Tory MP Phillip Hollobone introduces bill to ban Burka

The reptilian creature aka as Tory MP Phillip Hollobone today introduced his Face coverings (Regulation Bill) to ban the Niqab.

I have mentioned before how ideally Hollobone could do us all a favour by wearing a veil and saving us from the hideous prospect of having to view his face. However, why is it that ironically a white man in a suit who is the  MP for a constituency that has nobody wearing the Niqab feels it is the most important issue for Kettering ahead of housing education and health? The irony is breathtaking as we have a situation of a proposed repressive illiberal ban by a man telling or more accurately forcing women to wear what he thinks is appropriate.

Baroness Murphy

Baroness Murphy is another run of the mill member of the political establishment whose only claim to fame seems to be writing hoax letters.

During the Academies Bill this useless member of the Quangocracy sitting in an unelected chamber accountable to nobody had the cheek to raise the alarming prospect of more faith schools and in particular, you've guessed it Muslim schools.

The hypocritical Murphy proceeded to regail the empty chamber with examples of two schools, and without an ounce of self awareness proudly and lovingly highlighted Brockdish a Church of England primary school before turning her attention to the Ebrahim Acadamy in Whitechappel which shock horror "is highly selective, only employs male Islamic teachers and is a state funded, tax funded madrassah for the Islamic faith".

London Muslim has made clear I oppose all faith schools for the reasons I outline here and here. However, what I also oppose is the selective scaremongering of an unelected hoaxer who manages to have authority over the rest of us as a parliamentarian despite being a hypocritical Muppet who talks joyfully about a Church of England school but darkly about a Muslim school. London Muslim on this occassion will avoid taking the bait and raising the various sex scandals of Catholic priests and their schools.

Indonesia sex scandal involving Nazril Ilham and Luna Maya

Syria bans the Burka

London Muslim is no fan of the Niqab as I've made clear on numerous occasions however, I'm also no fan on banning things.

With banning the Niqab all the rage in Europe thanks to France and now moving on to Italy and Spain imagine my surprise when I learn that Syria has decided to ban the Niqab for teachers and even worse suspend them for wearing the veil.

Surely with a bit of common sense prevailing the authorities in Syria could have reached a more amicable solution because I do understand the difficulty caused from kids failing to see a teacher and understand the emotions that usually arise through facial expressions.

One can predict that as the treatment of woman in Saudi specifically the ban on women driving (which is wrong) will always be quoted when Islamophobes need an example to criticise Islam, in future all those in favour of banning the Niqab in Europe will now use this Syrian example.

Malaysia scraps Vincent Tan's Sports betting licence

Amid growing public anger in Malaysia organised by the opposition PAS the Malaysian government has finally bowed to public pressure and scrapped a sports betting licence.

London Muslim acknowledges the argument about illegal betting by bringing it within the ambit and control of the State however, Malaysia's billionaire Vincent Tan is not popular and the wishes of Malaysia's Muslims must be acknowledged which is why I welcome the decision of Prime Minister Najib to reverse his earlier plan to award the betting licence.

Queens of Islam

Mezhgan Hussainy, Simon Cowell's "Muslim" girlfriend joins him in London

Not entirely convinced this how a single Muslim sister should conduct herself in what is not usually considered to be appropriate behaviour from an Afghan woman.

BBC boss tells Aaqil Ahmad to remain silent about being a Muslim

In an extraordinary admission BBC's head of Religious Affairs Aaqil Ahmad has explained how the Director General of the BBC Mark Thompson once told him to keep quiet about being a Muslim and to "stop talking about this Muslim thing".

London Muslim  finds it interesting that while others are entitled to wax lyrical about Ahmad's appointment with some fairly vicious racist comments the victim is supposed to ignore and remain silent. Presumably given the BBC's recent biased coverage of Gaza, the DG's view about remaining silent also covers those campaigning for justice in occupied Palestine.

Latino Muslims

Aquila Asia Magazine promotes Sex and Muslim Women

Generally in life Timing tends to be crucial in ones success so I will leave you to decide whether the launch of Aquila Asia magazine aimed at "cosmopolitan Muslim women" with articles on virginity and hymen reconstruction is timed to perfection given the Indonesian sex scandal or could not have come at a worse time.

Liana Rosnita (pictured) the founder who is a Singaporean Muslim married to a Swiss man has taken a calculated gamble with a magazine that promotes issues of concern primarily to women without promoting vulgarity. London Muslim finds for example the discussion of virginity amongst Muslim women brave because for those who believe all Muslims marry as virgins I'm afraid you are living in cloud cuckoo land.

