AN imam invited from Libya to preach in Bristol has been jailed after pleading guilty to indecently exposing himself in the city centre.
Bristol magistrates heard Abrahim Ghait, a young imam celebrated for his knowledge of the Koran, exposed himself to a 28-year-old woman in Castle Park as she made her way home from the gym.
He also admitted an allegation that he showed a 12-year-old girl in the park his genitals in a separate incident
.Magistrates sent the 25-year-old, who had come to Britain on a visit to preach during the Muslim festival Ramadan, to prison for six weeks.
But his friend Mohamed El Haddad, the head of the UK Arabic Society which invited the imam to Bristol, said he believed Ghait had only pleaded guilty in the hope that he would get a non-custodial sentence, which would have allowed him to go home to Libya where he had urgent business.
Mr El Haddad said there was no way the imam would have committed the acts, and that it would destroy his future and reputation.
Magistrates were told that Ghait is a famous imam in Libya, lauded for having memorised the entire Koran by the time he was 17 and being able to recite lengthy passages from memory.
They were told that he had been sponsored by the Bristol-based UK Arabic Society to come to the UK and preach at mosques in the city during Ramadan.
Ghait was staying at a flat on Croydon Street in Easton when the incidents happened.
Richard Levene, prosecuting, told the court that on August 13 a 28-year-old woman was walking through Castle Park on her own at 7.45pm, making her way home from the gym. It was alleged she saw Ghait standing behind a bin near a footbridge, and as she walked towards him he stepped out, trousers down and exposing himself.
The court was told that despite there being young children nearby he looked at the woman, then down to his exposed groin which he was holding, and then back to the woman, before she walked off and called the police.
Three days later, on August 16, it was alleged he performed a similar act in front of a 12-year-old girl.
The court heard that although Ghait could only speak Arabic, it was claimed he told the girl his genitalia was named "Lexie".
He was later arrested.
Ghait then appeared before magistrates at a hearing intended to vary his bail application before the case went to trial.
But instead he pleaded guilty to two charges under the Sexual Offences Act, of exposing his genitals with intention that someone would see them and be caused alarm or distress.
Sue Cameron, defending, said that Ghait had been through a huge culture shock in coming to the UK, and that he was from a very isolated background in the Libyan desert and didn't really know much about the world.
The court was told that Ghait was very concerned about people in Libya finding out.
His defence also argued that he had extremely bad piles and was due to have surgery at home.
Magistrates jailed Ghait for six weeks on each charge, with the sentences served at the same time.
He was also put on the Sex Offender Register for seven years.
Ghait was invited to Bristol through the UK Arabic Society to lead prayers during Ramadan for the Somali Muslim community at the St Paul's Settlement community centre on City Road.
Mr El Haddad and Mrs Cameron told the Evening Post that when Ghait first appeared before magistrates in Bristol on September 2, the bench had strongly indicated that a custodial sentence was unlikely.
Mr El Haddad said Ghait had only pleaded guilty to avoid having to wait in the UK for a trial, which had been due to take place in November, and in the hope of receiving a suspended sentence so he would not have to explain why he was away for so long.
He also wanted to get back for his brother's wedding and to study for a masters degree.
Mr El Haddad added: "The situation is unacceptable and I don't believe he did it.
"He only pleaded guilty because he wasn't expecting to go to prison, and because of the pressure on him to go back home quickly.
"There is no way that he would have done something like this. Do you think that a leader of a church would harm its community?
"It was a park, in the middle of the town, in the middle of the day.
"He was here leading people in prayer, it was in Ramadan when he was fasting, and he is not supposed to even look at a woman.
"He is a world-famous imam of a mosque in Libya and has spent 15 years learning the Koran.
"It is destroying the future of a key person. It is crazy, and I just can't believe it."
Ghait also visited Bristol to preach in 2007. He is one of 21 imams the UK Arabic Society, a charity, has brought to the UK from Libya in 2010 to preach.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
British Catholic School May Be Converted to Mosque...
A Roman Catholic primary school could become the first in the country to be run by a mosque after a dramatic rise in the number of Muslim pupils,
Church bosses want to close Sacred Heart RC Primary School, in Blackburn, Lancashire, because the number of Catholic students has plummeted from 91 per cent to just three per cent in a decade.
In what would be the first case of its kind in Britain, the primary would be handed over to another organisation to run - most likely the local Tauheedul mosque - and re-opened with a new name.
Around 95 per cent of the school's 200 pupils are of Asian origin.
Many do not speak English as their first language and the majority follow the Islamic faith.
The Diocese of Salford has told Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council that it no longer believes it is “appropriate” for the church to be in charge.
According to a report presented to the council's executive, the school, which sits in a predominantly Asian populated area of the town, has been struggling to recruit a permanent headteacher because of rules imposed by the church that the head must follow the Catholic faith.
The board of governors also made a decision to resign en masse because they believed they were not an accurate reflection of the local community.
Geraldine Bradbury, director of education at the Diocese, said population shifts meant there were only “five or six” Catholic pupils left at the school.
'We have never experienced a change to this extent before,' she said. 'We want to make sure that the educational needs of the community are met.
'We would not be serving the local community by insisting that we run the school. It brings things like having a Catholic headteacher and devoting 10 per cent of the timetable to RE.
It would be very wrong of us to insist on putting a school community through that.'
More...
