Anjem Choudary's protest march in Wootton Bassett

In the last few day's we have all heard about Anjem Choudary's planned protest march in Wootton Bassett. Is this really the best way for "the religion of peace" to get it's point across about British intervention in Afghanistan? It could be argued that because of the sensitive nature of the town that the message will get greater media coverage. As an ex-serviceman and I find this manipulation of public sentiment deeply offensive.

Anjem Choudary's argument is a political one, whereas Wootton Bassett is not a place of politics, it is a place where we honour our returning dead. Choudary is intent on using this place of respect as a political vehicle. I believe that Choudary has the right to say anything he likes as long as it is within the law of this land. I also believe he has the right to protest, but I do not think he should be allowed to protest in a place where we show respect to our fallen. It is a distasteful and ill-thought plan which will only incite hatred.

Choudary has written a open letter to families of British soldiers in Afghanistan in an attempt to explain his plan to protest on the streets of Wootton Bassett. What stood out to me from his letter was the opening line: "May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon those who follow the guidance." Wouldn't a better message be "peace and goodwill to all men"? In this country, Christians are brought up to respect the beliefs of others (our children are even taught about other religions in school), but it seems increasingly obvious that some of those others do not respect our beliefs.

Choudary should have his march, but in a political area such as Westminster, not in Wootton Bassett. I hope he reconsiders, because only a truly stupid man would be unaware that the current plan would only damage interfaith goodwill. If he goes ahead with the Wootton Bassett march - then he must be doing so with the intention of making a political statement - no matter what social damage results.

To Anjem Choudary I say this: Peace and goodwill to you and all men. Please reconsider.

Official sharia law court is up and running in Nuneaton.

I've just received an email from fellow blogger Harry Hook of the Final Redoubt blog. He's a bit too busy to blog at the moment so he has pointed me in the direction of a very interesting (and controversial) story. Before I go any further I want to point out that neither Harry (to my knowledge) or I are raving anti Muslim loons. I am however worried that we could be running two very different systems of law. We have a system of law in this country and it should apply to every citizen regardless of race, colour, sex or religion.

This story is running in the Sunday Mercury, you can read the article by clicking HERE.

Geert Wilders releases his film criticising the Koran.

Earlier this month I put up a post about how Geert Wilders had called the Dutch PM a coward. Well it seems Geert has gone a step further and released his controversial film criticising the Koran on LiveLeak. Oh dear. There will be trouble ahead.......

More HERE.

UPDATE: Just as an indication of the interest in this film, in the 23 hours since being put up on Liveleak, it has been viewed 3.1 million times.

Dutch PM is a coward says MP Geert Wilders.

The controversial Dutch MP Geert Wilders, (who is to release a film later this month reportedly attacking the Koran) has called his Prime Minister a coward who has sided with the Taliban. His comments were made after praising the Danish PM for his stance on freedom of expression. Wilders said:

"I wish we had such a prime minister in Holland. "Unfortunately we have a coward who will not stand fast on the constitution's words about freedom of expression, but instead has sided with the Taliban."

It's not surprising that the Danish PM, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, is trying his best to disassociate himself and his country from Geert Wilders:

"I dissociate myself completely from Geert Wilders' points of view, and I must clearly reject Mr Wilders' attempt at associating his views to those of the Danish government. "The Danish government respects all religions. Wilders generalises and demonises groups because of their religious or ethnic background."

Wilder's film has the Dutch government bracing itself for violent protests. If they have any sense at all, they will go all out to stop this film being broadcast. Before anyone jumps down my throat and cries "freedom of speech!", Wilders has apparently threatened to show images of the Koran being torn up. I'm sorry but if someone from another religion was to tear up a Bible on TV whilst slagging off Christianity, I'd be more than a little angry.