Report

APGG on British Muslims, A Very Merry Muslim Christmas.

Religious clothing and symbols in employment

EU, New report on Religious clothing and symbols in employment, "Commissioned by the European Commission and authored by Erica Howard of Middlesex University, the report analyses the EU and Council of Europe legal frameworks on freedom of religion and non-discrimination and provides a comprehensive overview of EU Member State legislation and case law on the wearing of religious clothing and symbols in both public and private employment." 

Interpreter fights to stay in UK

Channel 4, Former army interpreter released on bail while fighting for right to remain in the UK

Peaceful Coexistence Conference

I will be participating in this event, giving a short panel panel on anti-Muslim rhetoric online. 

Trump Twitter Storm

NY Times, Trump Shares Inflammatory Anti-Muslim Videos, and Britain’s Leader Condemns Them "President Trump shared videos supposedly portraying Muslims committing acts of violence on Twitter early Wednesday morning, images that are likely to fuel anti-Islam sentiments popular among the president’s political base in the United States and prompted the office of Britain’s prime minister to issue a statement condemning the tweets."

Also see Talal Ansari, Buzzfeed, Here's Where That False Anti-Muslim Video Trump Retweeted Came From " The video, which depicts an attack by a Dutch teen on another Dutch teen, was first picked up by anti-Muslim activists in May. It has circulated through pro-Trump Twitter accounts, Reddit, Alex Jones' website Prison Planet, and the website of an anti-Muslim crusader — before being retweeted by the president of the United States."

Sky News, Sadiq Khan blasts back at Donald Trump after anti-Muslim video tweets  

Martijn, Lies, reductions and authority – Some background on the hate tweets of @JaydaBF and @realDonaldTrump

BBC News, Trump hits out at UK PM Theresa May after far-right video tweets
Elizabeth Poole, Eva Giraud, Ed de Quincey, Anti-Muslim propaganda on Twitter and the role of the far right

Ideological Transmission - report

Ideological Transmission II: Peers, education and prisons (Full Report) "This CREST report, by Professor Kim Knott and Dr Benjamin Lee, is the second in a series of synthetic research reports on ideological transmission produced by the Ideas, Beliefs And Values In Social Context programme."

East London Mosque Archives

Aisha Gani, Buzzfeed, 21 Historical Pictures Of What Life Was Like For Muslims In London That Will Make You Say “Wow” " The first ever British Muslim Archives will be opening this week at the East London Mosque Archives, with a collection dating back to 1910."

100 Years of Marmaduke Pickthall

eventbrite, 100 Years of Marmaduke Pickthall
"To celebrate the 100 years since legendary British Muslim writer Marmaduke Pickthall conversion to Islam we will be holding a celebration dedicated to him. There will be talks from three people who have studied Marmaduke Pickthall extensively." This will be very interesting, although unfortunately, I cannot attend.

TellMAMA Report

The TellMama 2016 Report has been released. This can be downloaded from HERE

Wales: Hate crime 'under-reported'

BBC News, Hate crime 'drastically under-reported', 1 Nov 2017 "Hate crime is still drastically under-reported, South Wales Police has said."

Muslim teaching assistant wins unfair dismissal

Guardian, Muslim teaching assistant wins unfair dismissal case over 9/11 footage "Suriyah Bi was sacked after she objected to a teacher showing children footage of people jumping from the Twin Towers after the terror attack."

Lee Rigby's killer has converted inmates to Islam, court told

Guardian, Lee Rigby's killer has converted inmates to Islam, court told, 31 Oct 2017

This is my country, too

BBC News, This is my country, too "This year has seen a spike in anti-Muslim hate crimes, and a new survey shows women are suffering the most - so what's it like to be a black British Muslim woman at the moment? Not great, says Muna Ahmed."

The couple who put IS at heart of marriage

Dominic Casciani, BBC News, The couple who put IS at heart of marriage, 26 Oct 2017 "Three members of the same family have been convicted for being part of what could have been a major terror attack on the streets of Birmingham. Prosecutors say that at the centre of the plot foiled earlier this year were a husband-and-wife team who put the self-styled Islamic State's cause at the centre of their marriage."

Unstunned halal school meals banned

BBC News, Unstunned halal school meals banned

The student who fought IS and ended up prosecuted for terrorism

Wales Online, The student who fought IS and ended up prosecuted for terrorism "The collapse of the case, after a jury found him not guilty, raises questions about how the authorities should deal with young people returning from Syria."

