Extremists are grooming children and teenagers to plot terrorist attacks against Britain, the director of the domestic spy agency said in a rare public speech Monday.
Jonathan Evans, who became head of MI5 agency in April, also warned that vital resources needed to tackle terrorism are being diverted to counter the espionage threat from Russia and China.
"Terrorists are methodically and intentionally targeting young people and children in this country," Evans said, according to text of his remarks delivered in Manchester, England. "They are radicalizing, indoctrinating and grooming young, vulnerable people to carry out acts of terrorism."
"This year, we have seen individuals as young as 15 and 16 implicated in terrorist-related activity," he said.
Evans' remarks before a newspaper editors' conference were his first public speech since becoming director-general of MI5.
His predecessor, Eliza Manningham-Buller, warned in a speech in November 2006 that her agents were tracking around 30 terror plots and keeping 1,600 suspects under surveillance.
"That figure today would be at least 2,000," Evans said.
The growth is partly down to better coverage of extremist networks, but "also because there remains a steady flow of new recruits to the extremist cause," he said.
The uncomfortable truth is attacks attempted against Britain "are not simply random plots by disparate and fragmented groups," Evans said.
"The majority of these attacks, successful or otherwise, have taken place because al-Qaida has a clear determination to mount terrorist attacks against the United Kingdom," he said.
But he warned that efforts to tackle terrorism are being stalled by work to halt foreign intelligence agents from stealing sensitive information on civilian and military technology. He singled out agents from Russia and China for espionage activities.
"Since the end of the Cold War, we have seen no decrease in the numbers of undeclared Russian intelligence officers in the U.K. — at the Russian Embassy and associated organizations conducting covert activity in this country," Evans said.
"So, despite the Cold War ending nearly two decades ago, my service is still expending resources to defend the U.K. against unreconstructed attempts by Russia, China and others, to spy on us," he said.
Officials at the Russian Embassy in London were not immediately available for comment.
Evans warned that plots in the last 12 months, including failed bomb attacks on London and Glasgow, increasingly are being driven from overseas.
Testimony from a U.S. terrorist-turned-witness in British court cases has revealed how young Britons are trained for attacks at terrorist camps in tribal areas of Pakistan.
Evans said that though Pakistan remains a key training ground for Britons, similar centers are emerging elsewhere.
Al-Qaida in Iraq is attempting to stage attacks outside Iraq and parts of East Africa, particularly Somalia, have become a key area for training and planning of attacks on Britain, he said.
Terrorist activity also is increasing across Europe, Evans said, noting the recent arrests of suspects in Germany, Denmark and Austria.
Evans confirmed that by 2011, MI5's staff will more than have doubled in size to 4,000, up from 1,500 staff in 2001.
But he said work by his agents to thwart plots will not alone be enough to stop the threat of extremist terrorism, calling for greater efforts from the government and society to counter the message of radical preachers.
"If we only react tactically while our enemies plan strategically, we shall be hard put to win this. A key part of our strategy must be perseverance," Evans said. "It starts with rejection of the violent extremist ideology across society."
Source: International Herald Tribune (English) h/t Nieuw Religieus Peil
Denmark: 25% of immigrant youth want to emigrate
Despite feeling settled in Denmark, a large number of young people from minority groups are considering settling in another country
Although young people from minority groups increasingly consider themselves to be 'Danish', one in four is interested in seeking a better life abroad, according to a report published by the Tryg Foundation in co-operation with the Centre for Youth Research.
The report, titled 'Peace of mind amongst young minorities', split the group of 15-29 year-olds with a non-Danish background interested in moving to another country into two groups: those suffering from a bought of wanderlust, and those who felt they were suffering from discrimination here at home.
But while those interested in travelling or studying abroad said they intended to return to Denmark, the other group saw the wider world as a final way out of perceived racial or religious discrimination.
In all, 40 percent of the 1200 young people participating in the study said they had felt discriminated against because of their religion. Some 30 percent said they had been discriminated against because of their skin colour.
Of those who said they felt uncomfortable living Denmark, 55 percent said they were interested in moving abroad. For those who felt comfortable living here, 55 percent said they were most interested in staying.
But despite the level of perceived discrimination, the report also concluded that 'for the most part, young minorities are capable of finding a balance between the values of their ethnic group and Danish values'.
