It seems like the Armenian Branch of Nathan Associates Inc (per a whois lookup of the IP address) is hosting a webpage claiming that former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has died. As far a we know, Tony Blair is well as of February 17, 2009. This page uses the same template as BBC News. As soon as the page is loaded, the user is prompted to upgrade the latest “Adobe Flash Version in order to watch the video” of the car crash that allegedly took the life of Tony Blair.
Pic.1: Upgrade your Flash Version
Consenting to the flash update downloads: http://91.103.XXX.XXX/BBC_News_UK/2/hi/uk_news/bbc_movies/get_flash_update.exe
Pic.1: Trojan download
ClamAV detects this file as Trojan.Agent-21076. The Trojan changes the start page of Internet Explorer to the adult website adultmeeter.com and updates the Windows host file to contain entries for URL-to-IP mapping. This mapping effectively prevents users from accessing the websites for the banks Addey and Caja Madrid by typing abbey.com or cajamadrid.es in their web browers. The entries in the host file will redirect users to phishing websites.
‘No Day This Year without a Terror Trial’ (Spiegel interview)
In an interview with SPIEGEL, British Home Secretary Jacqui Smith discusses her country’s experience in taking in former inmates from the Guantanamo prison camp and how her country is seeking to reach out to young Muslims before they radicalize.
SPIEGEL: In Germany, a national debate is simmering over whether the country should take in prisoners from Guantanamo. What experience has Great Britain had in accepting detainees from the American prison camp?
Smith: We have taken back 13 detainees, nine of them were British nationals, another four have been residents. All are free citizens now. So we never had to regret our decisions, but of course I do also understand the reluctance of my German colleague Wolfgang Schäuble in this matter.
SPIEGEL: How did those citizens and communities react to the fact that their new neighbours came from Camp Delta? Were there protests?
Smith: I think they understood how much grievance Guantanamo caused for the Muslim world. And even worse, that it undermines our values, our democracy and human rights and that, finally, it makes it particularly difficult for us to maintain our fundamental argument in countering terror.
SPIEGEL: Have those who came home been brought to trial in Great Britain?
Smith: No, there were no trials but we took certain security measures.
SPIEGEL: Are they under observation?
Smith: Let’s put it like this: We would immediately know if they were to re-engage in extremist activities, but I cannot discuss our measures in detail.
SPIEGEL: Will Britain help the Obama administration by accepting more detainees?
Smith: There are two more British residents in Guantanamo and we have asked for their return to Britain. But already now we have taken in more inmates than any other country. So our priority now is to support others by sharing our experience.
SPIEGEL: In the case of the British resident Binyam Mohamed, who is still incarcerated at Guantanamo, there are strong allegations about the complicity of the British government in his rendition and even his mistreatment.
Smith: To be clear, the British government is absolutely opposed to torture and nothing has been proven yet in this case. I personally referred the investigation immediatly to the attorney general to answer the question of potential complicity.
SPIEGEL: The British government refuses up to this day to make public certain documents that might provide proof that the prisoner was the subject of mistreatment.
Smith: The evidence has been made available to Binyam Mohamed’s legal team to assure the best possible and fair defense. But it must be the case that when one government provides intelligence to another both have to decide whether this information is made public or not. That is nothing less but the basis for sharing intelligence between countries, which is aimed at keeping people safe.
SPIEGEL: But if there is apparently evidence for mistreatment in these documents — and that is, at least, what the two High Court judges who had to deal with the case of Binyam Mohamed declared last week in London — then shouldn’t the British people and even the Americans know about it?
Smith: Let’s be clear. It is necessary that the defense team has this material, that is the case. The next thing is that we have to be able to maintain the security of our people by sharing intelligence information. Sometimes security is best served by that not being made public. And the Obama administration just made clear that the terms on which the intelligence relationship operates — which is aimed, let’s remember, at keeping people safe, not in keeping information secret — must be respected in order that we can achieve our objectives.
SPIEGEL: You just sent a delegation to Guantanamo to prepare for Binyam Mohamed’s return. When do you expect him to arrive back in Britain?
Smith: There is no set date, but we are working on it.
SPIEGEL: Recently, Germany has been threatened with terrorist attacks in several video messages. How would you evaluate the general situation?