UK sixth form college bans the veil 'for security reasons'
The Tauheedul mosque is already responsible for a voluntary aided Islamic girls’ secondary school in the town.
Under the mosque's leadership the school would ''provide increased diversity… and offer a faith school that matches the population in this area of the town,'' the report says.
Hamid Patel, principal and chief executive of Tauheedul Islam Girls’ High School, said the mosque would like to take over the running of Sacred Heart.
'Given that almost all of the pupils are Muslim it makes sense for us to engage with the school,' he said.
'We will need more information on the expectations of the local authority, but if the community and the school want us to be involved, then yes, we are interested.'But James Gray, education officer at the British Humanist Association, criticised the move.
''This demonstrates that religious authorities do not always see education as a means of serving the local community,'he said. 'They have decided there are not enough Catholics and want to wash their hands of the school.'
The new provider will be decided by a competition, under which different organisations bid to the local authority to be put in charge.
It is understood that the Church of England diocese is also interested in potentially taking over the primary school.
'Providing increased diversity': The Tauheedul mosque hopes to take over the school, which already has a large number of Muslim pupils
According to the report, the council believes that any attempt to turn Sacred Heart into a non-religious community school would be rejected by the Government because of the Coalition’s “stated preference for… new faith schools and free schools”.
Education Secretary Michael Gove named five faith schools among the list of the first 16 free schools to open next year, including two Jewish schools, a Sikh school and a Hindu primary.
Harry Devonport, director of children's services at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “The decision to cease to maintain the school as a Catholic school has been taken by the RC Diocese.
'The recommendation is to establish a new school which will be looked at by the executive board after an extensive consultation has taken place.
'This is merely a technical change which will involve the same staff. There will be no disruption for our children at this school. Our main focus is ensuring that pupils have access to quality education.'
Church bosses want to close Sacred Heart RC Primary School, in Blackburn, Lancashire, because the number of Catholic students has plummeted from 91 per cent to just three per cent in a decade.
In what would be the first case of its kind in Britain, the primary would be handed over to another organisation to run - most likely the local Tauheedul mosque - and re-opened with a new name.
Around 95 per cent of the school's 200 pupils are of Asian origin.
Many do not speak English as their first language and the majority follow the Islamic faith.
The Diocese of Salford has told Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council that it no longer believes it is “appropriate” for the church to be in charge.
According to a report presented to the council's executive, the school, which sits in a predominantly Asian populated area of the town, has been struggling to recruit a permanent headteacher because of rules imposed by the church that the head must follow the Catholic faith.
The board of governors also made a decision to resign en masse because they believed they were not an accurate reflection of the local community.
Geraldine Bradbury, director of education at the Diocese, said population shifts meant there were only “five or six” Catholic pupils left at the school.
'We have never experienced a change to this extent before,' she said. 'We want to make sure that the educational needs of the community are met.
'We would not be serving the local community by insisting that we run the school. It brings things like having a Catholic headteacher and devoting 10 per cent of the timetable to RE.
It would be very wrong of us to insist on putting a school community through that.'
More...
UK sixth form college bans the veil 'for security reasons'
The Tauheedul mosque is already responsible for a voluntary aided Islamic girls’ secondary school in the town.
Under the mosque's leadership the school would ''provide increased diversity… and offer a faith school that matches the population in this area of the town,'' the report says.
Hamid Patel, principal and chief executive of Tauheedul Islam Girls’ High School, said the mosque would like to take over the running of Sacred Heart.
'Given that almost all of the pupils are Muslim it makes sense for us to engage with the school,' he said.
'We will need more information on the expectations of the local authority, but if the community and the school want us to be involved, then yes, we are interested.'But James Gray, education officer at the British Humanist Association, criticised the move.
''This demonstrates that religious authorities do not always see education as a means of serving the local community,'he said. 'They have decided there are not enough Catholics and want to wash their hands of the school.'
The new provider will be decided by a competition, under which different organisations bid to the local authority to be put in charge.
It is understood that the Church of England diocese is also interested in potentially taking over the primary school.
'Providing increased diversity': The Tauheedul mosque hopes to take over the school, which already has a large number of Muslim pupils
According to the report, the council believes that any attempt to turn Sacred Heart into a non-religious community school would be rejected by the Government because of the Coalition’s “stated preference for… new faith schools and free schools”.
Education Secretary Michael Gove named five faith schools among the list of the first 16 free schools to open next year, including two Jewish schools, a Sikh school and a Hindu primary.
Harry Devonport, director of children's services at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “The decision to cease to maintain the school as a Catholic school has been taken by the RC Diocese.
'The recommendation is to establish a new school which will be looked at by the executive board after an extensive consultation has taken place.
'This is merely a technical change which will involve the same staff. There will be no disruption for our children at this school. Our main focus is ensuring that pupils have access to quality education.'
UK sixth form college bans the veil 'for security reasons'/
Burnley College, in Lancashire, placed a notice from principal Hugh Bramwell at reception informing all students, staff and visitors they must remove items which cover their face on arrival.
But while bosses claim the move was necessary for security, the University of Central Lancashire, which runs courses from the same building, has not implemented the policy.
Burnley College, in Lancashire, has placed a notice at reception informing all students, staff and visitors they must remove items which cover their face
Critics have now hit out at the ban - which includes helmets - insisting it denies people the 'freedom to wear what they want.'
Councillor Wajid Khan, a course leader at the university, condemned the move.
