PIG'S HEAD DUMPED AT THURNBY LODGE CENTRE USED FOR PRAYERS BY MUSLIMS

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Pig's head dumped at Thurnby Lodge centre used for prayers by Muslims

A pig's head has been left at the doors of a community centre used as a Muslim place of worship.

Thurnby Lodge Community Centre, in Leicester, is used for prayers by Muslim group As Salaam.

In recent months, the centre has become the focus of a row over the group's desire to pray instead at a neighbouring disused Scout hut, owned by Leicester City Council.

Muslims going to and from prayers at the centre have had to walk past protesters who say the Scout hut should be for wider community use.

At 7.30am on Wednesday, Muslims who arrived to unlock the community centre in Thurncourt Road found a pig's head by the automatic front door.

Muslims are forbidden from eating pork and many consider pigs to be unclean animals, and leaving a pig's head at the doors is an insulting gesture to Muslims.

Police are investigating who is behind the incident.

Moulana Mohammed Lockhat, the Imam for the As Salaam group, said the act had only made members more determined to continue to pray as normal.

He said: "We arrived to open up the centre for prayers and found the pig's head. It had probably come from a butcher's.

"I was deeply saddened by this development. It was clearly an act of deep, religious discrimination against us.

"But that doesn't mean it's going to stop us from praying in the building.

"We still had our prayers on Wednesday morning and putting a pig's head outside isn't going to change things, except maybe make us more determined than ever to carry on."

The prayer group called the police who took the pig's head away.

A 23-year-old Muslim, who attends evening prayers every day at the centre, said: "It's a highly charged atmosphere at Thurnby Lodge at the moment and this was a very provocative act.

"Muslims are prohibited from eating pigs and whoever did this obviously knew that and were setting out to be offensive and make fun of something very serious to us.

"For me, it's mainly the insult but some Muslims are extremely sensitive about the cleanliness of a pig's head."

The protesters trying to stop the Muslim group using the Scout hut, in Nursery Road, are arguing that it should be for everyone and not just Muslims.

Superintendent Mark Newcombe said: "The only people using the community centre on Wednesday were from a local Muslim group and it's easy to draw the conclusion that the pig's head was meant for them, and is the reason we believe this to be religiously motivated.

"We have no tolerance for discrimination in Leicester, be that racially or religiously motivated, and we want members of the public to help us do all we can to find those responsible and bring them to justice."

Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to contact police on 101.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

A TRIBUTE TO THE POWER OF SHARED VALUES

Riaz Ravat's First Person column appears in today's Leicester Mercury (but not on the website):

A tribute to the power of shared values

Riaz Ravat looks back over an eventful year that has brought faith communities closer together

This year will surely go down as one of the most remarkable in the history of the UK. On a spring day in March , Leicester paid a colourful and vibrant tribute to the Queen on the first stop of her Diamond Jubilee tour. The royal party was treated to a show that will live long in the memory.

The Church of England is interwoven into the fabric of this country and the leadership shown by the Diocese of Leicester, with Leicester Cathedral as the centrepiece, enabled a mosaic of faith communities to join in the celebrations to show they too are firmly rooted in the identity of this country.

2012 as also marked as the Year of Service. Launched in January, the initiative encouraged faith communities to work collectively to deliver charity efforts to needy causes.

"Confirm us in service to the world of humanity so that we may become the servants of Thy servants, that we may love all they creatures and become compassionate to all thy people."

These words of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, the eldest son and successor of Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of the Bahá'í Faith, were delivered in 1912 and it was fitting the Bahá'í community was instrumental in launching a year of service.

One of the many points to note from the release of the 2011 Census is how the definition of "minority" is being redrawn locally.

The presence of smaller groups, such as the Bahá'í and Jewish communities, poses challenges to larger communities and defines the true meaning of a decent and progressive society. The challenge is how we enable these minorities to express their confidence and to contribute their fullest, to the life of the city, county and country.

Throughout the year, we witnessed Bahá'ís, Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jains, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs and those of no professed religions belief coming together for the selfless service of others.

Whether this motivation is inspired by God, political doctrine or human concern, we must begin to address what wee mean by  shared values, purposes and the nature of "good", not only for today's world, but for tomorrow's.

As we reflect on service, let us not forget the dedication and decency of the outgoing Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams.

The impact of the General Synod voting against female Bishops is not restricted to the Church of England. Far from observing these developments, those from other persuasions must now take stock and ask, how much longer will we accept the gap between the principle and practice of equality?

The spiritual richness of service and compassion which faith communities possess, undergirded by their respective "golden rules", is all too often tainted by humanity's thirst for selective salvation.

Riaz Ravat is deputy director at St Philip's Centre, Leicester

NOT FOR US TO MODERNISE WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES

This letter appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Not for us to modernise what the Bible teaches

When I read Ronald Mupfeki's letter "Women's Role in the Church" (Mailbox, December 17), I felt I had to write to support the view he expressed.

