Letter Of Solidarity With Britain's Muslims
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Courtesy Of: StopWar.org.uk

There has been a recent increase in racist hysteria directed against Muslims. We deplore Jack Straw’s remarks concerning the veil worn in public by some Muslim women.

His intervention, the bullying attacks of John Reid and other Ministers, and stories in some sections of the media, are designed to isolate and demonise British Muslims.

The result has been violence against, and intimidation of, Muslim people.

We express our solidarity with all people in Britain of the Muslim faith, affirm their right to dress as they please and live their lives in peace and security.

The current attacks on Muslims are rooted in the disastrous 'war on terror', of which this government has been such a prominent supporter. This war has made Britain more vulnerable, not less, to terrorist attack.

We strongly oppose the government's attempts to interfere in the internal affairs of Muslim communities and their mainstream organisations under the guise of reform and integration.

If the government is concerned about improving the cohesion of our communities, let it first abandon its support for the foreign policy of the US administration, including the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Signed by:

Tony Benn Dr Mohammad Abdul Bari (Sec Gen MCB) Walter Wolfgang (Labour Party NEC) John McDonnell MP Lord Ahmed Tam Dalyell Jeremy Corbyn MP John Pilger Louise Christian Nigel Kennedy Arthur Smith Paul Mackney (Joint Gen Sec UCU) Moazzam Begg George Galloway MP Rose Gentle Billy Hayes (Gen Sec, CWU) Mark Steel Prof Simon Clarke Ed Harcourt Mark Thomas Andrew Murray (Chair, Stop the War) Lindsey German (Convenor, Stop the War) Benjamin Zephaniah Miriam Margolyes Ihtisham Hibatullah Kate Hudson (Chair CND) Michael Rosen Mohammed Sawalha (BMI) Andy de la Tour Prof Moshe Machover Tim Gopsill (NUJ) Jeremy Hardy Dr Azzam Tamimi Anas Altikriti Craig Murray Noreen Fatima Kate Simon (MOC Independent NUJ Chapel) Katie Mitchell Michael Kustow Weyman Bennet (UNITE) Cllr Salma Yaqoob Haifa Zangana Felicity Arbuthnot Sami Ramadami and many more...

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Poem: The Veil

By Miranda Dunn

What lies beneath the veil Jack Straw?
What lies cover your eyes striking you blind?
Why does the black veiled woman
Uncover the darkest corners of your troubled mind?
Shall we all take off our veils Jack Straw?
Is there a truth you hope to find?
The weeping mothers, the limbless men's
Wounds, which open their gaping mouths?
What lies beneath the veil Jack Straw?
Will Salome dance with the Baptist's head?
What mystic secret will reveal the truth?
Fears your life will end with splattered Meat?
What lies beneath the veil Jack Straw?
Will you be swallowed by desert sands?
Your bones picked white by the vulture of time?
What is hidden by the veil Jack Straw?
What lies behind the veil Jack Straw?
A Muslim woman with an independent mind
Human flesh and human hair.
Eyes that see you as you are.
Do you want to take off your veil Jack Straw?
Will you fold away the tissue of lies?
The half truths that cover us with innocent blood
Will you put off your veil Jack Straw?
Will you put off the Veil?

Add your name:

You can add your name to the open letter by signing online »
Download the letter

Collect signatures from your friends, work colleagues, fellow students etc. Return the letter to Stop the War Coalition, 27 Britannia Street, London WC1X 9JP Download the letter »

Responses to the attacks:

Jonathan Freedland: If this onslaught was about Jews, I would be looking for my passport Read more »

George Galloway: Why we defend Muslims under attack Part 1» Part 2»

Gary Younge: Preaching to the racist choir »

Jack Straw and Bono They have met often. Did Jack Straw ask rock star Bono to remove his veil of wrap around dark glasses?

Madeleine Bunting: Jack Straw unleashes a storm of prejudice

Lindsey German: Jack Straw should cover his face in shame »Destroying democracy in the name of saving it »

David Edgar: We can't just pick and choose what to tolerate »

Poem by Miranda Dunn: The Veil »