Two weeks after the alleged incident, it is being reported in the Russian media that police officers in the Russian city of Surgut threatened three Muslim men to cut off their beards. According to reports, the three men were enjoying a meal in a local cafe after reciting evening prayers at a mosque when approximately 15 police officers in four cars entered the cafe for inspection. The police officers demanded that the three men, all with long beards cut their beards off. Witnesses claimed that the police threatened to use their automatic weapons, and perhaps even more shockingly, a lighter in order to ensure that their demands were met.

One of the targets of this horrific incident claims that a masked police officer held a lighter to his beard and forced him to cut it, threatening that he would burn it off otherwise. In the incident, which allegedly occurred on 3 March, the men were handed scissors to cut off their beards. Witnesses claim to have seen a large group of men dressed up as riot police charge into the cafe and force customers and employees onto their knees. A number of people were taken to the police station for further investigations.

The police has acknowledged the possibility of such an occurrence, and they have said an internal investigation has been launched to probe the incident. Initial reports suggest that these police officers were seeking to implement the laws of Peter the Great, who ruled the Tsardom of Russia in the 1600s. Peter the Great was famous for his stance against men with beards. His courtiers were often sent to different parts of the Tsardom to cut off beards. Those who refused were forced to pay a heavy annual beard tax. Russia, currently, has no such laws, and if found guilty, the police officers could risk suspension and criminal sanctions.

If proved to be true, this incident is likely to alarm bells with human rights organizations and the international community. Russia’s constitution guarantees its citizens the right to exercise their religions freely, subject to certain restrictions. The State is constitutionally speaking, not allowed to make laws that apply to a certain religion unequally. Although minorities are protected by the Constitution, the government has not always shown commitment to respect these provisions. Minority faith groups, including Muslims, have been targeted in Russia on many occasions. For many Muslim men, having a beard is an essential part of their religion. It is believed by many Muslims that Prophet Muhammad had a beard for much of his life, and one of his sayings orders all Muslim men to follow suit.

About the author

Human. Pakistani. Law Student. Muslim.

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White supremacists are urging Australian "patriots" to gather at public meetings by the controversial Dutch MP Geert Wilders, ready for trouble and a no-holds barred fight.

Tensions have been mounting over the impending visit of the far right-wing politician who has been accused of Islamophobia and racism.

One group, Australian New Nation, has been encouraging followers to react to any threat or sign of violence from Muslim protesters who might attend.

On its website, the group has posted an audio from "Radio Free Australia, the voice of white revolution in Australia" warning them to "expect an Islamic rent-a-crowd outside screaming and foaming at the mouth like the evil bastards they are".

"We encourage all patriots to exercise their legal right of self defence if any ragheads try to prevent them accessing the venue, or threaten, or use violence against their person once they try to strike the first blow, everything that follows is self defence on your part," it said.

The vitriolic broadcast, which lasts almost 10 minutes, goes on to say, "go . . . and be prepared to defend yourself and if they take a swing at you, they push at you, they spit on you, don't hold back. You have a legal right of self defence do what should be done to this rag-head camel f--- . . . Islamic filth who have no place in civilised society.

Social media sites protesting against Mr Wilders's visits to Sydney, Melbourne and Perth have also been the target of hate messages.

The Age, 2 February 2013

In response the Q Society, the "counterjihad" group at whose invitation Wilders is visiting Australia, have issued a press release trying to distance themselves from threats of violence.

"Any anti-Islam protests or demonstrations are not associated with Q Society in any way...," they state piously. "Q Society and Geert Wilders distance themselves from any white supremacism and racism in all forms; as we distance ourselves from all groups advocating violence."

The Q Society has invited a raving anti-Muslim bigot to visit Australia in order to incite fear and hatred of Islam, but apparently they have no responsibility whatsoever for any anti-Muslim violence that his visit may inspire.

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Over at Harry's Place Hasan Afzal of British Muslims for Israel is crowing over the success of their campaign to secure the cancellation of next month's "Month of Mercy" conference at the Grand Connaught Rooms in London organised by the Al Muntada Trust.

As we have previously noted, the "call to action" issued by Harry's Place received an enthusiastic response from the racist thugs of the English Defence League and the associated hooligan group Casuals United.

Unsurprisingly, both the EDL and Casuals United share HP's glee over the cancellation.

It is interesting that Hasan Afzal makes no mention of the reason given by the Principal Hayley Group, the hotel operator responsible for the venue, for cancelling the booking. We are left to assume that it was the dangerous "jihadist" ideology of the Al Muntada Trust that led to the decision.

However, as you can see from the Casuals United screenshot, the explanation given by the venue operator was as follows: "The safety of our staff and guests is our absolute priority at all times. After careful consideration and liaison with the local police force we have taken the decision to cancel the booking."

I had emailed the Principal Hayley Group myself, urging them to reject calls to cancel the conference, pointing out that the people behind the campaign were extremists like the EDL and Harry's Place. This morning I received the same email quoted by Casuals United. 

I emailed back saying that I couldn't understand how a conference organised by an entirely peaceful organisation like the Al Muntada Trust could have compromised the safety of staff and guests at the Grand Connaught Rooms. I received the following explanation: "We cancelled the event due to the risk of public disorder, damage to our property and safety of our staff. This decision was made on Police advice."

So it wasn't the supposed "jihadist" ideology of the conference organisers that caused the cancellation of the booking – it was the threat of violence from opponents of the conference. In other words, Harry's Place managed to get the conference cancelled by mobilising far-right racist thugs against it. They must be really pleased with themselves.

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