Clothes, fashion and lifestyle are all issues of concern to Muslim women along with faith which is why London Muslim wishes Liana and Aquila Magazine the very best. Check out their fantastic web site and decide for yourself.

KFC scraps halal trial in Burton

KFC have scrapped their halal only trial in Burton because of the backlash this has caused amongst its non Muslims customers which has led to a drop in sales

London Muslim is disappointed with the extreme reaction to what was after all a trial period although I support any organisation that chooses to base its sales policies for and against Halal on the basis of market forces.

Using the same market forces argument I do hope KFC and others roll out halal in London more widely so that we Muslims can show the market forces and demand for Halal in practice.

Nazril "ariel" Irham to be charged for breaking Indonesia's sex laws

London Muslim has written about the extraordinary case of celebrity Nazril Irham and his sex tape shenanigans with fellow celebrity Luna Maya because of the uniqueness surrounding the largest Muslim country in the world having its first public sex scandal.

The situation appears to be reaching its conclusion as "Ariel" has finally been charged by the Police with making a sex video and distributing it a crime punishable with a large jail sentence, something I'm sure Ariel will accept if found guilty compared to the extreme punishment some have been calling for.

Piety top criteria for Muslims when seeking a marriage partner

A Poll conducted by singlemuslim.com has not surprisingly found that Muslims seek a devout pious individual when looking for the ideal marriage partner.

London Muslim had to laugh because what exactly do you expect Muslims to say, "oh I much prefer that slapper from University". Lets be honest for all the beards and hijabs one sees amongst the youth there is massive hypocrisy also within the Muslim community. Yes of course there are devout brothers and sisters but I would be more interested in a poll about what proportion of these very same individuals who seek a devout partner are themselves virgins and did not sleep around when at university before suddenly discovering their pious side just before marriage.

UK joins the OIC thanks to Sayeeda Warsi

Sayeeda Warsi met the Sec Gen to the OIC (organisation of Islamic conference) which coincided with a decision by William Hauge to appoint the UK's first special representative to the OIC.

What strikes me about the decision to join the OIC is we have just had a Labour Government who for all their words about diversity never engaged this closely with the OIC as the new coalition government. Once again London Muslim finds myself strangely welcoming this important and symbolic step by the Tories.

The Muslim futurist

Marketing week has an excellent article on the growth of the Muslim consumer market and how retailers and businesses will need to ensure they get a slice of worldwide market estimated at some $2 trillion.

Apparently the new term marketeers use to describe Muslim consumers is the "futurist" because of our influence and spending power.

EU votes for Halal Meat labelling

The EU has voted to label all Halal meat displaying the method of slaughter by distinguishing between meat prepared by stunned and non stunned methods.

The idea appears to be to give consumers the choice of which meat to buy hoping that consumers chooses the non Jewish and Muslim method.

In addition the idea appears to be to also label according to country of origin which has received a strong welcome by the animal lobby.

Islam could have saved life of Michael Jackson according to brother Jermaine

Jermaine Jackson has said that if Michael Jackson reverted to Islam and become a Muslim he would still be alive today.

Speaking on the anniversary of Michael's death Jermaine said Islam would have given Michael the inner strength and that he was close to reverting as all his bodyguards were Muslims an indication of how he showed his trust by putting his life in the hands of Muslims.

Usman Khawaja: First Muslim in Australian cricket Test Squad

Congratulations to Usman Khawaja who has been selected as the first Muslim in the Australian test squad ironically to play Pakistan his country of birth here in England due to security reasons.

Lets hope Usman wears the famous green baggy cap of Aus with pride and although London Muslim finds cricket boring I may get to watch him play in England.

Islam in Chile

Refugee Week 2010

Indonesia sex scandal involving Nazril Ilham and Luna Maya

London Muslim has highlighted the sex scandal convulsing Indonesia because it is one of the first such scandals to hit Indonesia the biggest Muslim country in the world.

The latest developments in the case look fairly grim for Nazril Ilham as the Police have arrested him for questioning about violating the country's pornography laws which could lead to a jail sentence although some hotheads are demanding he should be stoned to death.

Dr Afnan Al Shuaiby: A "friend" of the Saudi Ambassador

Apparently according to the Torygraph the Saudi Ambassador to the UK has a "glamorous friend", a certain Dr Afnan Al Shuaiby.

