Muslims face more injustices

“The strength of a government is determined by the freedom that flows to its citizens, not the powers it gathers for itself,” said Prime Minister, David Cameron. In his address to the Australian Parliament, he laid a great deal of emphasis on such shared values that also included open societies, accountability and human rights. Yet in their face, he proceeded to confirm plans for new powers to curb more freedoms in the ever-expanding war against terrorism.

UAE resorts to employ Israeli tactics to disparage critics

The 82 Muslim groups and organisations lumped together by the UAE as so-called terrorists is so wide ranging, from terrorist groups like ISIL, Boho Haram and al-Qa’ida to internationally renowned and respected charity, Islamic Relief. The list just doesn’t make any sense and has no clear rationality.

Muslim Councillor wins European diversity award

Tower Hamlets Cabinet Member for Housing and Development, Councillor Rabina Khan, was named ‘Hero of the Year’ at European Diversity Awards on October 2.

Exeter students vote overwhelmingly to boycott illegal Israeli products

Students at the University of Exeter voted overwhelmingly to boycott illegal Israeli settlement products in what was the highest referendum turnout in the university’s history. 86% of the 1,040 students who voted on October 24 voted to boycott Israeli settlement products.

Muslims slam terrorism policy following release of Moazzam Begg

Human rights activist and former Guantanamo Bay detainee Moazzam Begg was released from prison after seven terrorism charges against him related to Syria were dropped on October 1 five days before his trial was due to begin.

Supplier fined £20k for fake halal labels

A meat wholesaler was fined £20,000 on September 5, after applying counterfeit halal certification labels to products which were then sold to a Birmingham supplier.

Mufti condemns killing of seven worshippers in a mosque in Saudi Arabia

At least three masked gunmen opened fire on worshippers in the Ahsa Mosque, in al Dalwah village in al Ahsa region, Saudi Arabia, on November 3. Seven worshippers, including three children, were killed. Several others were injured.

Confrontation between the Pakistani Government and PTI/PAT

The current confrontation between the Government of Nawaz Sharif and the Pakistan Tehreek-I-Insaf (PTI) headed by cricketer turned politician, Imran Khan, is headed towards an expected conflagration.

NGOs urge countries outside the region to take on Syrian refugees

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) and the International Rescue Committee (IRC) have called on countries outside the Middle East to provide financial support to Syria’s neighbours and take in at least 5% of the total Syrian refugee population.

Over 500 anthropologists join academic boycott of Israel

More than 500 anthropologists, have joined an academic boycott of Israel, with another 77 joining anonymously it has been announced earlier this month. The Washington Post reported that the individuals joined a boycott by the American Studies Association, the oldest and largest group devoted to the interdisciplinary study of American culture and history.

Rightwing media attack Affleck for defending Islam

America’s right-wing slammed Hollywood A-lister Ben Affleck for his defence of Islam on a US talk show. Affleck accused TV host Bill Maher of and “racist” depictions of the religion during a televised debate.

Muslim woman broke arm in Islamophobic attack

A middle aged Muslim woman was left with a broken arm in an unprovoked Islamophobic assault in Melbourne last month. The latest incident is one of many Islamophobic attacks sweeping Australia following anti-terror raids involving more than 800 police officers.

Over 1000 people sign petition to launch police investigation into Hopkins tweets

Police confirmed that they have received complaints and are currently trawling the tweets of former Apprentice contestant Katie Hopkins, although no investigation has been launched. A website calling for the arrest of The Sun columnist and TV airtimefiller has been created following a string of Islamophobic posts on her Twitter account.

Four men jailed for throwing a pig’s head into mosque

Four men were jailed on November 17 for throwing a pig’s head into Blackpool Central Mosque just two days after the murder of soldier Lee Rigby.

Welsh councillor denies using Islamophobic word

A councillor in Wales has denied his use of the term “muzzy” on his Facebook was an Islamophobic slur. Mike Harris, an independent Torfaen councilor, posted “Once a Muzzy!” alongside an article on Hamas reportedly executing informers.

Muslims cemetery plans rejected

Plans for a 4,000 plot Muslim cemetery in Catherine-de-Barnes, in Solihull, was rejected by Solihull Council on November 5. But a separate application for a 7,000 plot Muslim cemetery adjacent to this site still has to be determined.

McDonald’s manager arrested after launching racist tirade at Somali customers

A West African McDonald’s manager was arrested over a racist tirade against Somali customers. The victims say he told them: “All you fu@#ing Somalians are the same.” Yasin Farah, 27, and his friends went to the restaurant in south east London, for breakfast at 5.30am on November 2. He said the manager of the restaurant, who is understood to be black and had a West African accent, quickly turned on him and four friends.

LEGAL CORNER: Holiday pay calculation should also include overtime

The Employment Appeal Tribunal has just handed down an important decision on the calculation of holiday pay, Bear Scotland v Fulton and others (UKEAT S0047/13). Three different cases which each raised similar issues were heard together, and a number of important principles can be derived from them.

BOOK REVIEW: Unique qualities of Ali ibn Abi Talib

The Special Characteristics of the Leader of the Faithful – Ali b. Abi Talib. By Ahmad b. Shu’ayb al-Nasa’i. Translated by Michael Mumisa. Birmingham: Al-Mahdi Institute. pp103. PB. 2014. £9.99

BOOK REVIEW: Journey of Iranian-American to her homeland

In her debut book, Azadeh Moaveni eloquently recounts her estranged relationship with her motherland Iran. Her parents fled to America three years prior to the ground-breaking Islamic Revolution in 1979 and from that point Moaveni has felt torn. As an Iranian teenager growing up in California, Moaveni always felt an essential component of herself was missing. At home she spoke Farsi with her grandparents, whereas at school she discussed Hollywood and boys fluently.

POETS’ CORNER: Shipwreck

MATRIMONIAL

Clegg’s mental health provision promises

With a little over seven months until the General Election, all parties are gearing up to charm the electorate. A repeat of the hung parliament of 2010 is unlikely to be the ambition of any of the main parties, and it certainly doesn’t seem to have been terribly popular amongst the electorate.

US Midterms: Major loss for Democrats, and Climate action

The recently held US Midterm Elections mark a major turning point in the allotment of power in the Federal Government, as Republicans gained a majority in both the House of Representatives as well as the Senate, controlling Congress. The biennial election turned out to be a serious defeat for Democrats, which many attribute to President Obama’s extremely low approval rating, despite record job growth and low levels of unemployment nationally.

New Zealand scientists share genome sequences to stop kiwifruit killer disease

New Zealand scientists are sharing the genome sequences for both the kiwifruit and a kiwifruit disease that has struck around the world in a bid to control the virus.

Misconceptions about antibiotics revealed in new survey

Four in ten people take antibiotics for a cough or runny nose despite both conditions normally clearing up without treatment, according to new research out today by Public Health England (PHE) for European Antibiotic Awareness Day (EAAD).

Asian Para Games

World Exclusive, comprehensive list of all the Muslim Medalists at the Asian Para Games in Incheon, South Korea

Iran lose right to host volleyball championships

Iran has been stripped of the right to host next year’s under-19 volleyball world championships, it was revealed on November 9. The International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) has instead awarded the event to Argentina.

SPORT BRIEF

Letters: Anti Muslim attacks in Australia

Letters: News not reported elsewhere

Letter: Moeen booing upsetting