Anger over anti-British hate posters

Source: http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/mail/news/tm_headline=anger-over-anti-british-hate-posters&method=full&objectid=19184248&siteid=50002-name_page.html

May 24 2007

By Poppy Brady, Birmingham Mail

OFFENSIVE flyposters urging "Muslims to rise against British oppression" are upsetting residents who have been bombarded with such radical material for years, an inter-faith community group claimed. The Saltley Gate Peace Group has moved swiftly to condemn the latest batch of propaganda which has appeared all over Alum Rock on telephone boxes, bus stops and street lamps. The group, based at Saltley Methodist Church in Alum Rock Road, has written to West Midlands Police and the city council urging that the controversial posters are ripped down immediately. The offending material, which is littering several roads including Alum Rock Road and Coventry Road, has been there for the past two weeks. Adam Yosef, who chairs the SGPG, said: "It brings great distress to residents in Saltley and the wider inner city areas, when communities who have worked so hard over the years to build and regenerate their neighbourhoods, are suddenly faced with the problem of vandalism on such a large scale. "The material itself is radical in nature but anonymous in its origin, with no contact details for any group or organisation. "In the past similar material has upset local residents, although attempts to use any kind of propaganda, religious or otherwise, to disrupt the harmonious relations between people of various faiths in the inner city have failed." Mr Yosef said similar material had been posted in the past by radical political and religious groups Al-Muhajiroun, Al-Ghurabaa and Hizb-ut-Tahrir. Material dating back to 2003 and 2004 is still on public property. He added: "The material is political in nature, but unlike in the past, it doesn't glorify or promote terrorism. However, that said, it is still vandalism. "Flyposting an entire community does nothing but cause contempt for the individuals responsible along with their message, which could, in this case, undeservedly reflect poorly on the Islamic faith." A Birmingham city council spokesman said: "We take this issue very seriously and are looking into it."

Source: Birmingham Mail

Man gunned down in shop

Source: http://www.birminghammail.net/news/birmingham-news/2008/02/25/man-gunned-down-in-shop-97319-20520670/

Feb 25 2008 By Jane Tyler

A YOUNG man was fighting for life today after being shot in a Birmingham video shop.

The 20-year-old was critically injured when a gunman opened fire in the Bollywood Music and Video Store in Washwood Heath.

The victim, who has not yet been named, was today in hospital and described as in a "critical, but stable" condition. The shooting happened at the shop in Alum Rock Road on Saturday at 11pm.

Police said they were still trying to establish a motive and appealed for witnesses and information. The shooting has rocked the local area where peace group representatives and community leaders said such incidents were very rare.

Members of the interfaith Saltley Gate Peace Group, based at the Saltley Methodist Church - situated directly opposite the site - have been talking with residents and police.

Parish priest for Alum Rock, Father Allan Townsend from St Saviour's Church, and Adam Yosef, chairman of the peace group, met with locals.

Mr Yosef said: "It's been quite a shock for local residents.

"Despite wider misconceptions, shootings in Saltley are very rare and news of Saturday night's affair has shaken many.

"Naturally, parents want to keep their families safe and, in order to do so, they need to assist police with finding the criminals who perpetrated this act.

"This incident is not only a great tragedy for the victim and his family, but a reminder that despite the Government's renewed battle against gun crime.

"There's still quite a distance to go before our streets are as safe as they need to be."

Police sealed off Ellesmere Road and Edmund Road, which are next to the scene and an incident room has been set up.

Chief Supt Tom Coughlan, from Queens Road police, said: "I would ask anyone who was in Alum Rock Road, between Saltley Viaduct and Bowyer Road, around 11pm at Saturday night and who may have seen something to contact the incident room."

The number to phone is 0845 113 5000.

Source: Birmingham Mail

Letters: Adam Yosef

Title:Letter: Lay off doc.(Letters).

