Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Dispatches: Lessons in Hate and Violence - Part 1



U.K.: School at center of investigation over Islamic supremacist teachings claims victimhood

When Islamic groups encounter criticism by non-Muslims of objectionable behavior by Muslims, a two-fold standard operating procedure has developed on both sides of the pond:

1. Deflect attention as fast as possible by appropriating victim status from the actual or intended victims. The victims here aren't the kids being beaten at the one school, or the society that may fall victim to jihadist attacks due to the teachings at others. It's the people being criticized, for reasons discussed below.

2. Silence the discussion by claiming that it's not just criticism, but incitement, because all criticism of Islam must necessarily be driven by hatred, and is irrational, unstable, and rooted in emotions only, not facts. This is usually a fine point to mention the "far right," which is mainstream media-speak for "hates children, hates puppies, hates you, hates me, and wants us all to die."

All criticism is said to be driven by that seething hatred and/or a thinly veiled neo-Nazi agenda, of which these Muslims under scrutiny are now victims: once again, they would have you believe that he who hath looked critically upon Islam hath committed hate crimes in his heart.

Besides, criticism "alienates." And alienated "youths" can be "radicalized." Never you mind that we never seem to see "alienated," "radicalized" Anglican suicide bombers, though.

In the end, playing the "incitement card" is all a very long, roundabout sort of way of saying: Shut up, dhimmi. Besides, all speech or behavior by Muslims that has ever generated controversy has been "taken out of context."

An update on this story. Go back to the link, look at the pictures, and go back to the main story and see the rhetoric -- indeed, the hate speech -- they spouted about non-Muslims, but then stop yourself and remember who the "real" victims are.

"'Muslim Eton' at centre of Channel 4 hate-preaching allegations is forced to shut over far-Right safety fears,"Teachers at the Darul Uloom Islamic High School, in Small Heath, Birmingham, have held meetings with police chiefs and fear that youngsters could be targeted by the far-Right.

This story describes no actual threats except for a mention of "hate mail" by a sympathetic MP.

The Dispatches documentary, Lessons in Hatred and Violence, aired tonight and showed footage of a preacher making offensive remarks about Hindus and ranting: 'Disbelievers are the worst creatures'.
The school's head of curriculum Mujahid Aziz said the decision had been to bring forward the school's half-term by a week after meetings with police.
Pupils were being told not to return to classes until the start of March.
'They filmed for six months and managed to collect a handful of comments which promote intolerance,' said Mr Aziz.
We were aware of the views of this 17-year-old student and we dealt with him by exclusion straight away - before we even knew that we were being filmed.
'What people will see in that clip is completely contrary to what we teach at the school about harmony and awareness of different faiths.
'Our concern now is for the safety of children and people coming to the mosque because we are worried that some people will get completely the wrong impression once they have watched this programme.
'After meeting with the police, we are bringing the half-term forward and we have been advised that there should be plenty of staff around on Monday night as a precaution.' [...]
Reporter Tazeen Ahmad claims the footage is evidence of a 'hardline, intolerant and highly anti-social version of Islam' being taught in Britain's independent Islamic schools....

Is Tazeen Ahmad an Islamophobe?


One MP plays along:

Birmingham MP John Hemming (Lib Dem, Yardley) said Channel 4's portrayal of the school was irresponsible.
'If Channel 4 thinks this is a school where racism and intolerance is accepted in any way, they have got their facts seriously wrong,' he said.
'They have already had hate mail and now they are having to close for the safety of their pupils.
'This kind of documentary is ideal fodder for the EDL [English Defence League].
'Channel 4 is putting the safety of children at risk by criticising a school which is doing its job properly.'
Mr Hemming was backed by Yann Lovelock, a Buddhist who sits on the executive board of Birmingham Interfaith Council.
He said: 'They have gone out of their way to make other faiths feel welcome and I have been invited to the school several times to speak to pupils about Buddhism.
'As far as I can see, they do everything they can to promote tolerance and understanding and I am happy to work with them.'

As far as you can see. But now we have seen what happens behind closed doors.

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