General Chat

We have only ourselves to blame.

This country cannot even send Abu Qatada, a Muslim Cleric who preaches hate and terrorism, back to his own country because the bleeding heart do-gooders stick up for his "Yuman Rights."

This sends out a signal to others that we are weak, (which we are), and they feel that they can also do as they like.

The barbaric and shocking event that took place in broad day light, yesterday afternoon on a street in Woolwich, when a young man, who it is said is a British soldier, was literally butchered, turned my stomach.

That such an event occurred really worries me, as does the inevitable backlash that we are already seeing from the far right elements in this country as mosques in various areas have already been attacked. We live in a multicultural society and I am concerned that some are hijacking this incident to to promote the view that all Muslims are Islamic terrorists, and that in my opinion is patently wrong.

Many of us, myself included, have numerous friends or family members who are Muslims, and all these friends or family members will be appalled at what took place yesterday, as such acts of violence have no part in their culture or religious beliefs. The individuals who perpetrated this vile attack are not "Islamic Terrorists" they are "Terrorists & Extremists" who believe that they are fighting a war against what they call the infidels of Western society and their views are abhorred by the vast majority of Muslims.

Unfortunately many people at the very mention of the word Islam - immediately think of Osama Bin Laden as being the typical Muslim. As a result, they jump to the conclusion that the actions of a small minority reflect the views of all followers of Islam. Nothing could be further from the truth, and just as the views of those who carried out this horrific attack have no place in Muslim society, the views of extreme right wing groups such as the English Defence League have no place in our society.

All of us, no matter who we are, no matter what our colour, no matter what our religion or belief, need to somehow learn to live together and work together as one, to make sure that the forces of evil that exist in the world today, do not succeed in their efforts to split and divide our country and what it stands for.

I am also concerned at the length of time it took for armed police to arrive on the scene, it is reported it took them almost 20 minutes, tragically this young man died, but I dread to think of how many more might have been killed if the perpetrators of this vile attack had continued to run amok unabated - serious questions need to be asked about this delay :-|

My prayers and deepest sympathy go out to the family and friends of this young man, having watched some of the images of this horrific incident, I cannot even begin to imagine the sheer hell his nearest and dearest must be going through - May He Rest In Peace.

OFITG, very well said!

Britain is very tolerant of people who disagree with Joe or Josephine Normal. There are advantages - free and heated debate. Hyde Park Corner, diversity etc. There are disadvantages - tragic sometimes.

Can a young couple walk down the streets of Islamabad? The girl wearing light and revealing clothes in the hot weather and the man wearing a T shirt saying "Jesus is the son of Allah? No wonder they want to cause their savagery here. They are British people, using bits of Islam to justify hatred for the country that has spawned them. Ask them to live in a Muslim country if they hate our western world so much and they would refuse. Perhaps they cannot find a Muslim country that will accept their brand of Islam.

Also, immigration into Muslim countries like Pakistan is exceptionally difficult. And few benefits if you don't want to work for a living.

OP is back. Good job. I had not seen it, and AnnC put a lot of work into putting that together.

OP is back - Was gobsmacked to come back late last night and see it rr'd. Something that is topical and being discussed in every form of media.The whole thing is sickening to the soul but GR members should be free to discuss it like everybody else. :-0 :-0

well I didn't "put it together" - it was c & p'd straight from the web - glad it's back

Statement at 11am following COBRA. Boris is attending COBRA and then should be in Woolwich by 11.30am.

Boris has said categorically that it has nothing to do with the faith of Islam and nothing to do with the British Foreign Policy. I believe him on both counts.

It was a serving soldier, though name not yet been released. And it is said both suspects are alive in different hospitals under armed guard - but one in a serious condition. They appear to be black British of Nigerian descent - both confirmed British, one confirmed Nigerian (edit - descent). One or both not born into Muslim faith - recently converted to Islam.

And a house in Lincolnshire is being searched in connection with this atrocity.

Well said OFITG

OFG wrote: I am also concerned at the length of time it took for armed police to arrive on the scene, it is reported it took them almost 20 minutes.

Apparently, there are only 12 units for the whole of London. If there had been a major incident at Heathrow, for example, it would have taken a lot longer than 20 minutes. It used to take me 20 minutes to get from Catford to Woolwich on South Circular.

Unarmed officers were there straight away but could not proceed till an armed response team arrived. And it was outside an army barracks which this morning is heavily defended.

forcible entry at 5;30 this morning to a house in Greenwich - two young women, and older woman and a teenage boy taken into custody

Moderate Muslims in the UK have been quick to denounce those 2 men’s actions.

We must remember that only a tiny minority of Muslims in this country are likely to preach or practice terrorisms, just as only a very small percentage of Irish people were terrorists or Germans members of the Baader-Meinhof (sp?) or associated groups.

I really feel for Muslims at the moment - they must be very fearful - some parents afraid to send their children to school this morning and many afraid to go to work - terribly sad all round

Thanks RamblingRose and ChAoTicTheory - this was a very disturbing and horrific incident and I was just trying to keep things in balance. The retaliation we have already seen from some sources is only adding fuel to an already volatile situation, I have seen reports suggesting that some Muslim children are being kept at home as it is feared they will be harassed and intimidated as a result of what occurred yesterday :-(

I also note it has been confirmed that the young man that was murdered was in fact a serving soldier and this tragic event should serve to remind us of the ultimate sacrifice many of the members of our armed forces have made.

Advice for Forces Personnel as heard on the radio this morning- 'Do not wear your uniform in public'.

Is that the only answer to this exceptionally awful crime?

I have read that the time it took for the police to arrive was 9 mins, the incident happened just before the end school, in London, the roads are often bumper to bumper, according to where the patrols came from, that doesn't sound a bad time, although of course it would of felt like hours to those around.

Obviously the armed Police took longer, they have to collect guns etc.

A point someone raised earlier about why the suspects were taken to different hospitals, it's more than likely to be that as in the case of murders, the suspects don't often go to the same police station, because of cross contamination for evidence.

Lynda, "Obviously the armed Police took longer, they have to collect guns etc"

Armed police don't have to collect guns when on route to an incident, Their called armed response and carry guns with them whilst on duty.



Roy

I hope they dont die and have suffered horrible injuries that leaves them dependant for the rest of their misrable lives.

amen to that Kay

amen to that Kay