Internet troll admits making Canning Town primary school bomb hoax as part of smear campaign

Newham Recorder, Internet troll admits making Canning Town primary school bomb hoax as part of smear campaign

Takeaways Are a Safe Space for Bradford’s Young Muslims

Aina Khan, Vice, Takeaways Are a Safe Space for Bradford’s Young Muslims "In Bradford, a city where almost one quarter of residents identify as Muslim and youth services have been ravaged by austerity cuts, chicken and kebab shops provide cheap, halal food and a place to hang out."

Islamophobia Is Not An Imaginary Myth

Huffington Post, Islamophobia Is Not An Imaginary Myth, 23 Oct 2017 "Whatever may be the factors behind the recent surge in hate crimes, it is hard to dispute that hate crime is neither a meaningless nor an imaginary myth rather a reality for many Muslims."

Channel 4 mocked for blacking up white woman to disguise her as Muslim

Independent, Channel 4 mocked for blacking up white woman to disguise her as Muslim "Viewers asked why documentary makers gave 'brownface' disguise to white woman rather than following an actual Muslim." Controversial programme (which I have yet to see). There's a mixture of feedback on this from Mail Online, 'Are you going to blow us up?' Viewers outraged as woman has Islamophobic abuse hurled at her as she walks past her local pub while wearing a hijab and posing as a Muslim in shocking TV show."

Islamic school's gender segregation is unlawful, court of appeal rules

Guardian, Islamic school's gender segregation is unlawful, court of appeal rules "Schools in Britain will no longer be able to substantially segregate boys and girls, after the court of appeal ruled that a co-educational faith school in Birmingham had caused unlawful discrimination by separating the two sexes."

Almost twice as many BAME people are unemployed compared to white British.

Channel 4, Almost twice as many BAME people are unemployed compared to white British.

55% of Brits support racial profiling of Muslims: Arab News/YouGov poll

arabnews.com, 55% of Brits support racial profiling of Muslims: Arab News/YouGov poll " The poll found that 53 percent of respondents believe the UK should recognize Palestine as a state. Most Brits are dissatisfied with UK foreign policy on the Arab world, with 57 percent saying it has been largely ineffective in upholding human rights and promoting global security. More than half of those polled support Britain’s current military intervention against Daesh, while eight in 10 Brits believe going to war in Iraq in 2003 was wrong."

Stabbing of surgeon at Manchester mosque treated as hate crime

Guardian, Stabbing of surgeon at Manchester mosque treated as hate crime "Dr Nasser Kurdy suffers stab wound in neck while arriving for evening prayers at Altrincham mosque."

Imam who told children martyrdom was 'greater success' than school convicted of supporting Isis

Independent, Imam who told children martyrdom was 'greater success' than school convicted of supporting Isis " "'When you don't fulfil the command of Allah, I'm coming to remove your head,' Kamran Hussain told Stoke-on-Trent mosque"

Prosecution

Guardian, Slough man jailed for spreading Isis propaganda "Hussain ran two YouTube channels that he used to broadcast extremist material and used WhatsApp and the encrypted messaging app Telegram to send “disturbing” documents advising people to “kill the kuffar [disbelievers] in their own country”."

Community Reporting Thresholds

CREST, Community Reporting Thresholds "This is the full report on Community Reporting Thresholds, produced by CREST. It looks at the reporting of potential violent extremism and terrorism, focusing on identifying triggers, thresholds and barriers which may stop someone from reporting." Available as a pdf, with more information here.

Parsons Green attack

Independent, Parsons Green attack: No evidence Isis is systematically using refugees for terror plots, research finds, 19 Sep 2017

Roles & Responsibilities of a 21st Century Alimah

Roles & Responsibilities of a 21st Century Alimah – Alimahs Online ""Traditionally, the role of the Alimah has never been one of formal employment within Mosques and Islamic Centres, but given the growth of the Muslim population here in the UK and the increasing number of Muslim women and girls pursuing formal religious education coupled with the increasing social pressures and socially ‘taboo’ issues affecting young Muslim girls, the role of the Alimah has become crucial and one that needs to be formally recognised and rewarded."

Radicalisation

Daily Mail, British Muslim convert was radicalised by ISIS videos online "Jurors were told Watson's encrypted chats with undercover agents 'reveal the extent of his hatred for Western society and his avowed intent to take part in terrorist activity'.
"On his phone, police found books including 'The Path to the Land of Battle' by an Al Qaeda figure, '39 Ways to Participate and Serve in Jihad', and copies of the IS magazine Dabiq."

Lammy Review

gov.uk, Lammy review: final report, 8 September 2017 "An independent review into the treatment of, and outcomes for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic individuals in the criminal justice system." Links to PDFs of the report, and Mr Lammy's letter to the PM.

