Farooq Siddique: A Muslim in Bristol
Last week, the Daily Star published "exclusive" photographs of the English Defence League burning a Nazi swastika, in an effort to show that the EDL were not racist or fascist.
In its apparent new role as a PR agent for the EDL, the paper went on to attack Prime Minister Gordon Brown for "letting the nation become so bitterly divided".
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Now, I have heard ridiculously distorted or exaggerated assessments of many things by certain sections of the media, but this one takes the biscuit. Or do I have the wrong picture of the EDL? Despite the recent scenes at EDL demos, let me take a fresh look.
The EDL plans, shall we say "a party" outside a mosque. Muslims, anti-fascists, anti-racists and many others, join hands to prepare a huge welcome party. Inevitably, the EDL complains that the welcome party is too big. Now, ordinarily, the two sides would be allowed to meet, hug, shake hands and exchange gifts.
Of course, being heavily outnumbered, the EDL would be hugged quite a lot. So, understandably, the police are on hand, in large numbers, to ensure no hugging takes place!
Nevertheless, being hospitable, the welcome party insists on offering their EDL "guests" some refreshments. But, sadly, because the police insist on protecting the EDL from being over-hugged, the prepared refreshments have to be lobbed over the police cordon.
This is a futile exercise; firstly, flying through the air, the bottles are usually empty of any drink by the time they arrive with the "guests". Secondly, the EDL are football fans not cricket fans, an important distinction since catching is not their forte. Instead the EDL instinctively revert to their default position: "on me 'ead son".
These images then, although meant to be of joy-filled revelry, are misconstrued around the UK as community tensions – which is the last the thing the poor EDL wanted – 10 football fans with no catching skills, wretched things, are portrayed as a symptom that our nation is "bitterly divided".
Nationwide, the EDL is made up of about 40 people (many ex-football hooligans – but frankly it doesn't matter who they are, it's what they do).
At any one time, only about 10 of them actually manage to cobble together enough brain cells (and the ability to use a sat-nav) to make their way to a planned demo outside a mosque, usually coinciding with Islamic prayer times. They stand outside hurling abuse at Muslims, their beliefs and their way of life. Designed to provoke a reaction, they get it. They then get the media coverage they so crave, like other extremists, to espouse their views.
At one of their recent demos, one EDL supporter was pictured wearing an "EDL Bristol Division" T-shirt. I expect that one individual is the whole of the Bristol Division. (A tip for EDL's new PR agents; don't use the word "division" alongside "EDL", after all, isn't the EDL about good community relations?)
The EDL is apparently planning a demo in Bristol, too. They have already contacted the UK Chapter of the Jewish Defence League (based here in Bristol), inviting them to form an alliance with the EDL.
The response from the Jewish Defence League was unequivocal: not only were they "disgusted" and "revolted" to receive the request; they made it clear to the EDL that they would "stand proudly with Muslims, our fellow children of Abraham, in the fight against Muslim hatred, in defence of their mosques, family & faith".
Hmm, perhaps the EDL is bringing communities together after all – united in chasing them out of town!
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by James, Birmingham
Monday, November 29 2010, 3:37AM
“Well Farooq, from the comments it seems that your article didn't get the expected response. It seems that you underestimate the feelings of the general public; many of whom privately support the ideals of the EDL. Many harbour feelings of anger, but due to other responsibilities or not wanting to endanger themselves or their families, do not attend these rallies. Support for this is higher than you imagine, it's just easier to find people to defend Islam, because there is no stigma attached. In contrast, the 'racist' badge is instantly applied to anyone who opposes Islam and that's not something that many people can afford to have hanging around their necks. If people in the UK could freely express themselves about Islam, Muslims would find themselves in a difficult and uncomfortable position that wouldn't be as equally divided as your naivity suggests.”
by Xavier, Bristol
Tuesday, October 06 2009, 8:00AM
“I always find it odd why people are on this website in the early hours. Woe Britannia and Mike are obviously one of the same or they are the types who sneak down on to the computer when their wives have dropped off to sleep to relieve themselves.
Mike, you go round and round like a wonky carousel. You would have far more credibility if you answered questions set you.
When presented by historical facts- like reasons for war, like we supported the Taliban and Saddam when it suited us (knowing full well what they were like) you just clam up and resort to name calling. When people ask you questions on your beliefs you shut up and never answer despite being asked several times. You cant have missed them. Again, I would say you have no answers to facts.
Woe Britannia why should I be proud or indeed unproud to be British? Is that the only thing that defines you, a pure accident of birth? Nothing else going for you? What are you proud of exactly- please define. If you look at history, including recent you will find as a whole we have nothing to be proud of. Murder of millions, removal of peoples from their lands, setting up concentration camps. ALL within the last 60 years. Great. But of course you cant be held responsible for these autrocities can you? Just like you also cant be held responsible for any precieved greatness. Is being British the only thing you hold on to? Accomplished nothing else apart from your mother spouting you out here? Or do you just have a dislike for change and anything foreign to you? Are you just plain scared? Questions questions.
Alex is right. It is a global world and the young know that and are much more savvy. Our future is with Europe not America. America has done nothing for us- ever, at least not for their own gain and made us a, justifiably, a traget of hate. That does not mean we cant keep afternoon tea, morris dancing, real beer or whatever other things float your boat that scaremongers for their own gains will let the dumb believe are under threat.
People like you will die out Woe Britannia. You are a dinosaur. Dont get me wrong, there will always be stupid people in this country. Just less and less dumb racists like you.
(amazing how people mention the war of 70 years ago when we fought the Nazi's and lo and behold these same cretins are willing to vote for nazi's again- Terminally dumb!!)
Back to Mike- are you going to answer Davids question about wjhat would you do if your relations and countrymen had been barbarically killed for no justifyable reason (9/11 was carried out not by Iraqi's at all but there were a few of Americas friends The Saudis there)
You make a sweeping statement about immigrants being on benefits- where do you get these figures from? All official figures from all proper parties say as a whole immigration has increased the countries finances. Please back up your statement?
Why do they come here? Well they cant claim benefits if they are illegal so it cant be that. Could be partly due to Britain being a very well known country through the English language so film and other media. English is a global language. Many countries, former colonies that we abused and robbed, speak English so its good reason to come here. People from EU countries are entitled to work here- just like we are entitled to work and live there. Maybe from countries we have terrorosed and blown up like Afhanistan and Iraq.
A whole host of reasons. And as long as they work they are welcome in my book. I think people who come 1000's of miles to work have a better attitude and ethic than filthy benefits scum and the general failed like Mike who seems preoccupied in hating people of a different colour or religion to him.”
by Ron, Bristol
Tuesday, October 06 2009, 6:01AM
“I don't understand why they come here myself. Seems a bit odd.”
by Mike, Bristol
Monday, October 05 2009, 11:56PM
“Right again, why are we made to feel that being british is a sin in our own country by these people. Xavier is not ill, he is just a fool.”
by woe britannia, south bristol
Monday, October 05 2009, 11:43PM
“Xavier i feel i got to do something to combat the mess people like you have created.I guess you have issues and mental problems.I am willing to donate money to get you some help.Perhaps i could buy some furnishings for your cave.People like you want no border controls.Yes keep adding salt to the water.Its water we can all drink is your motto.I been to many Countries and enjoyed there culture.I have also respected there way of life.Yet to be British is a sin in your eyes.You are the sad one on here xavier.You cant even give your area.Stop upsetting people on here.We are the only friends you have left.”