'Personally I don't agree with the policy in the college,' he said.
Coun Khan, whose ward contains the college, added: 'Here at the university we don't have that policy. Everybody should be entitled to their individual freedom.
'It could affect parents coming to parents' evening but the college should let parents know of the policies and students should make sure they know the policies before they join.
More...
'We are English nationalists acting out of frustration': Defiance of yobs who set fire to the Koran
Roman Catholic school may be run by a MOSQUE as there are just 'five or six' RC pupils left
'Any student in the University of Central Lancashire area can chose what they wear. But university students who wear the veil and walk through the college area must identify themselves to the security guards.
There are only male security guards on the premises.'
Former Lancashire Council of Mosques chair Abdul Hamid Qureshi, who is still heavily involved with community cohesion work in Burnley, termed the policy 'a little excessive'.
'There are human rights issues, people have the right to wear what they want,' he said.
'Burnley College has one policy and the university has another. I think it is a little excessive. There should be a compromise.
'If security is an issue the person coming in the burka should show their face to the security guard.'
Burnley College. Bosses claim the ban was necessary for 'security reasons' but the University of Central Lancashire, which runs courses from the same building, has not implemented the policy
Last year the college, which describes itself as a provider of sixth form, university and adult education, turned away Shawana Bilqes, 19, when she tried to enroll.
Staff asked her to remove her burka - which covered everything but her eyes - for identity fraud purposes.
But she told them she could not because of her religious beliefs and was forced to abandon plans to sign up her course.
Shawana, from Burnley, Lancs, said: 'I am not surprised that the college has decided to ban veils completely after what happened to me.
'It is sad as it will force students to go elsewhere.'
The 19-year-old added: 'It is my choice to wear the veil.
'I live around the corner from the college in an area where there are so many practising Muslims. It was an ideal place for me to studyand that's why I chose it.
'I tried to compromise but the college wouldn't. They sent me a letter to say I could continue with my course if I stopped wearing the veil.
'We are in the 21st Century and we get people from all walks of life. I'm in the police cadets as well and yet it's not a problem wearing the veil there.'
Burnley College is in a new £81m development described as 'the most ambitious development of its kind in the country'. It boasts 7,500 sixth form students and a 100 per cent pass rate for the fifth year running.
Blackburn MP Jack Straw hit the headlines in late 2006 after making controversial comments about whether women should wear the veil.
Mr Straw, who is also on the governing body at Blackburn College, said: 'Institutions have to make their own judgements, but at Blackburn College we take a different view.
'Security can be checked in other ways. But I think they are barriers of communication'
A spokeswoman from the college said: 'The policy on our reception desk is a college policy which is displayed internally to staff, students and visitors.
'This policy is an internal document which is not designed to be used externally.'
But while bosses claim the move was necessary for security, the University of Central Lancashire, which runs courses from the same building, has not implemented the policy.
Burnley College, in Lancashire, has placed a notice at reception informing all students, staff and visitors they must remove items which cover their face
Critics have now hit out at the ban - which includes helmets - insisting it denies people the 'freedom to wear what they want.'
Councillor Wajid Khan, a course leader at the university, condemned the move.
'Personally I don't agree with the policy in the college,' he said.
Coun Khan, whose ward contains the college, added: 'Here at the university we don't have that policy. Everybody should be entitled to their individual freedom.
'It could affect parents coming to parents' evening but the college should let parents know of the policies and students should make sure they know the policies before they join.
More...
'We are English nationalists acting out of frustration': Defiance of yobs who set fire to the Koran
Roman Catholic school may be run by a MOSQUE as there are just 'five or six' RC pupils left
'Any student in the University of Central Lancashire area can chose what they wear. But university students who wear the veil and walk through the college area must identify themselves to the security guards.
There are only male security guards on the premises.'
Former Lancashire Council of Mosques chair Abdul Hamid Qureshi, who is still heavily involved with community cohesion work in Burnley, termed the policy 'a little excessive'.
'There are human rights issues, people have the right to wear what they want,' he said.
'Burnley College has one policy and the university has another. I think it is a little excessive. There should be a compromise.
'If security is an issue the person coming in the burka should show their face to the security guard.'
Burnley College. Bosses claim the ban was necessary for 'security reasons' but the University of Central Lancashire, which runs courses from the same building, has not implemented the policy
Last year the college, which describes itself as a provider of sixth form, university and adult education, turned away Shawana Bilqes, 19, when she tried to enroll.
Staff asked her to remove her burka - which covered everything but her eyes - for identity fraud purposes.
But she told them she could not because of her religious beliefs and was forced to abandon plans to sign up her course.
Shawana, from Burnley, Lancs, said: 'I am not surprised that the college has decided to ban veils completely after what happened to me.
'It is sad as it will force students to go elsewhere.'
The 19-year-old added: 'It is my choice to wear the veil.
'I live around the corner from the college in an area where there are so many practising Muslims. It was an ideal place for me to studyand that's why I chose it.
'I tried to compromise but the college wouldn't. They sent me a letter to say I could continue with my course if I stopped wearing the veil.
'We are in the 21st Century and we get people from all walks of life. I'm in the police cadets as well and yet it's not a problem wearing the veil there.'
Burnley College is in a new £81m development described as 'the most ambitious development of its kind in the country'. It boasts 7,500 sixth form students and a 100 per cent pass rate for the fifth year running.
