Wednesday, July 11, 2007

DIRECTORY




Here is the list of all postings, in sequence. It may be helpful to read them in this order. Click on the numbers, they are the links to the articles. You will need to use the browser's "back" button to return to this page.

Or just pick whichever topic is of interest.

Enjoy the cartoons. They are intended to highlight some of the difficult verses in the Quran. Please feel free to use these cartoons in your blog, website, or printed publication. There is no copyright restriction. Forgive my limited artistic skills.

Please feel free to add your comments, anonymously if you like. Don't add comments to the "DIRECTORY" posting, as it gets deleted from time to time. Add comments to any of the other postings.

Note: The views expressed in the comments may be different from my own.
Please do not add comments that are completely irrelevant, for example, adverts for get rich quick schemes.

You are very welcome to use any of my text or cartoons on your own website or blog, but include a link to here. There is no copyright on the truth.

Humanity needs peace not Islam.



01 Introduction to the threat of Islam in Britain

02 Does the Quran glorify terrorism?

03 Anger at Pope's speech

04 Cartoons 01

05 Cartoons 02

06 Cartoons 03

07 Cartoons 04

08 Cartoons 05

09 The Pope is a genius!

10 The Pope calls for an end to Islamic violence, and churches burn

11 Carey speech on Islam 2004

12 Rowan Williams on Prince Charles Defender of the Faith

13 QC recognises the irony of Islamic violence

14 Ann Widdecombe Conservative MP champions free speech

15 It is just not Cricket

16 The cruelty of Halal slaughter

17 Is the Church of England cursed by God?

18 The Straw that broke the camel's back

19 Ten questions that the Conservatives must ask

20 Censored?

21 A man of integrity

22 Veiled threat

23 The problem with the Quran

24 White flag

25 A possible solution for Iraq

26 BNP Trial: Griffin and Collett not guilty.

27 Waste of effort

28 There is hope

29 Bravo Boris!

30 Wither Islam?

31 An interesting exchange

32 Buggeringe boys

33 HELP ME if you can

34 Halal swan

35 FID. DEAF.

36 "Glories of Islam" bias.

37 Censored by the Conservatives

38 No freedom of speech

39 Support for Apostates

40 Charged with congestion of the brain

41 Email message sent to Members of Parliament.

42 M&S Halal

43 New Scientist Halal

44 Can Islam coexist with democracy?

45 Email message sent to Members of Parliament.

46 Happy Christmas Tony Blair

47 They don't have the foggiest

48 FREE 2007 Calendar

49 Does Rowan Williams believe the Bible?

50 Two excellent books

51 Blair is confused

52 Are Allah and Yahweh the same entity?

53 Church of England Dhimmitude

54 Undercover Mosque

55 Undercover Mosque Transcript

56 Gordon Brown Inspired

57 EU: Turkish Accession

58 David Cameron's horse meat

59 Labour intolerance

60 Further points regarding David Cameron's horse meat

61 Policy Exchange report

62 Salman Rushdie: Yes, This Is About Islam

63 Who are the Nazis now?

64 Afghan poppy crop

65 Home Secretary: "My friend"

66 Conservatives: You do not understand

67 Monkeys and pigs

68 What can a Christian eat?

69 Buddhist exemption from inheritance tax

70 Sir Isaac Newton regarding Islam

71 The gravity of the situation

72 Raspberry and wasp flavoured yoghurt

73 University funding

74 Wither Islam? A poem

75 The Muslim Eskimo! A poem

76 Helping those at threat from Islam

77 Talking Turkey

78 The Hindu perspective

79 Speech by David Cameron

80 Cameron, stand up like a man.

81 Security for homosexuals, women, and Jews

82 Leadership

83 Hizb ut Tahrir

84 Halal and Kosher

85 Straw and Rushdie, and proof that Allah is not all-knowing or wise

86 The Council of ex-Muslims of Britain

87 7/7/2005 the second anniversary

7/7/2005 the second anniversary




It is two years since the 7/7 bombings. My heart goes out to those who have received physical injuries and mental scars, and to the friends and relatives of those who perished.

It is simply fortuitous that the recent bombing attempts have failed, and we cannot assume that they will always fail.

You would think that our political leaders would have "got it" by now, but they appear to be as ignorant as ever. Certainly that is the impression given by Gordon Brown and Jack Straw in recent days. They are more interested in appeasement than in stating the truth about Islam. David Cameron, possibly, is starting to open his eyes, but from his speech at an Islamic conference in London a few weeks ago, it is clear that he has much to learn. Let us hope that he can learn quickly. They have no excuse for ignorance any more, you can see that I have been doing my bit, by posting messages onto the Conservatives "security policy" message board. I await their report, which is due out in September I understand. This does not give them much time to get their act together before the party conferences, or possibly an autumn election.

Islam is simply riddled with bizarre notions, and it is quite easy to highlight these in a humorous way. For example: Given that the majority of the inhabitants of hell are women, where are the 72 virgins in paradise per suicide bomber coming from? Surely they cannot be infidel women! Nobody objected to rude songs about Hitler in WW2, and so, given that we are under attack from Islamic terrorists, the guardians of "political correctness" can hardly object. Nobody has ever been blown to pieces by a cartoon. Humour is one way of coping with a situation that is dire.

The Council of ex-Muslims of Britain




There is a new organisation named The Council of ex-Muslims of Britain. Its members are brave to speak out. It is headed by Maryam Namazie, she has received death threats. The web address is:
www.ex-muslim.org.uk


Such courageous people deserve all of our support. They know the truth about Islam.

Straw and Rushdie, and proof that Allah is not all-knowing or wise




On 3rd July 2007 Jack Straw appeared on Channel 4 news, and stated that the recent bombing attempts should be seen as merely criminal acts and nothing to do with Islam. Whilst it is true that they are criminal acts, it is far from being that simple and we must consider the motivation. A normal criminal, a thief for example, does it for selfish reasons. A suicide bomber does it because he believes sincerely that he is doing the will of Allah. However much we may disagree with such a belief, there is no doubt that such beliefs are strongly held, and that the suicide bomber is showing a high level of courage and selflessness. Is it any surprise that the public trust in politicians is so low, when we hear such utter nonsense from senior politicians such as Jack Straw? It is clearly a vain attempt at appeasement. Contrast this with Salman Rushdie. I am delighted that he has been knighted, although I would have considered his upholding of truth to have been more significant than his literary efforts. Please read his article "Yes, This Is About Islam" written in response to 9/11, it is still highly relevant. The article is available from the Faith Freedom website (www DOT faithfreedom DOT org) the link is below. It remains unclear to me quite where the Conservatives stand. Are you for appeasement, or are you for proclaiming the truth, even if it is unpopular in certain quarters? There is no middle way. You need to make up your minds very rapidly now, as the future of Britain is in the balance.

www.faithfreedom.org/Articles/rushdie/yes_its_about_islam.htm
Rushdie article

-----------------

The above message, with the title "Straw and Rushdie" has been placed on the Conservatives "security policy" message board. The following expands on the issues raised.