Smith: Severe. We believe that an attack is highly likely and could happen at any time and without warning. On the other hand we see some success. In 2008, we had 50 people convicted in terror-related trials and this year there will not be a single day in the United Kingdom without a terrorist trial on the timetable.
SPIEGEL: British government members stopped using the terms “war on terror” or “Islamic terrorists.”You tend to speak of “anti-Islamic activists.” Why?
Smith: Part of the reason why people turn to extremism is the appeal that is made to them by those who are promoting an ideology that seeks to create hatred. It is an approach that uses a certain language and certain messages. For example, they claim that there is an incompatibility between the British or the Germans and European Muslims, that it is impossible to be a Muslim within a democratic system. Part of the way to respond to that is in the way of communication. We work hard to get the message out that this is plainly wrong and that secondly we are talking about criminal acts that have nothing to do with the principles of Islam.
SPIEGEL: Do you really think that this will stop the radicalization of young Muslims?
Smith: I would not call it an image campaign, but the communication of what the daily life of a Muslim in Western democracies is really like. And I think we have to ask ourselves what it is that turns people to violent extremism. We think that the way and manner with which extremists address themselves to others is playing an important role, and we founded a special working unit to deal with exactly those questions. They are identifying the sources of the propaganda and are making proposals about how and where to address counter-messages to young Muslims. We cannot allow a minority ideology to become the only voice in the Internet, for example.
SPIEGEL: Does the new US president, Barack Obama, present a new opportunity to recalibrate the global debate on terrorism?
Smith: Yes. I think we can now deal with terrorism by bringing in new and fresh ideas. Sure, we need to maintain the hard ability to pursue, to arrest suspects and to bring them to trial. But you have to think more imaginatively about how to deal with the deeper reasons of violent extremism. We just started a campaign in Pakistan: Successful Pakistanis living in Great Britain are reporting about their life in the Western society. I think there is every opportunity for us now with the new US administration to bring forward these kinds of ideas.
And just look at the conference on fighting Islamic extremism that took place in Berlin last week, where we exchanged our experiences in countering terrorism between the German, Dutch and the British home secretary. I don’t think that would have been possible even a year ago.
Interview conducted by Britta Sandberg and Marcel Rosenbach.
Comparison sites. You’ve probably used such sites before. You know the sort – you put in a product or service and the site does a search across the web for the best offers available.
Well here we have it. Now, when you want insurance, it seems that Sharia products will also be listed – for ALL of us, of course, not just those who have religious compliance criteria in mind. I’m not spending time putting in my details, but I take the word of this UK site – No Claims Discount whose owner is in the business. Interesting though that he seems more concerned about the prices quoted than the principle of creeping sharia.The cost of everything, the value of nothing? Still, ANY criticism is a start.
Sharia compliant insurance now appearing on comparison websites – Whilst all financial products are covered by the Financial Services Authority (FSA), Sharia financial products also have to conform to the strict religious guidelines set out in the Qur’an, known as Fiqh-al-Muamalat or Islamic Rules of Transaction.
Sharia prohibits charging Interest (Riba) on money, Gambling and Speculation (Maysir or Qimar) and Uncertainty (Gharar), which all form the basis of non-Islamic insurance products. Halal insurance needs to satisfy both the client and the religious guidelines administered by the Sharia Supervisory Committee.
Unlike conventional insurance which entails the insurer taking all of the risk (in exchange for all of the profits and rewards) Halal insurance members agree to “guarantee” each other and rather than paying premiums, they make financial contributions known as Tabaru’a. These are then pooled into a Takaful (from the Arabic term “guaranteeing each other”) Fund.
Tabaru’a contributions are calculated depending on the type of cover you require, rather like a premium. An administration fee (Wakala Fee) is also required and again, the cost of this is agreed upon by a committee of Sharia scholars.
Each year an independent firm of actuaries carry out a valuation of the Takaful Fund assessing:
Contributions paid into the fund
Valid claims paid out of the fund
Likely cost of future liabilities
If it is found that the Takaful is over-funded then the excess is distributed amongst its members, while any shortfall is met by a Shari compliant underwriter.
Sharia compliant insurance is available to both Muslims and non-Muslims.
We compared quotations for a 39-year-old male district nurse driving a HONDA, CR-V I-CTDI SPORT, 02204, DIESEL with Britain’s first and only Halal motor insurer, Salaam Insurance.