The good Dr seems to be having a bit of local difficulty with a few white men in suits running the Arab British Chamber of Commerce. London Muslim always one to offer a helpful suggestion is more than happy to step in and assist the glamorous sister particularly now that her "close" friends in the House of Saud seem to have half the world's gold reserves.

Halal Bacon

London Muslim has it heard it all now. You might be aware of the saying selling sand to the Arabs however, how about the the pig farmer selling bacon to Muslims.

Sadly it's true because a Coventry farmer intends to give Muslims the taste of pork by producing bacon style rashers from Halal slaughtered Turkeys.

Apparently the Pig farmer reckons there is a market for halal Turkey bacon.

The MCB leadership election

The Muslim street is buzzing with news of the newly elected leader of the Muslim Council of Britain.

Well OK not quite, the Muslim street is actually supremely indifferent to the election of a training consultant who won over a non descript Tory accountant in a process that would make even the likes of Robert Mugabe embarrased.

What the Muslim community needs is not a bunch of self serving cronies who engage in esoteric constitutional nonsense but a true Muslim Defence League to represent the warriors who are out on the streets defending the Muslim community in Harrow and East London when the Nazis pay us a visit.

While former MCB leaders line themselves up for gongs awarded by Blair's war mongering government we the Muslim brothers and non Muslim brothers will defend our community from attacks on the streets in the real leadership test.

Muslim Woman has hijab ripped off in front of daughter in vicious racist attack

London Muslim tweeted a few days ago about a vicious racist attack in Exeter on a Muslim mother who was attacked in the head in front of her daughter and almost had her hijab completely ripped off.

While the attack was shocking on an innocent Muslim and her daughter who also suffered racial abuse I find the lack of national press or broadcast coverage almost equally disgusting.

Perhaps the lack of coverage from the likes of Murdoch, Richard Desmond and Ted Jeory is because the climate of Islamophobia they are promoting with their obsessive coverage about Islam is now unleashing a racist backlash against we Muslims who are facing the consequences of an unleashed torrent of racism that they have helped create.

Free Mohammad Abdul-Kader Al Jasseem

London Muslim joins the growing worldwide campaign by the Committee to protect Journalist to free Kuwaiti blogger Mohammad Abdul-Kader Al Jasseem.

Al Jasseem who could face 18 years if found guilty is standing trial for abusing the Emir of Kuwait although the truth of the matter is this is political trial to shut up a brave man who has told the truth about the corruption of the ruling al-Sabah family.

London Muslim has made clear my view about the crooks, goons and "shit artists" in the Al Sabah family who sadly rule Kuwait as puppets on behalf of the West.

Muslim domestic abuse

Sheikh Amir Jamil a leading Muslim scholar in Scotland is launching a campaign to prevent domestic abuse and in particular wife battery within the Muslim community.

Sadly the level of abuse that goes on within some Muslim families is feared to be high although the difficulty remains the number of unreported cases which hides the issue.

London Muslim supports the campaign to highlight the issue of domestic abuse in order to attempt to reduce it.

How would you react to hearing cost of Iraq and Afghan wars £20 Billion

Are you watching EDL (East London united against Fascism)

Zakir Naik banned from entering the UK

Zakir Naik the Indian Islamic scholar has been banned by Theresa May from entering the UK because of his "unacceptable behaviour" which presumably is code for preaching Islam.

London Muslim wonders why the establishment fear Islam and Muslims so much that they ignore their cherished freedom of speech mantra and resort to control orders when all anyone has to do to learn from Naik is turn the TV on or go online.

The white establishment cannot stomach anyone criticising their system which is why they resort to crudely shutting up the the likes of Naik, Farahkhan etc. Alternatively, if your a white, blonde blue eyed hate preacher by the name of Gert Wilders and you preach hate against Muslims well of course you get feted in Parliament, Consistent?

Indonesia sex scandal may lead to Internet porn blacklist

London Muslim highlighted the sex scandal gripping Indonesia with lurid tales of sex tapes and all manner of debauchery involving leading celebrities Nazril Ariel and his model girlfriend Luna Maya.

Following the huge public backlash against the celebrities who incidentally have denied they were on the tapes an Indonesian minister called Tifatul has hinted at a ban or a blacklist on offensive material to be monitored by a task force.

Given that a survey in Indonesia indicated 97% of students accessed porn while at school, London Muslim reckons expressions of interest to work in the task force will be high.