It has been known for many centuries by Islamic scholars that certain verses in the Quran had been inspired by satan. Such verses have been removed, but their tell-tale fingerprints remain. Briefly described, there were verses which recognised the existence of three goddesses, known as the daughters or the companions of Allah. Of course, their existence was not compatible with strict monotheism, and so these beliefs were later removed. The excuse given was that these verses were inspired by satan, rather than by the angel Gabriel. When Salman Rushdie raised these and other embarrasing difficulties in his book "The Satanic Verses" there was uproar and death threats. Nevertheless, any Islamic scholar, if they are being honest, will acknowledge that some verses had been inspired by satan. This of course raises a further difficult question: Are there any other verses that remain in the Quran today that have been inspired by satan, but ae not currently recognised as such?

Let me suggest that the instructions relating to Ramadan fasting are in that category. If they are not however, and were indeed handed down from Allah, then it demonstrates clearly that Allah is not all-knowing or wise.

The Ramadan fast occurrs for a whole month. The month of Ramadan moves around the year, sometimes it is in the winter, and sometimes it is in the summer. It is not a true fast, in other words it is permissible to eat and drink during the night, or if you are travelling you are exempt. However, during daylight hours it is not permissible to eat or drink.

There is a problem however for anyone living to the north of the arctic circle. If Ramadan occurrs during the winter, the sun does not rise, and so you can eat and drink whenever you like. But it could not honestly be considered to be a fast. The serious problem exists when Ramadan occurrs during the summer. The sun does not set, so there is no night, and so it is not permissible to eat or drink at all. You would surely die. However, you can eat and drink if you are travelling. Incidentally, if you are travelling, you are also exempt from saying prayers. We see the curious result, that there are five rush hours per day in Islamic countries. The car occupants are not actually going anywhere, they are just driving round in circles in order to avoid praying.

If Allah was all-knowing, he would have known that the sun does not set north of the arctic circle during the summer. If he did know that (which you would have thought would be the case if he had created the solar system), then he was not very wise when devising the fasting rules for observing Ramadan. But the simplest explanation is that Allah was not aware of the existence of the arctic circle.

The poem below highlights these and other difficulties within Islam.


The Muslim Eskimo! A poem

(No disrespect to Eskimos intended)


I have (praise be) seen the light
With the Prophet as my guide
I pray to Allah day and night
To unbelievers woe betide
You cross my path and you will know
I am a Muslim Eskimo!

Of huskies I had a band
Now gone the dirty dogs
Unclean in manner and
So it is true are hogs.
Sheep are good in many ways though
I am a Muslim Eskimo!

I use my sheep to pull my sled
But they run slow
Many end up dead
My life is woe
By Allah on I go
I am a Muslim Eskimo!

The women are scarce round here
Too many a Muslim brother
Taken many wives I fear
But the sheep I can bother
Between me and ewe. No?
I am a Muslim Eskimo!

By stealth and by guile I fight
Into my right hand posess
A lively woman. Every night
When I want I caress
And into my tilth I go
I am a Muslim Eskimo!

By and by wives two three and four
I am occupied, busy now
Offspring by the score
We are become a tribe but how
With mouths to feed, what to do?
I am a Muslim Eskimo!

The solution I espy
I approach quite near
Christians! Joyfully I cry
I can tax them very dear
To demonstrate superiority though
I am a Muslim Eskimo!

My wives' bellies get fat
The Christians are getting skinny
I wear a wooly hat
The days are somewhat chilly
The Christians start to die, but so?
I am a Muslim Eskimo!

The days are short and
The nights are long
Now is the feast of Ramadan
Plenty of exercise for the tongue
Mutton and butter and ample dough
I am a Muslim Eskimo!

A few years come and go
All praise to Allah above
I can see a problem though
It is: The nights have
Gone. All is woe
I am a Muslim Eskimo!

Now is the fast of Ramadan
A whole month long
With not a drop to drink and
Not to eat. My tongue
Has turned yellow
I am a Muslim Eskimo!

We are all faint
With hunger
We taint
Our anger
And curse our Mo
I am a Muslim Eskimo!

An idea pops into my head
A travelling we must go
Quick get the sled
Rouse the sheep and so
Through the snow we plough
I am a Muslim Eskimo!

If you travel you may eat
And drink. Make merry
What a genius feat
To move and not to tarry
Happy I am now though
I am a Muslim Eskimo!

Making endless circles in the snow
My plan is in action
Not a single problem so
Let us eat luncheon
We feast and guzzle as we go
I am a Muslim Eskimo!

But look, our provisions are all eaten
We shall eat the sheep that pull the sled
We are not so easily beaten
That one there, grab its head
Slit its throat so
I am a Muslim Eskimo!

The red blood flows upon the pristine white
The animal struggles for a minute or two
Then the end, its last fight
Chop chop, a piece for me and a piece for you
Halal we keep, the rest we throw
I am a Muslim Eskimo!

One by one the sheep are gone
Slower and slower runs the sled
Of further progress there is none
Now for certain we are all dead
This is the last terrible low
I am no more a Muslim Eskimo!

There is a lesson from the Arctic
Know full well. This is certain
Islam is a miserable trick
Long overdue for its final curtain
Reincarnation works for me now
I was a Muslim Eskimo!

St George True http://st-george-true.blogspot.com

Humanity needs peace not Islam.

Halal and Kosher

If Britain is to remain a strong and effective friend of Israel in the decades to come, then there needs, I believe, to be more practical action by the Jewish community in Britain. I hope that they can come to understand the logic of my argument below, and have sufficient flexibility to take the necessary step. The required compromise is small relative to the great benefits that will in time follow from this step: A Britain freed from the Islamic influence that is currently strengthening itself daily within our borders, and an Israel with a strong and steadfast friend.

There have been far too many compromises with Islam in Britain. These clearly demonstrate the weakness of our political leaders in the face of a concerted and persistent onslaught by Islam, which is destroying our traditional Judeo-Christian values. Every time that Islam gives a push, our so called leaders back down, in order to avoid making a fuss. This appeasement must stop right now, in every single facet and way that it shows itself.