New report reveals the devastating discrimination young Muslims in the UK face

Independent, New report reveals the devastating discrimination young Muslims in the UK face The report is here: ‘Social mobility challenges faced by young Muslims’ (Social Mobility Commission)

Wrexham man jailed over 'kill every Muslim' Facebook post

BBC News, Wrexham man jailed over 'kill every Muslim' Facebook post

New national council to issue progressive rulings for Britain's Muslims

Guardian, New national council to issue progressive rulings for Britain's Muslims

Things Not To Say To Someone Who Wears A Burqa

BBC Three, Things Not To Say To Someone Who Wears A Burqa

Here’s How You React To Your Son’s Autism When Your Language Has No Word For Autism

Aisha Gani, Buzzfeed, Here’s How You React To Your Son’s Autism When Your Language Has No Word For Autism

"“There’s no word that describes autism in the Somali language," says Nura Aabe, 35.

"It’s something the autism campaigner and mother of five has been grappling with ever since her 18-year-old son Zaki – short for Zakaria Mohamed – was first diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder when he was 2 and a half."

Family ordered out of Algrave pool over Burkini row

Mail Online Family ordered out of Algrave pool over Burkini row

Gas fitter surrounded by armed police in Debenhams in Exeter

Mail Online, Gas fitter surrounded by armed police in Debenhams in Exeter "A gas engineer who is running a one-man 'ban the burka' campaign was surrounded by armed police after wearing traditional Islamic clothing and a rucksack in a busy department store."

On the ball

"She is the highest qualified female Muslim football coach in Europe, but Annie Zaidi admits she's had to do it the hard way."

Trojan Horse affair: remaining disciplinary proceedings dropped

Guardian, Trojan Horse affair: remaining disciplinary proceedings dropped, 28 Jul 2017 "The government has given up its two-year-long attempt to ban teachers caught up in the Trojan Horse affair in Birmingham, after those in the remaining cases were told disciplinary action against them has been halted."

Radio station shut down after broadcasting 25 hours of lectures by al-Qaeda recruiter

Independent, Radio station shut down after broadcasting 25 hours of lectures by al-Qaeda recruiter

Muslim feminist plans to open liberal mosque in Britain

Guardian, Muslim feminist plans to open liberal mosque in Britain "A Muslim feminist who founded a liberal mosque in Berlin, triggering death threats and fatwas, is planning to open an inclusive place of worship in the UK, saying a revolution in Islam is under way."

Court case

Guardian, Court lifts ban on naming faith school in segregation case "Al-Hijrah named as Birmingham Muslim school that Ofsted had penalised for separating boys and girls." UPDATED: Also see islam21c.com, Ofsted to appeal high court defeat by Birmingham Muslim school

Who are Britain’s jihadists?

BBC News, Who are Britain’s jihadists? "Approximately 850 people from the UK have travelled to support or fight for jihadist groups in Syria and Iraq, say the British authorities."

Elton John bomb plotter Haroon Syed jailed for life

BBC News, Elton John bomb plotter Haroon Syed jailed for life "He was caught after approaching MI5 officers, who were posing as a fellow extremist, via social media." More detail: Mail Online, Teenager, 19, who plotted a nail bomb attack at Elton John’s 50,000-capacity Hyde Park concert on the anniversary of 9/11 joins his terrorist brother behind bars as he is jailed for life

Childline reports spike in bullying following terror attacks. Here's how to get support online

Wired, Childline reports spike in bullying following terror attacks. Here's how to get support online, 28 Jun 2017 "The NSPCC released the data today, stating that 2,500 counselling sessions directly related to this type of bullying had taken place in the last three years. The abuse has been prevalent across all kinds of backgrounds, including Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Black and Sikh, but the NSPCC pointed out instances of Muslim children calling its Childline help number with stories of being targeted for wearing religious garments and accusations of ties to Islamic State. The abuse has, in some cases, led to self-harm, says the NSPCC." Also see NSPCC, Childline reports rise in contacts about race and faith-based bullying

"The Missing Muslims – Unlocking British Muslim Potential for the Benefit of All"

Citizens UK, The Missing Muslims ""The Missing Muslims – Unlocking British Muslim Potential for the Benefit of All" is the report from, and the result of, the Citizens Commission on Islam, Participation & Public Life." Report link here. Report - have yet to view this. Also see Aisha Gani, Buzzfeed, The Government Has Been Told To Resolve Its “Broken Relationship” With Muslim Communities

Acid Attack On Resham Khan And Jameel Mukhtar Classed As Hate Crime

Huffington Post, Acid Attack On Resham Khan And Jameel Mukhtar Classed As Hate Crime "An acid attack which left an aspiring model and her cousin with life-changing injuries is now being treated as a hate crime."