Birmingham Stops CCTV surveillance of Muslims

Following an outcry over a project in Birmingham which used CCTV cameras to spy on Muslims, sense has prevailed with the project being halted and plastic bags being put over the cameras.

Fantastic work from the Guardian in the first place for reporting this outrageous infringement on Muslim civil liberties which just goes to show what the security establishment would like to get away with if they could.

Indonesian Sex Slave rescued after shocking abuse

A brutally beaten Indonesian Sex Slave who was forced to have sex with hundreds of men in 2 months has been freed from her Muslim Bangladeshi captors in Malaysia.

The vile and pernicious Sex trade sadly also has a presence in Muslim countries with Muslim Pimps abusing innocent Muslim girls and needs to eradicated.

This report in the Huffington Post also shows how Pakistan has its problems and contains some some shocking pictures of Pakistani prostitutes.

EDL urge Muslims to come and study in the UK

You really could not make this up but the Nazis over at the EDL who are currently running amok in the UK trying to stir up Muslim hatred are getting second thoughts about the impact of their actions

With the image of Nazis on the streets being beamed around the world not surprisingly the EDL are having an impact on Muslim investment in the form of the overseas student university sector and thus damaging the economy. In an interview with the Jakarta Globe EDL spokesman Steve Simmons said

I would encourage your friends and colleagues to come here to study, enjoy our hospitality and contribute to this wonderful country that is England.

As one Indonesian student said in the article when asked for his views on the EDL, "get a life"

Spain set to ban the Burka

The city of Barcelona in Spain is set to ban the Niqab or face veil.

Spain has a long history of anti Muslim sentiment and the current generation seems to have spent to much time watching El Cid movies.

The reality is this is a classic spoiler to divert public attention from Spain's economic problems as today's Independent reports.

EDL "Suicide" Watch

London Muslim does not often agree with the EDL but strangely I find myself in complete agreement with their klan leaders who described a proposed EDL march in East London as a "suicide mission"

London Muslim supports the East London march of anti Fascists and members of the local Muslim community along with all faith groups on Sunday to show our unity in the face of these pot bellied drink sodden Nazis who have now chickened out and cancelled their hate march. The fact that Jim Fitzpatrick does not support Muslims and Non Muslims marching in unity regardless of the EDL chickening out is typical and one reason why we should still march showing our solidarity.

The EDL have been sending in reconnaissance missions to Whitechappel and local Muslims were waiting to defend our community. A report of the EDL turning up outside East London Mosque resulted in approaching 1000 Muslims on the street waiting to provide a warm reception and other members of the Klan had to be escorted out of a Pub presumably in their prams by Police holding their hands.

One word of warning to Muslim brothers please keep the weapons away, we are there to defend within the law our property and community not go on a violent rampage which is exactly what the EDL and their friends in the Press want.

***Update*** Nazi scum were chased away again tonight from Whitechapel.

Amir Khan: British Muslim role model

CNN have a really interesting and revealing insight into Amir Khan the British Muslim World boxing champion. Check out the video here

Father murders daughter for refusing to wear hijab in Canada

Sadly another Muslim Sister has been brutally murdered by her family this time in Canada for refusing to wear a hijab. Inna lillahi Wa Inna ilaihi Rajoon.

The Father of Aqsa Parvez talked about an insult and embarrassment in the community for the failure of a daughter to wear a Hijab yet proceeds to strangles her shows some fatally flawed thinking where his mental state of mind should also have been examined.

Muslim and EDL extremists clash in Barking over returning Soldiers

The fruitcakes and nutcases who call themselves "Muslims against Crusaders" clashed with another set of scum from the EDL before returning soldiers paraded through Barking.

While a parade in of all places Barking may not have been the most sensitive route to chose given its BNP link, sadly our brave soldiers who were sent to their deaths through no fault of their own have to endure Muslim and white extremists making complete twats of themselves.

What London Muslim finds ironic is those Muslims who were on the demo today using words like "bastards" to describe our soldiers do not believe in voting and are themselves largely to blame for politicians having a free hand in sending soldiers to die and kill innocent Muslims who also are blameless in the New World order created by Bush and Blair.

James Arbuthnot MP

Last night the House of Commons debated the Middle East which was interesting because it highlighted the influence of the Israel Lobby on both frontbenches in the guise of Ivan Lewis and Alistair Burt.