One such facet is the entirely avoidable cruelty of Halal slaughter. The throat of the animal is slit, but it takes up to two minutes for the animal to loose consciousness, during which time it clearly is suffering pain. The British public cannot abide to see animals in distress, and if democratic principles were applied to this issue, then this practice would certainly be banned. Unfortunately this method of slaughter is very similar to the Jewish Kosher method, which has very probably been the cause of lack of progress towards a humane approach in Britain.

But there is hope. Unlike Islam, Judaism has a long history of applying reasoned arguments. It may well be that slitting the throat of an animal was the best available slaughter method three millennia ago, when the religious laws were being laid down. But our knowledge has progressed, and we can surely do better than that today. If Judaism could mandate pre-stunning prior to throat slitting, that would show a true humane action towards animals, and also put Islam under strong pressure to reform its own acts.

The future of Britain is in the hands of the next generation. However they are receiving mixed messages regarding the treatment of animals. On one hand, there is great concern shown for animals in various television programmes presented by Bill Oddie, Kate Humble, Ben Fogle or David Attenborough. On the other hand, the food that they are served in their school canteens is increasingly slaughtered using the Halal method. Often the children and their parents are not even told that this is the case, but it only transpires later that such practices are widespread. There is a great fury and resentment growing.

Within retailing, see how much the Islamic influence has already progressed. Harrods does not permit service personnel wearing uniform into its store. And yet without their sacrifices, Britain would not have resisted the Nazis, and there would very probably be no State of Israel today. Both the Nazis and Islam have the aim to exterminate Jews. Now there is speculation that the Sainsburys supermarket may be taken over by wealthy Arabs. If that were to happen, then it is strengthening the probability that Halal slaughter will become the standard method throughout Britain, as is the case with New Zealand already. Where do the other supermarkets stand on this issue? It is very hard to find out. Some six months ago, Marks and Spencer ran a well publicised advertising campaign highlighting their positive approach to animal welfare. I sent them an email, copied below, enquiring about their policy towards Halal slaughter. Apart from an acknowledgement that they had received my message, I did not receive a reply. Do they have something to hide? Curiously enough, they dropped that line of advertising not long after I sent my email. Merely a coincidence? Perhaps someone with the appropriate contacts could get an answer, but it is clearly not one that the general public will be privy to.

Britain is already compromised in many ways by the appeasement of Muslims within our shores. The Jewish community must come to realise that it is in the enlightened self interest of their own community, and the interests of the Jewish people elsewhere and particularly in Israel that the cruel method of Halal slaughter must be ended in Britain. We can strengthen each other, but by being divided over these matters we are weak. Islam senses that weakness, and it encourages them to push ever harder.

The rising tide of antisemitism in Britain fills me with horror. How on earth can it have taken such a hold in Britain? Did the struggle against the Nazis by our parents and grandparents count for nothing? I feel great sadness and shame, because we have largely ceased to believe in ourselves and our principles, which has enabled all manner of deluded thinking to take hold in its place.

I stand with Israel. That small nation of 5 million people, the size of Wales, stands surrounded by 500 million, many of whom wish to see it destroyed. The reason why they are antisemitic is clear for anyone to see, simply by reading the Quran.

The rising tide of antisemitism within Britain has been highlighted by a Channel 4 programme "The War on Britain's Jews" (9th July 2007). Violence, desecration of graveyards, vandalism and intimidation directed towards Jewish people have doubled since 2001. Historically antisemitism had been the preserve of the far right. There is today a bizarre alliance between the far left and the radical Muslims. The former have put aside many of their beliefs (pro-feminism, anti-homophobia) in order to unite with Hizbollah supporters, with antisemitism as a common cause. Such sentiments have spilled over to university and college lecturers, and to journalists unions. They should know better. Clearly there has been some powerful brainwashing and misinformation spreading. Why do we not see such programmes produced by the BBC?

Humanity needs peace not Islam.



----------

Copy of an email sent to Marks and Spencer in December 2006. Other than an acknowledgement of receipt, they did not reply.


Dear Sir or Madam

I very much welcome the active stance that M&S has towards animal welfare.

I have looked at the website of the Farm Animal Welfare Council (www.fawc.org.uk), and have read their document 'Report on the Welfare of Farmed Animals at Slaughter or Killing'

Regarding Halal slaughter:

"195. When a very large transverse incision is made across the neck a number of vital tissues are transected including: skin, muscle, trachea, oesophagus, carotid arteries, jugular veins, major nerve trunks (e.g. vagus and phrenic nerves) plus numerous minor nerves. Such a drastic cut will inevitably trigger a barrage of sensory information to the brain in a sensible (conscious) animal. We are persuaded that such a massive injury would result in very significant pain and distress in the period before insensibility supervenes."

Can you reassure me that M&S do not sell any Halal meat, or Halal meat products?

Do you also check whether pet food contains Halal meat?

With kind regards


-------

The following text has been copied from the Marks and Spencer website:

Animal wellfare

At Marks & Spencer we work closely with our suppliers to ensure they raise their animals using high standards of animal health, husbandry and welfare. And we have a team of animal welfare specialists who inspect our farms to ensure this is the case.

We’ve based our welfare policy on recommendations from the UK’s Farm Animal Welfare Council, which include what are known as the Five Freedoms. Therefore we ensure our animals have freedom:

from hunger and thirst
from discomfort
from pain, injury and disease
to express normal behaviour
from fear and distress

We realise animal health and welfare is closely linked, so we always provide animals with the appropriate veterinary care if needed – although we only use medicines if it’s absolutely necessary to ensure good health and welfare. Working closely with experts, we’re looking at ways of monitoring our husbandry systems to reduce the amount of medicines we use in the future. For example we do not permit the use of growth-promoting antibiotics in the diets of any animal used in our fresh meat, poultry, eggs or milk.

At Marks & Spencer we know exactly where animals used for our food come from and what they’ve been fed. This helps us ensure they’re provided with a suitable, safe and nutritious diet. We don't allow meat, bone meal or any unauthorised feed products in any of our livestock diets. In addition we've removed GM ingredients from the diets of animals which produce our fresh beef, pork, lamb, chicken, turkey, eggs, farmed salmon and milk.

Hizb ut Tahrir




Message placed onto the Conservatives "security policy" message board:

David Cameron may like to read "Secrets of the Koran" ISBN 0830731237 available from Amazon. It describes the reasons why organisations such as Hizb ut Tahrir are antisemitic. Well done for raising the issue in the House of Commons, it is greatly appreciated. As with any problem, the first step to solving it is to properly understand its nature. Perhaps you would also like to give a copy of this book to Jack Straw, as it is patently obvious that he is nowhere near understanding the problem. Give a copy to the clunky ham-fisted Gordon Brown also.