Grenfell - video

Three siblings STAYED inside burning Grenfell Tower with their elderly parents

Mirror, Three siblings STAYED inside burning Grenfell Tower with their elderly parents

40 Years of Ethnic & Racial Studies

40 Years of ERS Timeline and Virtual Special Issue: Classic Papers in Context "Ethnic and Racial Studies celebrates the 40th Anniversary of the launch of the journal this year. The journal has achieved much over this period and has a long established reputation as the leading international journal in racial and ethnic studies. In this Timeline we want to highlight some of the journal's key achievements and important turning points."

Cambridge Mosque Development

"Tim Winter, also known as Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad, chairman of Cambridge Mosque Trust, told the News the final cost is likely to be higher than £15 million."

Inter-Faith Symposium

Details of an Inter-Faith Symposium, taking place on UWTSD Lampeter Campus. Please contact organisers directly (not myself),

#FinsburyPark - updated

This is a summary of coverage. My Twitter feed contains further updated materials:

BBC News, Eyewitness Hamza Nimane describes what he saw

Telegraph, Finsbury Park mosque tragedy in pictures

Guardian, Finsbury Park terror attack: 'Every bit as sickening' as previous attacks, says Theresa May – latest updates

 BBC News, Footage shows the moment crowds restrain man suspected of driving van into pedestrians near #FinsburyPark mosque 

Metro,  Imam from Muslim welfare centre protected Finsbury Park suspect from angry crowds

Archbishop of Canterbury's statement 

Guardian, Religious leaders unite in condemnation of Finsbury Park attack

Nesrine Malik, Guardian, After Finsbury Park, Britain must tackle its preachers of anti-Muslim hate

Qari Asam, Telegraph, Britain is not Islamophobic. This is one of the best countries in the world to be a Muslim [paywall]

The Times' headline is proving controversial, and has been compared with the London Bridge attack. The headline (and sub-header) on the right presents numerous cliches and stereotypes:


Metro, Son of Finsbury Park van hire company owner says: ‘It’s a shame we don’t hire out tanks’

Mirror, Daughter held dad as he died in her arms moments after Finsbury Park terror van 'ran over his legs'

Independent, Facebook posts 'glorifying' Finsbury Park terror attack reported to Government counter-extremism service 

Independent, Finsbury Park mosque attack: EDL founder Tommy Robinson's appearance on Good Morning Britain sparks outrage "Piers Morgan branded Mr Robinson a "bigoted lunatic" and told him to "show some damn respect for people’s religious beliefs" as Mr Robinson held up the Islamic holy book." Also see Daily Mail, Former EDL leader Tommy Robinson slammed on Twitter after he accuses Finsbury Park Mosque of 'creating terrorists' just one hour after people were mown down outside a place of worship

New York Times,   An Attack on Muslims Shakes Cosmopolitan London

Chris Allen, Huffington Post, Why Theresa May Is Wrong To Suggest That Islamophobia Is A Form Of Extremism 

Grenfell Tower Disaster - Update

Imams Online, London’s Muslim Community Provides Aid to Grenfell Tower Victims "Some of the first community responders to come to the aid of the victims and provide support, shelter and food for those that had been left stranded and homeless by this tragedy were faith communities from across West London. Alongside churches and temples, Mosques and the Muslim community rallied to provide support in any way they could." Also see @Muslim_Aid and general coverage from BBC News, Twelve dead after huge tower block fire

'Lucy Sherriff, Twitter, Young Muslim boys were banging on our doors to wake everyone up.' - Locals praise Muslim community following #GrenfellTower #GrenfellFire

Yahoo News, Grenfell Tower fire: Muslims who were still awake because of Ramadan saved residents’ lives  

BBC, The man who filmed the events of the Grenfell fire
 

New and noted: What is Islamophobia?

What is Islamophobia? Racism, Social Movements and the State, Edited by: Narzanin Massoumi, Tom Mills, David Miller (Pluto)  

General Election 2017

Imams Online, General Election 2017 – The role played by Imams & Muslim Organisations 



"Some of the work done by Imams and Muslim organisations in
encouraging young Muslims to vote during this election added to the rise
of young people across the country from different communities coming
out to vote. It is important for leaders in our communities to encourage
their congregations to take part in the electoral process, as we have
seen this year."

