Extra security for Girlband over X Factor charity song
Bristol's Girlband are to be given extra police security for a charity song on The X Factor show this week after threats were reported to have been made by a Muslim preacher.
The 12 finalists on The X Factor, including Girlband, will on Saturday perform a version of Mariah Carey's Hero. The song will be released next week to raise money for the Help for Heroes campaign, which supports injured soldiers from current conflicts in places such as Afghanistan and Iraq.
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But according to reports today a Muslim preacher called Omar Bakri, who has previously praised those involved in the 9/11 attacks in America, has called The X Factor show anti-Muslim.
In a recording on his website he was said to have claimed supporting the Help for Heroes as having "dangerous implications".
It is understood anti-terror police have now been in talks with X Factor producers to tighten security at Fountain Studios in Wembley, North London, where the show is filmed.
Girlband - made up of Marisa Billitteri, 20, from Kingswood, Phoebe and Tita Lau, 20 and 18, from Whitehall and Layla Manoochehri, 22, rom Birmingham, - were voted off the show last Saturday but are taking part in the single.
Phil Cooper, from Kingswood, whose son Jamie was injured in Iraq when a mortar bomb hit his base, said: "They are not being anti-Muslim. All they are doing is supporting their troops - they are British be they Christian, Catholic or Muslim, it doesn't matter.
"Help For Heroes is a worthy cause and all the singers from X Factor were visiting the injured soldiers at Headley Court yesterday."
Farooq Siddique of the Bristol Cultural Muslim Society, said: "He [Omar Bakri] was on the margins when he was in this country and since he has left he has lost the plot.
"He has got enough problems with his own family to be worrying about what Muslims in Britain are wearing or not wearing, or the implications, or the Fatwa hints. I do not know what planet he is on and I'm just glad he's not in Britain."
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "We are aware of this recording and it will be assessed to see if any offences have been committed."
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by Tony Q, La La Land
Wednesday, October 22 2008, 11:01AM
“Whatever happened to Girlband? They were big in the "out of Bristol" area some time during the 2000's?”
by Tommy, Bristol
Wednesday, October 22 2008, 8:45AM
“This is just ridiculous.. the first comment on this story wasn't racist.. it was Alans opinion, and a fair one.. there are far too many people out there now that are happy to flash the racist card as soon as they here something they don't agree with. That's my opinion like it or not.”
by Space Monster, Bristol
Wednesday, October 22 2008, 7:34AM
“That''s a nice offer Mike as I suspect that Beiruit airport is a little out of your way. And Superspaced Monster, if you'd like a quick lesson on a) the use of apostrophes and b) the definition of "rant", then please get in touch.”
by Mike, Bristol
Tuesday, October 21 2008, 10:13PM
“I think the case of the couple arrested in Dubi for sex on the beach is a valid story. When we go to other countrys we as English must respect the country that the people of that land have made. Like wise they must respect our England. They call us to respect their divesity, yet they refuse to respect ours, its all on way traffic. Mr Barki I find you offensive on your views of the 911 bombers, however are you bothered about my rights and views. Are you bothered about offending me, I think not. If you not happy leave I'll give you a lift to the airport.”
by Felipe, Bristol
Tuesday, October 21 2008, 6:28PM
“The simple answer is if something that is both _legal_ and _acceptable to the vast majority of the population_ is offensive to you because of, lets face it, some really _obscure_ religious belief then a _sensible_ person might consider that they are being a bit _over sensitive_.
Oh no, that's not the way this fanatical islamic extremisim that is quite simply _not_ needed in any multi-faith, multi-cultural society behaves, what we have instead is much gnashing and wailing and chest beating and what's far, far worse than the racket from the corner is the bleating of the government and all the corporate institutions who pander to their _crazy_ and _divisive_ rants.
A message to everyone, head down abit, let's crack on with building a better society, not a divided one and let's not listen to the followers of _yet another_ religion which harks back to the dark ages. This is the 21st century last time i took a reality check.”