Blackburn MP Jack Straw hit the headlines in late 2006 after making controversial comments about whether women should wear the veil.
Mr Straw, who is also on the governing body at Blackburn College, said: 'Institutions have to make their own judgements, but at Blackburn College we take a different view.
'Security can be checked in other ways. But I think they are barriers of communication'
A spokeswoman from the college said: 'The policy on our reception desk is a college policy which is displayed internally to staff, students and visitors.
'This policy is an internal document which is not designed to be used externally.'
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Slave Kept by UK Doctor was an African Woman...
A retired doctor held a slave in her suburban home for four years, a court was told yesterday.
Saeeda Khan, 68, is accused of making Mwanahanisi Mruke work up to 24 hours a day cleaning, cooking and gardening.
She fed her scraps of bread and made her sleep on a thin mattress on the kitchen floor with only a sheet for warmth, it was alleged.
Khan and her late husband, who was also a doctor, allegedly paid Miss Mruke just £10 a month – a low salary even in Tanzania, the African country they brought her to Britain from in 2006.
Miss Mruke, 46, had all her calls monitored and was not allowed to leave the £500,000 home in Harrow, North West London, without Khan, Westminster magistrates heard.
‘She lived in extremely poor conditions for a number of years,’ prosecutor Malachy Pakenham told the hearing.
Additional payments of £40 a month were meant to go to a bank in Tanzania to pay for Miss Mruke’s daughter’s education, but much of this was never received, the court heard.
Khan, a British citizen who has lived in the UK for 30 years, is believed to be the first person charged with modern slavery.
Scotland Yard detectives started investigating the case in February following a tip-off.
Officers from the Human Exploitation and Organised Crime Command, known as SCD9, were involved.
Khan did not have to sit in the dock during the ten-minute hearing because she suffers from arthritis and has recently had an operation on her knees.
She pleaded not guilty to a charge of arranging and facilitating the arrival of a foreign national with the intention of exploitation in the UK and elsewhere.
The charge carries a maximum sentence of ten years in jail.
Khan was bailed to appear before the court next month. Before she came to the UK, Miss Mruke worked in a hospital run by Khan’s late husband in Dar es Salaam, the capital of Tanzania.
Khan is alleged to have kept her slave in her three-bedroom bungalow in Harrow which she shared with her 40-year-old son, who has mental health problems.
Khan’s daughter, who also has learning difficulties, lived in the property too but has since moved out.
Neighbours said Khan spent tens of thousands of pounds renovating the property when she moved in about a decade ago.
Two cars, including a new Volvo estate, are usually seen parked in the driveway.
James Carpenter, who lives next door, said he often saw Miss Mruke going for walks with Khan’s son.
He said: ‘She would follow him up and down the street, normally about ten yards behind him.
‘She only spoke the East African language of Swahili, so we couldn’t communicate with her and she couldn’t really speak to anyone.
‘Sometimes, we would wave and nod at her just to be polite. She would normally wave back.
‘She wore normal, western clothing. I had no reason to suspect anything untoward was going on.
‘But it’s a very quiet area and nobody round here really knows their neighbours very well.’
Slave trading has been outlawed in Britain since the 19th century.
However, the UK remains a major destination for trafficked women.
Human rights organisations claim up to 1,000 people are made to work as slaves.
Saeeda Khan, 68, is accused of making Mwanahanisi Mruke work up to 24 hours a day cleaning, cooking and gardening.
She fed her scraps of bread and made her sleep on a thin mattress on the kitchen floor with only a sheet for warmth, it was alleged.
Khan and her late husband, who was also a doctor, allegedly paid Miss Mruke just £10 a month – a low salary even in Tanzania, the African country they brought her to Britain from in 2006.
Miss Mruke, 46, had all her calls monitored and was not allowed to leave the £500,000 home in Harrow, North West London, without Khan, Westminster magistrates heard.
‘She lived in extremely poor conditions for a number of years,’ prosecutor Malachy Pakenham told the hearing.
Additional payments of £40 a month were meant to go to a bank in Tanzania to pay for Miss Mruke’s daughter’s education, but much of this was never received, the court heard.
Khan, a British citizen who has lived in the UK for 30 years, is believed to be the first person charged with modern slavery.
Scotland Yard detectives started investigating the case in February following a tip-off.
Officers from the Human Exploitation and Organised Crime Command, known as SCD9, were involved.
Khan did not have to sit in the dock during the ten-minute hearing because she suffers from arthritis and has recently had an operation on her knees.
She pleaded not guilty to a charge of arranging and facilitating the arrival of a foreign national with the intention of exploitation in the UK and elsewhere.
The charge carries a maximum sentence of ten years in jail.
Khan was bailed to appear before the court next month. Before she came to the UK, Miss Mruke worked in a hospital run by Khan’s late husband in Dar es Salaam, the capital of Tanzania.
Khan is alleged to have kept her slave in her three-bedroom bungalow in Harrow which she shared with her 40-year-old son, who has mental health problems.
Khan’s daughter, who also has learning difficulties, lived in the property too but has since moved out.
Neighbours said Khan spent tens of thousands of pounds renovating the property when she moved in about a decade ago.
Two cars, including a new Volvo estate, are usually seen parked in the driveway.
James Carpenter, who lives next door, said he often saw Miss Mruke going for walks with Khan’s son.