Manchester

ITV, Manchester bomber's younger brother says he was radicalised online in Britain
"Ahmed Bin Salem, a spokesman for Tripoli's Special Deterrence Force,
told Reuters: "Hashem said that he and Salman got the ideology of Daesh
(Islamic State) in Manchester in 2015 from the internet and some friends
in the UK.

"He added that they used to watch videos and had sympathy for children in Syria and wanted to do something for Daesh to help."

UK Muslim Votes

Global Research, UK Elections 2017: Muslim Voters to Play Decisive Role in 38 Constituencies

analysis of key constituencies

Tariq Ramadan, 'We will not tackle extremism by stigmatising Muslim citizens'

Tariq Ramadan, CIF, Guardian, We will not tackle extremism by stigmatising Muslim citizens
opinion piece  "Theresa May responded to the criminal attacks at London Bridge by saying: “Enough is enough.” Yes, enough is enough with the policies of stigmatisation and selective condemnation. It is time for something new, for less hypocrisy and more humanity and courage."

The myth of a single ‘Muslim community’

Sara Khan, Standard, The myth of a single ‘Muslim community’ fuels Islamic extremism "It is clear we have learned little about the diversity of Muslims. We have not only been prepared to legitimise Islamist preachers and groups, we continue to hold the misguided belief that we are serving the interests of the so-called “Muslim community”. We unhelpfully lump Muslims under the banner of a singular “community”."

London attack 3 June 2017 - updated 6 June 2017

This is a brief round-up of coverage associated with the attack in London on 3 June. Note that I posted in real-time on my Twitter feed @garybunt, and some of that content is also below. Selected articles are here:

BBC News, London attack rolling coverage

Metro, Police arrest more ‘a number of people’ in East London in early morning raids "Scotland Yard said seven women and five men aged between 19 and 60 were arrested under the Terrorism Act in Barking on Sunday. A 55-year-old man was later released without charge." Useful time-line of events.

Sky News, Photo shows the moment armed police ended London Bridge terror attack

MCB, Statement on London attacks

Evening Standard, Mosques and Muslim leaders 'united in disgust' after London Bridge terror attack (especially for the photos)

AP,  Attack brings out the best in London’s Borough neighborhood
 

Huffington Post,  Donald Trump Condemned For ‘Exploiting’ London Terror Attacks To Promote His Muslim Travel Ban

Metro, Isis claim London attack but put the wrong date  

Zaid M. Belbagi, Arab News, This is the London that is my home 

Standard, London Bridge attacker, known as 'Abs', was extremist who had been reported to authorities and featured in documentary "MI5 and police faced growing pressure today over whether the London Bridge murders could have been prevented after it emerged that at least one of the attackers was a known extremist who had been reported to the authorities."

Aisha Gani, Buzzfeed,  More Than 130 Imams Are Refusing To Perform Funeral Prayers For The London And Manchester Attackers "The faith leaders — including Dr Timothy Winter of University of Cambridge; Sheikha Selina Begum Ali, the director of the Beacon Institute; and Imam Qari Asim of Leeds mosque — said they will refuse to perform Salat al-Janazah due to "ethical principles which are quintessential to Islam.""

Sky News, Third London attacker named as Youssef Zaghba "He was reportedly stopped at Bologna airport in March last year while trying to take a flight to Istanbul, before potentially travelling on to Syria."

Ariana Grande's One Love Manchester is a triumphant Up Yours to terrorism

Metro, Ariana Grande's One Love Manchester is a triumphant Up Yours to terrorism

Prince Harry

Standard, Prince Harry eats with Muslim community breaking Ramadan fast

'Victoria & Abdul' trailer

Forthcoming film, details from IMDb here

Home Office refuses to publish terrorist funding report

Independent, Home Office refuses to publish terrorist funding report amid claims it focuses on Saudi Arabia "A spokesperson from the Home Office told The Independent a decision on the publication of the report would be taken “after the election by the next government”."

Devon mosque attacked

Devon Live, Islamaphobic [sic] attackers throw stones and shout abuse at Devon mosque during prayers "Police were called to an attack by four young white men on the Torbay Islamic Centre as Muslims gathered for early morning prayers at 3.30am on Saturday, it has been reported."

