MIDLANDS VOICE
Special Adviser appointed to investigate 25 Birmingham schools
The Education Secretary, Michael Gove is preparing to send inspectors into dozens of State schools where conservative Islamic practices are allegedly damaging children's education. An anonymous letter was sent to the city council and the media has claimed that Islamic fundamentalists were attempting to take control of Birmingham schools in an operation called 'Trojan Horse'. Allegations include the takeover of governing bodies by Islamic fundamentalists, harassment of non-Muslim heads, bullying of female staff and the segregation of girls and boys in lessons. A report suggests that the city council had now received more than 200 points of contact on Trojan Horse and 25 schools are being investigated in this connection. Amongst the school's being investigated is Ladypool Primary School in Birmingham, which cancelled an annual visit by Santa Claus at Christmas. Vicky Hubble, the teacher organising the event, was told Santa’s visit would be cancelled and there would be no presents and “no mention” of
www.abplgroup.com - Asian Voice 19th April 2014
Sir Albert Bore
Michael Gove
Jesus being the son of God. The new rules were put into place by Huda Aslam, the head teacher recruited last September from al-Hijrah, an Islamic secondary school about two miles from Ladypool. Aslam wanted to reduce Christmas festivities to little more than sing-alongs such as Jingle Bells, according to a teacher at Ladypool. Sir Albert Bore, leader of the City Council said a special adviser has been appointed to help investigate the ‘Trojan Horse’ allegations. The press release sent by Birmingham Council had explained that former head teacher, Ian Kershaw, has been appointed as the
city’s new chief adviser on Trojan Horse and will work on a full-time basis for the next six months. The operational group is investigating along with officers from the Department for Education, West Midlands Police, Ofsted and other agencies including representatives from faith groups and Birmingham MPs. Mohammed Shafiq, chief executive of the Ramadhan Foundation, the Muslim charity which campaigns for peaceful coexistence has reportedly said: “The allegations of alleged extremist takeover of schools in Birmingham are very serious, however, there is a wider concern that this is a witch-hunt against the Muslim community” Some of the schools had not told the city that they had also received the Trojan Horse letters and more have come forward in recent weeks. The council announced a freeze on the recruitment of local authority school governors last week stating that the system was “not fit for purpose”. It is understood the results of these inspections will be published after Easter.
Gurdwara wins legal battle against meat processing plant
Guru Gobind Singh Gurdwara on Leeds Road in Bradford has won a legal battle to stop the construction of a meat processing plant by the Pakeezah group next door. Pakeezah Group, a halal meat specialists is owned by a Pakistani family. As many Sikhs are strict vegetarians, campaigners for the Gurdwara told local council officials that carcasses being cut up next to the Gurdwara would upset worshippers. The Gurdwara's general secretary Govinder Singh
Dhaliwal (pictured) said they were delighted by the Council's decision and were grateful for all the support they had received from
European delegation visits Calthorpe School
Dhiren Katwa
An European delegation of over 70 learners and their mentors have paid tribute to Graham Hardy, headteacher, and his team at Calthorpe School in Highgate, Birmingham for hosting them. During their week-long experience, the delegation, pic-
Bradford's other religious groups during their fight. Asian Voice also ran a petition circulated by the group, on being requested to publish it, by our Sikh readers. He further said, "This decision will strengthen the relationships among the faith communities and their support is a good example of community cohesion. This decision by the Council strengthens our belief in the
democratic political process, which has responded to public opinion". leader, Council Councillor David Green, said, "We have listened to the considerable concerns expressed by local people and groups about the planning application. In light of the legal advice we've received, we'd rather not spend any public money and have therefore decided not to oppose the judicial review". Pakeezah was unavailable for comment.
Wife and family of murdered takeaway driver demands justice
Queen (life-size cardboard cut-out) also made a guest appearance, which proved to be a popular photo opportunity. Mounir Meghalsi, a director at Calthorpe, thanked everyone. Reciprocating, teachers Monika Gunz-Arnaud and Fabrice Seigneurie and their counterparts from Germany and Yasar Abbas and his children
tured, visited various landmark sites including Cadbury’s World, Drayton Manor, Central Library and Black Country Museum. Their visit culminated in a prestigious round-table dinner last Thursday at the Paragon Hotel. Her Majesty The
Bulgaria handed Mr Hardy and his team native food hampers. This visit was part of Comenius, a British Council-led project, one of the most popular international education programmes for UK schools, colleges and local authorities.
Wife of the Walsall takeaway delivery driver, 28 years old Yasar Abbas, who was brutally murdered in a 'premeditated' ambush has said that she is unable to enjoy peace of mind until her husband's killers are imprisoned. The father-of-two was attacked last April while delivering Chinese takeaway in Madison avenue, by masked thugs outside an address in a planned attack. The Post mortem concluded that Mr Abbas died from head injury inflicted by a “heavy bladed weapon.” Nine people have already been arrested in the last 12 months and all remain on police bail while investigations continue. West Midlands Police investigating officer Det Insp Gary
Plant told the Birmingham Mail: “This anniversary is a particularly difficult time for Yasar’s wife and her young sons. Her youngest son is approaching his first birthday following his birth on the day of Yasar’s funeral last year. “Yasar was a well-liked, popular member of the community.” Yasar’s brother-in-Law, Aftab Hussain, said his family desperately wanted the killers brought to justice. Abbas died days later in Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital. A £10,000 reward for information his murder has been announced. Anyone with information can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or use the anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
Food drive by Leicester Gurdwara marks start of Vaisakhi
Guru Tegh Bahadur Gurdwara in Leicester collected food from thousands, to help the vulnerable people, marking the beginning of Vaisakhi. Canned goods, pasta and bottled water were among the items collected. Vaisakhi is celebrated by Sikh worshippers worldwide and is traditionally a time to help others.
Photo courtesy: Leicester Mercury
4
Jas Dosanjh-Sidhu with tins donated at the food drive
Amandeep Rai, of the Leicestershire Sikh Alliance, which organised the food drive, reportedly said: "We had a massive turnout and everyone, from lots of different communities, came along. "It is so important for individuals to look around and see the problems surrounding them. "We want to try to help those people who are struggling." The food donated will be put into food banks across the county, including Leicester charity Link and FareShare Leicester. Amandeep also added that one of the central beliefs of Vaisakhi was the principle of Seva, which means selfless service, which is why the food drive was organised.
Men involved in car crash at 2 different instances, appear in court
A man appeared in Birmingham Magistrates Court for causing death by dangerous driving a £100,000 car. Mr Hussain was allegedly behind the wheel of an Audi R8 Spyder when a collision took place with a Red Ford Fiesta carrying 49year-old Noreen. The horrific smash killed Noreen Ryan last August. Saqib Hussain, aged 24, of Alexander Road, Acocks Green, was committed at the Court where he will face a charge of causing death by dangerSaqib Hussain ous driving and two charges of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. The computer engineer will also face charges of causing death by driving while not insured and failing to stop at the scene of an accident. He is bailed to appear at Birmingham Crown Court on August 4. Another uninsured man and M a n c h e s t e r Metropolitan University student Zain Iqbal, 21, undertook another motorist on Great Ancoats Street at 50mph in his powerful Volkswagen Golf before crashing into a taxi carrying pregnant Wei Liu. A boy racer who caused a devastating Zain Iqbal road smash claimed five victims - including a pregnant woman forced into early labour. He has been jailed for two years and four months and disqualified from driving for four months at Manchester Crown Court after admitting causing serious injury by dangerous driving.