We could have another September 11th on our hands
“What they are doing is legal and there is absolutely no way the government or the police can ban a static demonstration unless it is on private ground.” Alan Johnson PM
The above statement was made in reference to the protests held by the anti-Islam group called Stop the Islamisation of Europe (SIOE). On September 11th of this year, they held a protest in Harrow, one of the most diverse boroughs in London, clearly trying to stir up racial tension in the borough that also has one of the lowest crime rates. A handful of coaches, packed with what are commonly seen as fascists, turned up and seeing the hundreds of counter protesters (predominantly young Asian men), wisely thought twice about disembarking and went back to their homes. The few that were bold enough (or more likely drunk enough) to brave the storm were chased by a stampede of angry Muslims ‘protecting their mosque’. Result! I wish that were the end of the story. What occurred next is the reason I was against the march before it took place and I am against the so-called “counter-protest” that is going to take place this Sunday at the very same location.
September 11th was a Friday, and Muslims had gathered at the mosque for their Juma prayers. The Imam who gave the pre-prayer sermon, Ajmal Masroor rightly urged the attendees to return back home after performing their prayers. If we assess the situation, it is quite easy to see there was no need for a counter-protest, and the only outcome would be the inevitable violence with the police and arrests which followed, ironically not involving SIOE members, but young Asian men ‘defending their faith’.
The way I see the situation, the SIOE is frankly a disgusting movement and I am completely opposed to all of their actions. So much so that in-fact I refuse to even acknowledge them. They are clearly beyond having a rational conversation with; hence I won’t waste my breath. Just a quick look at the first two of their many aims on their website will shed some light on my viewpoint:
- SIOE exists to legally combat the overt and covert expansion of Islam in Europe.
- SIOE…considers Islamophobia to be the height of common sense.
On September 11th, the ideal scenario for the SIOE would have been the world seeing dozens of Muslims wearing bandanas in a tussle with the authorities, showing they have a point and that this religion is one that needs to be stopped. I understand that the majority of the protesters were there to hold a ‘peaceful’ protest, but as was demonstrated a few months ago, there are always some people who turn up to such events solely looking for a fight; and they will have their fight, regardless of the opposition. After the departure of the few SIOE members, the young Asians still seeing red, turned their violent efforts onto the police and clashed with officers for several hours after the initial protest was over. Inevitably, the media picked up on this and the coverage of the days events on the news was dominated by footage of this and the 9 or so arrests that took place on that night.
Aside from all of this, I think it’s important to address one more point. The counter-protesters often claimed they were there to ‘protect their mosque’ but if I remember correctly we pay our taxes to fund the police force, the very same police force whose job it is to maintain peace in such situations. If the SIOE were there to destroy the mosque, how about we let the police do their job? Not only are we getting in their way, but in fact we are creating more work for them, hindering their ability to monitor the SIOE members.
September 11st 2009 was almost 3 months ago, but we could have a similar situation on our hands this Sunday if we are not careful. Let’s rise above these thugs, show some class, stay at home, listen to the advice of senior politicians and trust the police.
This article is not here to try and persuade people from attending the counter-protest, I have merely stated my opinion and am making a simple a plea to all of those thinking about attending the protest on Sunday to just stop for a few minutes, and think about what would be more beneficial, attending the protest, or abstaining from it. Don’t think abstinence is inaction. Inaction would be not giving it any thought whatsoever. With intention, abstinence cannot only be action, but can also make a powerful statement.
Excellent article.
20 SIOE idiots shouting mindless crap with a few homemade banners standing around in the rain till they get bored means nothing.
20 SIOE idiots getting chased around Harrow by 500 young Muslims who alternate between shouting Allah-hu-Akbar and pelting the police with stones and bottles will make inter/national news = what the SIOE/EDL et al want.
I said it before the first protest, and again now: anyone who actually cares will leave the protecting to the police; t the SIOE aren’t going to do anything to the Mosque anyway, they won’t even be allowed anywhere near it.
Instead you could donate to Harrow Mosque’s extension, which if nothing else will annoy the hell out of the racists
http://www.justgiving.com/HARROWMOSQUE or go to their website and get linked from there.
This weekend Harrow Mosque are planning protests and EDL are planned to turn up. Everyone should avoid Harrow this weekend.
The funny thing about these protests is that the SIOE is essentially fighting a PR war.
If they turn up and protest outside a mosque and nothing happens, it might – MIGHT – get a few seconds of coverage, perhaps a few lines of a column.
If they turn up and face a violent counter-protest involving arrests and clashes with the police – then this is top news.
Don’t give them what they want. It’s that simple.
‘For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill.’
Sun Tzu
Nicely put.
I have long been arguing – on the Harrow Times website itself where developments on the protest have been posted – that perhaps one of the best things to do would be to leave the protesters alone.
How foolish it would look to see a handful of people baying at a boarded up building.
Of course, the young Muslims that attend Juma prayers are easily provoked, and have a short-temper.
The result we had on September 11 was exactly what the SIOE were looking for.
Lets not forget; the SIOE bunch are not a rational congregation.
On their website, prior to the September 11 protests (which I personally knew would erupt), I sent them a short, and rather hastily written message, hoping for it to be posted on their comments section:
“Guys, as a Muslim I’m still struggling to see the point of the protest outside Harrow on 9/11.
With respect, your original protest against a suspected Sharia Court at the venue was denied outright by the mosque, and supported by local leaders, including Gareth Thomas MP and Tony McNulty MP.
Thus, and without resorting to obscenities or expletives towards your democratic right to protest, I do urge you to rethink the actual logic of a doing so at a mosque which has been present for 25 years without a single problem or objection.
Perhaps if the mosque was opening, or had tangible and credible links to extremist Wahhabist Islamism I would have some sort of semblance of understanding. But I’m baffled by the whole thing.
If the tax-paying, law-abiding Muslims’ voices are heard, there will be no need for such protests in the future. We are not here to cause you harm, neither was a microchip implanted into our brains at birth with a default ‘anti-English’, or ‘anti-European’ mindset. We live here, legitimately, to do the best that we can in life. Yes, we do appreciate the many benefits that the United Kingdom has to offer, be it free healthcare, education and the generally tolerant and forbearing Brits that have generally welcomed us with open arms. We are indeed grateful for all of this, and proud of not only England, but the United Kingdom, where even the richest nation in the world – the USA, cannot boast the aforementioned benefits such as free healthcare. We have brought you our arts, our food, our languages and our culture.
I do wish peace upon you all, regardless of your beliefs and regardless of any diversity, be it in the form of colour, creed, race or religion.”
All comments were subject to moderation and were thus approved, or not.
A person by the name of ‘jihadi’ posted an explicit and disgusting tirade much of which I cannot repeat on this forum.
Needless to say, my comment was not approved.
Apologies for this long comment, I have extensive knowledge and experience of the developments as I live in close proximity to the mosque.