New Design - what do you think ???
I have contributed a chapter to a new book just published entitled, “Islamophobie in Österreich”.
Whilst the main focus of the book is – as it says on the tin – Islamophobia in Austria, my chapter opens the book with an overview of the recent history of Islamophobia in the European context. Special thanks to Lajali Abuzahra for translating this for me.
To purchase a copy of the book, you can do so by clicking here.
Alternatively, you can download the publicity about the book here.
NB: Both the book and the publication are in German.
As part of the wider melieu, it is unsurprising that an old story that has repeatedly raised its ugly head has once again been circulating on the internet. The story in question is that Michael Jackson converted to Islam.
As a man that wore a traditional abaya on a trip to Bahrain a short while ago (see image above) – something that clearly goes against the practices of Islam – it would seem somewhat absurd to believe that Jackson could have converted. Indeed, it seems even stranger that such stories are given any credence or thought. However, it is apparent that they clearly do.
The email in circulation at the moment, contains a link to the Daily Telegraph article from November 2008.
“Eccentric, perverse, hideous, disfigured, flawed, scandalous & ruined”: Reflections on the death of Michael Jackson
Apart from simple references to celebrity – and maybe human idiocy – there is little apparent else to link the deaths of Jade Goody and Michael Jackson. This is not to suggest however that his death has been any more palatable or indeed that the legacy that will no doubt ensue will offer any better hopes of reality or authenticity. As I wrote in relation to Goody’s tragic-comic passing, the debacle was symptomatic of society’s:
…superficiality; the growth of the cult of celebrity; the veneration of its most shallow idols; the adoration of excess and greed; the voyeurism of schadenfreude; the cultural antipathy towards intellectualism; and the nihilistic and myopic rejection of social and personal morality…
“The British National Party have played on people’s fears …and we’ll have to work to tackle the fear that lead to people to vote BNP”
Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, Harriet Harman,
“All politicians should be asking themselves ‘how did we allow this to happen?’”
Shadow Defence Secretary of the Conservative Party, Liam Fox
Too little, too late as ever.
And isn’t this why people – ordinary people – have voted for the BNP?
Isn’t it because the mainstream parties have disconnected from the very people that were put in power to serve?
A tragedy and a farce.
You cannot blame the BNP and you cannot blame the people that voted for them. Blame instead the politicians that repeatedly dismissed the BNP with nonchalent arrogance and ignored the people that needed help and support and who ultimately felt that had no other choice.
Early indicators are suggesting that the BNP have made massive gains in terms of percentage votes.
Whilst these percentages are taken from the local council elections that have been declared so far, anecdotal evidence suggests that even greater numbers have voted for them in the European elections.
Given that the Euro elections are held on a proportional representation system – as per the Greater London Assembly where the BNP gained a seat with less than 7% of the votes just last year – similar percentages would see them gain a significant number of MEPs.