The city in Pakistan that loves a British hairstyle

BBC News, The city in Pakistan that loves a British hairstyle

Five teachers accused in Trojan horse affair free to return to classroom

Guardian, Five teachers accused in Trojan horse affair free to return to classroom "Panel cites repeated failure on part of government lawyers to share crucial evidence in case of alleged Islamist takeover of schools in Birmingham"

Oldham's response

Manchester Evening News, Oldham's response after mosque was fire-bombed was simply moving

Also see this outstanding set of photos from Manchester Evening News, Gallery, Hundreds of Muslim children and families march to Manchester Arena

Manchester attacks

Manchester Evening News, Watch: Hundreds of Muslim children and their families marched to the Manchester Arena

Times, Hero surgeon abused after 48 hours of saving lives 

Imam, Bishop & Rabbi lead the procession of British Imams from Cathedral to St Ann's Square for #PrayerForManchester. #WeStandTogether  

Manchester attack

BBC News, Manchester attack: 22 dead and 59 hurt in suicide bombing 

MCB,   Collation of Responses

Guardian, Manchester is suffering now – but its spirit will overcome this atrocity 

metro, Muslims unite to condemn Ariana Grande Manchester terror attack 

Amrou Al-Kadhi, Independent,  As a British Muslim, I fear terror just as much as you do 

Hugh Muir, Guardian, The rule of law applies to everyone. Even Manchester hate peddlers like Katie Hopkins  

MC

Religion and Party Liking: How members of different faith communities feel about different political parties

LSE Blog, Religion and the Public Sphere, Religion and Party Liking: How members of different faith communities feel about different political parties

Election campaign

Welsh Muslim Identity Issues

'Combustion' play

Tara Arts, Combustion

 "Asif Khan’s debut play is a fabulously comic take on the combustion surrounding young British Muslim lives."  I'd like to see this. Great poster, too.

Referee

Telegraph, Meet Jawahir Jewels – the most remarkable referee in England " ... Weekend amateurs rarely find their games presided over by a tiny, black, Muslim young woman in a head scarf. In fact she is the only such Football Association-qualified official they are likely to encounter."

Photo collection

Guardian, Music, politics and cricket: the rise of black British identity – in pictures
"Using archive news photography, Eddie Chambers’s new book examines how African-Caribbean immigrants to the UK fought racism to carve out a new kind of selfhood"

Ongoing case

BBC News, Teen admits planning 'London bomb attack' "In legal papers prepared for his defence, Syed was described as "highly vulnerable due to family history, lack of education, addiction to violent online games and the arrest and imprisonment of his brother"."

Ukip to campaign to ban burqa and sharia courts, says Paul Nuttall

Guardian, Ukip to campaign to ban burqa and sharia courts, says Paul Nuttall, 23 Apr 2017 "Ukip will push to ban the burqa and sharia courts, Paul Nuttall has said, although he denied the Eurosceptic party was reinventing itself as an anti-Islam party."

Ahmadi Muslims 'facing discrimination' in Cardiff

BBC News, Ahmadi Muslims 'facing discrimination' in Cardiff, 21 Apr 2017 "Worshippers at the Ahmadiyya mosque in Canton said other Muslims had shunned them, with one claiming he was sacked from a restaurant and another that he was accosted for selling Islamic books."

Birmingham protests

Vice.com, Checking in with Saffiyah Khan, the Woman Who Faced Down the EDL 

BBC News, EDL Birmingham protest photo woman 'surprised' by viral reaction  

Birmingham Mail,  Behind the scenes at Birmingham Central Mosque's British Tea Party on the day one powerful photo went viral

Discussion on "halala" marriages

Athar Ahmad, BBC News, The women who sleep with a stranger to save their marriage, 5 Apr 2017 "A number of online services are charging "divorced" Muslim women thousands of pounds to take part in "halala" Islamic marriages, a BBC investigation has found. Women pay to marry, have sex with and then divorce a stranger, so they can get back with their first husbands."

London's chicken shops - the resilient beating heart of an ever-changing city

shortlist.com, London's chicken shops - the resilient beating heart of an ever-changing city

Jailed terrorists to be held in 'Jihadi unit' to stop inmates being radicalised

Mirror, Jailed terrorists to be held in 'Jihadi unit' to stop inmates being radicalised "High-security HMP Frankland in Durham will be our first prison to isolate Islamist terrorists from other criminals."

'Moslems in Britain - Places' - 1964 film

BFI, Watch Moslems in Britain - Places online From 1964: "Visit the places important to London's Muslim community - both those born in the city and those newly arrived - in this informative short documentary, sponsored by the Foreign Office and the Central Office of Information. The film offers the Arabic-speaking viewer information and reassurance about where they can find community and resources. Among the locations visited are the Islamic Cultural Centre in Regent's Park, the Shah Jehan Mosque in Woking, and the British Museum's oriental room, for a glimpse at its collection of rare copies of the Qur'an."