With regard to last night's debate other than the usual suspects wheeled out by Israel's PR machine I found the speech by Tory MP James Arbuthnot nauseating. Arbuthnot who declared his interest as Chair of the Conservative Friends of Israel, actually said the Gaza Flotilla was not about aid but publicity. What a shocking indictment on an individual who is willing to prostitute himself on behalf of an apartheid state by taking the blood stained hospitality of the Israelites before spouting their propaganda in Parliament.

Ironically, talking of propaganda his only criticism of Israel was not about the murder and piracy they committed in international waters but their "propaganda failure" as he put it. His reward for such blatant prejudice is being re-elected as chair of the House of Commons Defence Select Committee which sums up the disconnect between politicians who are lobby fodder for Israel and we the People.

Arminka Helic

The list of Spads aka as Special Advisers has been announced with one interesting appointment.

Arminka Helic has become a Special Adviser to William Hauge in the Foreign Office. What's interesting about Arminka is she is a Bosnian Muslim who fled the genocide inflicted on Bosnian Muslims by the War Criminals of Serbia. What a fantastic personal achievement for Arminka who deserves warm congratulations for her remarkable personal story although her influence has not gone unnoticed by the Israelites.

Moreover one has to say despite the enormous influence of the Conservative Friends of Israel which was evident in last nights debate on the Middle East in the Commons so far the Coalition Govt has, to be fair been more robust on Israel's atrocities than New Labour ever was.

Indonesia sex scandal involving Nazril Ilham and Luna Maya

Indonesia, the largest Muslim country in the world is in shock over the sex tape scandal involving two high profile celebrities Pop singer Nazril Ilham aka Ariel (not the soap powder) and his model girlfriend Luna Maya who recently interviewed Hilary Clinton.

Police are currently investigating videos of alleged sex tapes involving the celebrities which they deny and have not currently been charged although that has not prevented huge damage to the reputation of all concerned.

Keep the EDL out of Brent - June 26

The Nazis and usual assortment of scum from the EDL are planning to kick off at the Al Khair Peace Convention being held on Saturday June 26.

Having bottled it from East London the Nazis not a "protest group" as Tristan Kirk describes them now believe that Brent is going to be a happier hunting ground for some Muslim bashing.

London Muslim looks forward to joining with the anti Fascists from the UAF, Trade Union Movement and other comrades to defend the right of any community to hold ironically a peace conference that seeks to build mutual understanding and coexistence between all communities.

My message to the EDL is we don't fear you and look forward to providing you with a suitable Harrow type response. I saw the fear in your drink sodden eyes when you tried to take Harrow and crapped yourself when you realised what Muslims and Non Muslims could do when they organise and unite against Fascist trash.

My message to fellow Muslims is spread the word throughout the community and in particular at Friday prayers that another battle to defend (within the law) the true British and Muslim values of tolerance will take place on Saturday June 26.

Rosie O'Donnell defends Helen Thomas

Was Anwar al-Awlaki offering spiritual advice to Prostitutes?

Are Muslims censoring Sexy posters in London?

The First Post is reporting that "a wave" of sexy posters with woman in bikinis have been defaced by people using black paint and asks the question are Muslims responsible.

London Muslim does not, like many others enjoy seeing the sexualisation of woman plastered over bus shelters, posters and buses but I don't support criminal damage. Whoever is responsible should make their case within the law by explaining why one finds such posters etc offensive rather than resorting to breaking the law.

Job advert asks for "Female, white, Non Muslim" taxi driver

London Muslim yesterday tweeted about the job advert by Northamptionshire County Council that asked for a "Female, White, Non Muslim" taxi driver to take a disabled child to school.

The local Northants Muslim Council are correct to describe the advert as "deeply disturbing and outrageous".

While the council has apologised London Muslim believes there needs to be a serious investigation on how such an advert came about and what state of mind exists within the organisation that allows such wording to arise in the first place

Konnie Huq on her family values

Konnie Huq (pictured with her mum) who has or perhaps has not yet married Charlie Brooker in a whirlwind romance is according to some getting a bit of unfair stick from me.

As a result, London Muslim includes a profile of Konnie where in her own words she describes her family values. I'll leave it to others to decide on Konnie's family value merits while I try and judge our sister a little less.

UK set for new restrictions on foreign brides

London Muslim has been a fairly stern critic of first cousin marriages within the Pakistani Muslim community for the reasons I explain here.

Ironically, despite my dislike for the Tories and their approach to immigration I find myself agreeing with their proposals to raise the bar of those who wish to marry and come to the UK by ensuring they have a better command of English.