Salaam Insurance offered a quote of £517.39 with a Takaful contribution of £388.04 and a Wakala Fee £129.35, with an excess of £250.00. This, however, was almost twice the amount of the cheapest mainstream quote we found which was £280.18, with an excess of £350, from Sureterm Direct.
Salaam Halal insurance were quick to point out to us that they believed this figure to be out of the ordinary, quoting their recent addition to MoneySupermarket.com where their first week apparently resulted in them being placed in the top three returned positions for a third of all motor insurance quotes in which they appeared.
Considering that the overall price you pay for Halal insurance isn’t certain for 12 months — as there is always the possibility of part of your Tabaru’a being returned — we were surprised that such companies are even listed in insurance comparison websites. We suppose it’s not considered misleading if the price quoted could be lower than you originally pay. Who would complain to the FSA about that? †
There is nothing that Geert Wilders says in the videos below with which ANY DEMOCRAT could disagree, in all conscience. So, WHY are the PC Brigade, the liberal left and civil/human righters so uncharacteristically quiet? Have they been rumbled of an inconvenient truth? That their high horses were trojan horses, laden with agendas?
A discussion of the legalities or illegalities of excluding Geert Wilders, with examination of the law, domestically and at EU level. Carl Gardner audio interiew at CharonQC’s blog: Carl Gardner is a barrister, writer, ex government lawyer and author of the Head of Legal blog. He thinks the government will have some problems, particularly since Wilders was here not long ago! So if he was OK to come then, a few months ago, why not NOW? Any argument about his now being about to be “charged” by his own government would be weak. So far he has not appeared in court. So if people’s previous convictions don’t even stand in the way of visiting other EU countries, WHY does an upcoming charge prevent his visit? Also, is this ban “proportionate”? No.
Wilders has been excluded under regulations 19(1) and 21 of the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2006, which faithfully copy out and implement the requirements of article 27 of Directive 2004/38 on the rights of EU citizens to move freely.
Telephone or email the Foreign Secretary David Milibands office and complain (NOTE: Ask for a FULL written response):
Email: private.office@fco.gov.uk Tel: 0207 008 1500
Write to Baroness Cox and give her your support – she is a shining light in the fight for freedom of speech in the UK:
email: ccox@ertnet.demon.co.uk
Please also support the Global Statement Against Sharia Law and the UK One Law For All Petition at http://www.shariapetition.com
CNN – Wilders blasts UK over ban
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuDoB27sKFU
This CNN interview with Wilders was recorded as he was IN DETENTION at Heathrow. In detention? WHY? For hoping, trying … to speak freely? If you believe you are a democrat THIS is the test. If you agree that we MUST be willing to hear ALL opinions in this country, you will stand up for Wilders’ freedom to speak out.
Or does YOUR form of freedom of speech come with provisos, as does Ahmed’s? What about Liberty’s? That group of civil/human righters who SAY they stand up for the oppressed of this world? What does Shami Chakrabarti say on this innocent man’s deportation?
Harri says: “Last week, I wrote an article defending free speech for everyone – and in response there have been riots, death threats, and the arrest of an editor who published the article.”
NEW TOUGHER STRATEGY ON ITS WAY TO TACKLE RADICALISATION
We might as well get tougher. Some of them are already walking around with chips on their shoulders as big as houses.
Panorama:Muslim First, British Second, Monday February 16 – 8.30pm on BBC One. As ministers prepare to announce a new counter terrorism strategy, Panorama asks should we isolate or talk to the radicals – and examines suspicions that government funded community projects are being covertly used to gather intelligence.
KEEP AN EYE ON THE YOUNG MAN IN THE VIDEO BELOW
He says, “Why are they staying here if they don’t like it in Britain?”
Quite.
THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY (AND THE REST OF US) NEED MORE LIKE HIM
Tackling Extremism: “Education not indoctrination”(video): Usman Nawaz is a 19-year-old moderate Muslim and member of the Youth Parliament for Rochdale. As one of 23 advisers on the government’s Young Muslim Advisory Group he is an active voice in the Muslim community. He spoke to Panorama’s Richard Watson about what he thinks should be done to tackle extremism in Britain.
Panorama’s Richard Watson speaks to a disaffected man in Leeds who voices his concern that the Muslim community in the UK is under unfair scrutiny
In Muslim First, British Second, Panorama asks if we should be isolating or talking to Muslim radicals as part of the UK’s counter-terrorism strategy and examines suspicions that government-funded community projects are being covertly used to gather intelligence.
Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker issued the following statement in relation to the programme:
“We face a real and severe threat from terrorism. Since 2007 over 87 people have been convicted of terrorism offences. The threat level facing the UK remains severe and we know we cannot simply arrest our way out of the problem. Our long term objective must be to stop people supporting terrorism or becoming terrorists in the first place.
“As part of our work to prevent terrorism, it is vital we engage with groups who can make a genuine difference in stopping the spread of violent extremism. We keep the projects we work with under continuous review and, should it become clear that the balance of benefit no longer lies in pursing particular projects, we will stop funding them.
“Accusations that Prevent is about spying on people or criminalising vulnerable individuals are simply untrue, and only jeopardise the vital work of Prevent to work with communities and keep vulnerable individuals safe from radicalisers.
“Our strategy to prevent people becoming terrorists is not simply about tackling violent extremism. It is also about tackling those who espouse extremist views that are inconsistent with our shared values.
“Decisions on which organisations to fund are taken very carefully and are subject to robust scrutiny. We are clear that we will not continue to fund groups where we have evidence of them encouraging discrimination, undermining democracy and being ambiguous towards terrorism.”
Panorama: Muslim First, British Second is on BBC One on Monday 16 February at 8.30pm.
A British university student who became a suicide bomber in Somalia is believed to be the first in an outbreak of Islamic terrorism.
The 21-year-old from Ealing reportedly blew himself up at a military checkpoint killing up to 20 soldiers in the southern Somali town of Baidoa.
Raised in Britain, the bomber dropped out of a business studies course at Oxford Brookes University to travel to his country of origin in October 2007.
A member of al-Shabaab, a youth militia fighting to impose Islamic Sharia law, the man recorded a martyrdom video before his trip imploring fellow British Somalis to follow his example.
In the video he says: “Oh my people, know that I am doing this martyrdom operation for the sake of Allah. I advise you to migrate to Somalia and wage war against your enemies. Death in honour is better than life in humiliation.”
The bomber, whose family still lives in London, is the first reported case of a Somali based in Britain carrying out terrorist acts in the east African country.
However it is unclear whether British security services are aware of the case, which happened when the Somali prime minister was staying at a hotel near the checkpoint.
Jihadist websites claimed more than 20 Ethiopian soldiers were killed. The same group was reported to have killed six aid workers in December.
The killings come amid warnings that dozens of Islamic extremists have returned to Britain from terror training camps in Somalia.
MI5 director-general Jonathan Evans has raised concerns that Somali-trained militants could be plotting to carry out attacks in Britain or attempting to attract new recruits.
Yassin Omar and Ramzi Mohammed, two of the four men convicted of the failed 21 July 2005 London Underground bombings, came to Britain as asylum seekers.
The Somali community in Britain numbers around 250,000, the largest in Europe, with the bulk of those coming to the country as refugees within the last 20 years.
Peter Neumann, a terrorism expert at the Centre for the Study of Radicalisation at King’s College London, said: “The numbers I hear (going from Britain to Somalia) are 50, 60 or 70 but in reality we don’t know.
“You don’t need big numbers for terrorism. Somalia will never become another Pakistan, but that does not mean it is not a threat.
Weasel Zippers say: “But hey, lets all focus on keeping Geert Wilders from entering the country” … Never mind the British student blowing himself up with 20 policeman in Somalia. Priorities, eh, fellow citizens of Great Dhimmiland?
PLEASE NOTE: The content of this blog and opinions expressed here or pointed to are all my choice and mine alone. In particular, the controversial postings on the present Wilders/Islam issues imply NO reference whatsoever to Tony Blair’s opinions on Islam. (This note is a result of an e-mail I received from a well-respected online friend and commenter, expressing concern that the title of my blog [Tony Blair] might lead some to incorrect conclusions, or even to weaken Mr Blair’s position on interfaith dialogue. That is NOT, repeat NOT my intention or desire.)
Muzzammil “Mo” HASSAN, the founder and chief executive officer of Bridges TV, a Buffalo, NY based Islamic television Network he helped pioneer in 2004 amid hopes that it would help portray Muslims in a more positive light, reportedly admitted to police that he beheaded his wife at the television station yesterday afternoon. The victim was identified as Aasiya Z. Hassan, 37, who just last month, filed for and received an order of protection against her husband.
