So Mr Choudharys group has been banned under its current names. I heard that he and maybe twenty others had been interviewed by MI-5 for a number of months so maybe this isn't the knee jerk reaction to the Wooton Basset thing some news papers are touting it to be. I don't really want to stand up for Mr Choudhary as I don't agree with probably most of his views and he can speak for himself, that said I don't think a ban is a good idea, and I can't see it working.
Newsnight was vaguely interesting. I don't know why Mr Choudhary doesn't answer Majid Nawaz question about apostacy, if he is proud of Islamic law, and Islamic law says apostates should be killed why not say so? Majid's point about Choudhary receiving money from the government doesn't really mean a lot though does it? Surely this is two government sponsored people arguing with each other.
I do understand how "Moderate" Muslims might think Choudhary et al are causing them problems and I'm really not sure what the best thing is to do, but it is quite obvious from Paxman's body language that he doesn't find Mr Choudhary to be a scary person, and I never have done either. Their meetings aren't scary at all. People connected to terror have passed through his group? That is not a surprise. I am sure people passed through peaceful Irish Republican groups on their way to the IRA. Anyway lets see what happens.
As I have said before here, I did consider filming with Mr Choudhary a while back but I struggled with the concept of doing something useful which wouldn't end up rolling with the rest of the gravy. He suggested I make something about his work as judge of a Shariah court.
If you watch this edition to the end, thankfully there is something I would consider useful- Newsnight host a really interesting reunion between two of the "Tipton three" and one of their army jailors from Guantanamo
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Showing posts with label islam4uk. Show all posts
Showing posts with label islam4uk. Show all posts
January 13, 2010
August 16, 2009
SATURDAY
Mr Choudharys posse had a meet up on Edgware rd yesterday as far as I know. I missed it due to previously made commitments. Through Richard Bartholomews blog I found the Casuals United website. They claim not to be racist or nazis and are forging alliances of rival football supporters against, well Mr Choudharys posse. This is much like The UBA who I had some contact with a while back.
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August 13, 2009
MORE JENVEY
OK, so it looks like The International Analyst Network didn't like Mr Jenvey's recent updates and have removed them, so they are currently only available on a Pravda forum.
I don't know Mr Jenvey but have had contact with him about all this as recorded here, and I was helping him a bit with some editing of the second piece when this news came through. I have also heard from one of the Islam4UK guys (Mr Waleed) about their recent encounter with Mr Jenvey.
He said that not surprisingly a lot of them didn't really know how to deal with meeting him when he came down to London and spent the day with them, but that after meeting him they feel his conversion is genuine. He told me that they had been reasurred by the Koran which carries stories of Mohammed's enemies converting.
As I have also said before, none of this makes any difference to me but I do find it all fascinating. Being an ex- born again Christian myself who used to knock on peoples doors and tell them about Jesus conversion stories are obviously going to be an interest of mine. Maybe this seems like an unnatural interest but I don't think I will be converting any time soon. I think I am still a bit of a slave to some addictions, even ones which I don't partake in anymore cause me worry sometimes but I don't really see the hand of Satan in it all, its just brainwaves, direction, motivations and concepts.
I found myself watching Abu Haffs lecture about Music Are You On the Right Track on the Islam4UK site. I think I asked this guy if he wanted to make some films after their meeting in Euston one time. Personally none of this moves me or resonates with me at all. I spent most of my time watching it thinking "Get to the bloody point!" but then I am a bloody musician innit so thats probably not surprising. Reading my own writing I am obviously happy for Mr Jenvey, if he is happy.
There are bloggers I know about as well as I know him who might have reason to dislike and mistrust him, I have no idea if these reasons are founded or not. To me he is now just another colourful Muslim I have come across who doesn't believe people should blow up random strangers here and as long as they don't I feel I must treat all of them the same way really.
To maybe provide a bit more perspective of where I am, I missed all this because I was in France doing a show. I just got word of some pictures on a britanny photographers Flash based website. If you click here and follow the links > "Spectacles"> "Vos galeries (...privées) > "The impossible" you can see them.
This sort of thing is much more my focus these days. I rarely examine my beliefs or my perspective on what is "success" in terms of film. In terms of filming Islamists or anyone else for that matter I still think the main thing I believe in is simply documenting. Although I haven't had any success in worldly terms I find I still hold this belief quite strongly and although I live in London and have done for a while now I try to keep hold of a very un-London attitude to hurry. This only seems to bother other road users for some reason.
UPDATE: Omar Hamza Jenvey has reappeared here
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I don't know Mr Jenvey but have had contact with him about all this as recorded here, and I was helping him a bit with some editing of the second piece when this news came through. I have also heard from one of the Islam4UK guys (Mr Waleed) about their recent encounter with Mr Jenvey.
