Britain is focal point for terrorism, warns Europe’s police force
Brian Brady, Independent on Sunday
Britain is the focal point for Islamic terrorism across Europe, and its controversial military campaigns overseas are putting the entire continent at risk, a disturbing new report has warned. An analysis of the terrorist threat by Europol, the European Police Office, has concluded that the dangers posed by militant groups rose to unprecedented proportions in 2007, with steep increases in the number of arrests, plots and attacks.
Registrar sues for right not to marry gays
Jonathan Wynne-Jones, Telegraph
Islington council in London has told Lillian Ladele she could lose her job unless she agrees to preside at the ceremonies. She claims “discrimination or victimisation on grounds of religion or belief”. The employment tribunal ruling could set a precedent over whether employees can be required to act against their consciences. The Civil Partnership Act was introduced in 2004, giving same-sex couples the same rights as married couples.
Swelling chorus demands: Save Our Churches
Jonathan Wynne-Jones, Telegraph
Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Cardinal Cormac Murphy O’Connor, the Archbishop of Westminster, have backed the Save Our Churches campaign. The campaign calls for a number of measures to keep churches at the heart of community life including changing planning rules to help them adapt and providing grants. It has also won the backing of public figures, including the actress Joanna Lumley and the musician Jools Holland.
Sssh! It’s the silent majority
Musab Bora, Guardian CiF
Yesterday’s Islamophonic podcast featured an interview with a very nice lady from British Muslims for Secular Democracy (BMSD) which was launched earlier this month. While the notion of any group speaking out for tolerance should be applauded, it was rather surprising that a single issue group is given so much prominence. I look forward to a similar level of exposure for the newly-formed Birmingham Muslims for Mild Curries (BMMC).
Neoconceit and the Iraq Debacle (Tabsir)
Why the police now have to ask teenage muggers: ‘Do you eat chips? (Eileen Fairweather, Mail)
How do international Shariah Boards work? (Austrolabe)
UK inquiry into torture and death of Iraqi in UK custody must be independent (Amnesty International)
Filed under: al-Qa'ida, churches, civil liberties, criminal justice, gay, human rights, islam, muslims, neoconservative, religion, satire, sharia, terrorism, uk