According to police, HASSAN walked into the Orchard Park police station shortly after 6:00 PM yesterday and admitted that he murdered his wife earlier in the afternoon. While Erie County, NY District Frank A. Sedita III stated about the murder that “”…this is the worst form of domestic violence possible,” it is more pertinent to understand that the act of beheading in Islam is frequently and closely associated with “honor killings.”
The intentional mainstream media obfuscation of honor killings and the act of beheading as both relate to Islamic fundamentalist practices & beliefs is anticipated, especially in this case. (For a good primer about Islam and honor killings, please read this 2008 article written by Robert Spencer).
HASSAN and Bridges TV of Buffalo has been a focus of investigation by the Northeast Intelligence Network in the past. The Northeast Intelligence Network made several inquiries to HASSAN and Bridges TV about their relationship with al Manar television – inquiries that HASSAN and his station refused to answer.
Meanwhile, HASSAN was charged with second-degree murder and has been arraigned by Orchard Park, NY Village Justice Deborah Chimes. He is currently in custody at the Erie County Holding Center.
Second degree murder n. a non-premeditated killing, resulting from an assault in which death of the victim was a distinct possibility. Second degree murder is different from First Degree Murder which is a premeditated, intentional killing, or results from a vicious crime such as arson, rape, or armed robbery. Exact distinctions on degree vary by state. (See: murder, first degree murder, manslaughter)
First degree murder n. although it varies from state to state, it is generally a killing which is deliberate and premeditated (planned, after lying in wait, by poison or as part of a scheme), in conjunction with felonies such as rape, burglary, arson, involving multiple deaths, the killing of certain types of people (such as a child, a police officer, a prison guard, a fellow prisoner), or with certain weapons, particularly a gun. The specific criteria for first degree murder are established by statute in each state and by the United States Code in federal prosecutions. It is distinguished from second degree murder in which premeditation is usually absent, and from manslaughter which lacks premeditation and suggests that at most there was intent to harm rather than to kill. (See: murder, second degree murder, manslaughter, felony murder doctrine)
Excuse me?
Second degree? – “death of the victim was a distinct possibility”! A Distinct Possibility?! How many headless people do YOU see walking the streets these days, bankers excluded?
Sounds like YOUR laws, my American friends, are as cock-eyed as ours.
It’s inarguable that if someone beheads his wife he kind of … sort of … well … half-expects that he’ll have to cook his own dinner from now on.
That is clearly murder of the FIRST DEGREE.
No question. Even if the confessed murderer IS A MUSLIM living in trainee US of A … DhimmiLand
WHY IS THIS DIFFERENT FROM THE COMMON-OR-GARDEN WIFE KILLING?
Sadly more women are murdered by their husbands or partners worldwide than meet their deaths at the hands of outsiders. And too, for all sorts of trite “reasons”, all of which are unjustifiable.
But in my humble opinion, THIS is in a class of its own.
The religious element, (if it has been reported accurately – beheading as an “honour” killing) implies that using an “everyday” instrument to kill – a knife or gun – would not have done the job satisfactorily as regards all the demands of this man’s “faith doctrine”.
Leave aside as incidental that if he had used a gun it would have been classed as ‘first degree’ murder (though death is not guaranteed.) The law is an ass at times, don’t you just think?
It should be a warning to us all. Beheading is and always should be FIRST DEGREE MURDER. Once removed a head will not re-attach itself, I’m afraid. EVER.
This is an abominable act from a man who said his plan in setting up Bridges TV was self-explanatory, to build bridges between communities.
If this doesn’t leave you perplexed and pessimistic as to the chances of anyone, even the great Mr Blair, ever bridging the gap between ‘faiths’, nothing is too much of a challenge for you.
In case you’re wondering, this is what body-less heads look like. Click here to visit the source, a British Christian site fighting the good fight. Not sure who these poor men are … were, but they look western to me. Probably homosexual - all ye good liberal, broad minds in the UK , American and the rest of the west. First, they’ll come for you …
Daily Mail story: Horrifying video has just been released of Taleban beheading of Polish engineer.
There are some who will criticise me for including these links, I know. Both men are alive and a few seconds later after what must have been excruciating pain and terror, dead, separated from their bodies.
I have to WARN you seriously – my stomach lurched as I watched them. But information is power. WE need to know what we are up against in this WAR ON TERROR.