He said that not surprisingly a lot of them didn't really know how to deal with meeting him when he came down to London and spent the day with them, but that after meeting him they feel his conversion is genuine. He told me that they had been reasurred by the Koran which carries stories of Mohammed's enemies converting.
As I have also said before, none of this makes any difference to me but I do find it all fascinating. Being an ex- born again Christian myself who used to knock on peoples doors and tell them about Jesus conversion stories are obviously going to be an interest of mine. Maybe this seems like an unnatural interest but I don't think I will be converting any time soon. I think I am still a bit of a slave to some addictions, even ones which I don't partake in anymore cause me worry sometimes but I don't really see the hand of Satan in it all, its just brainwaves, direction, motivations and concepts.
I found myself watching Abu Haffs lecture about Music Are You On the Right Track on the Islam4UK site. I think I asked this guy if he wanted to make some films after their meeting in Euston one time. Personally none of this moves me or resonates with me at all. I spent most of my time watching it thinking "Get to the bloody point!" but then I am a bloody musician innit so thats probably not surprising. Reading my own writing I am obviously happy for Mr Jenvey, if he is happy.
There are bloggers I know about as well as I know him who might have reason to dislike and mistrust him, I have no idea if these reasons are founded or not. To me he is now just another colourful Muslim I have come across who doesn't believe people should blow up random strangers here and as long as they don't I feel I must treat all of them the same way really.
To maybe provide a bit more perspective of where I am, I missed all this because I was in France doing a show. I just got word of some pictures on a britanny photographers Flash based website. If you click here and follow the links > "Spectacles"> "Vos galeries (...privées) > "The impossible" you can see them.
This sort of thing is much more my focus these days. I rarely examine my beliefs or my perspective on what is "success" in terms of film. In terms of filming Islamists or anyone else for that matter I still think the main thing I believe in is simply documenting. Although I haven't had any success in worldly terms I find I still hold this belief quite strongly and although I live in London and have done for a while now I try to keep hold of a very un-London attitude to hurry. This only seems to bother other road users for some reason.
UPDATE: Omar Hamza Jenvey has reappeared here
..
July 15, 2009
INTEGRATION
This is Abu Waleed explaining where he is at in relation to this country and government policy at the moment in a talk about Integration at the London School of Shariah
March 31, 2009
HAMZA NOW
Here you go this is a guy called Abu Abdullah (I think) bringing us up to date on Hamza's arrest and incarceration. I have heard parts of the arrest story previously from Hajj.
March 29, 2009
ISLAM 4 QUAKERS
The Islam4UK meeting reported in some papers as cancelled, was moved from The Hilton hotel round the corner to the Quaker meeting house. The Quakers are quite well known for letting anyone hire a room. I was once told by a Quaker part of what sounded like a huge untold story about the importance of their meeting house in Belfast during "The Troubles".
As usual we were accomodated to film really politely without fuss. As usual also when I seem to film these things interesting things happen after the batteries run out.
A few speakers, most of whom I have seen before outlined the conditions for Muslims who spoke out being tortured around the world and languishing in British jails. They also told us Islam was going to take over, whether we liked it or not. Mr Choudhary is convinced that Muslims who stick out in the media are the ones who are going in the right direction. He reasons that the Koran isn't written about Muslims who kept quiet.
He finnished his talk putting straight the recent stories about him in the media, which we unfortunately missed filming. His relationships with journalists as they cast him on the border of acceptable free speech is one of the main things that interests me. Afterwards a happy looking Somali stood up to question, stating that he was proud to be British. He didn't have very good English and started telling more of a story than asking a question, but it was obvious he was a Muslim trying to challenge the platforms concept of Islam.
Afterwards he came over to me and took my phone number with an idea of using my tapes, and further explained his disatisfaction with how Islam was being presented by these people. I didn't really say anything as it isn't my religion and my problems would probably extend as much to his version of Islam as these guys. People often ask to use my tapes for this or that, I have had people approach me- people from the National Front, the BBC, various Islamic film makers all of whom I have had to turn down. It would be useless for me to spend such a long time gaining peoples confidence just to give my footage to a stranger to say what they like with.
I try and film what is. They certainly preach controversial things, yet they also preach clearly against terrorism, usually toward the end every time I have been to these meetings. Islam is coming. It is going to dominate whether we like it or not. Maybe it will come through violence. We don't know but the flag of Islam will fly over Downing street. This is a sort of Islamic revival meeting.
Afterwards journalists of all description ask futher questions, everyone conducts themselves in a calm manner and food is served. There was a very minimal Police presence outside at the beginning and when I left. They were obviously aware of what was going on but didn't want to be seen to be taking too much of an interest.
The day after I got a call from the Somali guy, claiming he had been spoken to in a bit of a hostile manner by some of the gathered Muslims, telling him not to come back.