He said: ‘She would follow him up and down the street, normally about ten yards behind him.
‘She only spoke the East African language of Swahili, so we couldn’t communicate with her and she couldn’t really speak to anyone.
‘Sometimes, we would wave and nod at her just to be polite. She would normally wave back.
‘She wore normal, western clothing. I had no reason to suspect anything untoward was going on.
‘But it’s a very quiet area and nobody round here really knows their neighbours very well.’
Slave trading has been outlawed in Britain since the 19th century.
However, the UK remains a major destination for trafficked women.
Human rights organisations claim up to 1,000 people are made to work as slaves.
British Airways Meals to Be Majority Halal...
The company behind airline food on some of the world’s major airlines has announced plans to make the majority of its meals halal.
GateGourmet, which caters for all long-haul British Airways flights from Heathrow, wants to standardise production to drive down costs and boost profits.
The caterer has been tempted into the switch by lucrative business available from Middle Eastern and Asian airlines.
Most carriers currently offer a halal option, but these meals need to be prepared, stored and transported separately in order to comply with Muslim dietary rules – making them more expensive.
Removing halal meals from the menu is not an option for a company serving airlines across the globe, but managers at the Swiss-based catering giant believe it makes financial sense to ensure most meals meet with the strict Islamic rules.
‘My aim is to make our large hub operations halal compliant,’ said Guy Dubois, GateGroup.
A British Airways spokesman said: ‘British Airways has no plans to change its current menus or halal meal process’
Mr Dubois said the plans were not driven by social or religious considerations, but simply by cost.
He said: ‘If I produce everything according to halal standards, I will reduce complexity and increase cost effectiveness.’
The catering firm is about to open a dedicated halal kitchen at Heathrow – where meals are prepared for 14 airlines including BA.
The specialist kitchen will be smaller than the main kitchen that already exists at the airport, but could be the first stage in a gradual switch.
The move follows the sharp growth of carriers such as Emirates, of Dubai, and Etihad, of Abu Dhabi, which require all meals to be halal.
But GateGourmet caters for numerous airlines from non-Muslim countries, which would also be affected by the changes.
The company prepares more than 200million meals a year from its 100 flight kitchens in more than 25 countries.
Compelling customers to eat food prepared in accordance with the Muslim faith could be controversial in some countries, including the UK.
Yesterday British Airways played down the significance of the catering firm’s proposals.
A spokesman said: ‘British Airways has no plans to change its current menus or halal meal process.’
Peter van Niekerk, head of GateGroup in the UK, said: ‘We are at the moment competing for some more halal business and when we make that, the scale tips.’
He said the company would consult with customers such as BA and Cathay Pacific to ‘manage perceptions and manage such a transition’.
No matter what some Muslims might claim when in ‘outreach’ mode, Halal meat is cruel. Watch the video here to see for yourself if you are not convinced of this. But beware – it is HIGHLY GRAPHIC and distressing.
GateGourmet, which caters for all long-haul British Airways flights from Heathrow, wants to standardise production to drive down costs and boost profits.
The caterer has been tempted into the switch by lucrative business available from Middle Eastern and Asian airlines.
Most carriers currently offer a halal option, but these meals need to be prepared, stored and transported separately in order to comply with Muslim dietary rules – making them more expensive.
Removing halal meals from the menu is not an option for a company serving airlines across the globe, but managers at the Swiss-based catering giant believe it makes financial sense to ensure most meals meet with the strict Islamic rules.
‘My aim is to make our large hub operations halal compliant,’ said Guy Dubois, GateGroup.
A British Airways spokesman said: ‘British Airways has no plans to change its current menus or halal meal process’
Mr Dubois said the plans were not driven by social or religious considerations, but simply by cost.
He said: ‘If I produce everything according to halal standards, I will reduce complexity and increase cost effectiveness.’
The catering firm is about to open a dedicated halal kitchen at Heathrow – where meals are prepared for 14 airlines including BA.
The specialist kitchen will be smaller than the main kitchen that already exists at the airport, but could be the first stage in a gradual switch.
The move follows the sharp growth of carriers such as Emirates, of Dubai, and Etihad, of Abu Dhabi, which require all meals to be halal.
But GateGourmet caters for numerous airlines from non-Muslim countries, which would also be affected by the changes.
The company prepares more than 200million meals a year from its 100 flight kitchens in more than 25 countries.
Compelling customers to eat food prepared in accordance with the Muslim faith could be controversial in some countries, including the UK.
Yesterday British Airways played down the significance of the catering firm’s proposals.
A spokesman said: ‘British Airways has no plans to change its current menus or halal meal process.’
Peter van Niekerk, head of GateGroup in the UK, said: ‘We are at the moment competing for some more halal business and when we make that, the scale tips.’
He said the company would consult with customers such as BA and Cathay Pacific to ‘manage perceptions and manage such a transition’.
No matter what some Muslims might claim when in ‘outreach’ mode, Halal meat is cruel. Watch the video here to see for yourself if you are not convinced of this. But beware – it is HIGHLY GRAPHIC and distressing.
Plotters Hoped to Murder Pope with Bomb...
ISLAMIC terrorists disguised as street cleaners allegedly hatched an audacious plot to blow up the Pope.
The threatened attack was foiled at the 11th hour after police raided a cleaning depot in London as the suspects prepared to start their shift yesterday.