While the Tories are frankly doing this solely to keep as many brown faces out of the country I feel the situation has got completely out of hand when in particular Pakistani Muslims from Bradistan go back to the homeland to pick up a cousin bride who has no command of English, finds herself in a foreign environment cooking for the in laws and sadly producing kids with significant genetic defects.

While the Lawyers and immigration professionals who make a living off legal aid will be up in arms in the long term I believe this will be of particular benefit to Muslim sisters in this country who are often overlooked for foreign brides because of their education which the older generation consider a threat to the traditional view of how a daughter in law should behave.

Islamic Feminism

Isobel Coleman a Director at the US Council on Foreign Relations claims that Feminism is transforming Islamic regimes around the world.

In her book "Paradise beneath her feat" which I assume is a variation of the Quran mentioning that Paradise lies beneath the feet of your mother, Coleman makes the assertion that Islamic Feminism is transforming the Middle East.

The example of the Female Iraqi MP who demanded the implementation of Sharia is interesting although a bit of a stretch to use similar examples as an argument for a major Islamic feminist movement.

Konnie Huq marries Charlie Brooker

Konnie Haq my favourite Blue Presenter appears to have married Charlie Brooker.

London Muslim wonders what sort of a marriage it was for our "relaxed Muslim" and has she convinced Charlie of the importance of faith and Islam?


**Update** First baby given the not so Muslim sounding name of Covey

Diane Abbott: The first black British PM?

London Muslim is delighted that Diane Abbott has just made it onto the ballot as one of the 5 candidates for leader of the Labour Party.

As I said previously the Labour Party still has individuals who are deeply racist and sexist so it is fantastic news that Diane has made it not only because she is black and a female but because she is the best candidate who offers hope to us all.

London Muslim notes how the andriod millipead tried to immediately claim this was all because of him, what a geek and god forbid a Blairite product of the Westminster village like him winning.

I do hope like Marc Wadsworth that the Muslim female MPs who were undecided ie Rushanara Ali and Shabana Mahmood supported Diane, one of the few friends Muslims have in the party and who now needs all Muslims in the Labour and Trade Union Movement to come out in strength and ensure we begin the journey to having our first Black Female PM inshallah.

***Update*** Rushanara Ali did support Diane

Oldham Muslims may get a second chance to defeat Phil Woolas

London Muslim wrote about the conduct of Phil Woolas MP during the election campaign and exposed along with others his vile and nasty election smear tactics against Muslims and his Lib Dem opponent.

The good news is that his Lib Dem opponent who lost by just 103 votes has petitioned the Royal Courts of Justice to convene the rarely used Election court to ask for a second ballot.

Section 106 of the Representation of the People Act is used when one party alleges another lied during an election. Should the Lib Dem's be successful, and if the Con Dem coalition agree a joint approach during a rerun, Muslims in Oldham may have a fantastic opportunity to get rid once and for all of this nasty MP.

Oldham Muslims start preparing and organising now should the petition succeed.

Directory of Woman Friendly Mosques launched

Fiyaz Mughal of Faith Matters has taken out time to stop demanding the Lib Dems give him a safe seat and drawn up a list of women friendly mosques.

The directory has various criteria for Mosques to be included for example the need to set up a dedicated prayer facility and childcare along with female representation in the decision making process of the Mosques. London Muslim welcomes the directory although it is a sad reflection on the mentality of male dominated mosques that we need such list when all Mosques should be welcoming of Sisters rather than allowing them in via the tradesman entrance.

Halal Makeup launched in the UK

Samina Akhter with her company Samina Pure Mineral Makeup has launched a new halal certified range of Makeup in the UK

The Makeup for the face, eyes and lips now avoids completely any animal products and is also 100% alcohol free.

Congratulations to Samina for developing a long ovedue product in the UK for Muslim sisters who can now put on ethical makeup although apparently those with irritable skin need to be extra careful.

Prisoners revert to Islam to get Muslim gang protection

The Chief Inspector of Prisons has warned in a report that up to a third of Muslim prisoners have reverted to Islam to gain the protection of powerful Muslim gangs inside Jails,

London Muslim has written about this previously however with Chief Inspector Dame Anne Owers report the issue is now official rather than anecdotal. She raises a number of interesting recommendations not least the need to treat Muslim lags as individuals rather than a "blanket approach" which according to her drives all Muslims in to the hands of the fruitcakes.

London Muslim feels the screws also have a lot to answer for given some of their racist attitudes towards Muslims which is also counterproductive.

