April 20, 2011

Amnesty International warns of crisis in Misratah

by Jan Harris

An unfolding humanitarian crisis in the city of Misratah in Libya has caused Amnesty International to call from an immediate increase in humanitarian aid. The city has been under attack by forces loyal to Colonel al-Gaddafi for weeks now, with relentless shelling devastating residential neighbourhoods. Many residents are cut off from the world, with no […]



April 19, 2011

Royal Wedding prompts protests

by Jan Harris

Scotland Yard has rejected a request from the ‘Muslims Against Crusdades’ group to be allowed to protest outside Westminster Abbey on the day of the Royal Wedding, which will be held on 29 April. The group has called the royal family “enemies to Allah”, and says on its website that Prince William is “one of […]



April 18, 2011

Housing Association disciplines worker over palm cross

by Jan Harris

A long-serving employee of Wakefield and District Housing is facing disciplinary action because he refused to remove a palm cross from his company van. Colin Atkinson, an electrician who works on the organisation’s houses, says he has always displayed the cross on the dashboard of his vehicle. He was asked to remove it after a […]



April 15, 2011

Police ‘kettling’ tactics ruled unlawful

by Jan Harris

Opponents to the practice of ‘kettling’, which is used by police to contain protestors, were victorious in the High Court yesterday. The court ruled that the police’s use of kettling at the London G20 protests in 2009 was unlawful. The practice involves cordons of police officers surrounding crowds of protestors, confining them within a small […]



April 14, 2011

Report highlights human rights issues in Pakistan

by Jan Harris

In its latest report the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) criticises the government for failing to protect its citizens. The report, called ‘State of Human Rights in 2010’, says that religious minorities are particularly at risk of violence. During the year 99 members of the Ahmadi sect were killed The rapidly growing Islamic movement […]



April 13, 2011

Fears of Islamic Extremism at Westminster Uni

by Jan Harris

Students at Westminster University have appointed two men with links to Islamic extremism to head their student union, with effect from the end of June. Less than 13 per cent of the university’s 23,000 students voted at the elections on 1 April, when Tarik Mahri was elected as union president and Jamal Achchi as vice-president. […]



April 12, 2011

BBC programme debates forgiveness

by Jan Harris

A new programme from the BBC, to be broadcast on Good Friday, asks ‘What’s the Point of Forgiveness?’ Presented by Bettany Hughes, the programme delves into the question posed by the programme’s title and asks whether it is realistic to expect victims to forgive. The programme covers a number of momentous events including the Crusades […]



April 11, 2011

French police cautious as burka ban takes effect

by Jan Harris

A ban on concealing the face in a public space came into effect in France this morning, but police in the country are being careful how they enforce the ban in case it provokes a violent reaction from extremists. Police are also concerned that they could be accused of discrimination against Muslims if they try […]



April 4, 2011

France’s burka ban could backfire

by Jan Harris

In France, a law banning women from covering their face with a veil will come into force on 11 April. The law will stop Muslim women wearing the burka in public places, although they will be able to do so in their own homes, in hotel rooms and in a car as long as they […]



April 3, 2011

Government causes controversy over Libya

by Jan Harris

Following speculation that the UK government may be considering supplying arms to Libyan rebels, Mr Hague is expected to make a statement to Parliament tomorrow. He has said that there are no plans to so, but also suggested that under UN rules it may be possible to supply weapons to allow people to defend themselves. […]



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