I forced myself to watch the video of the murder of this poor man, Eugene Armstrong. He suffered longer than did Mr Johnson. We must never forget these people, and we must never forget the barbarism that brought them to such dreadful ends.
Middle East envoy Tony Blair (R) shakes hands with Noam Shalit, the father of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, during their meeting in Jerusalem February 12, 2009. Gilad Shalit was abducted by Palestinian gunmen from Gaza during a cross-border raid in June 2006. REUTERS/Dudi Vaaknin (JERUSALEM)
Quartet envoy Tony Blair to receive Dan David Prize (YNet)
The Quartet’s envoy to the Middle East, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, is one of the laureates of the international 2009 Dan David Prize. Blair will receive the award for his contribution in the field of leadership.
Three prizes of $1 million each are annually awarded for achievements having an outstanding scientific, technological, cultural or social impact on the world. (Yaheli Moran Zelikovich)
Anthony Charles Lynton (Tony) Blair, former British Prime Minister, is one of the most outstanding statesmen of our era.
From the time he assumed leadership of the British Labor Party in 1994 until he stepped down as prime minister in 2007, he showed exceptional intelligence and foresight, and demonstrated moral courage and leadership.
Tony Blair has consistently asked the important questions and thought deeply about the interconnected world of the 21st century. Early in his prime ministership, he came to two beliefs that guide him to today: first, that it is a mistake for the world to wait for America to solve all of the tough questions, and second, that there are some things a state may do within its borders that justify intervention even if the actions do not directly threaten another nation’s interests. (More)
Foreground: Martin McGuinness- Sinn Fein, Ian Paisley - DUP, Tony Blair - British Prime Minister, Bertie Ahern - Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister)
There is praise for his roles in Northern Ireland and Kosovo, but there is no mention of the conflicts in Afghanistan or Iraq.
His spokesman said the money would be donated to Mr Blair’s charity for religious understanding – the Tony Blair Faith Foundation.
The Dan David Foundation said: “From the time he assumed leadership of the British Labor Party in 1994 until he stepped down as prime minister in 2007, he showed exceptional intelligence and foresight, and demonstrated moral courage and leadership.
“It was the Kosovo crisis in particular that transformed Tony Blair into an international leader on the basis of his steadfast determination and morally courageous leadership.”
Mr Blair is an envoy of the international Quartet on the Middle East peace process, which comprises the US, European Union, United Nations and Russia.
Former US vice-president and environmental campaigner Al Gore won the prize last year.
The award will be presented in a ceremony on May 17 at Tel Aviv University.
The Guardian on Blair’s latest award:“The award is presented by the Dan David Foundation, based at Tel Aviv University, and a spokesman for Blair said the money would be donated to the former Labour leader’s charity for religious understanding, the Tony Blair Faith Foundation.
A condition of the award is that 10% of the prize money is used to fund graduate students in the winner’s field.
A spokesman for the former prime minister’s office confirmed that the rest of the money would be donated to the Faith Foundation.”
Sign the Ban Blair-Baiting petition here. “He’s not a war criminal. He’s not evil. He didn’t lie. He didn’t sell out Britain or commit treason. He wasn’t Bush’s poodle. He hasn’t got blood on his hands. The anti-war nutters must not be allowed to damage Blair’s reputation further. He was a great PM, a great statesman and a great leader.”
Ban Blair-Baiting
PLEASE NOTE: The content of this blog and opinions expressed here or pointed to are all my choice and mine alone. In particular, the controversial postings on the present Wilders/Islam issues imply NO reference whatsoever to Tony Blair’s opinions on Islam. (This note is a result of an e-mail I received from a well-respected online friend and commenter, expressing concern that the title of my blog [Tony Blair] might lead some to incorrect conclusions, or even to weaken Mr Blair’s position on interfaith dialogue. That is NOT, repeat NOT my intention or desire.)
Comment at end
16th February, 2009
R.I.P. THEO VAN GOGH
[Pic: Dutch film-maker Theo Van Gogh was shot eight times, stabbed three times, his throat was cut almost to the point of decapitation, and he was left with a dagger in his chest attaching a 6 page note threatening others, including Geert Wilders with the same fate for criticising the "religion of peace". Amsterdam, 2004]
If you have been following the Geert Wilders fiasco, you will know that Theo Van Gogh, descendant of the world-renowned artist Vincent, was murdered for being as outspoken on his thoughts on Islam as is his fellow Dutchman Geert Wilders today. Mr Wilders is living dangerously.
