The western world has come to the sad state when only the members of ethnic or religious minorities have the freedom to use their common sense.

Too bad that not all politicians have their minds as clear as Sir Trevor's, at least regarding this issue.

Posted by: cruzado at February 27, 2006 8:16 AM

I'm happy that someone has been prepared to state the obvious, but I think it says an awful lot about the state of affairs in the UK that this was not said by a senior member of the Blair government.

Posted by: waterdragon52 at February 27, 2006 8:22 AM

Trevor Phillips is an obstinate, sometimes hypersensitive enemy of racism in any form. Anyone who knows about him knows that he hates the very smell of any kind of racial discrimination - including, to his credit, reverse racism against whites. The fact that he should have so clearly stated the need for Muslims to conform to our law and our principles shows once and for all that the claims about opposition to Islam being racist are bullshit.

Posted by: Paolo at February 27, 2006 8:37 AM

He's a man I admire. This is a brief biog.
http://www.100greatblackbritons.com/bios/trevor_phillips.html

Posted by: Granny Weatherwax at February 27, 2006 8:52 AM

I think this is a great statement, but I'm growing increasingly pessimistic about Europe. Maybe it was the antisemitic murder in France, or the willingness of the Europeans (and, sadly, the Americans) to continue funding Hamas despite its clearly stated genocidal intentions, or maybe its the craven response to the cartoons issue, but whatever it is, I'm beginning to think all is lost. I'm willing to bet that 25 years from now, in some EU country, someone will say, "Sharia is the law of the land. Anyone who believes in freedom of speech and religion should go live somewhere else."

Posted by: Howard, Fine & Howard at February 27, 2006 9:09 AM

"Sharia is the law of the land. Anyone who believes in freedom of speech and religion should go live somewhere else or die."

Posted by: JanuaryMan at February 27, 2006 9:12 AM

Public comments by politicians like Peter Costello in Australia and Sir Trevor are an indication that steps 1 and 2 described below are gaining wide public support:

Step 1: Realize that Islam is a comprehensive ideology in which it is impossible to disaggregate the political, social, economic and religious elements from each other.

Step 2: Realize that the Islamic worldview is fundamentally incompatible with Western ideals of human rights and democratic sovereignty.

Step 3: Test the professed loyalty to the Western values of all members of the society, native and immigrant, all the time.

Step 4: Those who, by exercise of free will, cannot fully embrace the Western ideals must be politely invited to leave.

Step 5: Any who choose not to embrace the Western ideals and who subsequently refuse to vacate must be forcibly expelled.

Step 6: Any who violently resist expulsion must be neutralized with publicly sanctioned military force.

If we can do all of the above, we will arrive at the state of affairs to which our ancestors so ably guided us for more than a thousand years. It is only then that the "Islamic Question" can once again become a foreign matter and not one of domestic security and welfare.

Posted by: Hulegu Khan at February 27, 2006 9:12 AM

Allah, that "racist," tells Muslims if they can't follow Islam to the fullest in the land in which they dwell, they should leave. They are expected to leave and go to where they can practice Islam fully...and if they don't, they can go to hell--literally!

[Shakir 4:97] Surely (as for) those whom the angels cause to die while they are unjust to their souls, they shall say: In what state were you? They shall say: We were weak in the earth. They shall say: Was not Allah's earth spacious, so that you should have migrated therein? So these it is whose abode is hell, and it is an evil resort.

[Yusufali 4:97] When angels take the souls of those who die in sin against their souls, they say: "In what (plight) Were ye?" They reply: "Weak and oppressed Were we in the earth." They say: "Was not the earth of Allah spacious enough for you to move yourselves away (From evil)?" Such men will find their abode in Hell,- What an evil refuge! -

[Pickthal 4:97] Lo! as for those whom the angels take (in death) while they wrong themselves, (the angels) will ask: In what were ye engaged? They will say: We were oppressed in the land. (The angels) will say: Was not Allah's earth spacious that ye could have migrated therein? As for such, their habitation will be hell, an evil journey's end;

[Pooya/Ali Commentary 4:97]
Mustad-afin are those who neither let their disbelief lose its grip over them nor try to find a way leading to the right path. Their abode is hell-an evil destination.
If the proper observation of the obligations of the faith is not possible in the land of one's birth and dwelling, one can migrate to some other place on Allah's wide and spacious earth.