This is unsurprising in environments which split the sexes, I saw this sort of thing in Finsbury but nevertheless I do find it dissapointing in that if Mr Choudhary makes a point of saying how The Quilliam Foundation had turned down his challenge to a debate in this country of free speech, I would hope he would welcome challenges to his own position within his meeting and allow those challengers to move unmolested.
I'd like to see how much control he has over his people, if he encourages this sort of thing or if he can nip it in the bud. It is this sort of thing which has the media and the Police comparing these controversial Muslim groups to paler groups of the far right. As I have said, everyone treats me OK. Lets see what happens. There were sobber looking real journalists there in the room so if they didn't go around screaming I am fucked if I am going to.
They talk about wanting to dominate but I can't imagine anyone in the room walking out dead set to dominate England tomorow. As far as a threat I feel much more threatened out on a typical saturday night often by people I would call my personal friends so work that one out. On our planet we have these people called news editors who cherry pick words from a distance and are paid to present these words to millions of people. I have some more film which will be up on my Youtube site soon as.
..
As usual we were accomodated to film really politely without fuss. As usual also when I seem to film these things interesting things happen after the batteries run out.
A few speakers, most of whom I have seen before outlined the conditions for Muslims who spoke out being tortured around the world and languishing in British jails. They also told us Islam was going to take over, whether we liked it or not. Mr Choudhary is convinced that Muslims who stick out in the media are the ones who are going in the right direction. He reasons that the Koran isn't written about Muslims who kept quiet.
He finnished his talk putting straight the recent stories about him in the media, which we unfortunately missed filming. His relationships with journalists as they cast him on the border of acceptable free speech is one of the main things that interests me. Afterwards a happy looking Somali stood up to question, stating that he was proud to be British. He didn't have very good English and started telling more of a story than asking a question, but it was obvious he was a Muslim trying to challenge the platforms concept of Islam.
Afterwards he came over to me and took my phone number with an idea of using my tapes, and further explained his disatisfaction with how Islam was being presented by these people. I didn't really say anything as it isn't my religion and my problems would probably extend as much to his version of Islam as these guys. People often ask to use my tapes for this or that, I have had people approach me- people from the National Front, the BBC, various Islamic film makers all of whom I have had to turn down. It would be useless for me to spend such a long time gaining peoples confidence just to give my footage to a stranger to say what they like with.
I try and film what is. They certainly preach controversial things, yet they also preach clearly against terrorism, usually toward the end every time I have been to these meetings. Islam is coming. It is going to dominate whether we like it or not. Maybe it will come through violence. We don't know but the flag of Islam will fly over Downing street. This is a sort of Islamic revival meeting.
Afterwards journalists of all description ask futher questions, everyone conducts themselves in a calm manner and food is served. There was a very minimal Police presence outside at the beginning and when I left. They were obviously aware of what was going on but didn't want to be seen to be taking too much of an interest.
The day after I got a call from the Somali guy, claiming he had been spoken to in a bit of a hostile manner by some of the gathered Muslims, telling him not to come back.
This is unsurprising in environments which split the sexes, I saw this sort of thing in Finsbury but nevertheless I do find it dissapointing in that if Mr Choudhary makes a point of saying how The Quilliam Foundation had turned down his challenge to a debate in this country of free speech, I would hope he would welcome challenges to his own position within his meeting and allow those challengers to move unmolested.
I'd like to see how much control he has over his people, if he encourages this sort of thing or if he can nip it in the bud. It is this sort of thing which has the media and the Police comparing these controversial Muslim groups to paler groups of the far right. As I have said, everyone treats me OK. Lets see what happens. There were sobber looking real journalists there in the room so if they didn't go around screaming I am fucked if I am going to.
They talk about wanting to dominate but I can't imagine anyone in the room walking out dead set to dominate England tomorow. As far as a threat I feel much more threatened out on a typical saturday night often by people I would call my personal friends so work that one out. On our planet we have these people called news editors who cherry pick words from a distance and are paid to present these words to millions of people. I have some more film which will be up on my Youtube site soon as.
..
March 21, 2009
Press Conference
Anjum Choudharry set up a press conference in Chingford, East London. He broacast a message to the assembled media. I wasn't there, this is from The Daily Mail who were:
Anjem Choudary, the firebrand cleric who wants to see Britain ruled by Sharia law, said such a regime was the only way to fix the country's ills.
Under it, adulterers and homosexuals would be killed by stoning. Asked if that would include anybody - even a Cabinet minister such as Business Secretary Lord Mandelson - Choudary responded with an astonishing diatribe.
He said: 'If a man likes another man, it can happen, but if you go on to fulfil your desire, if it is proved, then there is a punishment to follow. You don't stone to death unless there are four eyewitnesses. It is a very stringent procedure.
'There are some people who are attracted to donkeys but that does not mean it is right.'
Choudary was speaking at a press conference in London arranged by Muslim extremists to justify their protest in Luton last week against soldiers returning home from Iraq...