'They want to have 2.5 children, they want a home, a good education, a good job and they want their children to go to a public school, but the scepticism they meet about their religion and culture becomes a decisive factor in their opinion about whether they would like to remain here,' the report stated.
The report also found that the young people perceived Denmark as a 'land of opportunity', in which success depended one's own efforts, but also one in which discrimination served as a hindrance to success.
The report was compiled based on interviews with young people with Turkish, Pakistani, Iraqi, Somali, Palestinian or Yugoslavian roots.
Mahmud (29) of Palestinian background is afraid that being Muslim in Denmark means your citizenship can be taken away from you. He doesn't expect to be here in ten years, but he has no idea where to go. If he could choose, he would choose an Arab country, but that isn't realistic now.
Kashif (21) explains it like this: "I don't care where I end up. I don't see Denmark as the most beautiful Denmark, even if I was born in Denmark"
Those are the frustrations that bring about dreams of emigrating. Most can see themselves starting in their parent's homeland or in a Muslim country. Part dream of other western countries, but most just want to travel there for a study period.
"The dreams of emigration are seen more as a political protest than a concrete plan. But it should be taken very seriously, when the youth phrase it such for both themselves and others. They feel alienated."
"Because it creates a pool of dissatisfied youth, you can be recruited for Islamic issues. Some of these youth become ripe to commit violence," says project leader of the study, Tallat Shakoor from the Center for Youth Research at Denmark's Pedagogical University.
The study shows that young New Danes are generally more worried than their Danish peers. The anxieties are mostly about education and future employment. It starts with school grades.
Ali (18), of Turkish background, explains that they must work double hard to achieve the same grades as the Danish students, because of discrimination.
New Danes are twice as concerned about getting bad grades then Danish classmates.
Tallat Shakoor, who has a degree in religious sociology and minority studies, says that it's all closely connected, that education is the beginning and end for these families. The youth have lot of moral backing, but they mis the logistical backing at home. education is something that everybody from the homeland asks about when they call. There's prestige in it. The youth drop everything else in order to get good grades.
But despite the speculations and fear of the future the study shows that New Danes' self assurance is essentially larger than their peers. They speak out much more often on injustice and have more courage to try new things.
Tallat Shakoor says that this shows the youth have a lot of energy waiting to be used. But that the skeptical attitude to Danish society could become hostility if they continue to be seen as a security risk.
Shakoor adds that it's in everybody's interest that they don't leave Denmark, as a lot of money has been invested in these youth, and they are the one who will ensure the future of the Danish welfare society.
Sources: Copenhagen Post (English), Politiken (Danish)
See also: Netherlands: Back to Turkey
Although young people from minority groups increasingly consider themselves to be 'Danish', one in four is interested in seeking a better life abroad, according to a report published by the Tryg Foundation in co-operation with the Centre for Youth Research.
The report, titled 'Peace of mind amongst young minorities', split the group of 15-29 year-olds with a non-Danish background interested in moving to another country into two groups: those suffering from a bought of wanderlust, and those who felt they were suffering from discrimination here at home.
But while those interested in travelling or studying abroad said they intended to return to Denmark, the other group saw the wider world as a final way out of perceived racial or religious discrimination.
In all, 40 percent of the 1200 young people participating in the study said they had felt discriminated against because of their religion. Some 30 percent said they had been discriminated against because of their skin colour.
Of those who said they felt uncomfortable living Denmark, 55 percent said they were interested in moving abroad. For those who felt comfortable living here, 55 percent said they were most interested in staying.
But despite the level of perceived discrimination, the report also concluded that 'for the most part, young minorities are capable of finding a balance between the values of their ethnic group and Danish values'.
'They want to have 2.5 children, they want a home, a good education, a good job and they want their children to go to a public school, but the scepticism they meet about their religion and culture becomes a decisive factor in their opinion about whether they would like to remain here,' the report stated.
The report also found that the young people perceived Denmark as a 'land of opportunity', in which success depended one's own efforts, but also one in which discrimination served as a hindrance to success.
The report was compiled based on interviews with young people with Turkish, Pakistani, Iraqi, Somali, Palestinian or Yugoslavian roots.
