on Friday, March 22, 2013
A priest who has allowed Muslims to pray in his church has told how he has been hit by a barrage of abuse by internet 'trolls'.
St John's Episcopal Church became the first church in the UK to share their building with Muslims after Rev Isaac Poobalan saw members of a neighbouring mosque praying outside in the snow because of a lack of space.
on Sunday, March 3, 2013
on Saturday, February 16, 2013
The newly-formed Berwick Unite Against Fascism group has been drumming up support ahead of a demo this weekend. The group, which came together in response to Scottish Defence League plans to march in the town this weekend, pledges to bring all platforms and all colours together to show that the town is united against fascism.
A spokesman for Berwick UAF said: "We had a very good day in Berwick on Saturday and garnered a lot of local support for opposition to the proposed SDL march in Berwick next Saturday. We distributed hundreds of leaflets explaining the situation and the reasons for opposing the SDL. The demonstration is open to all who oppose the SDL and other racist groups who threaten our town."
Police and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird is among those to pledge support for Berwick UAF. In a note to campaign organisers, she said:
"My thoughts and support are with you. I am proud to be Police and Crime Commissioner of a community that lives and works together – it's not where somebody has come from, but how they are going to reach their aspirations and dreams, regardless of where they were born, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.
"I hope that you are able to speak to as many local people as possible during your campaign. I was recently in Berwick, I know how warm and friendly the local residents are." She added: "Campaigners achieve much more by standing on reasoned arguments rather than bigoted views. I have no doubt you will be persuading local residents, encouraging them to support your campaign to show others that Berwick and surrounding areas will not tolerate small minded attitudes."
Posts on the SDL Border Division facebook page contain a series of anti-Islamic references and seek to drum up support for its Berwick demonstration.
Independent political writer and 'Chavs' author Owen Jones has also offered his solidarity to Berwick UAF. He said: "Racism and fascism cannot be debated with, it must simply be defeated."
Berwick Advertiser, 14 February 2013
on Monday, January 21, 2013
Mounted police, helicopters and scores of officers yesterday were deployed on to the streets of the city's Pollokshields, home to Scotland's largest Asian community, despite a maximum of 10 members of the Scottish Defence League (SDL) turning up.
The group had wanted to lay a wreath near the spot where William McKeeney was murdered last January. It is understood Mr McKeeney's girlfriend, who witnessed the attack, and friends and relatives were horrified at attempts by the extremist group to associate themselves with their tragedy.
It had also protested outside the High Court in Edinburgh late last year when Asif Rehman and Adel Ishaq, both 20, were jailed for 16 years for the murder of the Donegal man.
The racial element of the charges against the pair was dropped during the trial.
Yesterday, a counter protest of between 50 and 100 members of United Against Fascism also gathered in Pollokshields and had to be kept apart from the SDL by lines of police.
At one stage, upwards of 20 officers were seen escorting three SDL members away from the flashpoint. Later, a group of counter-protesters broke away from the main group and charged towards the SDL but were kept apart by the police.
Locals also described how yesterday's episode led to Muslim women being escorted through the streets by police officers, while other people were denied entry to their homes as police attempted to keep the groups apart.
Picture: Mean Street Photos
on Sunday, September 30, 2012
The Scottish Defence League (SDL) held a static protest outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, while Unite Against Fascism organised its own counter-protest. Police said that around 60 people attended the SDL event, which lasted for around 45 minutes. The majority arrived by coach.
Meanwhile Unite Against Fascism said its march from the City Chambers on the Royal Mile to the Parliament attracted over 300 people. Police put the figure at around 250.
Lothian and Borders Police created a "sterile" area outside Holyrood, with the two groups separated by barriers and accompanied by police officers. Members of the public were kept away from the area.
Speaking after the event, Luke Henderson, co-ordinator for Unite Against Fascism, said: "The march was absolutely fantastic and we were very happy that we had a great turn out. Our march had representatives from the many diverse communities that make Edinburgh a vibrant and open city."
Press Association, 29 September 2012
Update: See also "Scotland and Islam", Sunday Herald, 30 September 2012
on Thursday, May 24, 2012
Anti-fascism group Unite Against Fascism Edinburgh have said the city's residents will be "rightly outraged" by the decision. Luke Henderson from the group said: "This is not about freedom of speech; this is about vile racists bringing a message of hate into Edinburgh. They want to divide communities and spread fear and violence. Edinburgh is one city of many cultures and in this town there is overwhelming opposition to racism and organised racists and fascists."
Following the decision, a spokesman for the SDL said: "We have legitimate concerns about extremist interpretations of Islam and cultural applications of Islam including issues such as forced marriages and honour violence. We have the right to communicate our concerns to our fellow citizens and make them aware of our concerns in the capital of Scotland this Saturday. The Scottish Defence League would like to thank the courts for overturning the council and letting democracy thrive in this great nation."
on Saturday, May 5, 2012
Wyper has written: "I was and still am terrified of Islam, of their gradual and steady takeover of the western world."
There are reportedly 200 Muslims living in the region, out of a total population of 148,200. So anxieties about the Islamification of Dumfries and Galloway are perhaps slightly overstated.