Konnie Huq has the X Factor

My favourite Blue Peter Presenter Konnie "I may take my clothes off" Huq has been named as the new X Factor Presenter.

Konnie or Kanak which is her real name who describes herself as a "relaxed Muslim" will be working closely with Simon Cowell who now that he is set to marry his Muslim girlfriend Mezhgan Hussainy seems to be more Muslim friendly than the Labour Party at the moment.

The Exploring Islam Foundation

The Exploring Islam Foundation launched the "Muhammad Inspires" campaign yesterday to considerable fanfare and publicity although surprisingly relative little scrutiny on who these characters are, who funds them and what, when you drill beneath the superficial gloss of a press conference their real objectives are.

London Muslim welcomed their campaign and still maintains I support anything that seeks to improve the portrayal of Islam in the media. However, my suspicion was immediately raised when digging beneath the glossy surface some rather ominous themes begin to emerge, not least the claim by the comedians over at Quiliam that this is all about creating a "British Islam free from the bitter politics of the Arab and Muslim world". Sadly for Quiliam, Islam like the other great Abrahamic faiths was not founded or established in Islington but in the Middle East so the logic of their statement defeats me and perhaps is best saved for recovering extremists like Ed Hussain.

While the the EIF has some very noteworthy individuals it's campaign also appears to be an eclectic band of hooray hijabi reverts and Radio 4 chattering class lovies who seem more at home down at Glyndbourn along with their rather sniffy professional colleagues.

However, I cant help thinking there is more than meets the eye to this. First the timing, how convenient that this launch is a few weeks into a new Conservative/Liberal administration who are looking at significant reductions in expenditure. As a result, the thinking and timing has all the hallmarks of a Arthur Snell spooks initiative led by dear old Arthur after his Rock n Roll initiative. One can imagine Arthur working on a brief to new Ministers desperately trying to maintain his budget by outlining a number of new initiatives that his team have established like this campaign and the rock n roll one to distance themselves from their rather discredited and expensive Quilliam initiative.

Moreover you can often judge a person or organisation by the friends it keeps. The Patron of EIF is Lord Adam Patel aka "Lord Postman Pat" for delivering the postal vote of politically brain dead Pakistani Muslims on behalf of Jack Straw in Blackburn. Postman Pat is also with 8 kids a legend in his bedroom. In addition, imagine my surprise when of all the people in the world the media contact for the "inspired by Muhammad campaign" is a certain discredited Ed Owen the former Special Advisor to Jack Straw during the Iraq war and former Labour Councillor who now works for Apex Communications. Just to complete the Blackburn Mafia picture no surprise that Jack Straw gets invited to EIF events.

On the crucial point about funding all they say is this is via private donations so not very transparent or a good start. Why is funding crucial, well like the "fiercely independent" Radical Middle Way who are so independent they get Govt funding its important to know who are pulling the strings of the puppets.

London Muslim as I say welcomes any campaign to improve Islam's image but if EIF are what I suspect yet another initiative by the Spooks to water down Islam and create a surrogate Quilliam you will be destined to failure like all the other numerous and myriad array of Govt created "Muslim" organisations.

Mehdi Hasan dismises Nick Cohen

Mehdi Hasan in a fantastic article on the vile Israelite Nick Cohen once again proves he is one of the finest Muslim polemical writers of his generation.

The manner in which he dissects Cohen's drivel in the Observer is a masterpiece on how to advance and promote a Muslim cause while simultaneously dismissing the Neo Con for what he is, a has been washed up right wing apologist for B£iar's wars.

While Mehdi Hassan does get it wrong on occasions like his disappointing scavenging support for Murdoch's Sky News, on Israel-Palestine he is on target and on message.

Melanie McDonagh: Shame on you

London Muslim was absolutely sickened by the article in the Telegraph today by Melanie McDonagh about David Blunkett being blind.

As a nation I thought we had matured and grown up enough to allow honest and frank debate about controversial subjects like immigration. However, McDonagh's disgusting remarks regarding David Blunkett a man I have often disagreed with are utterly unacceptable. She said:

that one reason why much of the influx took place when David Blunkett was home secretary is that he was blind; he couldn't actually see what was happening.

McDonagh you are a spiteful woman and should be ashamed of yourself for such hurtful and hateful comments. London Muslim urges you like all other decent folk in this great diverse tolerant country of ours to apologise immediately for the offence caused.