Mahmud (29) of Palestinian background is afraid that being Muslim in Denmark means your citizenship can be taken away from you. He doesn't expect to be here in ten years, but he has no idea where to go. If he could choose, he would choose an Arab country, but that isn't realistic now.
Kashif (21) explains it like this: "I don't care where I end up. I don't see Denmark as the most beautiful Denmark, even if I was born in Denmark"
Those are the frustrations that bring about dreams of emigrating. Most can see themselves starting in their parent's homeland or in a Muslim country. Part dream of other western countries, but most just want to travel there for a study period.
"The dreams of emigration are seen more as a political protest than a concrete plan. But it should be taken very seriously, when the youth phrase it such for both themselves and others. They feel alienated."
"Because it creates a pool of dissatisfied youth, you can be recruited for Islamic issues. Some of these youth become ripe to commit violence," says project leader of the study, Tallat Shakoor from the Center for Youth Research at Denmark's Pedagogical University.
The study shows that young New Danes are generally more worried than their Danish peers. The anxieties are mostly about education and future employment. It starts with school grades.
Ali (18), of Turkish background, explains that they must work double hard to achieve the same grades as the Danish students, because of discrimination.
New Danes are twice as concerned about getting bad grades then Danish classmates.
Tallat Shakoor, who has a degree in religious sociology and minority studies, says that it's all closely connected, that education is the beginning and end for these families. The youth have lot of moral backing, but they mis the logistical backing at home. education is something that everybody from the homeland asks about when they call. There's prestige in it. The youth drop everything else in order to get good grades.
But despite the speculations and fear of the future the study shows that New Danes' self assurance is essentially larger than their peers. They speak out much more often on injustice and have more courage to try new things.
Tallat Shakoor says that this shows the youth have a lot of energy waiting to be used. But that the skeptical attitude to Danish society could become hostility if they continue to be seen as a security risk.
Shakoor adds that it's in everybody's interest that they don't leave Denmark, as a lot of money has been invested in these youth, and they are the one who will ensure the future of the Danish welfare society.
Sources: Copenhagen Post (English), Politiken (Danish)
See also: Netherlands: Back to Turkey
Labels:
Integration,
Location: Denmark
Gaza terror group warns Danish People's Party
I'm not sure what's most newsworthy: that the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades decides to threaten a Danish political party, that the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades are still active in Gaza, that there are any Danes in Gaza who don't think their lives are in danger, or that Danish broadcaster DR thinks the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades are a terror group. In any case, doing a web-search I did not find Khaled al-Jabbari in any other context.
----
Palestinian terror group Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades is now directly warning DPP.
"This party deals with the blood of the Danish people. It is dangerous," says spokesperson Khaled al-Jabbari, who brought up the subject in an interview with Morgenavisen Jyllands-Posten in Gaza.
"Should this be construed as a threat? No, I don't threaten, I warn. We don't want to see the Danish people as an enemy, but this can get to actions," he says.
The spokesperson hinted that he himself was ready to actively take part in an attack against Danish institutions to defend the prophet.
Head of the DPP Pia Kjærsgaard was shocked by the statements saying that they will under no circumstances bow down to a terror organization and that the painting is a 400 year old picture that was used to symbolize freedom of speech.
Source: DR.dk (Danish)
See also: Jerusalem Grand Mufti condemns Danish People's Party
----
Palestinian terror group Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades is now directly warning DPP.
"This party deals with the blood of the Danish people. It is dangerous," says spokesperson Khaled al-Jabbari, who brought up the subject in an interview with Morgenavisen Jyllands-Posten in Gaza.
"Should this be construed as a threat? No, I don't threaten, I warn. We don't want to see the Danish people as an enemy, but this can get to actions," he says.
The spokesperson hinted that he himself was ready to actively take part in an attack against Danish institutions to defend the prophet.
Head of the DPP Pia Kjærsgaard was shocked by the statements saying that they will under no circumstances bow down to a terror organization and that the painting is a 400 year old picture that was used to symbolize freedom of speech.
Source: DR.dk (Danish)
See also: Jerusalem Grand Mufti condemns Danish People's Party
Labels:
Criticism and Islam,
terrorism
Århus: Turkish police cadet attacked
Officials in the city of Århus fear that the bomb that destroyed a young cadet's car on Wednesday has also demolished attempts to give the police a better image amongst minorities.