Posted by: Archimedes at February 27, 2006 9:18 AM

I wonder what Sacranie and Tamimi think of this.

Will they be forced to relocate?

Posted by: PRCS at February 27, 2006 11:12 AM

Any "allegiance" by a Muslim to anything other than Islam is apostacy.

Or pledged ("War is deceit") as a way to lie to the infidels during the soft invasion.

They cannot be anything but infil-traitors in )currently) non-Muslim lands.

Once this is made clear by a WMD wake up call, the "repatriations" (since "deportations" sounds so unpleasant) will have to start.

Until then, the Big Lie continues:

"We are Islamic-Americans (Britains, French, Dutch, Canadian, Danish, etc., etc., ad nauseam)."

Posted by: profitsbeard at February 27, 2006 11:28 AM

Thanks for that photo of Sir Trever. I see he is a black man.The whites ,like the London Mayor sheepishly playing Dhimmi to the Islamists,in spite of being a Mayer in a White country,will not solve the grave problem,we are facing now. I wonder what makes the English people so subdued and slavish,when the very freedom ,and culture of theirs is threatoned to this extent of burning their own Union Jack flag ,in their own soil,Killing their own people in thier own soil,and calling them 'infedals',"pig eaters', abusing their ladies as shameles 'whores', and mocking at our religion as false,and our Bible as lyes and corrupted in their own country.
As emphacised by me, in other posts of this site,when other races, such as Blacks, Coulured Christians,Hindus, Jews and Sihks ,who come to live in your country have so much patriotism,and love for your country,and most importantly the COURAGE to speak out the truth on public,why most of the whites dont show any reaction at all ? Your Media, politicians,and News papers are bought for Suadi Money,and they are ready to sing praise,hide the real facts,and play second fiddle to the Islamists.I have noticed,mostly the outsiders,who became citizens(I mean the non-Whites)are more patriotic and brave to come forward to pinpoint and stand in front against these intruders. This is true even in Australia. The two Christian Pastors,arrested for talking against Koran,that it only teaches violence against non-Muslims,and is spreading hatred amoung citizens,were arrested,and put in jail. These two brave men are not White Australians, but Pastors from India!.
How I wish ,I witness a huge crowd of whites,protesting against the London Bombings,or Sep 11,or the attrocities commited by Islamists,or against the souble dealings of London Mayor in our countries? We take all of these matters, so cool,or at a 'dont care' attitude.I am longing for that day ,when our youth ,holding our country's flags,march in thousands, to protect ,and to show how much they love their country,its religion,and its culture.This action only create a fear in the mind of our enemies,and they will come to our terms. The more you pamper them with your 'Multiculturalism',the more they will sit on your head.
We require more "white' Trevors in our predominantly white countries.

Posted by: rafia at February 27, 2006 11:51 AM

Trevor: "We have one set of laws ... and that's the end of the story. If you want to have laws decided in another way, you have to live somewhere else."...

"Shape up or ship out...".This should be a mantra directed at muslims living in any Non Islamic country.

Posted by: duh_swami at February 27, 2006 11:51 AM

From Channel 7 news:

(Australia's) Health Minister Tony Abbott has warned against ostracising or "shouting down" hardline Muslims, saying it would be a mistake to dismiss those advocating sharia law as "un-Australian".

In contrast to federal treasurer Peter Costello's attack on "mushy, misguided multiculturalism", Mr Abbott praises multiculturalism, seeing it as a long-term antidote to the fighting shown in December's Sydney riots.

In The Age newspaper, Mr Costello said people wanting to live under sharia law should go where it was practised.

But in an article titled A Conservative Case for Multiculturalism in the March issue of Quadrant, Mr Abbott says: "It can be a shock to find calls for sharia law in Australian places of worship".
"Still, it would be a big mistake to dismiss this as 'un-Australian' rather than to begin the kind of engagement that eventually made Christianity less bloody."

Multiculturalism has been of great benefit to Australia, Mr Abbott said.

