"While dictators rage and statesmen talk, all Europe dances — to The Lambeth Walk."

Sunday 8 March 2009

One Law for All

I am grateful to regular contributor Derius, who yesterday attended the 'One Law for All' anti-Sharia demonstration in Trafalgar Square.

Here is his report on the march, the speakers and the day's other events (with thanks to Aeneas for the pictures and full credit for all the following information to Derius):

One Law for All Anti Sharia Rally

It is a sad day when, in one of the countries where the enlightenment began, and where some of history’s most prominent philosophers were born, it becomes necessary to protest against the introduction of Sharia Law. That, unfortunately, is the position we now find ourselves in.

Due to thirty years of mass immigration policies, combined with a constant desire by our Government to appease the adherents of Political Islam, there is now a very significant movement by groups such as the Muslim Council of Britain to introduce Sharia Law into tribunals in this country. These groups label any attempts to oppose them as “Islamophobic” and “racist”.

These events cannot be allowed to continue. Maryam Namazie, who has quite correctly identified the problem, has set up the One Law for All campaign to stop this worrying development. Her statement is simple and to the point: “This is your chance to voice your opposition to sharia law and all religious-based tribunals in Britain and elsewhere, demand one secular law and full citizenship rights, demand an end to cultural relativism and racism, and defend universal rights.”

The rally began in Trafalgar Square at 3.30pm. The turnout was from 200-300 initially, to listen to a variety of speakers, a number of whom had fled oppressive Islamic regimes and come to live in Britain. They now find themselves up against the same retrograde forces in this country, who appear to be supported by not only the British Government, but by other prominent figures such as the Archbishop of Canterbury, all under the banner of “celebrating diversity”.

After the speakers had finished, there was a march to Holborn. Observing the reactions of onlookers was positive, as a number waved or shouted approval. A dozen or so people, once seeing the march, also joined in. The atmosphere was relaxed, and trouble free; a stark contrast to some of the incidents at the recent pro Palestinian rallies.

Once we arrived at Conway Hall, a public meeting was held. The speakers included Yasmin Alibhai-Brown, chair of British Muslims for Secular Democracy; Naser Khader, founder of Democratic Muslims; Gina Khan of One Law for All; the writer Kenan Malik; Maryam herself; Fariborz Pooya of Iranian Secular Society and chair of the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain and Carla Revere, chair of the Lawyers’ Secular Society.

The legal situation regarding Sharia courts in Britain was discussed in depth. As is usually the case with legal matters, the issue is far from straightforward. However, the general thrust is that under the current legal system, Sharia tribunals are voluntary, and nobody can be legally forced to have arbitration within them. However, once an individual does agree to such arbitration, then it is very difficult for the decision to be subsequently overturned in the courts. This presents two problems. The first is that some people may be forced to agree with the arbitration of such tribunals through community or family pressure. The second is that some people may not be aware that they have the legal right to refuse to go to such tribunals in the first place. Therefore, the solution proposed is that rulings of such Sharia tribunals should never be recognised in the courts, and their decisions are never legally binding. This means that any injustices created by the Sharia tribunals can always be overturned.

The only main disappointment with the meeting was a seeming unwillingness to discuss how Political Islam is actually derived, namely through the texts of the Qur’an, Hadith and Sira. A better understanding of the nature of the threat would be very beneficial in defeating it. Regardless though, this is certainly a worthy cause and should be widely supported.

I estimate the total number of people present at least one of the three events (rally, march and public meeting) was about 500. There were many people who were at the rally but not the public meeting, and vice versa, so only a rough approximation can be given.

It is a bitter disappointment that such a campaign is now needed in 21st Century Britain, caused by what only can be described as criminal negligence by our Government. I wonder whether Harriet Harman would like to have her family affairs arbitrated by a Sharia court. I suspect not, but then hypocrisy is something New Labour seem to excel at these days
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10 comments:

Dr.D said...

It is terribly disappointing that in all London, there were only 500 people who care enough to take a couple of hours to protest. But, they will have plenty of time to protest later, later when they dare not open their mouths or twitch a muscle.

What has gone wrong with all of us Anglo-Saxons? Do we really believe this nonsense that we are hearing from the multicults? Or are we just too damn soft?

Anonymous said...

