Posted on 07/16/2005 3:44:05 PM PDT by MadIvan
About 500 faith-hate and race-hate crimes — ranging from arson attacks on mosques to Muslim women being spat at in the street — have been reported in Britain since the London bombings, writes Dipesh Gadher.
According to police sources, about 200 of these incidents are deemed significant enough to have potential repercussions within communities.
They include mosques being set alight in Birkenhead, Merseyside, Telford, Shropshire and Leeds.
“We have definitely seen a spike, but these are not co-ordinated incidents,” said Assistant Chief Constable Rob Beckley, head of the Association of Chief Police Officers’ community tensions team. The authorities normally deal with about 50-60 similar incidents a week.
Beckley said police forces were “busting a gut” to respond to the crimes and were making swift arrests in many cases. However, he remained concerned that “a catalytic incident” could trigger something far more serious, such as a full-blown race riot.
Muslim leaders have called for calm and have unequivocally condemned the London attacks. But last week they were criticised for failing to do enough to confront extremists within their own community.
“We have reached a dangerous crossroads and the direction we choose will prove to be a defining moment in our history,” said Shahid Malik, the Labour MP for Dewsbury, home to one of the bombers.
“The knowledge that the bombers were British Muslims . . . has sent us a signal we can no longer ignore, that there is indeed an ‘enemy within’,” he said. “The battle for the soul of the community has begun.”
Tony Blair has invited Muslim leaders to a “crisis” summit on Tuesday to help him “pull up this evil ideology by its roots”.
Under new laws, preachers such as Yusuf al-Qaradawi — who has condoned child suicide bombers — denied entry into America and other European Union countries would face automatic exclusion from Britain.
Charles Clarke, the home secretary, is reviewing his powers to deport foreigners and impose specific conditions on asylum seekers. A separate consultation is just ending on whether imams coming to Britain should have a professional qualification and understand English.
A counter-terrorism bill due in the autumn will create a new offence of “glorifying or endorsing” terrorism. Two further offences being drawn up by the Home Office will mean extremists who provide or receive terrorist training would face prosecution, as would those committing “acts preparatory to terrorism”, such as fund-raising or providing safe houses.
They have survived worse crises. The system of state is the best in the world; it even has accountability, something the American system doesn't. The slide to chaos won't last long or go far.
It's a violent minority, and yes, they're that angry.
Regards, Ivan
Sadly, the fall may be too late. Also, while I may understand the sentiment behind the "hate crimes", spitting on women and burning mosques needs to be stopped.
Until they address this point, I think there will be more backlash.
While in no way condoning what is written about here, I can understand how the Brits involved must feel. They've opened their country to these people, in many cases they've supported them via the dole--and for this, they are attacked.
One must remember that it's much easier to succeed in one attack, than it is for us to stop all of their attacks.
Regards, Ivan
I take it, then, you believe that minority is large enough to overwhelm government/police capabilites, at least in some areas, correct?
But that takes all the fun out of posting.
That's a lot of attacks in just ten days.
No, I believe that this could lead to open violence on the streets of Britain. I don't want that any more than you lot wanted the LA Riots years ago.
Regards, Ivan
I just wonder if the muslim community ever heard of the payback in spades delivered to Dresden?
The Muslims are a bunch of little girls. Can dish it out but can't take it.
One more question, if I may. Before 7/7, was this violent minority focused on Muslims, or are Muslims a convenient excuse now?
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You are not usually prone to hyperbole.
"Rise in anti-Muslim attacks"
It is not unprovoked.
Terrorist attacks by Muslims= Rise in anti-Muslim attacks.
Every measure of deterrence against future terrorism is needed.
Any rational person would agree with you. But history for the most part is not ruled by reason. We haven't reached the end of history when the lion will lie down with the lamb in peace.
I still haven't heard many people willing to ask the critical questions: is it possible for a medieval religion to integrate itself into Western society which through many bloody wars has for the most part succeeded in purging itself of medieval religious beliefs?
What is the average person supposed to do? Sit by passively while the governement lets more millions of Moslems immigrate to the West? If Moslems desire the material prosperity of the West, but detest our social values--equality for women, freedom of speech and religion, respect for individual rights and expression of thought, consensual secular government, then how is integration possible?
No, I'm speaking from experience...we've had riots in Britain before which were less than pleasant.
Regards, Ivan
Unless these acts are counted as the "hate crimes" that they really are, I see no reason why anyone should get his thing in a bunch over a couple of mosque markups.
I would love to see a neutral documentation of this.
There has never, to my knowledge, been a single unconditional condemnation of a mass murder attack by any sandmaggot groups or persons of authority.
Has never happened.
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