ARTISTS ARE SPECIAL PEOPLE
It is the artist, painter or writer, sculptor or film-maker, musician or photographer who passes down the generations the beauty, horror, love, hate, glory and desecration of the times in which we live.
It is they whose painstaking works inform our societies and our lives. It is they who inspire us with their message. They are special people. And today, faced with some whose beliefs do not allow for interpretation or artistic endeavour, are under particular threat.
Theo Van Gogh was an artist too; a film-maker. And for making the video below, he ended up dead on the streets of Amsterdam at the hands of an Islamicist fundamentalist.
He was not the first to be killed for speaking freely in his own free land. Pym Fortuyn, a high-profile Dutch politician, likely to have been elected as an MP nine days after his murder, was shot in 2002 at the hands of a militant animal rights activist Volkert van der Graaf, who claimed in court he had murdered Fortuyn to stop him from exploiting Muslims as “scapegoats” and targeting “the weak parts of society to score points” in seeking political power.[2][3][4]
Note that Fortuyn was not assassinated by an Islamicist fundamentalist, but by a sympathiser who took exception to Fortuyn’s outspoken remarks on Islam. The PC Brigade going madder than mad.
Submission Part 1- What Theo van Gogh was murdered for
AND WE PASSED BY ON THE OTHER SIDE
And what did we civilised peoples of all religions and none DO about this? We stuck sticking plaster over the wounds. We locked up the perpetrators and said to ourselves, more in sorrow than despair – “that’ll teach him/them. That’s what’ll happen to him/them if they mess with us.”
Oh, Mr & Mrs Nice European – I have news for you. It is NOT enough. It wasn’t enough then and it isn’t now.
This is a different sort of enemy from anything we have dealt with in the past. It is more dangerous than the enemies of old in far-off lands, identifiable and able to be targeted by geographical borders. This is the enemy within.
In the same way that I believe we were right to tackle radical Islamicist fundamentalism in Iraq, despite arguments about the legitimacy of the action, we needed to do more, FAR more than slap wrists when people are killed for their work and art and for speaking freely in FREE Europe.
It is clear we cannot and should not attack whole nations for the attacks of a few disparately spread radicals. It is impractical anyway, as no one or even several nations contain these people.
Most Muslims, even if you believe their religion to be medieval, do NOT wish harm to the rest of us. Equally, MOST Muslims are abhorred by this sort of act done in the name of their religion.
WHAT IS THE ANSWER?
For me the answer is clear, if difficult to enact.
Islamic leaders themselves must meet regularly, monthly, even weekly until they hammer out how they deal with these people and the issues.
It is THEY who must de-radicalise their own. It will not do for them to stay at arms length from the fray, as though it has nothing to do with them or their religion. It is not enough for them to leave it to all the hosts’ countries to deal with as they see fit. And it is no longer viable for the majority in western lands to constantly bow to the minority, even as they hold knives to our throats.
I realise that this is difficult. It is said to be forbidden to question the Koran. It is said that Islam has no overall leader. It is said that each Muslim can interpret the Koran as it suits him. All of those are incompatible to modern liberal co-existence.
It is time to stop saying and start doing.
MULLAH/IMAMS/ISLAM’S LEADERS MUST STAND UP
Let the Mullahs stand up to be counted. Let THEM put their lives on the line. Let THEM be the ones to take the bullet for the rest of us.
It is clear his mission is to bring closer together Christianity, Judaism and Islam. He is highly motivated in this task by his faith and likely, by unfinished business.
And yet Mr Blair does NOT belong to a religion which today kills people for their beliefs or lack of belief. In this noble pursuit, he could also be putting his own life in danger for some insoluble task, while fundamental issues of this unquestionable doctrine remain untackled and unresolved.
TIME TO LOOK FORWARD WITH COURAGE
Islam owes both itself and the rest of us a show of courage. We need to move on from this dead-end.
I am not denying that ALL religions have had their bloodthirsty pasts. We all know that they have. But constant re-visiting of the past does not begin to repair the present, much less fix the future.
It is today’s religious issues surrounding Islam that Islamic leaders need to tackle. They need to tackle it seriously, and soon.