If Geert Wilders falls, then Freedom of speech is dead in Europe. We are launching an extensive International Action SITA including two possible texts ; one comparing Wilders and Winston Churchill and another Wilders and Charlie Chaplin:
http://sitamnesty.wordpress.com/

2009/01/23/i-support-democrat-geert-winston-wilders-against-islamic-fascism-and-its-dhimmis (Winston Eng)
http://sitamnesty.wordpress.com/

2009/01/23/i-support-democrat-geert-charlie-wilders-against-islamic-fascism (Charlie Eng)
To support Geert Wilders and our dearly acquired freedoms please participate to the 2 suggested actions and transmit this message to your friends owners of a website in order they publish it.
An other way to support Geert Wilders is to give some money. To donate: www.geertwilders.nl



ACTION SITA

Anonymous said...

You people are unbelievable!

The way you suck up to foreign Muslims who want to end freedom of religion in the UK and abolish your nation borders is just something I could never have imagined!

Please see:

"UK: Iranian Anti-Christ Communist Rally a Smashing Success"

http://brianakira.wordpress.com/2009/03/08/uk-iranian-anti-christ-communist-rally-a-smashing-success/

Anonymous said...

Dr. D,

Who are the Anglo-Saxons you are talking about?

This is a rally organized by the Worker-Communist Party of Iran!!!

Oldrightie said...

Any rally or march today is a victory. Almost regardless of the subject. This Government must be made to listen. Custard with that?

The 1st Earl of Cromer said...

Dr. D:
I actually thought there would be less, but I take your point.


Brianakira:
My contributor attended this march with the best of intentions, and I posted it with the same intentions.

I love my country, and I can assure you I do not wish to see it abolished. Quite the opposite, in fact.

Whatever these people are, they are still a voice against Sharia law and Islamic practices. That is certainly how the media, the majority of the marchers and members of the public observing saw it, anyway.

Sadly, in Britain, we're at the point where every little helps, and nothing can be taken for granted.


Oldrightie:
Thanks for stopping by. Couldn't have put it better myself.

Anonymous said...

My following comments represent my own views, and not necessarily the views of the Venerable Earl of Cromer.

Brianakira,

I am perfectly aware of Maryam Namazie's background. Do not presume I am ignorant.

The fact that Communists and the Islamists are finally on opposite sides in this country is a good thing. They have generally been working together up to now. See the website "Islamophobia Watch", which is actually run by a Communist, and not by any muslims at all.

And having read your comments on your blog about "queerness" indoctrination in schools and calling the march I went to an "Anti Christ rally", it would appear you have some rather perculiar views yourself.

The politics of Islam must be stopped in this country. If I have to temporarily side with some Communists to help achieve this, then so be it.

Anonymous said...

Re: "calling the march I went to an "Anti Christ rally", it would appear you have some rather perculiar views yourself. The politics of Islam must be stopped in this country. If I have to temporarily side with some Communists to help achieve this, then so be it."

They want all Christian schools closed, and you support them; sounds like Anti-Christ to me.

If you "side with" people who want the British state abolished, want British liberties overturned, and want unlimited Muslim immigration, then you are in fact a traitor.

Anonymous said...

Briankara,

I see that you conveniently missed the word "temporarily" in my last post. Let me repeat what I said:

"The politics of Islam must be stopped in this country. If I have to temporarily side with some Communists to help achieve this, then so be it."

There is a big difference between "temporarily side" and "permamently ally", which you seem to be suggesting is my actual standpoint. Obviously real politik isn't your strongpoint, is it?

And where on the One Law For All website does it say that the movement agrees with "unlimited Islamic immigration"?

And the fact remains that YOU and not I seem hellbent on discediting the only movement that currently exists to oppose the Islamisation of Britain. So your comment about me being a traitor is utterly hypocritical.

Anyway, isn't it about time you carried on opposing "queerness in schools"? Nothing like a good bit of religious bigotry, is there?

Anonymous said...

Briankara,

I see that you conveniently missed the word "temporarily" in my last post. Let me repeat what I said:

"The politics of Islam must be stopped in this country. If I have to temporarily side with some Communists to help achieve this, then so be it."

There is a big difference between "temporarily side" and "permamently ally", which you seem to be suggesting is my actual standpoint. Obviously real politik isn't your strongpoint, is it?

And where on the One Law For All website does it say that the movement agrees with "unlimited Islamic immigration"?

And the fact remains that YOU and not I seem hellbent on discediting the only movement that currently exists to oppose the Islamisation of Britain. So your comment about me being a traitor is utterly hypocritical.

Anyway, isn't it about time you carried on opposing "queerness in schools"? Nothing like a good bit of religious bigotry, is there?