The bomb was detonated under the car owned by the cadet known as Mudi to viewers of the television programme 'Police Academy', a reality show that follows police cadets, as he visited his parents in the Gellerup council estates.
No one was injured in the blast, but Mudi, 22, who has Turkish roots, was seen as a positive roll model for young men from minority groups. And officials are concerned are about the effects it will have on their efforts to recruit more minorities into law enforcement.
'Threatening a police officer or a judge or any other sort of public official is serious enough. But this crime has the extra dimension that it was carried out against someone who is trying to improve the lot of immigrants,' chief inspector John Jakobsen of the East Jutland police district said.
Mudi and another cadet from Gellerup have reportedly been harassed on several occasions because of their interest in becoming police officers.
Lene Espersen, the attorney general, called the repeated confrontations a 'sad' sign.
'Conflict between the police and young minorities flares up because they feel as if it is 'us' and 'them',' she said. 'We had hoped that police with the same background as them would have an easier time getting through.'
Source: Copenhagen Post (English)
The bomb was detonated under the car owned by the cadet known as Mudi to viewers of the television programme 'Police Academy', a reality show that follows police cadets, as he visited his parents in the Gellerup council estates.
No one was injured in the blast, but Mudi, 22, who has Turkish roots, was seen as a positive roll model for young men from minority groups. And officials are concerned are about the effects it will have on their efforts to recruit more minorities into law enforcement.
'Threatening a police officer or a judge or any other sort of public official is serious enough. But this crime has the extra dimension that it was carried out against someone who is trying to improve the lot of immigrants,' chief inspector John Jakobsen of the East Jutland police district said.
Mudi and another cadet from Gellerup have reportedly been harassed on several occasions because of their interest in becoming police officers.
Lene Espersen, the attorney general, called the repeated confrontations a 'sad' sign.
'Conflict between the police and young minorities flares up because they feel as if it is 'us' and 'them',' she said. 'We had hoped that police with the same background as them would have an easier time getting through.'
Source: Copenhagen Post (English)
Labels:
Crime
Oslo: Turkish/Kurdish protest
Elsewhere:
- about 1,500 Kurds protested peacefully in The Hague against the Turkish embassy, stopping to jeer the US embassy. The protesters called for a peaceful solution and for freedom for Kurdistan.
- Several thousand Turks protested in the "EU neighborhood" of Brussels against the PKK and against terrorism and violence in general.
----
A brutal fight broke out when counter-demonstrators meet up with a legal protest held by the Norwegian Turkey-Committee in Oslo, Saturday afternoon. Twenty-thirty counter-demonstrators suddenly showed up. Some of them had clubs with them, said Finn Belle of the Oslo police. The counter-demonstrators held flags that symbolize Kurdish independence.
One man in the demonstration process was attacked by two counter-demonstrators. He was hit in the head by two people with clubs, such that one of the clubs broke. According to an Aftenposten photographer the men attacked for more than 10 seconds before police managed to separate them from each other.
Kurds and Turks in Norway demonstrated Saturday in more cities around the country, reports NTB. In Bodø, 250 Kurds demonstrated peacefully, reports Avisa Nordland. They held an appeal in the city square against Turkey's plans to attack in Kurdish areas in North-Iraq. In Trondheim about 50 people demonstrated against Turkey's presence in Kurdish areas.
The demonstrations were related to Iraq giving permission to Turkey to strike against PKK guerrillas based in Northern Iraq.
Sources: Aftenposten (Norwegian), AD (Dutch), Metrotime (Dutch)
- about 1,500 Kurds protested peacefully in The Hague against the Turkish embassy, stopping to jeer the US embassy. The protesters called for a peaceful solution and for freedom for Kurdistan.
- Several thousand Turks protested in the "EU neighborhood" of Brussels against the PKK and against terrorism and violence in general.
----
A brutal fight broke out when counter-demonstrators meet up with a legal protest held by the Norwegian Turkey-Committee in Oslo, Saturday afternoon. Twenty-thirty counter-demonstrators suddenly showed up. Some of them had clubs with them, said Finn Belle of the Oslo police. The counter-demonstrators held flags that symbolize Kurdish independence.
