Rowan Williams - Sharia Law

Oh deary me. What was he thinking?
I know it's "the thing" to do - to show the world how inclusive we are as a society, how tolerant we are.
But did it work?
The Archbishop of Canterbury may have felt it was necessary to make the Muslim community feel accepted in British society but in my view, he just further alienated them.
Since the Archbishop's comments on Sharia Law were made public, every single newspaper/ news programme has carried apologetic messages from the Muslim community - including residents of Birmingham - saying they really don't agree with having a different set of rules. After all, past generations moved to this country and had a clear idea of what to expect - especially as they knew they were moving to a Christian country. Why make them apologise for their right to live here like everyone else and attack them for the views of someone else.
In the meantime, Anglicans are absolutely livid and so they should be. Isn't he supposed to be protecting the interests of the Church of England?
And don't mention far right groups who are having a field day over this one!
So no, we can't gain from adding aspects of Sharia Law, Dr Williams. It should be one set of rules for EVERYONE, regardless of religion or race.
All we will gain is a backlash against the nation's main religion, increased hatred directed towards Britain's Muslim community (like it's not bad enough already) and every other ethnic minority group while we are at it.

I'm Back!

Well it's been a while... sorry about that.

Having just attended a Trinity Mirror seminar on digital media and the world of newspaper/online journalism, there were a few raised eyebrows when I mentioned...
a) I had a blog
b) I hadn't updated it since December
c) I can't update it at work because my computer is so old, my web browser does not support google, googlemail, blogger, hotmail, facebook... the list is endless...

So with a little help from my new wireless connection at home... I'm back in action..
Roll on Community Affairs..

Celebs line up to support Jumoke

It seems the world is finally paying attention to Jumoke Adediwura. Her Myspace friends list is growing by the minute with support from Madonna, Sting, Ozzy, Sharon and Kelly Osbourne, Pato Banton, Babyshambles, UB40, Lily Allen, Leonardo DiCaprio, Cat Stevens, Frank Skinner, Coldplay, Debbie Harry, Mark Ronson and stacks more.
Although they have been contacted a number of times by Jumoke's friend Holly, a lot of the nation's media hasn't really been too fussed about her. But all of a sudden (ie because celebs are getting involved) they've started to return phone calls.
Unfortunately stories with the word asylum never seem to get far in the press.
It's times like these (trying not to be biased but can't help it) that I'm proud to say I'm working for the Birmingham Post, who will continue to cover this story until the very end, having done so three times already for the week with updates online. (I will be on holiday from Wednesday but will be keeping in touch with Holly and my news desk)
So come on Midlands Today, Central Tonight, Radio WM and the nationals, where are you when a real Brummie needs you?
Well I guess their renewed interest is for the best as it means putting pressure on the relevant authorities to return Jumoke to her Kings Heath home.
Again, Jumoke's website is: www.myspace.com/supportjumoke

For stories about Jumoke,
Birmingham mum fears daughter will die if deported
Late deportation reprieve for Birmingham mum
Birmingham mum to abandon daughters if deported

Jumoke Adediwura

Jumoke Adediwura, the Nigerian woman at the centre of an immigration row, has been granted a last minute reprieve.
After the Home Office announced she had exhausted her rights to appeal, it seems one of her daughters was unable to receive the necessary vaccinations for Africa as she had an ear infection.
Now her friends are trying to make contact with a human rights lawyer.
Support for Jumoke has been growing by the second through her website
The Birmingham Post website is currently being updated so I'll put up links to the story later.

Campaign to save city woman

I have just written a story in the Birmingham Post about a Nigerian woman who is about to be deported.
Jumoke Adediwura, aged 35, has lived in Birmingham for four years and has two small children - one has learning difficulties.
She left Nigeria after what she has described as "years of abuse" at the hands of "her people". Now I'm not sure of the details of her past but one thing is for sure... this woman really is frightened for her life - more so for her children.
In her village, disabled children are thought to be the result of God's punishment and Jumoke fears her daughter will be slaughtered.
As a result, this desperate woman has vowed to leave her children behind to ensure their safety.
She is currently in the Yarl's Wood detention centre and is due to fly back to Africa at 10pm tonight.
Immigration minister Liam Byrne should (hopefully) be reviewing her case today.
Now I know society tends to have a very negative view of asylum seekers but surely the fact that she would prefer to be separated from her children proves just how scared she is about returning to Nigeria.
Since her arrival, she has really tried to integrate with her local community, has attended ESOL classes and is determined to work to support her family without assistance from the state. A prime candidate for remaining in the UK!
To support Jumoke, visit the website set up by her friends: www.myspace.com/supportjumoke

Languages are us

One of my Birmingham Post colleagues Tom Scotney is learning Arabic. I know that for a fact as I'm currently covering his late shift so he can make it to his lesson at the Brasshouse Language Centre in Birmingham! No I'm not grumbling...
I am really impressed by Samir's (his Arabic name for the sake of his lessons) dedication to learning a new language, which quite frankly seems so different from our own.

I've always hated the stereotype of the British tourist who hates speaking anything but English on holiday.
I always try to take a phrase book along. Even if you make a fool of yourself and the person serving you has to rescue you in English, the point is you tried!
I love German. I studied it at A Level and I must look like such an idiot ordering in German at the German Market in Birmingham as the stallholders have amazing English linguistic skills. But when else will I get the chance to speak it?
In fact, you never really get a chance to speak German in Germany as the natives always want to try out their English on you.


So well done Tom. Next stop Al Jazeera by any chance?


Read Tom's blog here.

Diversity Noddy Holder style

It's Chriiiiiiiiiistmaaaaaaaaaaas.


I had the pleasure of interviewing Noddy Holder of Slade fame on Wednesday. Ie the guy in the platforms who gave us the nation's unofficial festive anthem "Merry Christmas Everyone".
He will soon join Ozzy Osbourne and Jasper Carrott on the Birmingham Walk of Fame.
As well as asking him whether the rumour about him walking into Beatties in Wolverhampton was true (the staff always used to put his music on if they saw him), I very unsubtly told him about my blog and asked him what he thought about Birmingham's diverse population.
He said that the Midlands was a perfect example - not just for the rest of the country, but the whole world as people of all different backgrounds were able to gel and laugh off their problems.
He also said people in the West Midlands were far more accepting and friendlier than people in London. (Knew that one already!)

He said: "I think the West Midlands is a fantastic example - not only to the rest of the country but to the whole world. The Midlands has always been known for getting on.
"People in the Midlands work hard and play hard and the thing that carries us through is our sense of humour and we have common ground.
"I think that really is key to the Midlands. We have a hard work ethic and play ethic and it makes people integrate. We know that people are all the same and the rest of the world can learn from that."