[linskyjack]

I just read this---its amazing. I assume that one day Britain will part of the Caliphate.

Muslim cop's refusal to do duty at Israeli embassy kicks up a row
Posted on : Thu, 05 Oct 2006 08:38:01 GMT | Author : Geoffrey Lewis


LONDON: London's Metropolitan Police commissioner has called for an urgent review of a decision taken by the department not to post a Muslim officer at the Israeli embassy.

The step follows media reports that the concerned officer had been excused on moral grounds.

Commissioner Sir Ian Blair said he has sought an urgent review and a full report on the issue.

According to the Sun newspaper, constable Alexander Omar Basha represented to his higher officers that he cannot guard the Israeli embassy in west London because he morally objected to Israel's war against the Hezbollah terrorist group in Lebanon. The officers then reportedly excused Pasha from the duty. However, the decision has been criticized on ground that such excuses can lead to several such representations from people belonging to other religions as well.


They pointed out that if this officer is excused from guarding an Israeli embassy, there can be a Jewish officer not wanting to work at an Islamic nation's embassy.

The Met issued a statement saying officers occasionally asked to be moved from a specific duty. "Every case is considered separately, balancing the needs of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) against those of the individual and the role which he or she is asked to perform," it said.

It added that cases are kept under review, but the needs of the MPS take precedence and the organisation reserves the right to post an officer anywhere in the MPS.

Basha is part of the Met's diplomatic protection group.

Meanwhile, a representative body, the Association of Muslim Police Officers, said it was a "welfare issue" as Pasha had relatives in the Middle East and felt unsafe guarding the Israeli embassy. It is learnt that he has a Lebanese wife and a Syrian father.

A spokesperson for the association said the reassignment has nothing to do with politics but it was an "issue around the welfare of a particular officer". The officer had brought the issue of his family status at the start of August and has expressed a desire to be posted elsewhere whilst the war was going on, the spokesperson said.

He said Basha is now back on diplomatic protection group duties and that "if an incident happens at the Israeli embassy he will deal with it".

[rob821]

The headline doesn't quite match the way the story is actually told. As has been clarified, the officer didn't "refuse" to do the duty, he asked to be moved. He has the right to ask, his superiors could have said "no" and he would have had to carry out his duty. As it was, they were able to meet his request this time.

It's another tabloid journalist making something of nothing.

[ChrisJones]

Originally Posted by rob821

The headline doesn't quite match the way the story is actually told. As has been clarified, the officer didn't "refuse" to do the duty, he asked to be moved. He has the right to ask, his superiors could have said "no" and he would have had to carry out his duty. As it was, they were able to meet his request this time.

It's another tabloid journalist making something of nothing.

Ditto!

Jack, at first I have to say I was pretty outraged, however upon looking into the story a bit more, I discovered the guy is Syrian by decent, and is married to a Lebaneese woman. As Rob mentioned, he made clear at the time of his request that he would not refuse to carry out his duties, he simply asked to be allowed to guard a different embassy for the duration of the conflict, purely because it was a somewhat uncomfortable position to be put in, what with his parents in law being bombed and all.

Had he refused to carry out his duty I would be outraged, however, he put in a request to be moved, and that request was granted. It's a storm in a tea cup from the tabloid newspapers.

I am however saddedned by the statement from the association of Muslim Police Officers, that claims this man felt "unsafe" guarding the embassy Unsafe? Rubbish, what were the Israelies going to do? Walk out the front door and shoot a British police officer for being Muslim? I don't think so.

Though I have to ask Jack, would you be so outraged if a Jewish police officer, refused to guard the Syrian emabassy in similar circumstances?

[bomb #21]

LJ, re: "According to the Sun newspaper":

for "newspaper", read "comic".

[Chicon]

Originally Posted by bomb #21

LJ, re: "According to the Sun newspaper":

for "newspaper", read "comic".

The Sun is not a comic book !

[bomb #21]

Originally Posted by Chicon

The Sun is not a comic book !

WARNING: if you click Joe's link it'll open another window headed "Sexy, hot, saucy pictures of your favourite celeb babes from The Sun Newspaper (sic) Online".