One man in the demonstration process was attacked by two counter-demonstrators. He was hit in the head by two people with clubs, such that one of the clubs broke. According to an Aftenposten photographer the men attacked for more than 10 seconds before police managed to separate them from each other.
Belle says that an ambulance was summoned but that he does not know how seriously injured the man was.
One of the counter-demonstrators was caught by plain-clothed policemen, while the other disappeared in the crowd. The Norwegian Turkey-Committee demonstrated against PKK terrorists. About 450 people had gotten permission from a police to march in Oslo. The mood was irritable and tense. Some of the Turks were on their way to attack the counter-demonstrators but were held back by police and by fellow demonstrators.Kurds and Turks in Norway demonstrated Saturday in more cities around the country, reports NTB. In Bodø, 250 Kurds demonstrated peacefully, reports Avisa Nordland. They held an appeal in the city square against Turkey's plans to attack in Kurdish areas in North-Iraq. In Trondheim about 50 people demonstrated against Turkey's presence in Kurdish areas.
The demonstrations were related to Iraq giving permission to Turkey to strike against PKK guerrillas based in Northern Iraq.
Sources: Aftenposten (Norwegian), AD (Dutch), Metrotime (Dutch)
Labels:
Community
Second Anniversary
This week I mark the 2nd anniversary of this blog, with about 840 articles and over 180,000 page views. With my interest in Norwegian rape reports, I expanded my blog to also include the Norwegian, Danish, and a bit of the Swedish language press.
This year I have also started reading more serious studies of Islam in Europe. Again, I would like to thank those of my readers who answered my request to support my book fund. Your support is very much appreciated. I had brought several book and study summary reviews, but I have yet to summarize everything I have read.
There were several 'big' stories during the year: terror attacks prevented in Germany and Denmark, a new cartoon crisis in Sweden, Afghan asylum seekers and Somali female circumcisers in Norway, riots in the Netherlands, continuing debates on the hijab and stories of teachers or parents refusing to shake hands.
The stories that most attracted my reader's attention where two that featured on Little Green Football. Ironically, both were related to Vlaams Belang: Antwerp: No Jihad street and Nazis!!!. Amazingly, though, the most continuously popular article this year was about the first halal McDonald's in the UK, a run-of-the-mill article copied directly from the Daily Express.
As time passes, I realize some stories are continuously repeating themselves, and there are times when I wonder if its even worth reporting of yet another such story. Don't journalists get bored writing the same stories over and over again?
Just these past weeks, I also stepped into the big debate started by Little Green Footballs about right wing extremism in Europe. There are many sides to this debate about racism-ethnicism-nationalism and everything in between. On the connection between Muslims and the rise of the extreme right, take a look at an interview about Jewish/Muslim relations in Europe with Rabbi Aba Dunner of the Conference of European Rabbis.
See also: First Anniversary
This year I have also started reading more serious studies of Islam in Europe. Again, I would like to thank those of my readers who answered my request to support my book fund. Your support is very much appreciated. I had brought several book and study summary reviews, but I have yet to summarize everything I have read.
There were several 'big' stories during the year: terror attacks prevented in Germany and Denmark, a new cartoon crisis in Sweden, Afghan asylum seekers and Somali female circumcisers in Norway, riots in the Netherlands, continuing debates on the hijab and stories of teachers or parents refusing to shake hands.
The stories that most attracted my reader's attention where two that featured on Little Green Football. Ironically, both were related to Vlaams Belang: Antwerp: No Jihad street and Nazis!!!. Amazingly, though, the most continuously popular article this year was about the first halal McDonald's in the UK, a run-of-the-mill article copied directly from the Daily Express.
As time passes, I realize some stories are continuously repeating themselves, and there are times when I wonder if its even worth reporting of yet another such story. Don't journalists get bored writing the same stories over and over again?
Just these past weeks, I also stepped into the big debate started by Little Green Footballs about right wing extremism in Europe. There are many sides to this debate about racism-ethnicism-nationalism and everything in between. On the connection between Muslims and the rise of the extreme right, take a look at an interview about Jewish/Muslim relations in Europe with Rabbi Aba Dunner of the Conference of European Rabbis.
