Archive for May, 2010

Gaza flotilla has nothing to do with freedom.

Monday, May 31st, 2010

With a flotilla of “peace activists” steaming toward the blockaded Gaza strip, Israeli authorities have been worrying about a showdown turning into a public relations disaster. That’s a sorry reflection not on Israel but on the willingness of a world audience to swallow almost any amount of propaganda, if it comes with a Gaza label. for more click here

Europe’s burqa rage

Monday, May 31st, 2010

After the British army conquered the Sindh region of what is now modern-day Pakistan in the 1840s, Gen. Charles Napier enforced a ban on the practice of Sati — the burning of widows alive on the funeral pyres of their husbands. A delegation of Hindu leaders approached Napier to complain that their ancient traditions were being violated. The general is said to have replied: “You say that it is your custom to burn widows. Very well. We also have a custom: When men burn a woman alive, we tie a rope around their necks and we hang them. . . . You may follow your custom. And then we will follow ours.” for more click here

On 20 June, Stand up and be Counted?

Monday, May 31st, 2010

Join us for a Rally organised by One Law for All against Sharia and religious laws and for secularism and universal rights
Where: At Trafalgar Square’s Northern Terrace, London (closest underground Charing Cross and Leicester Square)
When: 14:00-16:00 hours

Then join us for a March organised by Iran Solidarity to show solidarity with people in Iran who are at the forefront of battling Sharia law and political Islam
Where: From Trafalgar Square to the embassy of the Islamic regime of Iran in Knightsbridge, London
When: 16:00-17:00 hours
The march will end with a group act of solidarity with the people of Iran.

One Law for All and Iran Solidarity call on people everywhere to join the 20 June protest in London or to organise rallies or acts of solidarity in various cities across the globe to mark the day when 27-year-old Neda Agha-Soltan was shot dead by the Islamic regime of Iran’s security forces at a protest in Tehran. Her demand for freedom in the face of all-out repression has made her a symbol of people everywhere.

According to Spokesperson Maryam Namazie, ‘It is very apt for us to remember Neda in our battle for equal rights in Britain or wherever we happen to live. Neda’s murder by the Islamic regime in Iran and Sharia law in Britain are intrinsically linked; both are the result of the rise of the political Islamic movement of which the Islamic regime of Iran is a cornerstone. In fact Sharia law in Britain came into being in the late 80s after the establishment of the Islamic regime of Iran. Clearly, the fight for a different and secular society in Britain is intrinsically linked to the fight for a different and secular one in Iran.’

On 20 June, One Law for All will also be releasing a new report on Sharia law in Britain to coincide with the event.

Join us!

A vast majority of people across the globe have had enough with medievalism and brutality and demand universal freedoms and equal rights irrespective of where they were born or live.

In the battle that lies ahead each and every one of us must stand up and be counted.

This 20 June is the day for you and I to do so.

Notes:

1. Confirmed speakers and performers at the London rally include: AK47 (Street Poet); Asad Abbas (Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain); R Y Alam (Poet); Adam Barnett (Musician); Ismail Einashe (One Law for All); David Fisher (Singer/ Songwriter); Lilith (Street Poet); Lyrical Agent (Emcee); Rony Miah (Lawyers’ Secular Society); Maryam Namazie (One Law for All and Iran Solidarity); Gerard Phillips (National Secular Society); Naomi Phillips (British Humanist Association); Fariborz Pooya (Iranian Secular Society); Brent Lee Regan (Emcee); Yasmin Rehman (Women’s Rights Campaigner); Gita Sahgal (Activist); Muriel Seltman (Activist); Sohaila Sharifi (Equal Rights Now); Peter Tatchell (Human Rights Campaigner); and others. We will also screen a segment of a major new film for HBO called For Neda by director Anthony Thomas.

2. In Iran over 130 offences are punishable with death under Sharia law including: Sex crimes like adultery and homosexuality; crimes against the state and religion like enmity against God, corruption on earth, apostasy, heresy and blasphemy and acts prohibited under Sharia law such as a third conviction of drinking alcohol, morality crimes like distribution of obscene/pornographic audio-visual materials, public order crimes, and drug-related offences, including for possession. Support the ‘I would be Executed in Iran if I did this…’ Facebook page by clicking that you like it here: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=12&uid=107261949318147#!/pages/I-would-be-executed-in-Iran-if-I-did-this/107261949318147?ref=ts

3. You can also sign up to One Law for All and Iran Solidarity petitions available on our websites http://iransolidarity.org.uk/ and http://www.onelawforall.org.uk/.

4. To donate to the crucial work of our organisation, please either send a cheque to our address below or pay via Paypal by visiting: http://www.onelawforall.org.uk/donate/. We need regular support that we can rely on and are asking for supporters to commit to giving at least £5-10 a month via direct debit. You can find out more about how to join the 100 Club at the above link.

5. For more information, or to inform us of your event or act on 20 June, contact:
Maryam Namazie
One Law for All and Iran Solidarity
BM Box 2387
London WC1N 3XX, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 7719166731
onelawforall@gmail.com
iransolidaritynow@gmail.com
www.onelawforall.org.uk
www.iransolidarity.org.uk

http://iransolidarity.blogspot.com

Migrants to swell Southern towns by 20% in 8 years

Monday, May 31st, 2010

Towns in southern England will see their populations swell by nearly a fifth over the next eight years, official predictions revealed yesterday. for more click here

Mosque Plan Near 9/11 Site Is ‘Indecent,’ Says Ex-Muslim

Monday, May 31st, 2010

A proposal to build a mosque just two blocks from ground zero is “indecent,” said a former Muslim and bestselling author. for more click here

Elton John performance in Morocco raises outcry

Monday, May 31st, 2010

RABAT, Morocco — A concert by Elton John has tested the limits of Morocco’s drive for modernity, probing this Muslim nation’s complex and ambiguous attitudes toward homosexuality like rarely before.for more click here

Detroit bus system rejects ‘Leaving Islam?’ ads as ‘pure anti-Muslim hate’

Monday, May 31st, 2010

Motown has no use for the anti-Muslim ads plastered across the sides of buses in New York City. for more click here

Israeli Arab activist ‘spied on IDF bases for Hezbollah’

Monday, May 31st, 2010

In indictment against Ameer Makhoul, state prosecutors claim prominent political campaigner was recruited by Lebanese militants in Denmark. for more click here

Some 25 Killed, 30 Wounded In Pakistan Mosque Attacks

Monday, May 31st, 2010

(KUNA) — About 25 people were killed and more than 30 were wounded in two attacks on the mosques of the Ahmedi minority sect in Lahore on Friday, said police, rescuers and medics.for more click here

Drama about fatal stoning has passions running high

Monday, May 31st, 2010

Mob violence is the subject of a controversial film set in Iran, writes Tim Elliott.

It is unclear how the Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader of Iran, likes to unwind but chances are it will not be at a screening of The Stoning of Soraya M. The latest release by the American director Cyrus Nowrasteh, the film tells the true story of Soraya Manutchehri, a 35-year-old mother of seven who was stoned to death in rural Iran in 1986. for more click here