Leadership

Message placed on the Conservatives "security policy" message board:

The members of the Security Policy study group should read the Quran, but do so with at least some understanding of abrogation. You will then come to realise that my earlier points are valid, in particular regarding integration. Those who are in positions of leadership should be at least one or two steps ahead of those who follow. It is the case that an increasing number of the electorate are gaining an understanding of the Quran, and expect no less effort from those who wish to lead. A letter in the Daily Telegraph (16th June 2007) discusses recent events on Israel's borders, but can only allude to the wider problem Our limitation of freedom of expression in the supposedly free press seriously hampers our ability to discuss the root of the problem in detail. Our politicians lack understanding and are easily manipulated by those who wish to destroy us. But within the ranks of the Conservative Party you have some good people. Michael Gove MP has written the excellent book "Celsius 7/7" which analyses the appeasement leading so tragically to the London bombings. Quoting from the book: "We need to display resolution in the way we pay for our security, ensuring that our intelligence services and armed services are funded properly. We also need to ensure that they get the political leadership they deserve to tackle the problems we face. That means a leadership prepared to recognize the essential link between the display of weakness in the past and the Islamist advance we face today.". It is of primary importance that some real leadership is shown urgently. It is of secondary importance which political party gains the required courage first. Fortuna favet fortibus: Ask Mrs Thatcher to explain what that means.

Security for homosexuals, women, and Jews




Notes:
1. The following messages were placed on the "Security Policy" message board of the Conservative Party website.
2. Mehmet Imamzade was a Muslim interlocutor. He gave up responding to my messages, probably because he was not able to defend Islam against detailed questioning.
3. The message "Security for Jews" was deleted by the message board webmaster.


Security for homosexuals

When (rather than if) Sharia law is introduced into Britain, there will be severe penalties for homosexuals. Mehmet Imamzade, would you be happy to see homosexuals stoned to death? Surely this is a very serious security issue? It is estimated that some 4000 homosexuals may have been executed in Iran since the Islamic revolution in 1979.



Security for women

Under Sharia law, a woman's testimony is valued at only half of a man's testimony.

In the case of a rape, where there are no witnesses, a woman will usually find that her life becomes unbearable if she reports it.

If she brings her complaint to a Sharia court, it is highly likely that she will be convicted of adultery, and the man, her rapist, will receive only a very light penalty, if at all.

The penalty for adultery is extreme: Either a severe beating, or even stoning to death. One way that a woman can avoid this, is to marry the man. He then has complete authority to rape her whenever he feels like it. Here is a quote from the Quran:

"Your wives are a tilth for you, so go into your tilth when you like" Quran 2.223

In addition, a woman prisoner or slave ("those whom your right hand possesses") can be raped repeatedly without any penalty at all:

"O Prophet! surely We have made lawful to you your wives whom you have given their dowries, and those whom your right hand possesses out of those whom Allah has given to you as prisoners of war" Quran 33.50

Mehmet Imamzade, do you think it is right that a woman's testimony is valued at only half of a man's testimony?



Security for Jews

There are certain similarities between Nazi doctrines, and Islamic doctrines.

For example, both wish to exterminate Jews. Both spread their ideology by violent means where necessary. Both have a supremacist attitude.

Here are some quotes:

"Allah's Apostle said, "You (i.e. Muslims) will fight with the Jews till some of them will hide behind stones. The stones will (betray them) saying, 'O 'Abdullah (i.e. slave of Allah)! There is a Jew hiding behind me; so kill him.' " " Hadith Volume 4, Book 52, Number 176:

"And the Jews say: Uzair is the son of Allah; and the Christians say: The Messiah is the son of Allah; these are the words of their mouths; they imitate the saying of those who disbelieved before; may Allah destroy them; how they are turned away!" Quran 9.30

"Wherefore for the iniquity of those who are Jews did We disallow to them the good things which had been made lawful for them and for their hindering many (people) from Allah's way. And their taking usury though indeed they were forbidden it and their devouring the property of people falsely, and We have prepared for the unbelievers from among them a painful chastisement." Quran 4.160-161

"O Prophet! urge the believers to war; if there are twenty patient ones of you they shall overcome two hundred, and if there are a hundred of you they shall overcome a thousand of those who disbelieve, because they are a people who do not understand." Quran 8.65

"Fight those who do not believe in Allah, nor in the latter day, nor do they prohibit what Allah and His Apostle have prohibited, nor follow the religion of truth, out of those who have been given the Book, until they pay the tax in acknowledgment of superiority and they are in a state of subjection." Quran 9.29


I have been criticised for taking a quote out of context. However, what is important is not whether a non-Muslim has some minor misunderstanding of a particular quote, but whether a Muslim will act upon their instructions. It is common knowledge that the leaders of Iran would like to see Israel wiped off the map.

The horrors of the Nazi concentration camps are well documented. We should not imagine that the Jewish people are in any less danger today.

In Britain we see the increasing number of anti-semitic desecrations of Jewish cemetries.

Mehmet Imamzade, do you not think that it is high time that Islam should stop targeting Jews?

Cameron, stand up like a man.




Note: This message was placed on the "Security Policy" message board of the Conservative Party. It has been subsequently removed. It is in separate parts due to a text length restriction on their message board.


Cameron, stand up like a man.

part 1

I read in The Daily Telegraph (6th June 2007) that David Cameron has addressed a conference in London with the title "Islam and Muslims in the World Today". Unlike Blair, Cameron does not claim any pretensions to being an authority on the true meaning of the Quran. Surely he must have at least glanced at its contents? It is not some secret document locked away in a safe, but is freely available via the internet. It is nearly two years since the London bombings, perpetrated in all sincerity in the name of Islam. Surely it is the duty of everyone who is in a position of political influence to at least have a go at reading the Quran, which is the genuine inspiration for these terrorist acts, whether we wish to believe it to be the case or not. You will then be struck by just how hard it is for the western mind to assimilate its contents. Blair has read it, so he claims, and describes it as "progressive". He is so easily fooled. He clearly has not understood abrogation. Even without understanding abrogation, what, pray, is "progressive" about the severe punishment for homosexuals, or that the testimony of a woman is worth only half that of a man in a Sharia court?


