For "Asians," read "Muslims": forty Muslim "elders" are slated to move into this "state-of-the-art London housing block." White pensioners will be excluded. The article makes it clear that this is going to be subsidized housing for Muslims, but the racial angle raises questions. Would a "non-Asian," "white" Muslim be allowed to retire there? Would an "Asian" non-Muslim be admitted?
From the Evening Standard, with thanks to Peter Rockas and Susan:
Race watchdogs have been called in to investigate a state-of-the-art London housing block that is being reserved for Asians only.The development, which will provide sheltered housing for 40 Muslim "elders" when it opens in the East End this summer, has triggered controversy because white pensioners will be excluded.
The Commission for Racial Equality has now been asked to check whether the Sonali Gardens project breaks the Race Relations Act.
Criticism of the project comes from both Conservatives and Liberal Democrats. Tories warned today that the block was a form of "segregation" that could be seized on by the British National Party in its bid for votes in the capital, particularly in the East End.
The 40 new homes, together with a day centre, have been built in a joint project by Tower Hamlets council and Circle 33 housing association on the site of an old people's home that catered for all communities.
Three other new sheltered housing blocks in the borough are not earmarked just for Asians.
Critics point out that its specialist services, such as halal meals, Bengali-speaking carers and Islamic praying facilities, could be offered within a mixedrace development. Lib-Dem councillor Janet Ludlow said: "The most important thing is to make sure we are acting legally."
The 1976 Race Relations Act and its 2000 amendment state that a discriminatory service can only be offered if an authority can prove that a specific need is not currently being met.
But a recent council report admitted that the level of need among elderly Bangladeshis was "a hidden need".
David Davis, the shadow home secretary, said: "There would rightly be outrage if a council offered a whites-only housing block.
"I firmly believe that we should look to achieve integration rather than segregation in our society. This is the sort of thoughtless policy that feeds extremism."
Sirajul Islam, lead councillor for social services at Tower Hamlets, said: "We certainly do not advocate segregation in Tower Hamlets.
"But the 'one size fits all' approach to public services is no longer acceptable in 21st century Britain.
"Tower Hamlets is fortunate to have a diverse mix of communities and the council strives to ensure that its services are responsive to the differing and changing needs of its residents."
This would scream racism if race were the issue. Instead we have "another privileged class" arising in Britian along the lines of religious ideology. Is this Britain's version of "affirmative action?" Is everyone mesmerized by these people?
In a few years, at the rate Britian is conceding to muslims, instead of statements coming from Downing Street they may be coming from the Ahatollah in Towers Hamlet.
It begs the question: would an elderly white pensioner even want to live there? I suppose if all the "elders" are in one residence it makes it easier to keep an eye on them.
Religious apartheid is no different from racial apartheid. Both are enemies of equality under the law for all.
Britain, land of the Magna Carta and other seminal developments in the history of liberal democracy and individual rights, should hang its head in shame.
You can bet the walls are bugged. The Brits aren't that dumb. Think about it -- it's a good idea.
Fabrizio, Thank you for that encouraging thought!
Keeping them all in one area is not a horrible idea. This way, a better eye can be kept on them, which we all know is a major necessity.
Dear Britain: Now one is standing up for your rights---and you least of all. Once they are gone and your country has been taken away from you do you think you will get any of it back? If you fail to stand up for your rights is it possible you will have relinquished your right to claim them? Is this the way you want it to go down? Please think about this carefully before you answer. But whether or not you answer this IS your last call.....