A news story in the Guardian today reports on a fairly horrific Islamophobic campaign that has targeted a local prayer-leader.
What caught my eye in particular though was the attitude of the BNP. With no discernible trace of irony Councillor Pat Richardson, leader of the BNP group on the local council, said her party was not behind the attacks: “Firebombing is not a British method. A brick through the window is a British method, but firebombing is not a way of showing displeasure,” she said.Whilst there are distinct nationalised repertoires of protest I have not seen them addressed in this way before. I didn’t realise racist thugs stopped midway through an attack and went ‘you can’t do that! Firebombing’s not british you know’ (clearly someone else bombed Dresden then).
The BNP describes Fahim’s mosque, in south Woodford, four miles from Loughton, as “notorious” and claims it has incited violence. In fact, Fahim works as a chaplain for the Metropolitan police. [For once I think that ‘notorious’ and ‘violent’ are not a million miles out here]
What wonderful things invented traditions are!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/aug/26/muslim-attack-bnp-essex
Nationalism Studies 