See also: First Anniversary
Labels:
administration
Sweden: Record month for asylum seekers
The number of asylum seekers coming to Sweden has reached its highest point in 14 years, Sydsvenskan reports.
Half of the 3,475 asylum seekers who made their way to Sweden in October came from Iraq.
The monthly total is the highest since the early 1990s, when Sweden took in many refugees from the war in the former Yugoslavia.
Source: The Local (English)
See also: Sweden: Iraqui refused asylum, Sweden: Fears of becoming a terrorist base, Sweden: Cost of receiving immigrants 'to double' by 2010, Sweden: Record for immigration
Half of the 3,475 asylum seekers who made their way to Sweden in October came from Iraq.
The monthly total is the highest since the early 1990s, when Sweden took in many refugees from the war in the former Yugoslavia.
Source: The Local (English)
See also: Sweden: Iraqui refused asylum, Sweden: Fears of becoming a terrorist base, Sweden: Cost of receiving immigrants 'to double' by 2010, Sweden: Record for immigration
Labels:
Immigration
Sweden: Father-in-law charged for Al-Qaeda slur
A man in southern Sweden has been charged with slander after informing American authorities that his son-in-law had links with Al-Qaeda.
The unsuspecting Lund man was given a terrorist's welcome when he landed at Orlanda International Airport in August last year. A computer technician by trade, he had traveled to the US to participate in a conference.
But no sooner had he arrived at the US airport than he was hauled aside by armed security guards and taken in for questioning where he was grilled about his religious and political beliefs. When the interrogation was over he was thrown into a cell that he claimed was smeared with blood and excrement.
Some eleven hours after the start of his ordeal, the hapless traveler was put on a plane back to Sweden.
When setting out for Orlando, he had clearly not reckoned with the machinations of his scheming father-in-law.
Angered by his daughter's imminent divorce and his son-in-law's decision to attend the conference rather than look after his children, the irate in-law sat down at his computer and wrote an-email to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He gave the FBI his son-in-law's flight details and told them to be on the look-out.
"He has probable connections to the Swedish branch of the Islamic terrorist network Al-Qaeda and is well known for statements encouraging the Muslim world to take revenge for American terror," he wrote, according to local media.
He also informed the FBI that the supposed computer conference was just a cover and that his son-in-law had in fact flown to the US to meet his "contacts".
When the 40-year-old returned to Sweden, he immediately got in touch with the police and set about clearing his name. The Swedish Security Service acquired a copy of the e-mil from the FBI and were able to trace the IP address to the man's father-in-law.
Although he at first denied having set a trap for his son-in-law, he eventually admitted that he had wanted to "give him a good dressing-down".
He also told police that he never really expected the FBI to take his correspondence seriously.
"Surely the authorities aren't that bloody stupid that they believe absolutely everything," he said.
On Thursday the public prosecutor presented the father-in-law with the charges against him.
Source: The Local (English)
The unsuspecting Lund man was given a terrorist's welcome when he landed at Orlanda International Airport in August last year. A computer technician by trade, he had traveled to the US to participate in a conference.
But no sooner had he arrived at the US airport than he was hauled aside by armed security guards and taken in for questioning where he was grilled about his religious and political beliefs. When the interrogation was over he was thrown into a cell that he claimed was smeared with blood and excrement.
Some eleven hours after the start of his ordeal, the hapless traveler was put on a plane back to Sweden.
When setting out for Orlando, he had clearly not reckoned with the machinations of his scheming father-in-law.
Angered by his daughter's imminent divorce and his son-in-law's decision to attend the conference rather than look after his children, the irate in-law sat down at his computer and wrote an-email to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. He gave the FBI his son-in-law's flight details and told them to be on the look-out.
"He has probable connections to the Swedish branch of the Islamic terrorist network Al-Qaeda and is well known for statements encouraging the Muslim world to take revenge for American terror," he wrote, according to local media.
He also informed the FBI that the supposed computer conference was just a cover and that his son-in-law had in fact flown to the US to meet his "contacts".
When the 40-year-old returned to Sweden, he immediately got in touch with the police and set about clearing his name. The Swedish Security Service acquired a copy of the e-mil from the FBI and were able to trace the IP address to the man's father-in-law.