Sadiq Khan and Rushanara Ali please sign EDM 127

A number of Labour MPs have yet to sign EDM 127 including Sadiq Khan from Tooting and Rushanara Ali from Bethnal Green who to be fair did write to the Foreign Secretary condemning Israel's actions. However, for crying out loud we don't have many Muslim MP's but as the only ones from London please sign the EDM which even Jim Fitzpatrick and Khalid Mahmood have.

London Muslim wrote about Sadiq urging Muslims to vote Labour saying they were the only party we could "Trust". Well Sadiq, one way of ensuring you can win back the trust of Muslims is showing you side with them not just at election time but also during periods when Muslims and Non Muslims are slaughtered on the Gaza Aid flotilla for simply trying to deliver humanitarian aid. Not much to ask really is it?

A number of other Labour MPs with large Muslim constituencies in London who have yet to sign are Lyn Browne, Stella Creasy, Stephen Timms and our old Israelite mate Mike Gapes to name but a few. Interestingly, Lib Dem Sarah Teather has not signed despite a huge Muslim vote that got her re-elected in Brent although I assume as a front bencher she is bound by the usual Govt payroll restrictions on signing EDM's.

Majority of Britons link Islam with Extremism

An Opinion Poll carried out for the Exploring Islam Foundation has found that most Britons associate Islam with extremism and the repression of woman.

The online YouGov survey showed 58% said they linked Islam with extremism and generally paints a sad but rather predictable picture of Islam within the UK.

The poll as I say is predicable because of the enormous efforts of the right wing and Neo-Con establishment who have done a remarkable job post 9/11 in portraying both Islam and Muslims as extreme. However, London Muslim firmly believes that this survey should also be a wake up call to we Muslims. The Muslim community needs to stop burying it's head in the sand and living in denial that there is nothing wrong with the current conduct of some who have caused significant damage to our image which is why I support this campaign to improve the portrayal of Islam. Fruitcakes like Anjem Choudhary who planned a march on Wotton Bassett or the House of Saud who have permitted child marriages should be ashamed of themselves for conduct unbecoming of a true Muslim.

BBC shame on you

Video of Gaza Aid Flotilla Demo in London

Tesco offers Halal Barbeques

London Muslim has written previously about Tesco opening a number of dedicated Halal meat counters in their Birmingham branches.

Tesco has now announced that due to the rapidly growing demand for Halal food in the UK they will be launching a Halal barbeque food range.

Despite my misgivings about shopping in Tesco given their historical Israel connection, London Muslim nevertheless welcomes the offer of choice for Muslims who have been disenfranchised by larger supermarkets because of the lack of Halal food on offer.

As this BBC report makes clear, the world market for Halal is reaching huge financial proportions and any business worth their salt need to cater for Muslims if they want to flourish.

The downside of course will be smaller halal butchers and independents maybe the first casualty of Tesco's inexorable rise into the Halal market.

Helen Thomas: Did you say what I think you said about Jews and Israel?

Pictures from today's Gaza demo in London

CCTV spies on Birmingham Muslims

The Guardian has an interesting report that CCTV cameras which ostensibly are claimed to be needed in order to combat anti social behaviour have actually been installed by counter terroism Police so they can spy on Muslims in two heavily populated areas of Brum.

While London Muslim has no problem with CCTV cameras keeping an eye on the hotel Khalid Mahmood frequents with his girlfriend, the use of Govt funds administered by ACPO money to spy on innocent Muslims is a disgrace.

Birmingham Muslims in Washwood Heath and Sparkbrook need to be aware that their Civil liberties are being infringed on a daily basis as Police and the Spooks track innocent Muslims going about their daily lives on covert cameras.

As Old Holborn says, thought it was Israel that only did collective punishment.

Paris Hilton does modesty in Egypt in contrast to Mezhgan Hussainy

London Muslim was amused at the attempt by Paris Hilton to show some modesty on a PR trip to Egypt where she actually wore a full length dress at the Pyramids of Giza.

Alterantively, Mezghan Hussainy Simon Cowells Muslim girlfriend recently went shopping with Si and has an interesting interpretation on the traditional dresses Afghan women are more used to wearing.

Will the Aga Khan build a Mosque in Kings Cross?

The Aga Khan that well known spiritual horse breeding playboy and leader of one of the oldest cults the Ismaili's is in talks to buy into the Kings Cross Development.

Speculation abounds in central London on what plans the Aga Khan has given his deep pockets but with the Diocese of London pulling out of talks because they could not meet the asking price it looks like the Khan is the frontrunner (sorry couldn't resist that one) in negotiations.