part 2

Why does Cameron more or less repeat the crazy notions of the left, with these words in his speech: "After all, it is a tiny minority of British Muslims who support terrorism." Is that so? What about the opinion polls that show around a quarter of Muslims sympathise with the London suicide bombers? Just who is fooling whom? Did you not watch the Channel 4 Dispatches programme "Undercover Mosque", broadcast earlier this year? Please stop insulting our intelligence with such daft statements. Do you not yet realise that few believe such statements now, and repeating them does nothing to make us feel more secure? It merely demonstrates that you are still in denial. Instead of saying "a tiny minority" why not quote an actual percentage figure, if you are so certain that it is small, you could state "less than one percent". Reading "Celsius 7/7" by Michael Gove Conservative MP, the figure would appear to be around 11 to 15 percent, see page 122, hardly a "tiny minority". Curiously, an opinion poll very recently finds that a quarter of Muslims believe that the London bombings were the work of the security services. Presumably this is not the same quarter who sympathise with their Muslim brothers for carrying it out! We can therefore imply that half of British Muslims are deluded one way or the other.


part 3

The Conservatives would do well to distance themselves from the legacy of that foolish man Blair. The U turn over Grammar schools should be a salutory lesson. You absolutely must not follow Blair in his fatuous appeasement of Muslims, as Cameron is now doing in his speech to the Islamic conference. Discover the real truth about Islam for yourselves. An increasing number of Muslims are becoming radicalised, and your own survey shows that 37 percent of younger Muslims wish Sharia law to be introduced. It is not only undemocratic, but it is anti-democratic. Why is it impossible to integrate with Muslims? Is it because of the binge drinking culture that has grown up in the last decade? No, that can simply be seen as a response by younger adults to the hopelessness of life now in Blair's Britain. Alcohol deadens the pain. The reasons why Muslims will not, indeed cannot integrate is not hard to find. It is clearly stated in the Quran: "O you who believe! do not take the Jews and the Christians for friends; they are friends of each other; and whoever amongst you takes them for a friend, then surely he is one of them; surely Allah does not guide the unjust people." Quran 5:51


part 4

Simply blaming this separation of communities on racism is far too simplistic. It may be a factor, but it can only be a small factor. See how well the Indian Hindu and Sikh communities have prospered in Britain, despite the racism from a few mindless idiots. Hidus and Sikhs are law abiding and peaceful, and do not place unreasonable demands upon the host nation as Muslims do, such as de facto Sharia law, no go areas in our towns and cities, interest free mortgages, tax and benefits concessions for polygamy, refusal to use hand washes in hospitals because they contain alcohol, censorship of our freedom of speech and freedom of expression (assisted by Blair, Brown, and Jack Straw), and the avoidable cruelty of halal slaughter. As an aside, Cameron is a hypocrite for not speaking out against halal slaughter, having quite rightly condemned the cruelty of live exports of horses. Labour are hypocrites for banning fox hunting on grounds of cruelty, but have done nothing about halal slaughter. A quarter of sheep in Britain are slaughtered using the cruel halal method. If it is right to be concerned for horses and foxes, then we must also be concerned for sheep and cattle. Their numbers are far greater. It must be stopped on moral grounds. Doing nothing also demonstrates appeasement of Muslims.


part 5

No, the problem of lack of integration lies squarely with Islam. Why do you think that India had to be partitioned? Hindus and Sikhs had no need to separate from each other, it was the Muslims who were the missfits. Despite the best efforts of Ghandi, partition was the only option in the end. If even someone of the stature of Ghandi could not induce Muslims to integrate, what hope have relative lightweights such as Blair or Cameron? Integration of Muslims with non-Muslims has been a serious problem from the very beginning of Islam. The evidence is in the Quran: "They desire that you should disbelieve as they have disbelieved, so that you might be (all) alike; therefore take not from among them friends until they fly (their homes) in Allah's way; but if they turn back, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them, and take not from among them a friend or a helper." Quran 4:89 Muslims never have, and very probably never will fit in with non-Muslims. They will not accept the authority of non-Muslims over them, but will always seek to gain the ascendancy: "Fight those who do not believe in Allah, nor in the latter day, nor do they prohibit what Allah and His Apostle have prohibited, nor follow the religion of truth, out of those who have been given the Book, until they pay the tax in acknowledgment of superiority and they are in a state of subjection." Quran 9:29 Look at what is happening in Thailand right now. How on earth does Cameron expect to change this behaviour? Is he going to rewrite the Quran? His hopes lacks all realism.


part 6

Within the ranks of the Conservative Party you have some good people. Michael Gove MP has written the excellent book "Celsius 7/7" which analyses the appeasement leading so tragically to the London bombings. Cameron would do well to (re)read this book before spouting meaningless platitudes at Islamic conferences. It is a serious error for Cameron to think that Islamic morality is higher than that of the indigenous population. Of course there are drink and drugs problems, but it is a mistake to use that as an excuse, or allow Muslims to use that to strengthen their case for introducing Sharia law. Indeed it is Muslims in Afghanistan who grow poppies, and it is Muslim Turks who transport the resulting drugs to Britain and distribute them. And furthermore consider the bribes paid by BAE Systems to the Saudi princes. There was a time when an Englishman's word was his bond. There is an argument that if we did not pay bribes in order to secure contracts, then the French or the Russians would be quite happy to do so. However, this is precisely the same argument that for so long delayed the ending of the slave trade, despite the best efforts of William Wilberforce and other good Christians. The argument was that if Britain did not transport slaves, there would be no effect, since the Spanish and Portugese would continue to do so. It was only as recently as 1965 that slavery was made illegal in Saudi Arabia, and then only due to external pressure, not through the supposed moral superiority of Islam. It was only made illegal in Sudan in 1991, but continues nevertheless. Consider also how our universities are performing moral sumersaults in order to gain Saudi funding. It is the Muslims who are corrupting us, not we who are corrupting them.


part 7

Gove concentrates his fire upon Islamists, and the thoughtlessness of political leaders who have encouraged them over the years. However, there is a need for another book from him, dealing precisely with the core of the problem, and giving an honest answer to what exactly it is within Islam itself that gives rise to so much anger and terrorism. Another excellent book that deals with the rise of Islamism in Britain is "Londonistan" by Melanie Phillips. In a way Blair is correct to state that "terrorists cause terrorism", and that in reality it is very little to do with Afghanistan, or Iraq, or Palestine. However, Blair's analysis ends there: He fails to take it to the next vital step, to ask: What produces Islamic terrorists? The answer is blindingly obvious, if you have the courage to look: The Quran itself is the primary source of this violence, supported by other Islamic writings such as the Hadiths. They are not secret documents, so read them for yourselves. You may raise the objection that there is a large percentage of so called "moderate" Muslims, who are horrified by the terrorism done in the name of Islam. Their reaction is commendable and shows that we have a shared humanity despite our other differences. It would seem that such a reaction of horror is genuine, in most cases anyway. What this demonstrates however is simply that they have been fooled about the true nature of Islam, just as Blair has been.


