United Kingdom
Hundreds of fighters going to Syria ‘a threat to EU’
Speaking to the European Parliament’s home affairs committee, the EU’s anti-terror chief Gilles de Kerchove said the departure of hundreds of young Europeans to fight in Syria poses “a serious threat” to Europe’s security. A report released early this month by King’s College London said up to 600 people from 14 countries, including Austria, Britain,…
Guantánamo Bay: why can’t Shaker Aamer return home to London?
Shaker Aamer was sent to Guantánamo Bay in 2002, and cleared to leave in 2007. Now, weakened by hunger strike, he asks what his fate has to do with justice. The allegations which Aamer denies and which no one has ever been able to prove, has led to Aamer spending years in detention, a stretch…
Misery memoirs: why is it different for Muslim women?
Samira Ahmed writes in this post why women writing about suffering in Islamic states are slated for supporting a patronising attitude towards those societies. The success of harrowing true stories of abuse and poverty led to a special label for books such as Dave Pelzer’s A Child Called It or Frank McCourt’s Angela’s Ashes. But…
Abu Qatada could face prosecution in UK, says Theresa May
In this piece The Guardian the home secretary, Theresa May, has said police are examining evidence seized over the recent arrest of Islamic cleric Abu Qatada to see if he can be prosecuted in UK courts. Judges at the court of appeal have repeatedly blocked the preacher’s deportation, amid fears he would face an unfair…
University of Leicester Launches Inquiry into Segregated Seating
15 April 2013 The University of Leicester announced that it will launch an inquiry into an on-campus event, hosted last month by the student Islamic Society, which featured gender-segregated seating and separate entrances for males and females. The event, a talk entitled, “Does God Exist?,” featured Hamza Tzortzis, a lecturer on Islam. Mr. Tzortzis…