UPDATE: The Sun (Who owe me money) have some video
..
Anjem Choudary, the firebrand cleric who wants to see Britain ruled by Sharia law, said such a regime was the only way to fix the country's ills.
Under it, adulterers and homosexuals would be killed by stoning. Asked if that would include anybody - even a Cabinet minister such as Business Secretary Lord Mandelson - Choudary responded with an astonishing diatribe.
He said: 'If a man likes another man, it can happen, but if you go on to fulfil your desire, if it is proved, then there is a punishment to follow. You don't stone to death unless there are four eyewitnesses. It is a very stringent procedure.
'There are some people who are attracted to donkeys but that does not mean it is right.'
Choudary was speaking at a press conference in London arranged by Muslim extremists to justify their protest in Luton last week against soldiers returning home from Iraq...
UPDATE: The Sun (Who owe me money) have some video
..
March 17, 2009
Global Domination
March 12, 2009
MALUNG TV NEWS
I didn't blog about it at the time but Atilla and Hamid both appealed their sentences and lost last week. A few of those who were sent down with them are now out, and turned up at the hearing. They aren't allowed to talk to the meida, and in some cases they aren't actually allowed to go home. They are staying in hostels under curfew. I wasn't there, and didn't hear any of this from them.
So Atilla has another year or so to serve, and there is every chance that when he does come out I wont be able to complete a film with him, assuming he even wants to of course. Obviously this is alarming but time passes, shit happens. Lets see.
Mr Choudhary turned up in the news over the last few days again defending some people waving placards at returning British troops. Mr Waleed sent me a link to his new website. It is all "In Islamic" which makes it a bit difficult for me to wade through. I've found a page which lists the different types of Kaffir you can be and I don't think I fit into any of them.
1. Kufrul-'Inaad:
Disbelief out of stubborness. This applies to someone who knows the truth and admits to knowing the truth and admits to knowing it with his tongue, but refuses to accept it and refrains from making a declaration. Allah(swt) says: Throw into Hell every stubborn disbeliever [Surah Qaaf (50), Ayah 24]
I'm not one of these, I don't "Know the Truth". Hajj says sometimes that "I know the truth". I don't get it. If I knew the truth I would tell him what it was. I don't.
2. Kufrul-Inkaar:
Disbelief out of denial. This applies to someone who denies with both heart and tongue.
Allah(swt) says: They recognize the favors of Allah, yet they deny them. Most of them are disbelievers. [Surah Nahl(16), Ayah 83]
I don't deny or afirm. How the fuck do I know if there is or isn't an Allah?
3. Kufrul-Kibr:
Disbelief out of arrogance and pride. The disbelief by the devils (Iblis) is an example of this type of Kufr.
That would imply an "I know better" attitude. I don't. I have no idea.
4. Kufrul-Juhood:
Disbebelief out of rejection. This applies to someone who aknowledges the truth in his heart, but rejects it with his tongue. This types of kufr is applicable to those who calls themselves Muslims but who reject any necessary and accepted norms of Islam such as Salaat and Zakat.
Allah (swt) says: They denied them (OUR SIGNS) even though their hearts believed in them , out of spite and arrogance. [Surah Naml(27), Ayah 14]
Not applicable.
5. Kufrul-Nifaaq:
Disbelief out of hypocrisy.This applies to someone who pretends to be a believer but conceals his disbelief. Such a person is called a MUNAFIQ or hypocrite.
Allah( swt) says: Verily the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of Hell. You will find no one to help them. [Surah An Nisaa (4), Ayah 145]
As above. Not applicable.
6. Kufrul-Istihaal:
Disbelief out of trying to make HARAM into HALAL. This applies to someone who accepts as lawful (Halal) that which Allah has made unlawful(Haram) like alcohol or adultery.Only Allah(swt) has the prerogative to make things Halal and Haram and those who seek to interfere with His right are like rivals to Him and therefore fall outside the boundries of faith.
Accept as lawful? I suppose I accept Alcohol as"lawful" in as much as I drink the stuff sometimes. Adultery? That is a whole different can of worms isn't it. If someone is beaten by or neglected by their partner and strays...how is it any of my buisness? I don't really go by what is and isn't lawful. There are lots of "Man made laws" I don't agree with. I'm not into what is and isn't lawful in a way maybe a judge or a copper would be. Not my bag.
7. Kufrul-Kurh:
Disbelief out of detesting any of Allah's(swt) commands. Allah(swt) says: Perdition (destruction) has been consigned to those who disbelieve and He will render their actions void. This is because they are averse to that which Allah has revealed so He has made their actions fruitless. [Surah Muhammed (47), Ayah 8-9]
Detesting commands? I don't agree with stoning people or chopping hands off. I think a barbarous legal system would encourage barbarity in society. I don't agree with violence of any sort except for in self defence. The rest of it I don't really understand. Allah is making my actions fruitless? That would just give me someone to blame. So far if there is one thing in life I have learnt it is that I can fuck things up all on my own.
