You would really had to have your head stuck in the clouds if you hadn’t come to the realisation that there exists a concerted campaign to vilify Islam and those who carry its call.

Not that it’s something recent, it’s been happening for centuries. From the Saracens and Barbarians to Extremists and Terrorists. The words might change, but the point sticks ““ we’re all bad, bad and more bad.

So it’s not much of a surprise to see the endless dribble being repeated in the media about sleeper cells, extremist preachers and suicide bombers. After all, stories of Muslim bogeyman are probably just about the only thing holding up the circulation of newspapers from plummeting. Yet, at the end of the day, you would still expect that journalists who strum up public fears would at least base their material on facts. Otherwise you would be better off strolling through the fiction section of your nearest bookshop (Dan Brown would probably come under ‘International Affairs’).
So someone please tell me why The Times has published an article titled Hardliners try to lead Quakers a merry dance.

A HARDLINE Islamist group attempted to book a conference at a Quaker meeting house by disguising itself as a Latin American dance organisation. Hizb-ut-Tahrir, which Tony Blair plans to ban as an extremist organisation, had booked Friends Meeting House in Central London using the name Salsa Bill Publishing House.

Right, I know Muslims are accused of far-fetched things, but this is really pushing it.

There are two things that immediately strike me as being incorrect.

Firstly, if you live in the Muslim community, you’ll know of Hizb ut-Tahrir. These guys are practising Muslims and their honestly rules out such a blatent manner of deception.

Secondly, the poor Quakers must really be feeling the pinch - essentially they are accused of being seriously dumb. Why? Who would believe that a couple of (presumably) bearded Muslim men would want to book a 1000 person capacity hall for Salsa dancing? Breakdancing, maybe, Latino jive, nah.

Anyone who reads Salam Magazine would know that it is published by a publishing house called Salsabil Media. It was the same organisation that booked the hall at Friends House. Its about as far removed from Salsa dancing as it is from the company that produces ‘Salsabil’ biscuits.

So whats the Times up to? Its reporters are either high school kids or it has quite disingenuously attempted to malign Islamic organisations (again). Nevertheless, according to the venue reps, the conference is still going ahead as planned.