Source:Birmingham Evening Mail (England) (August 18, 2005): p.10. (181 words)

Full Text :COPYRIGHT 2005 Birmingham Post & Mail Ltd
Byline: Adam Yosef

WILL somebody please tell Maureen Messent to shut up?
I read her column regarding Dr Naseem (Mail, August 12) and have to say that even I, someone who is not on the best of terms with the mosque chairman, am inclined to agree more with him after reading her bitter rant.
Dr Naseem has achieved a great deal as far as UK mosques are concerned.
He has really put his neck out, even risking his own safety at times.
Every time there has been trouble at the mosque, he has not been afraid to remove or ban the culprits and has progressed beyond cultural norms by allowing a woman on the city's Shariah Council and another as a mosque spokesperson.
Where else will you find this in Britain or even the world?
The former GP has done a great deal for Muslims in Britain and might just be the person who will help change attitudes amongst the more radical elements in the community so if the man has some personal views, let him express them

Adam Yosef, Saltley

Source Citation:"Letter: Lay off doc." Birmingham Evening Mail (England) (August 18, 2005):

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Title:Your Letters : Brum poverty message.(Letters).

Source:Birmingham Evening Mail (England) (June 24, 2005): p.10. (153 words)

Full Text :COPYRIGHT 2005 Birmingham Post & Mail Ltd
Byline: Adam Yosef

THE whole country seems to be participating in the international campaign to end world poverty with Live8, Make Poverty History and all of the G8 protests, action and dialogue.
However, I'm a little bit disappointed that Birmingham hasn't shown its support on the national stage.
Okay, so we may not be planning a concert, but we have one of the best Drop the Debt campaigns in Britain.
Have people already forgotten the Jubilee 2000 human chain formed around the city during the 1998 G8 summit held in Brum?
I think Birmingham should be celebrating the return of the G8 to Britain and supporting the campaign to end Third World debt in a more recognisable manner.
Personally, I think the now bare Rotunda would be ideal in displaying a huge Make Poverty History white band around the cap of the tower.
Let's get something done!

Adam Yosef, Saltley Gate Peace Group

Source Citation:"Your Letters : Brum poverty message." Birmingham Evening Mail (England) (June 24, 2005):

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Title:Letter: Don't make Muslims suffer like the Irish.(Letters).

Source:Birmingham Evening Mail (England) (March 24, 2005): p.10. (184 words)

Full Text :COPYRIGHT 2005 Birmingham Post & Mail Ltd
Byline: Adam Yosef

WITH the current terror laws and the fear being spread about ordinary British Muslims having the potential to be members of Al-Qaeda, you can hardly be surprised if many Brummies show some hostility towards the Muslim community.
Back in the 70s, the Irish community bore the brunt of a similar hate after the pub bombings and resorted to stepping back into the shadows to keep themselves safe. I wouldn't want the city's Muslims to have to opt for the same solution.
On Saturday, 200,000 Brits of all backgrounds marched together to defend theerosion of human rights in this country and abroad.
This week, the Irish and Muslim community will come together for the first time to discuss the criminalising of so-called `suspect communities'. What may have once been a taboo subject for the Irish in the city is now talked about openly and will be shared with the experiences of Muslims to ensure, among other things, that there is never another 20 year ban on a community's right to celebrate their identity.

In peace,

Adam Yosef, Birmingham Stop the War Coalition

Source Citation:"Letter: Don't make Muslims suffer like the Irish." Birmingham Evening Mail (England) (March 24, 2005):

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Title:Letter: He's not a pawn in a political campaign.(Letters).

Source:Birmingham Evening Mail (England) (Jan 22, 2005): p.10. (169 words)

Full Text :COPYRIGHT 2005 Birmingham Post & Mail Ltd
Byline: Adam Yosef

THE release of Moazzam Begg from Guantanamo Bay is a very positive outcome for all those who tirelessly campaigned for his release.
It's going to be very emotional and difficult for him to re-adjust when he finally returns home and in reunited with his family.
However, I think that groups and individuals who are trying to cash-in on his image have seriously undermined the nature of what he has been through these past three years. Surely, for Peace & Progress to start eyeing him up as a possible candidate for their party is in very bad taste. This manner of proposing him up as a celebrity and recruiting him to raise the status of a minority fringe party mirrors UKIP's 'big celebrities, no policies' formula.
But to try to win his father over while Moazzam is not even here yet is just naive.
The rest of us who supported his release do not see him as a pawn serving our own agendas.