8. Kufrul-Istihzaha:
Disbelief due to mockery and derision.
Allah (swt) says: Say: Was it at Allah, His signs and His apostles that you were mocking? Make no excuses. You have disbelieved after you have believed. [Surah Taubah (9), ayah 65-66]
I have been polite to Mr Hamza. I have been polite to Atilla. I didn't offend anyone in Finsbury in two years or so. I can still talk to some of them, those that aren't in jail anyway. They still seem pleased to hear from me. If I have mocked them in any way it has been meant with no offence.
It is easy to mock, vilify and objectify someone you don't know isn't it. I have been thinking that over the last few days looking at the reaction to the Luton placard wavers. I don't know who they are or if they mean me any harm. I would assume if they were dangerous the Police would arrest them. I totally fail to get excited about thse people. I am fascinated by them and that they exist in 21st centrury Britain. I want to film them for some reason. Ask them what they are about.
9. Kufrul-I'raadh:
Disbelief due to avoidance. This applies to those who turn away and avoid the truth.
Allah(swt) says: And who is more unjust than he who is reminded of his Lord's signs but then turns away from them. Then he forgets what he has sent forward (for the Day of Judgement) [Surah Kahf(18), Ayah 57]
Turn away? I look all this full in the face and question. Is this truth? There are thousands upon thousands of religions in the world. I question them too. Are any of them true? You have to know "The truth" if there is such a thing for yourself don't you.
Lastly:
10. Kufrul-Istibdaal:
Disbelief because of trying to substitute Allah's Laws. This could take the form of: (a) Rejection of Allah's law(Shariah) without denying it (b) Denial of Allah's law and therefore rejecting it, or (c) Substituting Allah's laws with man-made laws.
Allah (swt) says: Or have they partners with Allah who have instituted for them a religion which Allah has not allowed. [Surah Shuraa(42), Ayah 8]
Allah(swt) says: Say not concerning that which your tongues put forth falsely (that) is lawful and this is forbidden so as to invent a lie against Allah. Verily, those who invent a lie against Allah will never prosper. [Surah Nahl (16), Ayah 116]
Rejection of Allah's law(Shariah) without denying it- Ah. I suppose you got me.
Except that I don't think these two verses are necessarily saying this. The first is saying someone has partnered with someone else for a new religion-(not me). The second is simply about telling a lie. Anyway I hope to talk further about all this with Mr Choudhary and Mr Waleed.
..
So Atilla has another year or so to serve, and there is every chance that when he does come out I wont be able to complete a film with him, assuming he even wants to of course. Obviously this is alarming but time passes, shit happens. Lets see.
Mr Choudhary turned up in the news over the last few days again defending some people waving placards at returning British troops. Mr Waleed sent me a link to his new website. It is all "In Islamic" which makes it a bit difficult for me to wade through. I've found a page which lists the different types of Kaffir you can be and I don't think I fit into any of them.
1. Kufrul-'Inaad:
Disbelief out of stubborness. This applies to someone who knows the truth and admits to knowing the truth and admits to knowing it with his tongue, but refuses to accept it and refrains from making a declaration. Allah(swt) says: Throw into Hell every stubborn disbeliever [Surah Qaaf (50), Ayah 24]
I'm not one of these, I don't "Know the Truth". Hajj says sometimes that "I know the truth". I don't get it. If I knew the truth I would tell him what it was. I don't.
2. Kufrul-Inkaar:
Disbelief out of denial. This applies to someone who denies with both heart and tongue.
Allah(swt) says: They recognize the favors of Allah, yet they deny them. Most of them are disbelievers. [Surah Nahl(16), Ayah 83]
I don't deny or afirm. How the fuck do I know if there is or isn't an Allah?
3. Kufrul-Kibr:
Disbelief out of arrogance and pride. The disbelief by the devils (Iblis) is an example of this type of Kufr.
That would imply an "I know better" attitude. I don't. I have no idea.
4. Kufrul-Juhood:
Disbebelief out of rejection. This applies to someone who aknowledges the truth in his heart, but rejects it with his tongue. This types of kufr is applicable to those who calls themselves Muslims but who reject any necessary and accepted norms of Islam such as Salaat and Zakat.
Allah (swt) says: They denied them (OUR SIGNS) even though their hearts believed in them , out of spite and arrogance. [Surah Naml(27), Ayah 14]
Not applicable.
5. Kufrul-Nifaaq:
Disbelief out of hypocrisy.This applies to someone who pretends to be a believer but conceals his disbelief. Such a person is called a MUNAFIQ or hypocrite.
Allah( swt) says: Verily the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of Hell. You will find no one to help them. [Surah An Nisaa (4), Ayah 145]
As above. Not applicable.
