'Converts' profiled

John-Paul Flintoff, Times Online, A funny thing happened on the way to the mosque, 23 May 2010 "An increasing number of Britons are converting to Islam. Mosques are open to the public, so it is possible simply to wander in and try the religion for size?" Rather long article, with some interesting anecdotes.

Baroness Warsi

Telegraph, Britain's first female Muslim Cabinet minister Baroness Warsi brightens up Downing Street, 14 May 2010

"Britain’s first female Muslim Cabinet minister spoke of the “humbling” moment yesterday as she took her seat at the Government’s top table."

Blackburn case ongoing

David Watkinson, thisislancashire.co.uk, Blackburn man admits terror offences, 10 May 2010"A Blackburn man who posed as the head of al Qaeda in Britain and called for the deaths of Gordon Brown and Tony Blair has pleaded guilty to a string of terrorist offences."

Research

Thomas Hegghammer points to some useful 'Homegrown Literature' from the Centre for Studies of Islamism and Radicalisation at Aarhus University in Denmark. This includes Jonathan Githens-Mazer, Robert Lambert, Adbul-Haqq Baker, Safiyah Cohen-Baker, Zacharias Pieri: Muslim Communities Perspectives on Radicalisation in Leicester, UK [pdf] which looks helpful.

MPs

Guardian, General election 2010: first female Muslim MPs elected, 7 May 2010

Shabana Mahmood

BBC News, Female Muslim MP elected in Birmingham Ladywood, 7 May 2010 "Labour's Shabana Mahmood has become Birmingham's first female Muslim MP."

'Four Lions'

Times Online, Four Lions, 7 May 2010 "There is something daring and refreshing about a film that tickles the jihadists in the ribs until fundamentalism becomes farce." Four stars (out of five) from The Times.

Two stars (out of five) from the Independent: Anthony Quinn, Four Lions, 7 May 2010 "Morris wants us to provoke us into thinking more deeply about issues of race and belief and national security. It is an honourable aim. But it still left me wishing he'd provoked us into laughter."

Three stars (out of five) from The Sun: Alex Zane, Brass eye on terrorism, 7 May 2010 "Not as funny or as controversial as many would have expected, but there are still many moments of Chris Morris genius here that will have you thinking about it for a long time after the credits end."

Also see Daily Mail, Fury of 7/7 relatives at suicide bomber comedy Four Lions, 6 May 2010 "Relatives of those killed in the July 7th bombings have reacted with fury to a new comedy about bungling would-be suicide bombers.

"Four Lions, the directorial debut of Brass Eye satirist Chris Morris, sees four Muslims from Yorkshire travel south in an attempt to kill thousands at the London Marathon."

I have yet to see this - I'm obviously curious about it, so will check my local multiplex.

Investigation

Daily Mail, 'This is your Eid present': What attacker told Muslim woman as he wrapped her in a carpet and set her alight, 6 May 2010 "A robber wrapped a Muslim woman in a carpet and set fire to her after he raided her home.

"The attacker gained entry to the woman's Westminster flat by claiming to be an inspector from her local council, but once inside he bashed her and tied her up before stealing thousands of pounds worth of valuables."

Birmingham case

Birmingham Mail, Gay muslim bus driver in battle with unite, 6 May 2010 "A gay Muslim bus driver has been given the go-ahead to claim compensation against his trade union – after complaining they failed to help him combat alleged bullying and harassment over his sexuality."

Dudley mosque decision

Daily Mail, Plans scrapped for £18m 'mega mosque' in West Midlands, 5 May 2010 "Plans have been scrapped for an £18million mosque featuring a 65ft-high minaret in the town centre of a West Midlands town.

"The decision over the facility proposed for Dudley was announced yesterday, after protesters stormed the site to make their feelings heard."