Last night six men – all believed to be North Africans aged between 26 and 50 – were being questioned by detectives.
Five suspects were detained at the cleaning depot and the sixth was held at his home yesterday afternoon.
Searches were being carried out at 10 addresses across the capital and police seized computers, mobile phones and other items.
Pope Benedict XVI was said to have remained “totally calm” when he was informed about the threat yesterday morning.
A £1.5million ring of steel has been put in place for the first official Papal visit to Britain and security procedures were immediately reviewed but the Pontiff’s schedule continued as planned.
It is feared plotters with links to Al Qaeda planned “a double blow to the infidel” by assassinating the head of the Roman Catholic church and slaughtering hundreds of pilgrims and well-wishers.
The suspected plot was smashed after Scotland Yard officers swooped on the depot in Marylebone, central London, at 5.45am after a tip-off just hours earlier.
A security source said last night: “We had to act and arrest them. We had reasonable grounds to suspect they would carry out an attack.
Unfortunately, it was almost entirely predictable that something like this would turn up during the Pope's visit. It is also not unlike a report from a few weeks ago in which jihadists posing as rail workers were to be pre-positioned to wreak havoc during the 2012 Olympics. What remains to be seen, of course, is any affiliation these five may have with larger jihadist groups -- in this case, particularly Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.
The threatened attack was foiled at the 11th hour after police raided a cleaning depot in London as the suspects prepared to start their shift yesterday.
Last night six men – all believed to be North Africans aged between 26 and 50 – were being questioned by detectives.
Five suspects were detained at the cleaning depot and the sixth was held at his home yesterday afternoon.
Searches were being carried out at 10 addresses across the capital and police seized computers, mobile phones and other items.
Pope Benedict XVI was said to have remained “totally calm” when he was informed about the threat yesterday morning.
A £1.5million ring of steel has been put in place for the first official Papal visit to Britain and security procedures were immediately reviewed but the Pontiff’s schedule continued as planned.
It is feared plotters with links to Al Qaeda planned “a double blow to the infidel” by assassinating the head of the Roman Catholic church and slaughtering hundreds of pilgrims and well-wishers.
The suspected plot was smashed after Scotland Yard officers swooped on the depot in Marylebone, central London, at 5.45am after a tip-off just hours earlier.
A security source said last night: “We had to act and arrest them. We had reasonable grounds to suspect they would carry out an attack.
Unfortunately, it was almost entirely predictable that something like this would turn up during the Pope's visit. It is also not unlike a report from a few weeks ago in which jihadists posing as rail workers were to be pre-positioned to wreak havoc during the 2012 Olympics. What remains to be seen, of course, is any affiliation these five may have with larger jihadist groups -- in this case, particularly Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.
Stealth Halal in Britain...
A Manchester United fan tucks into a burger at Wembley Stadium, which serves only halal meat.Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1313303/Britain-goes-halal---tells-public.html#ixzz100J6O577
'Street Jihad' Incidents Rising in UK...
A 13-year-old boy suffered a broken jaw in an unprovoked attack as he walked down the street.
Police said the youngster, who was with friends at the time near a busy road in Hyndburn, was assaulted by a man who jumped out of a black sports car.
Detective Constable Paul Langley said the man punched the boy in the face before jumping back in the car and fleeing.
He said: "The boy was walking with friends when he was approached by a man driving a black convertible sports car. "The man got out of his car and punched the boy in the head before driving off.
"This was a serious attack and I would urge anyone who saw what happened or has any information to contact police."
The incident happened as the 13-year-old was walking along Dill Hall Lane in Church near to the junction with Dunkenhalgh Way at 8pm on September 2.
The attacker was described as Asian, aged in his 30s, around 5ft 11ins tall, with a muscular build and short black hair.
Anyone with information can contact Accrington CID on 01254 353741 or 0845 1 25 35 45
Yet another (how often I have written those two words) unprovoked vicious attack by a muslim coward against a young Hyndburn boy. The youngster was walking with friends when a black sports car suddently stopped and a "muscular" man sprang from the car and punched the lad in the face. The 'sorry excuse for a man' just as quickly ran away and drove off. The lad suffered a broken jaw.
This cowardly 'stop and smash' behaviour is typical modus operandi for many muslim thugs. Either a quick seemingly random attack by a lone perpetrator catching the (white) victim unaware OR a mob of muslim men ambush a lone (white) person or couple. Examples of this street jihad are not hard to find - here's a few:
Lone 14 Year old Scottish boy beaten by Muslim thugs and told "You're the next Kriss Donald- We're going to murder you!"
Racist Muslim Gang Brutally Bashes British Man in Street Jihad Attack
Muslim Gang Rapes Man in Manchester Centre
Muslim gang robs & forces 3 teen boys to "Lick our boots"
Facial Reconstruction for UK Brothers Bludgeoned in Muslim Gang Hammer Attack
British Man left with 68 stitches in his face after brutal muslim gang slash attack
Armed Muslim Street Jihadist Gangs Attack Beat Strangers in UK
Muslim Gang Rapes Man in Manchester Centre
Muslim Gang Attacks - Punches - Spits on Lone British Woman
12 & 13 YR. OLD PAPERBOY BROTHERS ATTACKED & BEATEN BY MUSLIM GANG
DISABLED ELDERLY MAN LATEST VICTIM OF BRITAIN'S "STREET JIHAD"
Street Jihad - 10 Muslims Batter Brit & wife - Leave shoeprint on his face
MUSLIM STREET JIHAD LEAVES BRITISH MAN BRAIN DAMAGED
Another Muslim Gang Attack on British Man in "No-Go" Manningham
Lone British Schoolboy Attacked & Head Stomped by Muslim Gang
Media Ignores Muslim Councillor Sons' Violent HATE Attack Against British Couple
Unfortunately I could go on and on listing such despicable attacks - and these are just some the ones I've blogged about!