6. Kufrul-Istihaal:
Disbelief out of trying to make HARAM into HALAL. This applies to someone who accepts as lawful (Halal) that which Allah has made unlawful(Haram) like alcohol or adultery.Only Allah(swt) has the prerogative to make things Halal and Haram and those who seek to interfere with His right are like rivals to Him and therefore fall outside the boundries of faith.
Accept as lawful? I suppose I accept Alcohol as"lawful" in as much as I drink the stuff sometimes. Adultery? That is a whole different can of worms isn't it. If someone is beaten by or neglected by their partner and strays...how is it any of my buisness? I don't really go by what is and isn't lawful. There are lots of "Man made laws" I don't agree with. I'm not into what is and isn't lawful in a way maybe a judge or a copper would be. Not my bag.
7. Kufrul-Kurh:
Disbelief out of detesting any of Allah's(swt) commands. Allah(swt) says: Perdition (destruction) has been consigned to those who disbelieve and He will render their actions void. This is because they are averse to that which Allah has revealed so He has made their actions fruitless. [Surah Muhammed (47), Ayah 8-9]
Detesting commands? I don't agree with stoning people or chopping hands off. I think a barbarous legal system would encourage barbarity in society. I don't agree with violence of any sort except for in self defence. The rest of it I don't really understand. Allah is making my actions fruitless? That would just give me someone to blame. So far if there is one thing in life I have learnt it is that I can fuck things up all on my own.
8. Kufrul-Istihzaha:
Disbelief due to mockery and derision.
Allah (swt) says: Say: Was it at Allah, His signs and His apostles that you were mocking? Make no excuses. You have disbelieved after you have believed. [Surah Taubah (9), ayah 65-66]
I have been polite to Mr Hamza. I have been polite to Atilla. I didn't offend anyone in Finsbury in two years or so. I can still talk to some of them, those that aren't in jail anyway. They still seem pleased to hear from me. If I have mocked them in any way it has been meant with no offence.
It is easy to mock, vilify and objectify someone you don't know isn't it. I have been thinking that over the last few days looking at the reaction to the Luton placard wavers. I don't know who they are or if they mean me any harm. I would assume if they were dangerous the Police would arrest them. I totally fail to get excited about thse people. I am fascinated by them and that they exist in 21st centrury Britain. I want to film them for some reason. Ask them what they are about.
9. Kufrul-I'raadh:
Disbelief due to avoidance. This applies to those who turn away and avoid the truth.
Allah(swt) says: And who is more unjust than he who is reminded of his Lord's signs but then turns away from them. Then he forgets what he has sent forward (for the Day of Judgement) [Surah Kahf(18), Ayah 57]
Turn away? I look all this full in the face and question. Is this truth? There are thousands upon thousands of religions in the world. I question them too. Are any of them true? You have to know "The truth" if there is such a thing for yourself don't you.
Lastly:
10. Kufrul-Istibdaal:
Disbelief because of trying to substitute Allah's Laws. This could take the form of: (a) Rejection of Allah's law(Shariah) without denying it (b) Denial of Allah's law and therefore rejecting it, or (c) Substituting Allah's laws with man-made laws.
Allah (swt) says: Or have they partners with Allah who have instituted for them a religion which Allah has not allowed. [Surah Shuraa(42), Ayah 8]
Allah(swt) says: Say not concerning that which your tongues put forth falsely (that) is lawful and this is forbidden so as to invent a lie against Allah. Verily, those who invent a lie against Allah will never prosper. [Surah Nahl (16), Ayah 116]
Rejection of Allah's law(Shariah) without denying it- Ah. I suppose you got me.
Except that I don't think these two verses are necessarily saying this. The first is saying someone has partnered with someone else for a new religion-(not me). The second is simply about telling a lie. Anyway I hope to talk further about all this with Mr Choudhary and Mr Waleed.
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March 02, 2009
BAKRI
Here you go, from the Telegraph-Banned cleric Omar Bakri addresses conference at London primary school.
Says it is by Richard Edwards although fuck knows why as whoever he is he wasn't there. There was some staff reporter who looked like she was about 19 although looking at the article it seems she left before the interesting new developments concerning Omar Bakri were mentioned. Strange.
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Says it is by Richard Edwards although fuck knows why as whoever he is he wasn't there. There was some staff reporter who looked like she was about 19 although looking at the article it seems she left before the interesting new developments concerning Omar Bakri were mentioned. Strange.
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SUNDAY KICK OFF
Well that was eventful. Passed through Wembley on the way to the Islam4UK meet at the same time as the whole of Manchester and Tottenham converged on the place beer can in hand. We were herded over one side of the street and back, everyone singing at the top of their voices. As we tried to get through some Policemen on horseback rode their horses onto the pavement pushing people up against the glass of the shops. To us it was just like the London tribe in yellow jackets and blue helmets vs the Manchester tribe in Red.