Reading List:

New Statesmen, The battle for the soul of British Islam reviews:

• Letters to a Young Muslim by Omar Saif Ghobash 
• The Battle for British Islam: Reclaiming Muslim Identity from Extremism by Sara Khan with Tony McMahon 
• The Enemy Within: a Tale of Muslim Britain by Sayeeda Warsi

London attack: Women hold hands to honour bridge victims

BBC News, London attack: Women hold hands to honour bridge victims

Sayeeda Warsi on Start the Week

BBC Radio 4, Start the Week
"On Start the Week Amol Rajan talks to Sayeeda Warsi about how far Britain's Muslim community is viewed as 'the enemy within'. As the child of Pakistani immigrants who became Britain's first Muslim Cabinet Minister, Baroness Warsi is in a unique position to explore questions of cultural difference, terrorism, and 'British values', and to explore how society can become more integrated."

Westminster Attacks - Roundup

Here's a round-up of media coverage relating to the attack on Westminster Bridge and the Houses of Parliament:

 

Middle East Eye, Feeding off terror: More security, fear and bombing will not end this 

  Independent, As Muslim teenagers we're sending our solidarity to victims of the Westminster attack





Jason Burke, Guardian, No surprise that London attacker Khalid Masood was born in UK

Vice, Terrorism is losing its power to terrorise

University can feel like a hostile place to Muslim students

theconversation.com, University can feel like a hostile place to Muslim students "For those Muslims students who do access higher education, the odds can be stacked against them. Students from most ethnic minority backgrounds don’t do as well as their white peers – even when they enter higher education with the same or better qualifications. And although data on religion is not routinely collected by universities it is likely that many Muslims students are underperforming."

EHRC on religious symbols 'ban'

EHRC, Religious symbols ruling does not mean staff can be targeted for dismissal, 15 Mar 2017 "Following a ruling from the Court of Justice of the European Union, which found that employers could ban staff from wearing visible religious symbols but must have a relevant policy in place before doing so, Equality and Human Rights Commission Chief Executive Rebecca Hilsenrath said..."

Imams to be told to preach in English at mosques

Telegraph, Imams to be told to preach in English at mosques , 11 Mar 2017

Islamic State fighters returning to UK 'pose huge challenge'

Guardian, Islamic State fighters returning to UK 'pose huge challenge', 8 Mar 2016

Islamist Terrorism: Analysis of Offences and Attacks in the UK (1998-2015)

Mail Online, Half of Britain's jihadists are now radicalised online: Proportion being brainwashed via the internet doubles in just five years refers to


Henry Jackson Society, Islamist Terrorism: Analysis of Offences and Attacks in the UK (1998-2015).  



Critical response to the above here: Middle East Eye, Police chief snubs 'Islamist terrorism' event after criticism

"I do not follow the reading that radicalisation is a problematic process"

vubtoday, "I do not follow the reading that radicalisation is a problematic process" interview with Nadia Fadil

Maajid Nawaz and Quilliam: The Money Trail Behind the Propaganda

loonwatch.com, Maajid Nawaz and Quilliam: The Money Trail Behind the Propaganda discussion, analysis, theories.

As a young British Muslim, I feel like a terrorist

Independent, As a young British Muslim, I feel like a terrorist

London's Oldest Mosque(?)

Londonist, A Tour Guide Has Discovered London's Oldest Mosque "Standing in Southfields since 1926, the Fazl Mosque is London's first purpose-built mosque. But now, a man who runs Muslim history tours has discovered a Camden mosque dating back to 1895."

#ExtremelyBritishMuslims

Trailer for new Channel 4 series, starting on 2 March 2017.

Family says Gitmo changed 'IS suicide bomber'

Sky News, Family says Gitmo changed 'IS suicide bomber' "Jamal al Harith is said to have suffered recurrent nightmares and used to cry out "don't hurt me" after his Guantanamo release."

‘Faith’ artist condemns ‘Islamophobia’ over cathedral exhibition

Gloucester Review ‘Faith’ artist condemns ‘Islamophobia’ over cathedral exhibition "An artist whose ’Faith’ exhibition at Gloucester Cathedral sparked anti-Muslim attacks has hit back at his critics - calling them ’racists hiding behind religious outrage’."

Children as young as four to be taught about extremism as part of plans to toughen up Prevent strategy, leaked proposals reveal

Telegraph, Children as young as four to be taught about extremism as part of plans to toughen up Prevent strategy, leaked proposals reveal "According to TES, Sara Khan, co-founder of the counter-extremism organisation Inspire, told a conference last week that there was growing concern that young children were falling victim to extremism, with teachers coming forward with cases of pupils aged as young as five."