part 8

We have to realise that within Islam there are no "ten commandments" as there are in the Bible, which are common to Christianity and Judaism. One such command is "thou shalt not bear false witness", in other words, do not lie. Unfortunately, a Muslim has no obligation to be honest. They fool themselves, and they fool non-Muslims with ease. Here is the quote from the Hadiths which makes lying acceptable: "Whenever I tell you a narration from Allah's Apostle, by Allah, I would rather fall down from the sky than ascribe a false statement to him, but if I tell you something between me and you (not a Hadith) then it was indeed a trick (i.e., I may say things just to cheat my enemy). " Hadith Volume 9, Book 84, Number 64 How will politicians react, when it becomes increasingly well understood amongst the electorate that the true nature of Islam is more accurately implemented by Osama bin Laden and his ilk, than by the presumed "moderate" Muslims who are currently being showered with largesse at taxpayer's expense?


part 9

In the 1930s there was the desire to think the best of Herr Hitler, despite indications of his evil nature. Appeasement was in the air, and few voices raised in warning, with Churchill as a notable exception. The threat from the Nazis could have been nipped in the bud, if only Churchill had been listened to. Few believed, or perhaps wished to believe the uncomfortable truths that he was highlighting. There were some others who were also far-sighted: Reginald Mitchell with his Spitfire, without which the outcome may have been so different. But it was developed using private initiative, and no thanks to the head in the sand government. Churchill had words to say about the rise of the Nazis. He had similar words regarding Islam, which we would do well to heed. Is it credible that he was correct about the Nazis, but not about Islam? Cometh the hour cometh the man. The hour for understanding the true nature of Islam and acting upon such knowledge is upon us whether we like it or not, but where is the man? Cameron is likely to be the next prime minister after this interim placeholder, but is he man enough for this challenge? I am sure that he is decent and honest, but he must learn what Churchill knew, and more. Then he must stand up like a man, and do what is the necessity of this hour. If only the spirit of Churchill could return.

Speech by David Cameron

The following has been copied from the Conservative Party website. It is dated 5th June 2007.


Speaking today at the 'Islam and Muslims in the World Today' Conference organised by the University of Cambridge, Conservative Party Leader, David Cameron, will say:

(Please check against delivery)

"I was unable to attend yesterday, but Sayeeda Warsi, Dominic Grieve and the chair of one of my policy group's, Pauline Neville-Jones, were, and have relayed to me some the key issues that were raised.

The need to define our common values.

The impact of modernity on traditional Islamic societies.

And the need to build greater understanding of Islam by others - and of Western society and culture by Muslims.

These are questions that fall under the wide-ranging disciplines of political science, theology, and sociology, but what underpins them all is a question as old as humanity itself: how do we live together?

In this country, there have been times when this question has been uppermost.

While conflict between Catholics and Protestant in Britain was bloody, we were spared the worst excesses witnessed on the continent.

The Glorious Revolution and the two Jacobite rebellions were periods of crisis for the coherence of our country.

Subsequent Catholic emancipation was a long and slow process, but ultimately successful.

The incorporation of East European Jewish immigrants, particularly a 100 years ago, and the Ugandan Asians 30 years ago can also be regarded as successes in integration into a British identity.

Each time, Britain has been able to rise to the challenge and sustain our coherence and unity.

We have done so through a combination of a steadfast faith in our institutions and values, such as freedom under the rule of law, pluralism and tolerance….

……and because society - not only the majority community but the minority community too - were prepared to stand together as one.

There is no reason to think we cannot do the same today.

Security Threat

The evil terrorist campaign we have witnessed in recent years has revealed the existence of a murderous ideology which distorts Islam and plays on a range of grievances to turn a small number of young men into revolutionaries.

As the Grand Mufti of Egypt said yesterday, "there is nothing in Islam that could ever justify these blatant acts of aggression".

Confronting the false basis of this perversion of Islam is one part of what needs to be done.

Ensuring an appropriate security response is another.

But today I want to talk about the third element: community cohesion.

Promoting community cohesion should indeed be part of our response to terrorism.

But cohesion is not just about terrorism and it is certainly not just about Muslims.

Promoting integration will help protect our security.

But too mechanistic a connection between these objectives will make it harder to achieve both, by giving the impression that the state considers all Muslims to be a security risk.

After all, it is a tiny minority of British Muslims who support terrorism.

And fewer still who are likely to plan or commit terrorist atrocities.


Cultural Separation

That's why, in discussing community cohesion today, I want to focus on another significant trend: cultural separation.

There has been a rise in what the French scholar Olivier Roy calls 'religiosity' among second or third generation Muslims of immigrant origin.

Of course we should welcome, not condemn, people who choose in a free society to express their religious belief.

But what should most definitely concern us is when heightened religious observation is accompanied by a rise in cultural separatism.

As the Grand Mufti said yesterday, "Islam calls on Muslims to be productive members of whatever society they find themselves in. Islam embodies a flexibility that allows Muslims to do so without any internal or external conflict."

Therefore, cultural separatism is something we must all work hard to resist and reverse.

Again, not just because it relates to our security concerns.

Although all terrorists are cultural separatists, not all cultural separatists are terrorists.

But though cultural separatists eschew violence, many find it hard to accept what has happened with 7/7 and other plots. In short, they seem to be in denial.

I recently visited a mosque in Birmingham and got some depressing questions about who was really responsible for 9/11 and even 7/7.

That it was a CIA plot

That Jews had been told to leave the twin towers.

When it comes to 7/7, there was real scepticism about the suicide bomber videos being fake or not.

Indeed, the poll by Channel 4 news out today suggests that one in four Muslims in this country think Government agents staged the July 7th bombings.

This is a real problem which we have all got to get to grips with.

And some recent opinion polls have suggested that we may have a growing problem of cultural separatism: in other words, the next generation of British Muslims are more separate from mainstream opinion than their parents.

For example, in a recent survey of 16-24 year old Muslims in this country, 36 percent believed if someone converts from Islam they should be punished by death.

Now, in a free society, we are all allowed our own opinions.

What's more, as individuals, we can legitimately challenge the status quo as long as it is done within the rule of law.

But I think we should be able to say confidently, and without wanting to cause offence, that some of these views are contrary to the principles of freedom and equality that we hold dear in this country.

In that respect, they must be challenged.

And I do not want to shy away from my responsibility of making this clear.

But perhaps a much more telling statistic, and alarming indictment on the cultural separation in our society, is that 31% of all Muslims in this country feel they have more in common with Muslims in other countries than they do with non-Muslims in Britain.

This cannot be explained simply in terms of the bonds of kinship which anyone will feel to the homeland of their ancestors.

There is something much deeper at work here:

A feeling of alienation.

A disillusionment with life in this country.

And an ambiguity over what it is to be both Muslim and British.

