The Guardian reports that French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo will this week release a special edition illustrated biography of the prophet Muhammad.

Its editor, Stéphane Charbonnier, told Agence France-Presse that the Life of Muhammad would be "perfectly halal" because it was a compilation of all that had been written about the prophet in the past by Muslim writers and Charlie Hebdo had "simply put it into images".

As the Guardian points out: "Charlie Hebdo, which must sell 30,000 issues of its weekly magazine from news-stands to keep afloat, has routinely seen sales double or magazines sell out each time it has run controversial cartoons of Muhammad."

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Banking on concerns of immigration and rising unemployment, far-rightists are gaining popularity in Sweden, amid expectations of becoming the third party in the country’s coming election.

"Immigration is topping the agenda and this benefits the Sweden Democrats," Carl Melin, polling head at United Minds, told Reuters Monday, November 12.

Opinion polls have shown that the far-right Sweden Democrats (SD) is growing in popularity in the Scandinavian country. A survey by United Minds pollsters in Aftonbladet newspaper published on Monday showed that SD has about 11 percent support, double its showing in the 2010 election.

Other polls in the last few weeks showed a similar trend. An October poll by Ipsos, published in Dagens Nyheter newspaper showed the SD at 8.5 percent. "We may be entering a recession and this is a good breeding ground for parties like the Sweden Democrats," said Johanna Laurin Gulled, a polling manager at Ipsos.

The SD is notorious for anti-Muslim, anti-immigrant campaigns. Immediately after their electoral win in 2010, the SD started working on imposing a moratorium on building new mosques in the Scandinavian country. The party, whose manifesto describes Muslims as "seriously jeopardizing the Swedish nation", has also sought a ban on the face-veil and halting immigration from predominantly Muslim countries.

It opposes a panel recommendation that all major religions should be given equal time in lesson plans, saying Christianity should maintain a special status.

OnIslam, 12 November 2012

Update:  See "Sweden Democrats in crisis over racist film", The Local, 14 November 2012

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Security cameras are set to be installed at Llanelli's mosque, where Muslims "have suffered abuse for 14 years".

Funding has been confirmed for CCTV cameras to cover an area of Station Road, following claims of abuse against people visiting the mosque to pray.

The problem came to a head when a group of elderly women marking the festival of Ramadan last year were followed into the building by two men.

Press officer for Llanelli's Ethnic Minority Help Association, Anne Stevens- Bevan, who has fought tirelessly for improved security at the mosque, welcomed the news.

She said: "I am absolutely thrilled that there will be CCTV there. I went to the Muslim Council for Great Britain and the Home Secretary, and everybody listened and saw the desperate need for something to be done.

"The people attending the mosque have suffered abuse for 14 years, but they have shown exemplary behaviour. It is heartening to think that this year at Ramadan the same fate will not befall the people attending the mosque. I have had so many phone calls about this, and everyone is chuffed."

Metal bars were fitted over the mosque's windows earlier this year, following reports that the glass was smashed while someone was praying inside.

And Mrs Stevens-Bevan was pleased to confirm there had been no incidents at the building in recent months. "It has been lovely at the mosque, and it has been quiet there," she said. "Soon Ramadan will be here, and as I told them, the CCTV will be fitted by then."

She added that members of the Ethnic Minority Help Association hope the cameras will improve safety in the Station Road area, as well as at the mosque. "I have done this for the whole community," she said. "There are people living in Station Road and all around it, so I have done this to keep everybody safe."

Carmarthenshire Council's community safety manager Kate Thomas said: "I am pleased to confirm that the Community Safety Partnership is funding a camera in response to concerns raised by the local community and following discussions with them.

"The camera will cover the entrance to the mosque and the nearby area, and will be monitored proactively by our CCTV operators. We are in the process of installing the camera, which should be up and running this week."

Llanelli Star, 13 June 2012

Via ENGAGE

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In a disgusting attempt at recruiting assorted racists and fascists to attend their forthcoming Dewsbury protest, it seems the English Defence League have stooped to an all time low when it comes to making up a story.

The EDL's Dewsbury division started a rumour about Muslim men attempting to abduct two young girls from the local area of Kirklees. The EDL said that they had "clear evidence" regarding the attempted abductions and claimed that they would have street patrols due to police inactivity. The EDL also claimed that local residents had been forced to keep quiet regarding the abductions.

The truth, however, is somewhat different.

DCI Paul Jeffrey of West Yorkshire Police denied the abduction attempts and said that a 10 year old girl had contacted the police after a van driver had tried to talk to her. The girl could not describe the driver and did not say he was of Asian appearance.

The EDL also claimed a similar incident occured in the Heckmondwike area, however the police said they have no record of the event, so it either did not happen or was not reported to police.

DCI Jeffrey said "We can categorically state no such series of crimes along the lines of what has be alleged have been brought tothe police's attention".

Hope Not Hate, 14 June 2012

Here are some excerpts from the discussion that the false report provoked on the Yorkshire EDL Dewsbury Division's Facebook page.

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