On the bright side (if you could call it that) - and likely in light of the preponderance of historical evidence such as listed above - the police did not issue their usual placation of "These types of attacks are rare"........clearly they are NOT.
Police said the youngster, who was with friends at the time near a busy road in Hyndburn, was assaulted by a man who jumped out of a black sports car.
Detective Constable Paul Langley said the man punched the boy in the face before jumping back in the car and fleeing.
He said: "The boy was walking with friends when he was approached by a man driving a black convertible sports car. "The man got out of his car and punched the boy in the head before driving off.
"This was a serious attack and I would urge anyone who saw what happened or has any information to contact police."
The incident happened as the 13-year-old was walking along Dill Hall Lane in Church near to the junction with Dunkenhalgh Way at 8pm on September 2.
The attacker was described as Asian, aged in his 30s, around 5ft 11ins tall, with a muscular build and short black hair.
Anyone with information can contact Accrington CID on 01254 353741 or 0845 1 25 35 45
Yet another (how often I have written those two words) unprovoked vicious attack by a muslim coward against a young Hyndburn boy. The youngster was walking with friends when a black sports car suddently stopped and a "muscular" man sprang from the car and punched the lad in the face. The 'sorry excuse for a man' just as quickly ran away and drove off. The lad suffered a broken jaw.
This cowardly 'stop and smash' behaviour is typical modus operandi for many muslim thugs. Either a quick seemingly random attack by a lone perpetrator catching the (white) victim unaware OR a mob of muslim men ambush a lone (white) person or couple. Examples of this street jihad are not hard to find - here's a few:
Lone 14 Year old Scottish boy beaten by Muslim thugs and told "You're the next Kriss Donald- We're going to murder you!"
Racist Muslim Gang Brutally Bashes British Man in Street Jihad Attack
Muslim Gang Rapes Man in Manchester Centre
Muslim gang robs & forces 3 teen boys to "Lick our boots"
Facial Reconstruction for UK Brothers Bludgeoned in Muslim Gang Hammer Attack
British Man left with 68 stitches in his face after brutal muslim gang slash attack
Armed Muslim Street Jihadist Gangs Attack Beat Strangers in UK
Muslim Gang Rapes Man in Manchester Centre
Muslim Gang Attacks - Punches - Spits on Lone British Woman
12 & 13 YR. OLD PAPERBOY BROTHERS ATTACKED & BEATEN BY MUSLIM GANG
DISABLED ELDERLY MAN LATEST VICTIM OF BRITAIN'S "STREET JIHAD"
Street Jihad - 10 Muslims Batter Brit & wife - Leave shoeprint on his face
MUSLIM STREET JIHAD LEAVES BRITISH MAN BRAIN DAMAGED
Another Muslim Gang Attack on British Man in "No-Go" Manningham
Lone British Schoolboy Attacked & Head Stomped by Muslim Gang
Media Ignores Muslim Councillor Sons' Violent HATE Attack Against British Couple
Unfortunately I could go on and on listing such despicable attacks - and these are just some the ones I've blogged about!
On the bright side (if you could call it that) - and likely in light of the preponderance of historical evidence such as listed above - the police did not issue their usual placation of "These types of attacks are rare"........clearly they are NOT.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Scotland Yard sting foils plot to 'sell virginities' of young girls for £50,000 to wealthy Arabs
A 14-year-old girl was used as bait by the gang who sent her photograph and email to a potential customer ahead of an illicit meeting at a central London hotel.
The trafficking ring transported six women aged between 17 and 22 from the North West to the capital last September to provide sexual services.
But they were trapped in a sting operation involving Scotland Yard detectives who exchanged messages with members under the guise of potential punters.
It is understood police began investigating the gang after they left a letter at one hotel offering their services which was passed to officers by a concerned employee.
Details of the conspiracy can be revealed after four people from north-west London and Wigan, Lancashire, pleaded guilty to offences at Harrow Crown Court.
Mahrookh Jamali, 41, and Sara Bordbar, 43, both of north-west London, Fatima Haghengal, 24, and Rasoul Gholampour, 30, both of Wigan, admitted the conspiracy.
They pleaded guilty to working together to traffic six women aged between 17 and 22 from the North West to London between July and October last year for sexual exploitation.
The three women defendants, Jamali, Haghengal and Bordbar, who wept throughout the hearing, also admitted conspiracy to incite prostitution for gain between the same dates.
The judge ordered the charge to lie on file for Gholampour. A third charge of conspiracy to arrange the prostitution of children will lie on file of all four defendants.
Prosecutor Bill McGivern said the young women were not forced into sexual services, but were 'coerced' into offering them after dancing for clients.
Target: Wealthy Arabs in London were sought after to pay for sex with virgins
He said the 14-year-old girl used as bait was an 'aggravating factor' of the case, but said there was no evidence she was to be used as a prostitute.