Adam Yosef, by email

Source Citation:"Letter: He's not a pawn in a political campaign." Birmingham Evening Mail (England) (Jan 22, 2005):

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Title:Letter: New hope can spring from tsunami tragedy.(Letters).

Source:Birmingham Evening Mail (England) (Jan 7, 2005): p.10. (180 words)

Full Text :COPYRIGHT 2005 Birmingham Post & Mail Ltd
Byline: Adam Yosef

A LOT of people may think that the whole trauma and tragedy of the Tsunami disaster is a grim way to start 2005.
The awesome tidal wave that has brought chaos, destruction and ravaged 12 countries and the citizens of many more may be something that brings dread, hopelessness and fear into people's hearts, but I believe that it should bring hope.
In the days since the disaster, people from across the world have come together to assist the victims.
Money for supplies, food and medicine has been donated at a rapid rate with the British public raising more than the Government. We see people who were previously in conflict or at war helping each other in what may seem a miracle of our times.
People have always believed that 9/11 was a point in recent history that spawned a global climate of fear, war, hate and terror.
I hope that 12/26 will be a date that will be remembered for uniting the world and setting the course for global peace.

Adam Yosef, Saltley Gate Peace Group

Source Citation:"Letter: New hope can spring from tsunami tragedy." Birmingham Evening Mail (England) (Jan 7, 2005):

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Title:Your letter: Eid winner.(Comment).

Source:Birmingham Evening Mail (England) (Nov 23, 2004): p.10. (120 words)

Full Text :COPYRIGHT 2004 Birmingham Post & Mail Ltd
Byline: Adam Yosef

I TAKE this opportunity to thank all of those people who helped make Eid day at the Birmingham Central Mosque such a success.
Eid is a time for joy and a time of goodwill all round.
My thanks go to the stewards, staff, worshippers and to the West Midlands Police, especially Sgt Simon Jones, for coordinating the huge and sometimes difficult job oftraffic and parking control when there are 20,000 people attending services in one morning.
My gratitude also goes towards those who donated towards the charity funds on the day and to Asda supermarket who provided all of our worshippers with bags for their belongings on the busy and hectic day.

Adam Yosef Birmingham Central Mosque

Source Citation:"Your letter: Eid winner." Birmingham Evening Mail (England) (Nov 23, 2004):

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Title:Letter: Hate-filled stickers must be removed.(Letters).

Source:Birmingham Evening Mail (England) (Sept 11, 2004): p.8. (156 words)

Full Text :COPYRIGHT 2004 Birmingham Post & Mail Ltd
Byline: Adam Yosef

I APPRECIATE your contribution towards exposing AlMuhajiroun's support of terrorism with their hate-filled stickers vandalising inner city communities (Mail, September 8).
A spokesperson for the council claimed that they had already removed all of the previous stickers from last year and had only left those on private property. This is not so.
I personally wrote to the council complaining of this problem of neighbourhood neglect.
I questioned why stickers promoting terrorism were allowed to be displayed for an entire 12 months with no legal or environmental action taken. We have had no reply from the council.
As for the stickers themselves, there are some displayed from as far back as 2001.
The truth is that private companies like BT and Centro have been removing stickers from their property. It is the lamp posts that are the biggest eyesore and they are the responsibility of Birmingham City Council.

Adam Yosef, Saltley Gate Peace Group

Source Citation:"Letter: Hate-filled stickers must be removed." Birmingham Evening Mail (England) (Sept 11, 2004):

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Title:YOUR LETTERS: Islamic dress right option for school.(Letters).