It is now absolutely vital that we address this trend.

After all, we should acknowledge that those who feel simply disillusioned and disaffected today can turn to something much more sinister, and much more subversive, tomorrow.

Indeed, as Peter Clarke, Deputy Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police recently said, "one of the most worrying" things he has come across in his job "has been the speed and apparent ease with which young men can be turned into suicidal terrorists, prepared to kill themselves and hundreds of others."

What's more, it is these people who are the first line of defence in the battle against those extremists who are actually planning attacks.

They are their cousins, brothers and sisters, and it will harder for them not only to apply the social pressure, but also indeed to recognise particularly radical philosophies contrary to the British way of life, if they themselves remain divorced from life here.

In a moment, I will explain how I think we can reverse this trend.

But first, I want to explain why I think it has happened.

Politics of Identity

Of course, there are many factors that need to be taken into consideration.

First, and not least, the impact that poverty and poor life chances have on someone's sense of isolation and belonging.

Second, racism and bigotry has done much to harm community relations.

You can't even start to talk about a truly integrated society while people are suffering racist insults and abuse, as many still are in our country on a daily basis.

Third, we have to recognise that for some young Muslims, their sense of belonging to a global Muslim community is heightened by the perception that Islam, around the world, is under attack.

They see the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.

And the continued failure to settle the Palestinian question.

We have to explain patiently and carefully that in Iraq and Afghanistan we are supporting democratically elected Muslim leaders.

And that in a democracy, disagreement with foreign policy can never justify violence or terrorism.

We must explain that in the Middle East we are pushing hard to get the peace process restarted.

At the same time, we must be careful not to link these issues together.

Some of the rhetoric about the 'War on Terror' has helped to give this impression.

As I've said before, this can play into the hands of those - like al-Qaeda - who want to divide the world in two.

The reality is that we should disaggregate these issues and deal with them one by one, with the humility and patience.

And a fourth factor which has helped foster this lack of belonging for many young Muslims in the UK today is the influence of a number of Muslim preachers that actively encourage cultural separatism.

One such preacher is Yusuf al'Qaradawi, who though he encourages Muslim participation in political life in the UK, says he wants to create an 'Islamic Movement' which he defined as "the organised, collective work undertaken by all the people to restore Islam to the leadership of society and the helm of life [in] all walks of life."

What's more, there are some Muslim organisations that advocate complete non-participation, especially in political life, as part of being a good Muslim.

Such encouragement is nothing short of passive resistance to our values deliberately designed to keep the Muslim community detached and separate- as outsiders in their own country.

This is helpful to no one.

It helps serve as a recruiting sergeant for the BNP, who can play up to the politics of fear by demonising an 'other' which refuses to play its part in wider society.

And those Muslim communities that choose to hold themselves apart will struggle to prosper and thrive in this country.

This was a point raised by Mufti H.E. Mustafa Ceric yesterday : the need for Muslims and the host nation to go forward on a shared, not independent, basis.

So poverty, racism, the perception that Islam is under attack and the influence of preachers that encourage separation all have a part to play in explaining why some Muslims hold views contrary to values we hold dear in this country and seem so disillusioned with life in Britain.

But I want to focus on a fifth reason in particular: the question of identity.

There are two, mutually reinforcing, factors at work here.

First, what we are witnessing is a rise in Muslim identity and consciousness.

Olivier Roy explains that this is a result of Islam becoming 'de-territorialised' - that is, established beyond its customary geographical and social backdrop.

In traditional Muslim societies, one's identity is everywhere: local schools, music, arts, family, and the legal system.

But as Roy goes on to say, once Muslims leave these traditional societies through emigration, their identity is no longer supported by society at large.

Within this framework, many first generation immigrants happily fit in with the norms and customs of their new homeland.

But they do so while not making a full break with their place of birth, bringing with them traditional habits and beliefs.

But it is their children who can feel more rootless: unable to identify fully with neither the traditional practices of their home life nor the cultural norms of modern Britain.

It is their search for an identity which makes them associate more readily with the global ummah - the worldwide Islamic community.

It is this which can lead to a depressing sense of isolation from their country of birth.

At its very worst, it can lead to extremism and violence.

This process of rising Muslim consciousness has been accelerated by the creed of multiculturalism, which despite intending to allow diversity flourish under a common banner of unity, has instead fostered difference by treating faith communities as monolithic blocks rather than individual citizens.

The result has been what Amartya Sen calls 'plural monoculturalism': a system in which people are constantly herded into different pens, with respective grievances and rights.

As a result, Bangladeshis, who have their own distinctive language and culture, are now grouped together with people from Iran to Indonesia….

….. reinforcing their sense of separateness on strength of their religious belief alone.

This rise in Muslim consciousness has been reinforced by a second, parallel, factor at work: the deliberate weakening of our collective identity in Britain.

Again, multiculturalism has its part to play.

By concentrating on defining the various cultures that have come to call Britain home, we have forgotten to define the most important one: our own.

We hear it more and more: what does it mean to be British?

We are less sure how to articulate an answer to that question than we ever have been in history.

Just recently, I stayed for a couple of nights with Abdullah and Shahida Rehman in Birmingham.

I spent a lot of time talking to them and their family, and also the wider Muslim community in the area.

Time after time I heard people talk about the uncivilised behaviour and values they see all around them.

Drugs, crime, incivility are - we have to admit - an all too common part of life in modern Britain.

We have to understand that integration is a two-way street. It is about more than immigrant communities, 'their' responsibilities and 'their' duties.

It has to be about the majority population too- the quality of life we offer, our society and our values.

Building a Positive Society

The challenge now is to create a positive vision of a British society that really stands for something and makes people want to be a part of it.

A society in which we are held together by a strong sense of shared identity and common values.

A society which encourages active citizenship, not a passive standing on the sidelines.

A society which people are not bullied to join, but are actively inspired to join.

It is about creating a framework of values in which people - all people - in our country feel they are part of a shared national endeavour, a positive purpose.

And I believe there are two key priorities in making this happen.

First, we need a clear sense of our British identity and ensure it is open to everyone.

Second, we need to build a society where people really feel they have the power to shape their own destiny.

Building Identity

Let me take each in turn.

First, a society that has the ability to inspire its citizens is one with a strong sense of history and values.

That's because history and values together shape our identity.

History revolves around institutions, buildings, symbols; a sense of where you have come from and where you are going to.

Think of America.

Of course America is not perfect.

But it does succeed in creating, to an extent far more evident that we have achieved here, a real sense of common identity - about what it means to be an American.

Freedom. Family. Opportunity and community.

Now, this is not to say we in Britain have neither history nor values. We have plenty of the former and a keen sense of the latter.