The boy who watched IS beheading videos

BBC News, The boy who watched IS beheading videos, 14 Feb 2017 "What leads a young child to stand up in front of his class and tell his school friends that he agrees with the aims and objectives of the so-called Islamic State?"

Everyday Muslim Symposium

Everyday Muslim|Archive and Oral History Project|London | Black Muslim Heritage Symposium  

"Everyday
Muslim’s third annual symposium will aim to explore constructions of
Black Muslim identity and heritage in the UK and how the stories of
Black British Muslims intersect within the wider British Muslim society
and beyond. It will bring together those working in academic, heritage,
arts and media organisations to interrogate the changing ways in which
everyday Black Muslim life has been represented and archived. It seeks
to ask how the process of constructing a Black Muslim heritage has
changed over the years and looks forward to possible forms that this
might take in the future."

UK mosques open their doors

middleeasteye.net, Tea, biscuits and common ground: UK mosques open their doors to the public
Wales Online, Hundreds of people attend Mosque open days across Wales

Signs of the times: the best anti-Trump placards from across the UK - in pictures

Guardian, Signs of the times: the best anti-Trump placards from across the UK - in pictures  

Here is one example:  
 

Guardian on Islam

Guardian, The Guardian view on fear of Islam: terrorism is not a religion - Editorial, 30 Jan 2017

How war on Islam became central to the Trump doctrine

Guardian, How war on Islam became central to the Trump doctrine "An apocalyptic view of Islamist terrorism is the thread that connects key figures in the Trump administration and underpins this weekend’s immigration chaos. But is their ramped-up rhetoric just giving terrorists what they want?"

"Prevent is not working'

PoliticsHome.com, Lucy Allan MP: Prevent is not working, and it undermines trust between teachers and pupils "Writing exclusively for PoliticsHome, Lucy Allan MP says that teachers are being forced by the Prevent programme to monitor and scrutinise what children are saying, with suspicion and mistrust."

Meet the British man correcting stories about Muslims

alarabiya.net, Meet the British man correcting stories about Muslims

British diplomats, Muslim figures condemn Trump's travel ban

CNN, British diplomats, Muslim figures condemn Trump's travel ban, 30 Jan 2017  "Diplomats and prominent Muslims in Britain have condemned US President Donald Trump's decision to temporarily ban all refugees and citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States."

The Jewish synagogue seeking to house Muslim refugees on its premises

Independent, The Jewish synagogue seeking to house Muslim refugees on its premises "Right-wing commentators appear critical, but the chair of South London Liberal Synagogue says the plan to house a Syrian refugee family has met with enthusiasm from the congregation - and 'It is very important to recognise our common humanity'."

Muslim schools knock grammars off top spot as league table of country’s best schools is published

The Sun, Muslim schools knock grammars off top spot as league table of country’s best schools is published, 19 Jan 2017 "The Muslim girls’ and boys’ schools in Blackburn, Lancashire, run by the Tauheedul Education Trust, beat off competition from London grammars to top the annual school performance tables coming first and third."

Press representation issues

Catrin Nye, BBC News, The man correcting stories about Muslims "When one newspaper reported last year that "enclaves of Islam see UK as 75% Muslim" last year, Miqdaad Versi's instinct was to challenge it. He believes errors in the reporting of Muslims have become all too common, and has made it his mission to fight for corrections."

'Between the Faculties'

“Real Housewives of Isis”: How do British Muslim women feel about the controversial BBC sketch?

David Patrikarakos, newstatesman.com, “Real Housewives of Isis”: How do British Muslim women feel about the controversial BBC sketch? interesting discussion

Bishop 'distressed' by row following Qur'an reading at cathedral

Guardian, Bishop 'distressed' by row following Qur'an reading at cathedral, 15 Jan 2017 "The leader of the Scottish Anglican church has said he was deeply distressed at the widespread offence caused by a reading from the Qur’an at a service to mark the feast of the Epiphany at St Mary’s Cathedral in Glasgow."

What's missing in the teaching of Islam

theconversation.com, What's missing in the teaching of Islam



US based discussion, which is still interesting in the context of the UK

Muslim leaders summit

Middle East Eye, Google-hosted Muslim leaders summit linked to Home Office Prevent unit

The 'forgotten' army of 400,000 Muslim soldiers

Mirror, The 'forgotten' army of 400,000 Muslim soldiers who fought for British freedom in World War I also see Unknown & Untold "More than 400,000 Muslims gave up their lives to fight in World War One but shocking research suggests most Brits have no idea."