Source:Birmingham Evening Mail (England) (June 23, 2004): p.8. (164 words)

Full Text :COPYRIGHT 2004 Birmingham Post & Mail Ltd
Byline: Adam Yosef

MAUREEN Messent seems to get everything wrong and upsets everyone with her nonsensical rhetoric.
I read with disgust her piece about why she felt 15-year-old Shabina Begum should NOT be allowed to wear her jilbab in school (June 18).
Maureen confuses Islamic faith with Asian culture and probably can't tell the difference between the Koran and a curry.
The school Shabina attends accepts the traditional shalwar kameez attire. Does no-one question why a school has adopted an Asian uniform as a policy for all Muslims? Isn't the shalwar kameez a clothing worn by people of largely Pakistani origin? Shabina comes from a culture where the sari is the most popular traditional garment so if she wants to wear something that conceals her stomach and hips, does she not have that right?
The hijb and jilbab are globally recognised as Islamic dress so why did the school not adopt them for Muslims instead of adopting Pakistani attire? Adam Yosef, Birmingham Central Mosque

Source Citation:"YOUR LETTERS: Islamic dress right option for school." Birmingham Evening Mail (England) (June 23, 2004):

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Title:YOUR LETTERS: Police video action proves the point.(Letters).

Source:Birmingham Evening Mail (England) (May 25, 2004): p.26. (194 words)

Full Text :COPYRIGHT 2004 Birmingham Post & Mail Ltd
Byline: Adam Yosef

I AM writing to express my disgust at the actions of the West Midlands Police.
With all of the problems in the city and the crime on our streets, where on Earth do they get the nerve to post two officers outside a community centre to ban a video showing?
I have seen the film documentary Persons of Interest as it was shown at the Birmingham Central Mosque. The documentary explores the reality for those innocent people in the US who were arrested, detained and in some cases deported even though they were found innocent of any crime.
Would it have hurt the West Midlands Police to approach the organisers and discuss their concerns beforehand?
If the local community can't meet in their community centre, then this is the curtailing of basic civil liberties which is very much what the US documentary is all about.
If there was really a safety issue because 12 people were to sit in a room which normally houses many more, then surely the fire safety department would deal with that and not two police officers stationed outside a community centre.

Adam Yosef, B'ham Central Mosque

Source Citation:"YOUR LETTERS: Police video action proves the point." Birmingham Evening Mail (England) (May 25, 2004):

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Police probe Mosque's condolence book theft

Source:Birmingham Evening Mail (England) (March 15, 2004): p.5. (258 words)

Full Text :COPYRIGHT 2004 Birmingham Post & Mail Ltd

POLICE were today continuing to probe the theft of a book of condolence which was opened at a Birmingham mosque in memory of the 200 people killed in the Madrid bombings.

Birmingham Central Mosque opened the tribute to the victims on Thursday as a clear sign that its Muslim members condemned acts of terrorism.

But less than 24 hours after the first written tributes were paid, the book was stolen. Mosque officials have appealed to the raiders to return the book, which they had hoped to send to the families of the Spanish victims.

Adam Yosef, who works at the mosque in Highgate, Birmingham, said crooks struck during Saturday's afternoon prayers. 'As soon as there was mention that al Qaida could be involved we started to get a lot of hate mail.

'That's when we decided to open a book of condolence as a mark of solidarity with the victims and to show the wider community that we are against terrorism.'
Inspector Mick Pearson, of West Midlands Police, said: 'Because of the sensitive nature of the crime we have despatched a team to talk with the chairman of the mosque and conduct a thorough investigation.'

Anyone with any information should ring 0845 113 5000.

Three Sandwell men detained at Guantanamo Bay told yesterday how their humanitarian mission to war-torn Afghanistan led to them being imprisoned by the Americans. The three

-Ruhal Ahmed, a 22-year old student, Asif Iqbal, a 22-year-old former parcel depot worker and 26year-old Shafiq Rasul -repeated claims of human rights abuses at the Cuban base.

Source Citation:"Police probe Mosque's condolence book theft." Birmingham Evening Mail (England) (March 15, 2004):