The difference is that in America, this identity is positively and actively embraced by nearly everyone, regardless of his or her ethnic background and religious affiliation.

You can see it in daily rituals like the Pledge of Allegiance.

In the strong sense of emotional attachment and reverence towards Mount Rushmore and Arlington Cemetery.

And you can see it in America's coming together on Independence Day and Thanksgiving.

It is this strong sense of inclusive identity that has helped make so many people feel part of American society.

In Britain, we have to be honest: we have failed to do the same.

We have not opened up our sense of citizenship to all those that have come to live here.

Of course the vast majority of families of recent immigrant origin do feel a strong sense of citizenship and what it is to be British.

Indeed, my time in Birmingham with the Rehmans showed that if we want to remind ourselves of British values - hospitality, tolerance and generosity to name just three - there are plenty of British Muslims ready to show us what those things really mean.

The problem is some do not.

That's because much of this transmission of our identity is unspoken and instinctive.

'Unspoken' English, as it were, can be the most difficult language to learn if you come from elsewhere.

Now this does not mean we have to adopt flag-raising ceremonies or ritualistic pledges of allegiance to the monarchy.

But we can start by ensuring history is taught properly in schools.

This does not mean we have to gloss over all the things we are not entirely proud of, but we should at least celebrate the many positive things Britain has achieved both at home and abroad.

After all, you do not earn respect by constantly denigrating and repudiating your own culture

This must include teaching our children about concepts like the rule of law, free speech, freedom of the individual and parliamentary democracy.

We can also help foster a shared sense of identity by making sure immigrants can speak English.

Today, we have communities where people from different ethnic origins never meet, never talk, never go into each others' homes.

Ultimately, it is an emotional connection that binds a country together. It is by contact that we overcome our differences - and realise that though our origins and our cultures may vary, we all share common values.

The most basic contact comes from talking to each other: and if people cannot speak the English this becomes near-impossibe.

And let's be clear: when we say a common citizenship must be open to everyone in this country, we must mean everyone.

That must include women.

Now, I know there's a myth in this country about Muslim women.

The idea that somehow all Muslim women are subservient observers of, rather than active participants in, British society.

Many are well educated and many play a vital role at the heart of their communities.

But we must not be naïve.

In certain sections of the community women are being denied access to education, work, and involvement in the political process.

These are all vital aspects of being a British citizen.

I'm told time and time again by women that the denial of these opportunities is not because of their Islamic faith but because of current cultural interpretations in Britain.

We must therefore be bold, and not hide behind the screen of cultural sensitivity…

…to say publicly that no woman should be denied rights which their country support, and, as we have learned from some speaker over the past couple of days, that some interpretations of Islam support too.

Empowering State

So bolstering our sense of identity and extending it to everyone is the first thing we need to do if we are to inspire people to feel British.

The second thing we have to do is build a society in which people really - and I mean really - have the power to shape their destinies.

These two things are mutually re-enforcing.

After all, common values, common identity and a common purpose can never be derived from the state alone.

They come from within society.

It's a question of social responsibility: the attitudes, decisions and daily actions of every single person and every single organisation in society.

After all, it will be the many millions of individual acts between human beings that will determine the success of community cohesion.

And more people will assume their social responsibility and feel part of their community if they feel real control over its future.

Look at the Gallup World Poll.

It showed that what they dub as 'involved' citizens - that is, people who have donated money or volunteered time to an organisation, helped a stranger or voiced an opinion to a public official - are much more likely to think that people from minority ethnic groups enrich cultural life in Britain than those that are not involved.

The problem in Britain today is that the avenues and channels by which people are able to take control of their life and shape their own destiny have been eroded.

This is not just the case for minority ethnic populations. It is as true for the majority population too.

Britain is now one of the most centralised states in the developed world. People no longer feel they have the means or ability to change things.

When it comes to our schools, our health service, our neighbourhoods, people feel powerless to do anything.

Again, America can teach us a lesson.

It is one of the most decentralised countries in the world.

As a result, there exists a real sense of civic responsibility and engagement, as people look to their own community, not to central government, for solutions to the problems they face.

Just as importantly, they have a belief that no matter who they are or where they come from, if they work hard enough they can achieve their goals.

Afshin Ellian, an Iranian teaching Law in the Dutch town of Leiden, summed up the difference between this approach, and the one exercised in Europe:

"Five years ago, my Afghan sister-in-law emigrated to the United States, where she now works, pays taxes and takes part in public life. If she had turned up in Europe, she would still be undergoing treatment for her trauma - and she still wouldn't have got a job or won acceptance as a citizen."

What he is saying is obvious enough: a society that gives people the chance to get on in life, to fulfil their ambitions and feel that their contribution is part of a national effort is one that will inspire affection and loyalty.

So before we can offer real hope of changing society, we have to change the way we think and do politics in this country.

We need a radical re-distribution of power in our society from the centre to the local, so we can empower people and build the responsible society we all want to see.

The power to shape their communities.

The power to shape their public services.

The power to shape their futures.

In short, more power to the people.

I want to give everyone in our country, particularly in our great cities where immigrant communities are most concentrated, much greater control over what happens in their lives, with meaningful local participation, engagement and civic responsibility.

I know what you'll say: Muslim communities already have a sense of civic responsibility that puts the rest of us to shame…

…and so the onus should be on the host population to step up to the plate and assume their responsibilities, by actively getting involved and reaching out to minority ethnic communities.

I agree with both sentiments entirely.

But the onus also lies with Muslim community and faith leaders, many of which are here today and whose work is an inspiration, to actively lead the communities they represent in the direction of involvement with the wider local community.

By that I mean extending their sense of civic responsibility and social work beyond places of worship or local community centres to people from other faith groups and backgrounds.

So let me be clear: we will not build a cohesive society if people do not assume their responsibilities.

And people will not assume their responsibilities if they do not have the power to control their lives.

"Power to the people" is one of the most deeply held Conservative ideas and in the weeks ahead we will start to show how we plan to extend it.


I began by saying that through a steadfast faith in our values and because society wanted to stand together as one, Britain has managed to answer the question of how we live together before.

And I said I believe we can do so again today.

It will require us to strengthen our identity and make it inspiring to many more people than is the case at the moment.

And it will require us to build the sort of responsible society that will make people want to play their part and stand together.

I am optimistic about our chances of doing this, because deep down, I believe the majority of us want the same.

A Britain proud of its past, and confident in its future.

A Britain built on a strong cultural identity but with the freedom to allow communities to practice their traditions.

And a Britain where if you want to play your part, there's a place for you."

Web Pages referring to this page
Link to this page and get a link back!