United Kingdom
Al-Madinah free faith school expected to be closed by the government
October 17, 2013 A controversial free school condemned in an official report as “dysfunctional” is expected to be closed by the government by the end of the year after ministers seemingly concluded that it is beyond rescue. As Labour claimed that Michael Gove had suffered a devastating blow to his flagship free schools policy…
Is the party over for the EDL?
October 18, 2013 The English Defence League is likely to splinter into smaller regional units with some supporters shifting to more extreme movements in the wake of the leadership’s resignation, according to a former member of the police unit that spent years covertly monitoring the group. Even before last week’s shock decision by Tommy…
Could principles of Islamic finance feed into a sustainable economic system?
October 18, 2013 Islamic finance has been a significant global force for the past few decades, but in recent years sharia-compliant saving and investing have become more common. For example, in June, Goldman Sachs provided a loan to Arcapita Bank, an Islamic investment company, that in compliance with sharia law did not charge interest….
‘Muslim Patrol’ vigilante pleads guilty to assault and threats
October 18, 2013 A Muslim convert who was part of an east London gang of self-styled vigilantes calling themselves the “Muslim Patrol” pleaded guilty in court on Friday to assaulting two people in the street. Jordan Horner, 19, admitted two charges of assault and using threatening words and behaviour in January this year. The…
My 18 months with former EDL leader Tommy Robinson by Mohammed Ansar
October 18, 2013 It was April 2012, and it was my first face-to-face meeting with Tommy Robinson (real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon), the leader of the English Defence League (EDL). We were appearing on a BBC1 programme called The Big Questions. Little did I know this would be the start of an 18-month journey together…