THE WORLD IS TOLERANT BUT ITS PATIENCE IS NOT UNLIMITED
Are more deaths on European streets awaiting us? More artists? Is THIS what we Europeans can all expect for exercising our rights of free speech in our own lands? For welcoming others and their cultures into our countries? For providing them with all the rights (and more) they would have had in their original homelands? For willingly handing to them all the benefits of our modern societies … free health care, social and education services, including their own schools? Is this our reward for allowing them to vent their spleen, abusing their hosts and our Police at so-called demonstrations?
Have we been cowed into submission?
Is this why our cowardly Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his hatchet woman the Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, banned Wilders from entering Britain a few days ago, dropping FREE SPEECH and EU convention?
Is this what they are afraid of? The awakening Brits finally noticing what’s happening to OUR country?
We might even rise up and politely whisper -
“Erm … excuse me, kind Mr Radi Fundamentalist. If you don’t mind me saying so … would you might awfully not being quite so rude?”
Background to “SUBMISSION” and Theo Van Gogh’s cold-blooded murder (as on YouTube, January 2008)
Working from a script written by Ayaan Hirsi Ali, van Gogh created the 10-minute movie Submission. The movie deals with the topic of violence against women in Islamic societies; telling the stories of four abused Muslim women. The title itself, “Submission”, is a translation of the word “Islam” into English. In the film, telling their stories as if they are speaking to Allah. Qur’anic verses unfavourable to women are projected onto their bodies in Arabic.
After the broadcast of Submission, Van Gogh and Hirsi Ali also received death threats. Van Gogh did not take these very seriously and refused any protection, reportedly telling Ayaan Hirsi Ali: “Who would want to kill the village idiot?
Van Gogh was shot 8 times by Mohammed Bouyeri, a Dutch- Moroccan Muslim.
Ayaan fled Netherland and is now in USA under severe protection. Recently a member of Netherland parliament named Geert Wilders has decided to release a 10 minute movie regarding the truth about violence in Quran. Guess what! The movie hasn’t been released yet and he has received so many death threats that he is under police protection and is constantly changing safe houses.
However he’s stayed firm in his decision regarding the release of the movie. So let’s support freedom of speech and not be intimidated by bunch of savages who are stuck in the 7th century and want to impose their throwback religion on the rest of the civilized world.
Mohammed Bouyeri murdered Van Gogh in the early morning of Tuesday 2 November2004, in Amsterdam, in front of the Amsterdam East borough office (stadsdeelkantoor) on the corner of the Linnaeusstraat and Tweede Oosterparkstraat (52°21′32.22″N4°55′34.74″E / 52.35895°N 4.9263167°E / 52.35895; 4.9263167), while he was bicycling to work. He shot him eight times with an HS 2000handgun, and Van Gogh died on the spot. Bouyeri then cut Van Gogh’s throat, nearly decapitating him, and stabbed him in the chest. Two knives were left implanted in his torso, one attaching a five-page note to his body. The note (Text) threatened Western governments, Jews and Ayaan Hirsi Ali (who went into hiding). The note also contained references to the ideologies of the Egyptian organization Takfir wal-Hijra.
The killer, Mohammed Bouyeri, a 26-year-old Dutch citizen, was apprehended by the police after being shot in the leg. Bouyeri has alleged terrorist ties with the Dutch Hofstad Network. He was also charged with the attempted murder of a police officer and bystander, illegal possession of a firearm, and conspiring to murder others, including Hirsi Ali. He was convicted on July 26, 2005 and sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole.
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Should the USA, Britain & the rest of the western world seriously consider Sharia Finance, in view of the present financial worries?
There is concern that such is the state of collapse of western capitalism that SOME of our leaders may even be considering adopting "Sharia Finance".
It already exists in the west in various forms and is presently being marketed heavily to non-Muslims.
Is this a slippery slope to Sharia Law?
Sharia law and now Sharia finance are touted by its proponents as the answers to the "evils" of the west.
I don't want ANYTHING Sharia in my country - Britain. And I am not happy that there are already FIVE Sharia courts in our land. I don't recall the government asking us to vote for this in 1997, 2001 or 2005.
But two months after Mr Brown took over from Mr Blair in 2007 Sharia courts were set up in English cities. Perhaps Mr Brown thought he had received subliminal permission from the people to do this when he took over from Mr Blair in a subliminal non-election.
What do YOU think?
VOTE NOW for or against Sharia Finance for the West
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