident last week and had at least tried to control him. It is not yet established, however, how much more influence they continued to exert on him and for what purpose
T
here has been a large increase in anti-Muslim incidents since the murder of Drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich, an inter-faith organisation has said. Faith Matters, which runs a helpline, said they had received 162 calls since Wednesday’s attack, up from a daily average of six. A number of people have been charged after allegedly offensive comments were made on social media websites. Meanwhile, many more arrests have been made in connection with the murder. Drummer Rigby was killed near Woolwich Barracks last week. On Saturday night, two men, aged 24 and 28, were arrested by Met Police counter-terrorism detectives at a residential address in south-east London. At roughly the same time, a 21-year-old man was arrested in the street in Charlton Lane, Charlton, south-east London. Taser stun guns were used on both the 21-year-old and the 28-year-old but neither required hospital treatment. The Met Police said officers were also carrying out search warrants at four further southeast London homes on Saturday night. Shortly after the killing of Drummer Rigby, 28-year-old Michael Adebolajo was filmed by a passer-by saying he had carried out the attack because British soldiers killed Muslims every day. Mr Adebolajo and a second suspect, Michael Adebowale, 22, were arrested at the scene and remain in a stable condition in hospital after they were shot by police. Both men were known to the security services, sources told the BBC. A further 29-year-old
Mr Adebolajo, second from right, in a court in Kenya, where British intelligence operations historically involved infiltrating their enemies and committing heinous acts to turn the wider population against those enemies
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The Abu Nusaybah interview and arrest friend of Mr Adebolajo, Abu Nusaybah, was arrested on Friday night on BBC premises immediately after an interview with BBC Newsnight. The Met Police said the arrest was not directly related to the murder of Drummer Rigby, but did not explain why they arrested him. Mr Nusayabah told the programme that Mr Adebolajo had rejected an approach by MI5 to work for them around six months ago. He said it followed a trip to Kenya where Mr Nusaybah said Mr Adebolajo had been detained by security forces. He said he noticed “a change” in Mr Adebolajo when he returned from Africa last year. Abu Nusaybah said Mr Adebolajo suggested he had been physically and sexually abused during an interrogation in a prison cell in the African country. However, a spokesman for the Kenyan government, Muthui Kariuki, told the BBC Mr Adebolajo had never been to Kenya. “I have been in touch with our security people, and I have been assured by all the relevant departments that... [he] has never been to this country.” Video footage of Mr Adebelajo in Kenya has since emerged. This week the director general of MI5 Andrew Parker is expected to present an initial report on the role of the security services to a Parliamentary committee, which is carrying out an investigation. Media reports have suggested that both suspects attended the University of Greenwich. But in a statement released on Saturday, vice-chancellor Prof David Maguire said the university had no records relating to Mr Adebowale. “Our records show that a Michael Adebolajo was registered in academic years 2003/2004 and 2004/2005. His academic progress was unsatisfactory and he was not permitted to complete his studies here,” he said. Prof Maguire also said an investigation was being launched into whether there was any evidence of extremism, past or present, at the university. Meanwhile, the father of Damilola Taylor, the schoolboy stabbed to death in Peckham in 2000, has told ITV News he acted as a mentor to Mr Adebowala. He knew him since the age of 10 and became his mentor after his mother got in touch to say he was experiencing problems in school and was being bullied. “He was a young, loving boy” but later it appeared there were issues around gangs and drugs, said Mr Taylor. He said he last spoke to Mr Adebowla about two months ago and believes others had more influence over him. Both Mr Adebolajo and Mr Adebowale, Britons of Nigerian descent, are understood to be converts to Islam, with Mr Adebolajo originally coming from a Christian family. Maajid Nawaz, from the anti-extremism think tank the Quilliam Foundation, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme there is a “disproportionate number of convicted terrorists who’ve come from a conversion background”. Batool Al-Toma, an Irish-born woman who converted to Islam 25 years ago, said converts may be “vulnerable” to more radical views because they feel a “sense of isolation and alienation from family and friends”.
Open letter to Baroness King
I
Dear Baroness Oona King, would like to strongly condemn the brutal murder of our young soldier Drummer Lee Rigby by the terrorists in Woolwich last Wednesday. I am shocked and angered by this barbaric attack. I cannot find strong enough words or language to condemn the attackers; they are worse than evil cowards. As a British Muslim I would like to say that the majority of the Muslims do not approve this kind of violence, it is totally outrageous and unacceptable. Those responsible for this murder must face the full force of the law. Islam is a relegion of peace, Islam does not approve of any form of violence against innocent people, it does not permit terrorism and extremism. Killings, murders, and terrorist activities are against principles of Islam. Any person who believes in Islam cannot and will not commit murder because it is one of the biggest sins in Islam. Those who call themselves Muslims and carry out terrorist activities are simply terrorists.They are enemies of Islam and enemy of humanity. They do not belong to any religion, culture, race, faith or creed – they should be known as criminals. They must not and should not have a place in our homes and communities. It is time now that all sections of our community should stand together united, hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder to condemn all forms of violence, extremism and terrorism and root them out from our society. We should forget our differences and work together. My newspaper Bangla Post campaigns against terrorism, extremism and all forms of injustice in our society. I am fully committed to work with you and any one to make our community and country safe. I shall be very grateful if you could convey my message in the House of Lords and the House Commons. My deepest sympathies and prayers are with Drummer Lee Rigby’s family, relatives and friends. Let us work together to make the world free from terrorists. Mohammed SM Rahman, Chairman, Bangla Post