An EDL demonstration will be taking
place in Norwich today, accompanied by a customary counter-demonstration under
the now well-known "We Are" franchise created by the SWP-dominated
UAF: We Are Norwich. The demo has apparently been prompted by ‘a decision by the city council, banning a Christian preacher from distributing anti-Islamic“hate-motivated” leaflets from a stall on Hay Hill.’ Given the blanket use and
abuse of so-called hate-crime laws when it comes to matters of belief, it is
hard to adjudge whether or not the leaflets really were “hate-motivated”, but
such an allegation really ought to be taken with a pinch of salt. In all
likelihood, he was just proclaiming that Christianity is the true religion, as
would be the position of any Christian preacher, and probably highlighting some
of the bloody and intolerant aspects of Islamic doctrine.
The ‘preacher’ in question may of
course have been one of those ranting types yelling about fire and brimstone
and eternal damnation for those who do not follow ‘The Lord’, but such people
are best ignored rather than prosecuted. From the little information available,
it seems that he is one of those types, and in line with doctrinaire Islam,
enjoys inveighing against the evils of homosexuality. There is often little
that differentiates literalist Old Testament ‘Christians’ from their
doctrinaire Muslim equivalents, with both holding exceptionally objectionable
views and making for very bad company.
Norwich, it would seem, does not
possess a significant Muslim population, but the city is home to a group that
calls itself the ‘Norwich Muslim Community’, which possesses its own website
and claims to be some 150 strong (including children). Whereas in the bulk of
our towns and cities where such a presence is in evidence the representatives
of this faith originate from overseas, in Norwich, the situation is different,
with the website claiming that ‘The majority are British-born converts to Islam.’ Those words – ‘British-born converts to Islam’ – always sadden me, for
I cannot understand why anyone would wish to freely embrace that faith in
particular, when so many others (and none) are available. Why would anyone in
the full possession of his or, particularly, her mental faculties who was not
of a malicious bent choose to embrace such a doctrine? Perhaps asking such a
question is superfluous, for there is a strong irrational urge in many people.
Thus, having ascertained that
Norwich is not home to a large Muslim population and that there are no specific
problems with those who describe themselves as adherents of that faith in the
city, is holding a march the best way to protest against the idiotic decision
by the local council to ban a fringe Christian preacher from distributing
leaflets? Perhaps it is. Then again, it might be better if the EDL were to get
behind the Reform Section 5 Campaign instead. Whatever the merits or otherwise
of the chosen course of action, expect a lot of people under the banner of We
Are Norwich to be screaming ‘fascists!’ at the EDL today. It is only a matter of time before the reports start rolling in, with the press giving a platform only to the anti-EDL protesters. A live blog of the demo is being provided by Norwich Evening News.
'Norwich Muslim Community': mostly Converts