After the Cronulla riots "it makes more sense than ever to rehabilitate multiculturalism as an expression of our society's traditional strengths and as a vehicle for building commitment to Australia", he said.
"By stressing respect, it (multiculturalism) aims to foster the kind of dialogue that diminishes the potential for conflict," Mr Abbott said.

Ye gods! Words fail me.

Posted by: SandiM at February 27, 2006 12:25 PM

And in The Guardian too? Amazing. I suspect that Guardianistas would not have been so sympathetic had a white man said this. Nevertheless it is encouraging. Phillips renounced "multiculturalism" a year ago. Perhaps he realises that Islam is not a race. Moreover, it is a very racist system. The Arabisation of British Muslims, in both appearance and behaviour, has been disturbing to watch.

Clever Trevor, as the song goes. Not that it's really clever - he's just stating the obvious.

Posted by: Interested at February 27, 2006 12:54 PM

But does Sir Trevor, and the folks at the Guardian, who amazingly allowed this article to come to print, know what this statement means to Muslims who want Sharia? If Muslims take the Qur'an and Sunnah seriously enough to want to impose Sharia in Britain, then they also naturally view Britain as rightfully theirs; the land belongs to Allah and to believers not to the Infidel British, so what right do the Infidel British have to tell them to leave? Allah enjoins them not only to stay but to fight if Islam is attacked, and this constitutes an attack. If Sir Trevor means what he says and is willing to take political action, then jihad is the only recourse. Is Sir Trevor ready to face the ummah in jihad? If he makes this comment merely to make a political point he misunderstands the context: this statement comes close to a declaration of war on Islam.

Posted by: JTF at February 27, 2006 1:02 PM

the statements coming from this guy is particular strong and to the point. this man is above the PC prattle most politicians! maybe he can run the GG's PM job!!

Posted by: Lulu at February 27, 2006 1:04 PM

i like Mr Philips - he's against GENUINE bigoted racism , of all kinds - as i am.

He came out against the multi-cultural cult a few months ago, lambasting it, and saying basically that it was contributing to the breakdown of British society

i.e. multiculturalism leads to *more* racism

He's an integrationist. A melting pot chap. But a melting pot into the British identity.

I cant disagree with him. He speaks a ton of common sense.

more here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3615379.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3596047.stm
(note - the above url was written before 7/7 - so he might have changed his mind regarding "muslims")

Posted by: archduke at February 27, 2006 1:34 PM

Raise the Union Jack!

Posted by: justsayno2islam at February 27, 2006 1:34 PM

"why most of the whites dont show any reaction at all ?"

rafia -> you're talking about the English. who are , by and large, not really concerned about anything beyond their own creature comforts and their own lives. and , by and large, a very polite and civillised bunch of people too. (football hooligans excepted of course - i'm on about the majority of English people who never appear in the "news")

think "Hobbits" : and thats the English. (no offense intended, thats closest allegory i can think of)

it just takes a hell of lot to get them going - think of Trevor Philips as Gandalf striding into the Shire, as you're almost there.

Posted by: archduke at February 27, 2006 1:47 PM

Realism requires the melancholy acknowledgement that when V. S. Naipaul or Ibn Warraq, Ayaan Hirsi Ali or Trevor Phillips, speak out in a certain way, they will be listened to in a way that a white man or woman will not be. This is regrettable, and should not be. But let's accept this, and exploit the situation wherever possible.

This exaggerated interest in the ethnic, racial, religious, or other background of writers, whether of those books that are often assigned taking into account that authorial background, or in a classroom where books are often discussed according to the coarsest of criteria ("Grace, as an Asian-American, please share with us your thoughts on Amy Tan? Did she strike you as getting the immigrant experience just right? And how would you compare her to the very different world of Toni Morrison?"), illustrates the idiocy.

In an intelligent world (the intelligent past will do nicely, thank you) all that should matter is, when it comes to courses in literature, literary merit, and when it comes to political commentary, does it make moral and other kinds of sense?

One applauds the statement by Trevor Phillips and deplores the realization that the applause is louder than it should be, and his statement more effective than it would otherwise be, had he been not Trevor Phillips, but rather plain old Huw Weldon, or Anthony Chenevix-ffrench, or for that matter, Bernard Levin. This ought not to be. But it is.