Because I had a fairly well built monopod sticking out of my bag I got pulled out by one of the coppers.
"Whats this" etc.
I began to tell him and his friend started shouting at me- "If you just cut out the chat we can deal with this blah blah blah.."
You know, the guy just asked me a question and I was trying to answer it. The guy has exactly the same attitude as the football supporters he is coralling only if he decides to hit me over the head he gets away with it.
I am just too middle class for all this.
The bus was crazy. I suppose I was a bit irked by our experiences with the Police, but it just felt like the whole of wembley was about to kick off. We crawled past a pub which had obviously just been shut, with the manager outside arguing with drunk football suporters.
"Its OK. " I said to my friend who came with "We will be safe with all the fundamentalists soon."
We went past a huge Police station. "Copland avenue" said the recorded voice on the bus.
Bloody Surreal.
Anyway we got to the meeting, I bumped into Mr Waleed again which was nice as I haven't seen him in a while. Mr. Bakri turned up again over the phone. Just before we left I got to talk to Mr Choudhary about what we could concievably film in future. No one blew up, and no one gave us any hassle at all. I am going to write more about all this tomorow as I have loads of notes and some film I am going to put up.
..
Because I had a fairly well built monopod sticking out of my bag I got pulled out by one of the coppers.
"Whats this" etc.
I began to tell him and his friend started shouting at me- "If you just cut out the chat we can deal with this blah blah blah.."
You know, the guy just asked me a question and I was trying to answer it. The guy has exactly the same attitude as the football supporters he is coralling only if he decides to hit me over the head he gets away with it.
I am just too middle class for all this.
The bus was crazy. I suppose I was a bit irked by our experiences with the Police, but it just felt like the whole of wembley was about to kick off. We crawled past a pub which had obviously just been shut, with the manager outside arguing with drunk football suporters.
"Its OK. " I said to my friend who came with "We will be safe with all the fundamentalists soon."
We went past a huge Police station. "Copland avenue" said the recorded voice on the bus.
Bloody Surreal.
Anyway we got to the meeting, I bumped into Mr Waleed again which was nice as I haven't seen him in a while. Mr. Bakri turned up again over the phone. Just before we left I got to talk to Mr Choudhary about what we could concievably film in future. No one blew up, and no one gave us any hassle at all. I am going to write more about all this tomorow as I have loads of notes and some film I am going to put up.
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February 25, 2009
MR JIHAD
I saw these online somewhere and sniggered. A few days later an ex girlfriend contacted me from Bangkok out of the blue wanting to buy me one for my birthday. She even guessed the colour I would have chosen. She knows me too well.
"Cos you are obsessed with fuckin Muslims innit..."
Cheers.
What I want to know is if this is offensive. I have no idea. I am taking a straw poll. If you didn't grow up in the UK, the Mister Men was a childrens cartoon in the 70s. I'd like to do a film maybe concentrating on black "post 9/11" humour among Muslims. Riz MCs Post 9/11 blues had trouble getting on the radio. Atilla's Jihadi calypso was in the circumstances a difficult one for me. His brother was also picked up by The Sun for apparent bad taste in comedy, he defends himself here.
When I go round Hajj's and there are people about he usually says something like "No sorry mate, we don't want any terrorists here..". If I was to turn up at an Islamic meeting to film wearing this T-Shirt would people be angry or would they laugh? The only "Joker in the pack" I have found among Mr Choudary's posse is Mr Waleed. I wonder what he would make of this.
I was always interested at the time in the contrast between the "Sling Your Hook" cartoon media image The Sun (who owe me money) painted of Hamza, and Hamza in Finsbury park. The "Mr. Jihad" on the Tshirt has a hook and some dynamite on his back.
Obviously if anyone is really offended I wont wear it. What would people think if someone who was darker skin than I with a bigger beard wore it? Someone gave me an orange "Guantanamo" shirt a while back which I didn't feel I could wear because of signals I thought it might give to the security services I meet sometimes on demos or at trials but I have less problem wearing this?
This is all just culturally interesting to me.
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February 24, 2009
February 19, 2009
MALUNG TV NEWS
Loads going on in mad Jihadiland at the mo. I watched Richard Watsons Muslim first, British second on the iPlayer yesterday. I heard about the progress of this film a long while back from Mr Waleed and was at the Islam4UK meet that features in this doco, though I was outside having a cigarette and missed argument with Mr Watson. I blogged my version of events (THE MAGICIANS OF THE PHARAOH here)
From what I heard there certianly seems to be some beef between the guys and Mr Watson, or maybe the BBC in general. I don't know what about, maybe I will find out in due course when Mr Waleed gets back to me. I think they have another meet up coming up the beginning of March. When I was in Finsbury I thought the investment in tension between Muslims and media to be unproductive but unsurprising. Without going through specifics it is hard to unpick or to know how to go about filming. Of course I disagree fundamentaly with some of the fundamentals of Islam, but if I want to do something its really just to document, and if possible to look for solutions. I'm interested in who people think they are and the vison they have of Britain, now.
