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British Muslims picket Downing Street in protest of Charlie Hebdo cartoons

234 replies

MrsTawdry · 08/02/2015 21:45

So the Daily Mail report it as "thousands" whilst the Telegraph say "at least a thousand"

Can't find ANY other sources for it. How is this ok? Free speech yes...but...

OP posts:
Thereyouarepeter · 09/02/2015 12:34

100,000 signatures. I'm really shocked at that number as I've been told time and time again that it's only a minority of muslim's that fundamentally oppose British values.

I would like a bit more information before i pass any judgement - who organised this, which groups were represented. I really hope it isn't representative of the moderate british muslim view.

ohmymimi · 09/02/2015 12:37

Good on them, they are exercising their democratic rights. It matters not one jot whether or not I agree with them, or any other group who peacefully congregate, express their views or petition goverment. I'm just glad that they can and so can I when I choose to do so.

TheQuiet · 09/02/2015 12:38

How are they collecting signatures?

vortexshedding · 09/02/2015 12:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Hypotenuse · 09/02/2015 12:54

I'm seeing a lot of intolerance on here, which is a bit shocking. A peaceful march and a petition? Sounds pretty British to me.

If the cartoons offend people, anyone, then they have the right to protest. We have the right to free speech but not the right to avoid criticism for it.

For example, I could say a couple of posts on here make me think bet you're a shrieking fishwife poorly educated and misinformed. Free speech, but I can't demand there's not any response!

Ubik1 · 09/02/2015 12:55

I think it's really important that we let people have their say. It's fundamental.
We can't get all exercised about free speech and then deny groups of people the right to protest.

ReallyTired · 09/02/2015 12:59

Charlie hebdo comics have been sold in the UK. I agree with the protestors need to make their demands clearer. Do they want to UK to send copies of Charlie Hebdo back through the tunnel? I didn't think there was a huge demand for french comics in the UK.

Bazoo23 · 09/02/2015 13:33

Dione are you accused of being passive aggressive regularly?

HappyGoLuckyGirl · 09/02/2015 13:38

I don't think people are of the opinion that they shouldn't be allowed to protest.

I think the anger behind it is in the fact that muslims have protested against the depiction of their God. Not over the henious crimes that are being comitted in the name of their God.

Basically, killing in the name of our God is okay. Drawing him? Not so much.

Invisibletribe · 09/02/2015 13:51

NC'd for anon.

This sort of thing worries me. I suspect part of the problem is that a vast majority of the British Muslim community consists of non-European post-war immigrants with no history or legacy in Europe, and they just do not understand what Britain and Europe are like, nor why the cultures are the way they are.

Instead, they behave and react as though the political and cultural climate in Britain is similar to, say, Pakistan or Somalia. It is not, and they are making a grave error by assuming it is.

At the end of the day, Europe has an dark and blood-drenched history when it comes to religious differences that impact upon the state, law and order, culture and politics, and also when it comes to minorities that Europe perceives as "awkward".

I come from a small ethnic and religious minority whose familial history in Europe goes back to medieval times. I won't say what we are because I will out myself and I kinda don't want to broadcast our existence. I am all too aware that we would be used as propaganda and/or evidence by a lot of people for political reasons, and I do not want us to be used as ammunition.

But our familial history and our family's collective experiences leads me to suspect that many people in British Muslim communities do not entirely realise the extent to which they are poking a very nasty dragon with a very big stick.

And, one day, that dragon is going to wake up -- and then God help us all.

I am not Jewish, by the way.

vortexshedding · 09/02/2015 13:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Inkanta · 09/02/2015 13:59

Yes Happy I agree that the focus here isn't about free speech.

I am a bit irritated with the Muslims to be honest, (if that's OK to say so) that their indignation here is about the (Charlie) drawings rather than the murderous acts committed in the name of their God.

SconeEater · 09/02/2015 14:02

Invisible I think I agree that religion is tolerated but not loved in the UK. I am one of those religionphobes I guess. Excessive public religion means to me Puritans banning dancing and Christmas revelry and the prior alternating Catholic and Protestant regimes of regular heretic burning. Religion is something we like to be kept in a box marked personal opinion.

I don't think that means I'm ready to turn on my religious neighbours though. Thought provoking post.

DioneTheDiabolist · 09/02/2015 14:12

Bazoo, no I'm not. So are you accused of being racist regularly?

BigRedBall · 09/02/2015 14:16

Bazoo sounds like she/he is one the "I'm not racist BUT....." Type of people. And very aggressive too Hmm.

keepitsimple0 · 09/02/2015 14:33

The cartoons are not comments about the Prophet (muslims do understand this surely)

some of them directly insult the prophet (cartoons depicting him as a paedophile, for instance).

Our police force has better things to do than patrol these demonstrations and our tax payers money is better spent elsewhere.

Muslims have a right to protest like anyone else. This is a great way for police to carry out their duties.

DopeyDawg · 09/02/2015 14:48

Invisibletribe what would you call the 'dragon'?

Religious Intolerance in general?

Bazoo23 · 09/02/2015 15:23

Accused of racism every time I dont agree with an aspect of Islam yes Smile hth!
I'm sick of reading about yet another depraved murder and every fucking time theres a little postscript to say "British muslims/imam/clerics have denounced the murder.. "Well that's have a protest about that shall we?! Cause words are cheap and Muslims/non Muslims need to be shoulder to shoulder if they are REALLY against radicals! Not going on and on about a cartoon that's nothing to do with England!

HappyGoLuckyGirl · 09/02/2015 15:26

keepitsimple their prophet was a paedophile. He married a six year old girl.

keepitsimple0 · 09/02/2015 15:29

their prophet was a paedophile. He married a six year old girl.

I was just answering the post that the cartoons don't comment on the prophet.

Ubik1 · 09/02/2015 15:31

Muslim friends have pointed out the double standards of the West. In particular the warm relationship with Saudi Arabia and it's frankly medieval brand of Islam.

And anyone enjoy a holiday in Dubai now and then?

Then there is Abu Ghraib.

What it takes is fur ordinary people to stand up together to protect human rights. Thus can only be achieved by strong support fur secular institutions and no religious schools.

Bazoo23 · 09/02/2015 15:34

Wtf does a holiday in Dubai have to do with anything?
I think it's more double standards for muslims such as choudray to live in the UK while blatantly hating everything we're about.
Tell your muslim friends that for double standards how dare they!

Ubik1 · 09/02/2015 15:47

Well I suppose Dubai is ok if you aren't homosexual. If you do happen to be gay then it's the death penalty fir you.

Tiptops · 09/02/2015 15:49

Why should Muslims apologise for other people's crimes?

Link

OnlyLovers · 09/02/2015 16:01

I think the interviewer is a bit disingenuous. 'people called Richard' or 'Geordies' are not a group linked by a common ideology in the same way as are people who identify as Muslims.

But then again, I can see the problem with the idea that moderate Muslims, i.e. the vast vast majority, should apologise for or behave as though allied with a tiny number of extremists.