The front page and main story of today’s Daily Express is a clear and unsubtle attempt at maintaining the “us and them” mentality which is so often levelled by that paper against Muslims:
The headline refers to the shouts from “a group of men” (according to the Mail) who were sitting in the public gallery during the trial of Roshonara Choudhry, the woman convicted of stabbing Stephen Timms MP earlier this year.
As the Express reports:
JEERING Muslim fanatics turned an Old Bailey court into a battleground yesterday after an Al Qaeda follower was jailed for stabbing an MP.
In unprecedented scenes the angry mob chanted “British go to hell” as would-be assassin Roshonara Choudhry was handed a sentence of life with a minimum of 15 years.
Rather than leading with the story at hand, the sentencing of Choudhry to “life” imprisonment, the Express has chosen to focus on the deranged rantings of a few nutcases in a courtroom instead. (Both the Daily Mail and The Sun have also gone with this angle, but neither has chosen to put it across in as brazen a way as the Express.)
That there are Muslim extremists who say such things is beyond a doubt. However, the Express’ decision to make this the key focus of the story, along with the deliberately ambiguous language used in the headline, is an attempt to imply that these shouts are in some way an expression of what every Muslim thinks about the British.
The Express sees Muslims as a homogeneous mass that is in complete agreement with the ramshackle fanatics at its fringes. The headline is a dog-whistle signal for the idea that “Muslims” disapprove of “us British”.
Can you imagine, for example, what the Express would have done if the men who broke into shouts of “Go to hell, Britain” were Christians? Would the Express have replaced “Muslims” with “Christians” in the headline? Would they even have mentioned it so prominently in the first place?
I doubt it.
Continuing the theme of rampant hysteria, the Express’ article states that:
The gang, sitting in the public gallery, chanted “Allahu akbar” or “God is great” and another demonstration raged outside the court.
“Raged”? Gosh, that sounds dramatic, doesn’t it?
Between the Express, the Daily Mail and The Sun, the “raging” demonstration seems to have comprised of at least three poor souls holding particularly unimaginative print-outs:
In their articles about yesterday’s events, the BBC and the Telegraph make no mention of the men holding signs outside or of the shouting from the gallery, and the Guardian makes a passing reference only to
a small demonstration… taking place outside the court.
An examination of The Sun’s article reveals the following:
Security men bundled the ranting bigots from Court Seven after the disgraceful scenes.
But the three were allowed to continue their poison rants [sic] in the street – yelling “British soldiers must die.”
According to this, the demonstration outside appears to have consisted of the same men who were shouting in the gallery. Therefore the Express’ claim that “another demonstration raged outside the court” seems pretty baseless.
Nonetheless, expect the wearisome English Defence League to seize this stormy teacup with both of their grubby hands.
(Both Tabloid Watch and Enemies of Reason have written fantastic posts on this.)
I work with about a dozen guys and girls who are of the Muslim faith and you couldn't work with any more nicer peeps, mind you, what the Express would make of the paintballing day we're having next Wednesday I dread to think lol, prob pitch it as some sort of training day!
Just want to say thanks at bringing a bit of balance to what is a small minority of nutters. I am a muslim, born and bred in England. We do not all think the same. But it makes good news. Probably why the mail gets such a slating, it is nothing more than a propaganda leaflet for the far right.
John B, I'm in a similar situation to you and I agree entirely.
We often have some brilliant conversations and it's a pleasure to have him as a friend.
However, the people in question are Muslims and they did tell the British to go to hell. So without wanting to cause too much of a stir, Muslims *did* tell British to go to hell.
The hateful preaching of these few, paraphrased from a conversation with my colleague, is something that British citizens can be angry at. Much like my colleague is ashamed of their actions.
Fred
Most Muslims in this country are British!
My last St Patrick's night out was organised by a Muslim. We consisted of English men from Irish backgrounds, an English man from a Pakistani background and an an English woman.
Last world cup I was concerned by the number of St Georges flags flying from cars, because I associate the flag with the BNP etc. However after a couple days I realise that a lot of the car drivers were Asians supporting their national team.
There was plenty of "if they hate Britain so much, why don't they go back to where they came from" on the Daily Fail yesterday, completely ignoring the fact that they well be British born Muslims. Choudhry certainly is.
@Freddy: You're right – strictly speaking, the headline isn't inaccurate.
However, the Express' decision to lead with this angle, along with the way they identified the men as "Muslims" and not as, for example, "Muslim fanatics" or "Muslim extremists" is yet another example of their attempt to demonise all Muslims.
The wicked preachings of people like these three men angers and frustrates me too but the Express' treatment of this event doesn't help the majority of Muslims who share our disgust with such fools.
All those affected in any manner by this report should read 1/1:Jihad-Britain by Jack Everett and see if they agree. I thought the book was brilliant in showing both sides of a troubled coin.
The wannabe jihadis could at least take their "A4-printed off-my-PC-last-night" placards down to the copy shop, have 'em blown up onto A3, and then mount them on card. Their floppy paper handout posters make 'em look like the demonstrators from patheticville. Mind you, d'y'think the local copy shop might object?
Lee said: "Last world cup I was concerned by the number of St Georges flags flying from cars, because I associate the flag with the BNP etc. However after a couple days I realise that a lot of the car drivers were Asians supporting their national team".
So if only white people are waving the St Georges flag, you suspect them to be involved with the BNP? But when you see Asians flying the flag too, it is no longer associated with the BNP?
What a ridiculous and quite frankly, racist thing to suggest. You're just as bad as those that think ALL Muslims are terrorists, when in fact, just a small minority are.
Excellent post, Minority Thought. Thanks.
Minority – can I use this on Anorak? Would you like to write for us?
Absolutely shocking that a newspaper in a democratic country can write such things! Are we living in 1930's Germany?!?
@Anorak: Thanks for the comment. Yeah, you can use it if you want. As for writing for Anorak, I'd be honoured to but I have too many other commitments, I'm afraid. I really appreciate the offer, though, thank you.
Minority – Thanks. If you should have the time…
Thanks. it's here:
http://www.anorak.co.uk/264555/media/roshonara-choudhry-is-one-of-those-muslims-against-all-of-us.html
you may like this:
http://www.anorak.co.uk/264514/media/roshonara-choudhry-revolution-muslim-south-park-censored-and-how-to-commit-diy-jihad.html
@Anorak: That's great, thanks again.