Posted by: Hugh at February 27, 2006 3:10 PM

Those of us who are not white or Christian, who are nonetheless very proud to be a part of the West; the greatest repository of human knowledge ever assembled, know from a special angle how precious Civilization is. Indeed, it is only in civilization that the rights of minorities are respected and protected.

Posted by: tokyobk at February 27, 2006 4:20 PM

The fact that Trevor Phillips is black may carry more weight than it should, and it may enable him to criticise the religion of an ethnic minority while avoiding a charge of racism. It shouldn't, but it does. More important, however, is his affirmation of the importance of equality before the law, and his rejection of the privileging of any one group. This positive message about English law needs to be stated loud and clear, by way of contrast with the unequal treatment that sharia law metes out to non-Muslims and to women.

Posted by: Interested at February 27, 2006 4:24 PM

Speaking of 'racism"-

I'd like to see a Beneton-ad type of poster campaign -showing the rainbow of human 'types'*- brown, pink, yellow, copper, black, albino, etc...-
with the blurbs, ABOVE AND BELOW:

"Muslims are not all one color

[PHOTO OF THE DEADPAN MULTI-COLORED FACES]

-but any one of them could become a terrorist.

It's the VIOLENCE in the Koran, stupid!"

(plus, in fine print at the bottom:

"SEE: Sura 8:12, 17; Sura- 9:14, 29-30; Sura 5:34; & Sura 47:3", etc...)

And place these billboards prominently in Washington, D.C.; Piccadilly Circus; the Leidseplein in Amsterdam; Times Square; Berlin, near 'Checkpoint Charlie'; Madrid; and in Paris near the Arch de Triomphe.

Racist?

(*"Race" is a useless and only-to-be misunderstood word, since we are all originally 'white' Africans [see bottom of "black" Africans' feet], of one genetically identical human race, with different 'types' - colors, epicanthic folds, etc.- evolving from climate, diet, etc., and is a biologically meaningless term, of value only to true racists.)

Islamophobic?

I do fear militant, murderous Islam, so yes!

I would guess such billboards would last about 23 hours before being destroyed.

By those who proclaim "there is no compulsion to religion".

(And I just saw a flock of migratory swine fly by my window in a plump V formation.)

Posted by: profitsbeard at February 27, 2006 4:25 PM

Trevor Phillips would never make such an important statement unless he had the complete backing of the PM.

Softly softly at the moment.

Posted by: DP111 at February 27, 2006 4:33 PM

The MI5 et al, appears have contracted a performance sickness, a politically correct sleeping partner of alien politics, and for sure, at the expense of National traditions, logic & commonsense. I believe this sleeping partner must swear allegiance to something or someone other than Brits?
The obvious need for House cleaning.

Posted by: SirSeth at February 27, 2006 6:45 PM

Islam is the breeding power of sanctified Hate, the ultimate high for the Muslims,illiterate.

Posted by: SirSeth at February 27, 2006 7:03 PM

Despite the blatherings of the left about Western colonialism and multiculturalism, Phillips has the good sense to realise that he has done very well out of the "repressive, racist system" which has provided him with a home and a career for many years. There was a documentary recently on UK TV about the sufferings of gay muslims and one of them commented "my parents have the mind-set of people in Pakistan. If they don't accept the way of life here, why don't they get out?" A white person said that on TV, they would probably be under investigation by the police.

Posted by: londongirl at February 28, 2006 4:46 AM

Things are slowly changing in the UK and the west, infact the world.

It is true that by virtue of his colour Trevor Phillips can say something and not be accused of racism.

I have being carrying out a little private campaign to persuade prominent non moslem authors to get more involved with talking
about the horror of islam.

One of the people i think everybody on this site should contact is VS Naipal.

You can write to him via his agent:
VS Naipaul
>c/o
>Gillon Aitken Associates
>18-21 Cavaye Place
>London
>SW10 9P2
>
>Tel: 020 7373 8672

or e mail to his agent at:

recep@gillonaitken.co.uk

he is so blunt so sharp and intelligent that the bbc prefer not to have him on !
he's not even a BNP member !

