Hate Crimes
I first published the following post back in February 2013, but after the horrific murder of Drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich the other day - the issues raised in this article are, to my mind, more relevant and urgent than ever.
Because if it is true that fanatical Islamists in parts of the country are being allowed to spread their message of hate - without being challenged or held to account for their views - then this appalling state of affairs needs to change - and fast.
The allegation that this vile behaviour is subsidised through the payment of welfare benefits to the key people involved - just makes the situation even more bizarre and ridiculous.
So, I hope the authorities - including the police - are listening.
Hate Crimes (21 February 2013)
Every so often the The Mail group of newspapers comes up with a good story - which seem to get ignored by other parts of the press and media.
Maybe it's because The Mail is seldom even-handed or measured - and seems completely obsessed with stories about benefits cheats, immigration and Princess Diana.
But that doesn't mean the newspaper is incapable of locking on to a big story - on something that really matters - when it sees an opportunity.
The other day The Mail reported on a Muslim preacher - Anjem Choudary - whom the paper describes as a 'hate preacher' who pockets £25,000 a year in benefits - while campaigning to bring Shariah law to the UK.
Apparently, Anjem Choudary has been recorded telling his followers to claim benefits as part of their struggle - a 'Jihadseeker's Allowance', if you like - rather than the normal 'Jobseeker's Allowance'.
The Mail goes on to say that Choudary told a small crowd of around 30 fanatics:
"People will say, 'Ah, but you are not working'. But the normal situation is for you to take money from the kuffar (non-Muslim).
So we take Jihadseeker's Allowance. You need to get support."
Anjem Choudary went on to say - according to the newspaper - that David Cameron (the British Prime Minister), Barack Obama (the American President) and the leaders of Pakistan and Egypt - should all be killed.
Now presumably all of this is recorded and reported accurately - in which case the evidence should surely be a matter for the police to pursue.
Because it all reminded me of the time - some years ago - when the author Fay Weldon bravely intervened in a TV discussion programme demanding to know why the police were not arresting the former singer Cat Stevens - now known as Yusuf Islam.
The coward Cat was put on the spot but so too was a senior police officer who was sitting at the discussion table with Fay Weldon - who demanded to know why the police didn't get off their backsides and arrest the former pop star for inciting violence - and promoting a hate crime.
To my mind that's exactly what should happen to Anjem Choudary - and just because it's The Mail that's raising the issue shouldn't be an excuse for the rest of the press and media - to look the other way.
Here's a YouTube link to the moment when Fay Weldon stands up for human decency - and a separate clip of Salman Rushdie putting Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens) - firmly in his place.
Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens)
http://youtu.be/mYnWtPytvhI
Salman Rushdie
http://youtu.be/ThUgpNYr2Oo