[SlackAli]

One of your more subdued thread titles LJ

This will restore your faith in us:

Straw 'opposes all Muslim veils'

Cabinet Minister Jack Straw has said he would prefer Muslim women not to wear veils at all.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/5411954.stm

[bomb #21]

Originally Posted by SlackAli

One of your more subdued thread titles LJ

This will restore your faith in us:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/5411954.stm

LOL!

"Mr Straw has said he asks Muslim women at his Blackburn constituency surgeries if they would mind removing veils." O RLY?!? Quel perv! Mrs bomb says "maybe the Muslim women should ask Mr Straw if he'd mind removing his trousers".

[Chicon]

Originally Posted by bomb #21

LOL!

"Mr Straw has said he asks Muslim women at his Blackburn constituency surgeries if they would mind removing veils." O RLY?!? Quel perv! Mrs bomb says "maybe the Muslim women should ask Mr Straw if he'd mind removing his trousers".

I don't mind removing my trousers to improve communication between people !



Edit : Maybe a new avatar for ChrisJones

[linskyjack]

Originally Posted by ChrisJones

Ditto!

Jack, at first I have to say I was pretty outraged, however upon looking into the story a bit more, I discovered the guy is Syrian by decent, and is married to a Lebaneese woman. As Rob mentioned, he made clear at the time of his request that he would not refuse to carry out his duties, he simply asked to be allowed to guard a different embassy for the duration of the conflict, purely because it was a somewhat uncomfortable position to be put in, what with his parents in law being bombed and all.

Had he refused to carry out his duty I would be outraged, however, he put in a request to be moved, and that request was granted. It's a storm in a tea cup from the tabloid newspapers.

I am however saddedned by the statement from the association of Muslim Police Officers, that claims this man felt "unsafe" guarding the embassy Unsafe? Rubbish, what were the Israelies going to do? Walk out the front door and shoot a British police officer for being Muslim? I don't think so.

Though I have to ask Jack, would you be so outraged if a Jewish police officer, refused to guard the Syrian emabassy in similar circumstances?

I would be absolutely outraged---Every day in NYC, Jewish officers guard Arab consulates and they know better then to ask for a transfer. My aunt lives across the street from the Iranian consulate in New York and has become friendly with the police guard there. ONe of the guys is called the Jew in Blue!

Okay, I understand that he merely asked for a transfer----and the onus, should be on his commander. The fact that his commander would give him the transfer shows me that things don't bode well for your country.

[linskyjack]

Originally Posted by SlackAli

One of your more subdued thread titles LJ

This will restore your faith in us:



http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/5411954.stm

Straw is onto something here---Just like the French who in their infinite wisdom understand that theirs is a secular state and that there is no place for religion in their secular insitutions.

[bomb #21]

Originally Posted by linskyjack

Straw is onto something here---Just like the French who in their infinite wisdom understand that theirs is a secular state and that there is no place for religion in their secular insitutions.

A for the French? Are you sure you're American?

Dunno if he's "onto something" -- he might be "on something". As Simon Hughes (Lib Dem) said, Straw can raise the issue if he likes, but doing so "in surgery" was ill-advised at best.

[linskyjack]

Yeah, I'm a francophile-----I can read France and get by speaking it. I love some of the French atitudes---particularly when it comes to the secular state.

[ChrisJones]

Originally Posted by linskyjack

I would be absolutely outraged---Every day in NYC, Jewish officers guard Arab consulates and they know better then to ask for a transfer. My aunt lives across the street from the Iranian consulate in New York and has become friendly with the police guard there. ONe of the guys is called the Jew in Blue!

Okay, I understand that he merely asked for a transfer----and the onus, should be on his commander. The fact that his commander would give him the transfer shows me that things don't bode well for your country.

Hi Jack,

Glad to hear it.

I do get where you're coming from but it was a request, and operationally the MPS was able to meet that request. Who know perhaps if one of his colleagues had called in sick the request would have been rejected. I do admit that this country is absolutely crippled by political correctness, but I don't think on this occasion it's to blame for the decision, nor do I think it's another nail in the coffin so to speak.

[ChrisJones]

Originally Posted by Chicon

[IMG]Edit : Maybe a new avatar for ChrisJones

Why???