Although he at first denied having set a trap for his son-in-law, he eventually admitted that he had wanted to "give him a good dressing-down".
He also told police that he never really expected the FBI to take his correspondence seriously.
"Surely the authorities aren't that bloody stupid that they believe absolutely everything," he said.
On Thursday the public prosecutor presented the father-in-law with the charges against him.
Source: The Local (English)
Labels:
terrorism
UK: Think-tank suggests to 'downgrade' Christmas
If the British Left wants to dump its own national heritage, why blame the Muslims?
Sayeeda Warsi, the Conservative spokesman on community cohesion, said: "Their comments betray a breathtaking misunderstanding of what it is to be British. These proposals could actually damage cohesion."
She added: "You don't build community cohesion by throwing out our history and denying the fundamental contribution Christianity has played and does play to our nation.
" As a British Muslim I can see that - so why others can't just staggers me."
----
Christmas should be downgraded in favour of festivals from other religions to improve race relations, says an explosive report.
Labour's favourite think-tank says that because it would be hard to "expunge" Christmas from the national calendar, 'even-handedness' means public organisations must start giving other religions equal footing.
The leaked findings of its investigation into identity, citizenship and community cohesion also propose:
• "Birth ceremonies", at which state and parents agree to "work in partnership" to bring up children
• Action to "ensure access" for ethnic minorities to "largely white" countryside
• An overhaul of Britain's "imperial" honours system
• Bishops being thrown out of the House of Lords
• An end to "sectarian" religious education
• Flying flags other than the Union Jack.
The report by the Institute for Public Policy Research was commissioned when Nick Pearce, now head of public policy at Downing Street, was its director.
IPPR has shaped many Labour policies, including ID cards, bin taxes and road pricing.
The report robustly defends multiculturalism - the idea that different communities should not be forced to integrate but should be allowed to maintain their own culture and identities.
And it says immigrants should be required to acquire some proficiency in English and other aspects of British culture "if - but only if - the settled population is willing to open up national institutions and practices to newcomers and give a more inclusive cast to national narratives and symbols".
It adds: "Even-handedness dictates that we provide public recognition to minority cultures and traditions.
"If we are going to continue as a nation to mark Christmas - and it would be very hard to expunge it from our national life even if we wanted to - then public organisations should mark other religious festivals too.
"We can no longer define ourselves as a Christian nation, nor an especially religious one in any sense.
"The empire is gone, church attendance is at historically low levels, and the Second World War is inexorably slipping from memory."
The report, written by IPPR advisers Ben Rogers and Rick Muir, calls on Ministers to launch an "urgent and upfront campaign" promoting a "multicultural understanding of Britishness".
"Multiculturalism can be shown to provide for a fairer and more liberal society and does not necessarily lead to social division and community conflict, as its critics have claimed," it says.
Councils must act to "ensure children mix and are able to form friendships with pupils from different backgrounds".
The report adds: "Any liberal state should recast the civic oaths and national ceremonies, or institutions like Parliament and the monarchy, in a more multi-religious or secular form and make religious education less sectarian."
The presence of bishops in the House of Lords, for instance, is condemned as an "anachronism" that should be removed.
The system in which parents are required to register a new baby at a register office is dismissed as "purely bureaucratic".
The occasion should be transformed into a "public rite", using citizenship ceremonies for immigrants as a model, the report says.
"Parents, their friends and family and the state [would] agree to work in partnership to support and bring up their child."
Rural Britain, the report complains, "remains a largely white place".
Much more needs to be done to "ensure access" to the countryside for black and ethnic minority groups, disabled people and children from inner-city areas.
Sayeeda Warsi, the Conservative spokesman on community cohesion, said: "Their comments betray a breathtaking misunderstanding of what it is to be British. These proposals could actually damage cohesion."
She added: "You don't build community cohesion by throwing out our history and denying the fundamental contribution Christianity has played and does play to our nation.
"As a British Muslim I can see that - so why others can't just staggers me."
And she attacked ceremonies to mark the registration of a baby.
"The thought of Gordon Brown sharing responsibility with me for bringing up my children sends a shiver down my spine. I thought we got rid of communism?"