Anyway, in further "Abu news" Abu Qatada has been passed for deportation to Jordan so he'll be lost in the corridors of Brussels, or Strasbourg or wherever the fuckin European court of Human rights is for a little while. Oh and they want to give him money. Also heading that direction is Abu Hamza, who may be able to sit out his wait at home.
Whitehall torture by proxy, of course they do. I'm not even taking a position there- if someone knows about some up coming terr-ist attatcks how do you get them to tell you about it? I don't know. Anyway now the government are looking for Muslims with beards who want an Islamic state, don't like homosexuals, believe in Jihad and fail to condemn the killing of British soldiers.
Err.. OK. I know some of them. What happens now?
We want to label them as "Extremists" who "Don't share our common British ideals."
Err.. OK. Good. Do that. Lets label them as extemists. Maybe they should wear a fucking star or something? And while we are talking shared British values what is going to happen at Stonehenge next Solstice? Are you going to send extremists to stiffle common British values rearing their pretty little heads? Seriously. British values are important. I don't want to fight anyone for them, but I'd love to enjoy them you know?
The BBC go into a bit more detail saying
...that Muslim leaders who urge separation will be isolated and publicly rejected. He also said this would occur even if their comments fell within the law. This will include those who argue that Muslims should not vote and that homosexuals should be condemned on religious grounds...
I still don't get it. Isolated? Publicly rejected? By who? Richard Littlejohn in a dog collar? What does this mean in reality? They can't come to the party? From what I have seen I don't think they want to come to the party.
Down in Belmarsh the liquid guys are up again, with the prosecution telling a different (Gulzar-less) story and the first jury being mysteriously dsmissed by the judge. I don't know if I can be arsed to head down for any more of this.
Anyway what else? Oh. There is a jihad going on in Somalia where some of these guys come from. Hajj knew a couple of them. Said they were very nice. He was very surprised to see them naked outside a flat on TV.
..
Giving this man compensation is a triumph for democracy over medievalism- (The Times)
..
From what I heard there certianly seems to be some beef between the guys and Mr Watson, or maybe the BBC in general. I don't know what about, maybe I will find out in due course when Mr Waleed gets back to me. I think they have another meet up coming up the beginning of March. When I was in Finsbury I thought the investment in tension between Muslims and media to be unproductive but unsurprising. Without going through specifics it is hard to unpick or to know how to go about filming. Of course I disagree fundamentaly with some of the fundamentals of Islam, but if I want to do something its really just to document, and if possible to look for solutions. I'm interested in who people think they are and the vison they have of Britain, now.
Anyway, in further "Abu news" Abu Qatada has been passed for deportation to Jordan so he'll be lost in the corridors of Brussels, or Strasbourg or wherever the fuckin European court of Human rights is for a little while. Oh and they want to give him money. Also heading that direction is Abu Hamza, who may be able to sit out his wait at home.
Whitehall torture by proxy, of course they do. I'm not even taking a position there- if someone knows about some up coming terr-ist attatcks how do you get them to tell you about it? I don't know. Anyway now the government are looking for Muslims with beards who want an Islamic state, don't like homosexuals, believe in Jihad and fail to condemn the killing of British soldiers.
Err.. OK. I know some of them. What happens now?
We want to label them as "Extremists" who "Don't share our common British ideals."
Err.. OK. Good. Do that. Lets label them as extemists. Maybe they should wear a fucking star or something? And while we are talking shared British values what is going to happen at Stonehenge next Solstice? Are you going to send extremists to stiffle common British values rearing their pretty little heads? Seriously. British values are important. I don't want to fight anyone for them, but I'd love to enjoy them you know?
The BBC go into a bit more detail saying
...that Muslim leaders who urge separation will be isolated and publicly rejected. He also said this would occur even if their comments fell within the law. This will include those who argue that Muslims should not vote and that homosexuals should be condemned on religious grounds...
I still don't get it. Isolated? Publicly rejected? By who? Richard Littlejohn in a dog collar? What does this mean in reality? They can't come to the party? From what I have seen I don't think they want to come to the party.
Down in Belmarsh the liquid guys are up again, with the prosecution telling a different (Gulzar-less) story and the first jury being mysteriously dsmissed by the judge. I don't know if I can be arsed to head down for any more of this.
Anyway what else? Oh. There is a jihad going on in Somalia where some of these guys come from. Hajj knew a couple of them. Said they were very nice. He was very surprised to see them naked outside a flat on TV.
..
Giving this man compensation is a triumph for democracy over medievalism- (The Times)
..
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