Mr McGivern said the young women were asked to travel to London to dance for clients, but were then offered the chance to sell their bodies too.
He said: 'This was a case where there clearly was corruption, but no coercion or threats. There may have been pressure as well.
'But it was pressure in the sense of: "You have come down, this is what you get if you go further than a simple dance".'
The court heard Haghengal offered to prostitute herself during the email correspondence, while the homes of Jamali and Bordbar were used as a base.
Judge Alan Greenwood was told Gholampour admitted possessing extreme pornography, including images of bestiality, during a hearing at Southwark Crown Court in July.
Dee Connolly, for Jamali, said the undercover operation was 'tempting the impossible', no sexual services were sold and that no money changed hands.
The judge said the four, who have been in custody since their arrest last year, will be sentenced tomorrow. The hearing begins at 11am.
Security guards were called to the courtroom after a friend of the defendants started shouting the four were innocent after they admitted the offences.
The trafficking ring transported six women aged between 17 and 22 from the North West to the capital last September to provide sexual services.
But they were trapped in a sting operation involving Scotland Yard detectives who exchanged messages with members under the guise of potential punters.
It is understood police began investigating the gang after they left a letter at one hotel offering their services which was passed to officers by a concerned employee.
Details of the conspiracy can be revealed after four people from north-west London and Wigan, Lancashire, pleaded guilty to offences at Harrow Crown Court.
Mahrookh Jamali, 41, and Sara Bordbar, 43, both of north-west London, Fatima Haghengal, 24, and Rasoul Gholampour, 30, both of Wigan, admitted the conspiracy.
They pleaded guilty to working together to traffic six women aged between 17 and 22 from the North West to London between July and October last year for sexual exploitation.
The three women defendants, Jamali, Haghengal and Bordbar, who wept throughout the hearing, also admitted conspiracy to incite prostitution for gain between the same dates.
The judge ordered the charge to lie on file for Gholampour. A third charge of conspiracy to arrange the prostitution of children will lie on file of all four defendants.
Prosecutor Bill McGivern said the young women were not forced into sexual services, but were 'coerced' into offering them after dancing for clients.
Target: Wealthy Arabs in London were sought after to pay for sex with virgins
He said the 14-year-old girl used as bait was an 'aggravating factor' of the case, but said there was no evidence she was to be used as a prostitute.
Mr McGivern said the young women were asked to travel to London to dance for clients, but were then offered the chance to sell their bodies too.
He said: 'This was a case where there clearly was corruption, but no coercion or threats. There may have been pressure as well.
'But it was pressure in the sense of: "You have come down, this is what you get if you go further than a simple dance".'
The court heard Haghengal offered to prostitute herself during the email correspondence, while the homes of Jamali and Bordbar were used as a base.
Judge Alan Greenwood was told Gholampour admitted possessing extreme pornography, including images of bestiality, during a hearing at Southwark Crown Court in July.
Dee Connolly, for Jamali, said the undercover operation was 'tempting the impossible', no sexual services were sold and that no money changed hands.
The judge said the four, who have been in custody since their arrest last year, will be sentenced tomorrow. The hearing begins at 11am.
Security guards were called to the courtroom after a friend of the defendants started shouting the four were innocent after they admitted the offences.
Illegal immigrant stole Briton's passport and masqueraded as her for SEVEN years to get a job, home and husband
qamar Yasmeen, 41, was convicted after working - and even getting married - using the identity of Henna Ali from 2002 to 2009.
Yasmeen, from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, was also able to get a bank account, driving licence and accommodation after applying for the document by using a childhood passport the victim had lost in 1992.
Yasmeen also managed to obtain the 35-year-old's birth certificate and details about her late father so she could marry in her native Pakistan and bring her new husband to the UK.
She was even CRB checked and got a job working with vulnerable adults using Ms Ali's National Insurance number.
The deceit could have continued for much longer had Ms Ali not found out about the fraud when she tried to get a new passport to go on holiday.
However, she was told by officials she already had another passport - one was issued to a woman of the same name and date of birth, but with a different photograph and address.
'I booked in for the express service but they told me there was a problem, and that they had a file in my name and asked where my other passport was,' she said.
Seven-year saga: Henna Ali with her passport after Yasmeen was jailed for 16 months
'He said to me I had another passport but I was adamant I've only got one.'
The scam began after Ms Ali moved house in 1999 and realised she had lost her childhood passport.
She was re-issued with a new one, counter-signed by her primary school headteacher, which she used for the next ten years.
But in 2002, the lost document fell into the hands of Yasmeen, who took it to the passport office in Liverpool to apply for a new one, using her own photograph, but with Ms Ali's name and details.
She then assumed Ms Ali's identity and obtained a copy birth certificate from a public records office to create a new life for herself.
She also acquired a provisional driving licence and a Pakistani National Identity card using a copy of Ms Ali's birth certificate.
A joint police investigation was launched with the Borders Agency and the Identity and Passport Service, and Yasmeen was traced.
When police searched her property, they found a hoard of documents in Ms Ali's name.
Ms Ali said: 'It makes me sick every time I think about what she has done.
'My good name is tarnished because people don't know that I have got an imposter.
'She could have been doing anything under my name.'
Ms Ali added: 'The stress has made me really ill.
'I'm very lucky I've had the support of my family through it otherwise I don't know what I would have done.'
Yasmeen will be deported upon her release from jail.
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