Source: Daily Mail (English)
Sayeeda Warsi, the Conservative spokesman on community cohesion, said: "Their comments betray a breathtaking misunderstanding of what it is to be British. These proposals could actually damage cohesion."
She added: "You don't build community cohesion by throwing out our history and denying the fundamental contribution Christianity has played and does play to our nation.
" As a British Muslim I can see that - so why others can't just staggers me."
----
Christmas should be downgraded in favour of festivals from other religions to improve race relations, says an explosive report.
Labour's favourite think-tank says that because it would be hard to "expunge" Christmas from the national calendar, 'even-handedness' means public organisations must start giving other religions equal footing.
The leaked findings of its investigation into identity, citizenship and community cohesion also propose:
• "Birth ceremonies", at which state and parents agree to "work in partnership" to bring up children
• Action to "ensure access" for ethnic minorities to "largely white" countryside
• An overhaul of Britain's "imperial" honours system
• Bishops being thrown out of the House of Lords
• An end to "sectarian" religious education
• Flying flags other than the Union Jack.
The report by the Institute for Public Policy Research was commissioned when Nick Pearce, now head of public policy at Downing Street, was its director.
IPPR has shaped many Labour policies, including ID cards, bin taxes and road pricing.
The report robustly defends multiculturalism - the idea that different communities should not be forced to integrate but should be allowed to maintain their own culture and identities.
And it says immigrants should be required to acquire some proficiency in English and other aspects of British culture "if - but only if - the settled population is willing to open up national institutions and practices to newcomers and give a more inclusive cast to national narratives and symbols".
It adds: "Even-handedness dictates that we provide public recognition to minority cultures and traditions.
"If we are going to continue as a nation to mark Christmas - and it would be very hard to expunge it from our national life even if we wanted to - then public organisations should mark other religious festivals too.
"We can no longer define ourselves as a Christian nation, nor an especially religious one in any sense.
"The empire is gone, church attendance is at historically low levels, and the Second World War is inexorably slipping from memory."
The report, written by IPPR advisers Ben Rogers and Rick Muir, calls on Ministers to launch an "urgent and upfront campaign" promoting a "multicultural understanding of Britishness".
"Multiculturalism can be shown to provide for a fairer and more liberal society and does not necessarily lead to social division and community conflict, as its critics have claimed," it says.
Councils must act to "ensure children mix and are able to form friendships with pupils from different backgrounds".
The report adds: "Any liberal state should recast the civic oaths and national ceremonies, or institutions like Parliament and the monarchy, in a more multi-religious or secular form and make religious education less sectarian."
The presence of bishops in the House of Lords, for instance, is condemned as an "anachronism" that should be removed.
The system in which parents are required to register a new baby at a register office is dismissed as "purely bureaucratic".
The occasion should be transformed into a "public rite", using citizenship ceremonies for immigrants as a model, the report says.
"Parents, their friends and family and the state [would] agree to work in partnership to support and bring up their child."
Rural Britain, the report complains, "remains a largely white place".
Much more needs to be done to "ensure access" to the countryside for black and ethnic minority groups, disabled people and children from inner-city areas.
Sayeeda Warsi, the Conservative spokesman on community cohesion, said: "Their comments betray a breathtaking misunderstanding of what it is to be British. These proposals could actually damage cohesion."
She added: "You don't build community cohesion by throwing out our history and denying the fundamental contribution Christianity has played and does play to our nation.
"As a British Muslim I can see that - so why others can't just staggers me."
And she attacked ceremonies to mark the registration of a baby.
"The thought of Gordon Brown sharing responsibility with me for bringing up my children sends a shiver down my spine. I thought we got rid of communism?"
Source: Daily Mail (English)
Labels:
West vs. Islam
Germany: Iranian education
In Germany there are two types of schools: the regular schools for children who live in Germany and the so called complementary schools (Ergänzungsschulen) for children staying in the country for a shorter time. The Iranian consulate in Frankfurt operated such a school which serves not only children of the consulate personnel but also children of Iranian origin, whose parents have moved to Germany for good. The children are withdrawn by this school from German compulsory education and get the same education as in Iran itself. The German education inspection is not happy with this situation.
Source: Nieuw Religieus Peil (Dutch), as taken from Wiesbadener Kurier, 30 oktober 2007 (German)
Labels:
School and Education
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