Does anybody watch the series "The Apprentice" do you remember Saira Khan ?

Well she was intervied in the sunday Times a couple of weeks ago in her interview she said that the government should appoint her as some sort of
"special emmisary for moslem affairs"

These are the letters in the last Sunday Times in response, note the name of the sender of the first letter:

IF, as Saira Khan says, integration, integration, integration is her constant refrain, then why do we need a minister for “Muslim affairs” (Go and live in Saudi Arabia, mad mullahs, News Review, last week)? She feels that as a modern British Asian woman she is not represented in government. Surely everyone is through their MP.

Why not give someone a portfolio for Hindu, Sikh or pagan affairs? Both my sisters have done well without asking for special representation. I am sure she, and others like her, can bring about the changes within the Muslim community by being good role models without getting taxpayers involved.

Surendra Andar
Stanmore, Middlesex

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,176-2058626,00.html

Did anybody notice that the only MPs who complained about the placards being carried by the moslem demonstators inciting violence were conservative MP's ?

The labour party have made a pact with evil in exchange for votes.
I believe that the conservative party know this.
During the last conservative party conference did any body notice the turbanned sikh chap on the stage ?

labours pact with the devil has been noticed by the Sikhs and Hindus and others of Indian decent in this country.

I carry photocopies of the Mike obrein article in my car along with a supply of envelopes, every time I pass a Sikh/Hindu/Buddhist temple I drop one through the post box
FAO the President and Executive Committe"

The next time a member of a political party knocks on your door wave it in their face (especially if they are labour.
or buy a copy of "PIG to islam" or "the myth of islamic tolerance" and tell your Conservative MP that you will contribute to the party "IF" he reads them.
it works and it gets noticed.

You can ask anyone of Indian decent about islam and you will hear some very unpleasant stories thats because our grandparents and parents had the misfotune to experience the "Non Guardian/BBC" version of it.

One more thing Mr Spencer and Hugh please contact the BJP/VHP they have branches in both the UK and USA they would be a useful counter to cair.

Regards to all you pork munchers and wine and beer drinkers.

AI

Posted by: apostate_islam at February 28, 2006 6:47 AM

Thank God!

The racist argument is getting played out.

And the Islamaphobia argument - is soon to run its course.

They are trying to stop everyone from talking about the problem of Islam -
First of all we have to be frightened that we will be killed.
Next it is to be called a racist - or some other name.

Basically if everyone would just keep quiet - and submit, Islam can then walk in unquestioned and unchallenged - and take a part of the country and its legal system over for Islamic law.
______________

And to think we are now going to include Turkey, an EU candidate country, where Mein Kampf by Adolph Hitler is a best seller.

NO - should be the answer here – Thanks!

Fundamental ideals are important to integration.

Posted by: Pass It On at February 28, 2006 1:53 PM

There is an interesting site"www.danishmuhammedcartoons.com".
See how the Danish people send their "Official Appology" to all Muslims of the world.

Posted by: rafia at February 28, 2006 2:01 PM

In many ways, this sums up the problem the West faces today courtesy of the albatross-around-our-necks PC brigade. Only black and brown skinned people enjoy the luxury of being able to criticise Islam without fear of being branded as racists or fascists, as I know only too well from personal experience. Had any white politicians or other prominent people said this, they would have been forced out of their jobs before you could say "Allah Akbar". We remember how Robert Kilroy-Silk lost his job for daring to tell the truth about Arabs and Islam, and we also remember the furore over Ray Honeyford, who lost his job as a headmaster in a Bradford school 20 years ago, for his remarks about multicultaral education.

Posted by: Spirit Of 1683 at February 28, 2006 6:08 PM

"it makes more sense than ever to rehabilitate multiculturalism as an expression of our society's traditional strengths and as a vehicle for building commitment to Australia", he said.

So... if the patient has been poisoned, give yet another dose of the poison as a cure.

Oh, Tony Abbott, what a foolish wanker thou ist!

He should have said:

It makes more sense than ever to rehabilitate the White Australia Policy as an expression of our society's traditional strengths and as a vehicle for building commitment to Australia.

Posted by: Timbo at March 1, 2006 7:47 AM