I, too, have been watching with interest as the General Synod got in a proper pickle over the matter. Is it really true that one of the bishops said that they would keep on voting until they got the right result? How self-righteous can you get?

The Bible verse at 2 Tim 3:16 makes it clear that the scriptures are inspired of Almighty God and are beneficial for teaching, reproving and setting things straight.

So Mr Mupfeki is spot on when he says the Bible tells us that bishops should be men.

That being the case, what are the current crop of bishops thinking of when they promote the idea of women bishops. Do they really know better than God?

If Almighty God has determined, in his wisdom, that men only should be bishops, by what authority do they seek to change that ruling.

Do they really think that they have greater intellect than the Most High Personage of the Universe?

The idea that "times have changed" and that "it would be more in keeping with modern life" really doesn't cut it.

The verse at Romans 15:4 tells us that, "all things written aforetime were written for our instruction", and if we think about wise King Solomon, while he did things God's way, he prospered, but when he turned away from God's guidance things went horribly wrong for him.

While God granted us free will, we are also answerable for our actions. Can we see the similarity?

Having said all that, it's true to say that women are held in great regard by our Creator and His son.

It was a woman to whom Jesus chose to appear first after his resurrection and, when we read in Ephesians 5, how the Christian husband is directed to treat his wife, then we can have no doubt as to the respect in which women are held within the Christian arrangement.

Time and time again the Church leaders have surrounded themselves with controversy when they try to modernise by going against the Bible that they are supposed to view as their Holy Book.

Perhaps they don't believe what the Bible says. With all this in mind, I am watching, with interest, the outcome of the matter relating to gay marriage.

Keith Coleman, Ashby

SPIRE APPEAL GETS BIG BOOST

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Spire appeal gets big boost

An appeal to save the spire of one of England's most historically important churches has been given a £40,000 funding boost.

St Mary de Castro's spire appeal has been given the money by the charity National Churches Trust.

Described as the "jewel of Leicester's churches", its spire is in desperate need of repair after six-metre cracks were discovered on four of its six faces.

The money donated will go towards the SOS (Save Our Spire) fund-raising appeal, which was launched in September and is looking to raise up to £500,000 to fix the damage.

Church member and appeal co-ordinator Rosemary Mason said the award was a timely boost for the appeal.

"We are one of only eight church projects in the country to be awarded one of these grants, so it's a big coup for us," she said.

"It helps a tremendous amount towards paying for essential repairs and in building up momentum behind the appeal."

Claire Walker, chief executive of the National Churches Trust, said: "We are delighted to be providing funding – a £40,000 Cornerstone grant will help fund major repairs to the church spire of this nationally significant church."

The grade I-listed St Mary de Castro is on heritage watchdog English Heritage's 'at risk' register.

King Henry VI was knighted in St Mary's in 1426 and it is also thought Geoffrey Chaucer was married there.

King Richard III's body is believed to have lain in rest in the church after his death at the Battle of Bosworth.

English Heritage has already offered to pay £187,000 towards the spire repair, with supporters raising more than £2,000 since the appeal's launch.

"The appeal is going really well," said Mrs Mason.

"Our Sponsor a Stone scheme has had a very positive take-up, with about 45 people signing up and more people approaching us every day for the chance to have their names recorded in the church archives for posterity.

"It's been a fantastic response and we're grateful to everyone for their continued support."

De Montfort University students have adopted the spire appeal as part of the university's Square Mile (Mile2) regeneration project, supporting the communities of Woodgate, Tudor Road, Fosse Road and Newfoundpool.

Mark Charlton, Mile2 manager, said: "St Mary de Castro historically served these areas and our students wanted to be part of the SOS campaign.

"We organised a fundraising carol concert in the church and students will stage a vintage clothing fair in the spring."

Work on the spire is expected to begin in the new year.

www.stmarydecastro spireappeal.co.uk

FALSE PICTURE OF THURNBY LODGE

This letter appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

False picture of Thurnby Lodge

I've been very disappointed to read all the negative stories about Thurnby Lodge Estate over the last few months.

The issue concerning the sale of the Scout Hut still rumbles on. I wonder how many residents returned the consultation letter which Leicester City Council sent out recently?

I'd be interested to know just how much this latest effort to reach a solution has cost.

There is no sign of an end to the confrontation that is still taking place outside the community centre and now we have a story of racial comments aimed at a female fire fighter collecting for charity on the estate.

This is not a true picture of the essence of the community spirit on the estate. The majority of residents are indifferent to the protesters who meet outside the community centre and I believe most, like me, will be appalled to read about the story of racism.

As Christmas Day approaches, let us be reminded of what it's really all about – that love came down at Christmas and brought peace and goodwill to all.

May that peace prevail in Thurnby Lodge.

Rev Lynn Padmore, Priest-in-Charge, Christ Church, Thurnby Lodge

KORAN-RIPPING JURY DISCHARGED

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Koran-ripping jury discharged

The jury in the trial of a man who staged an anti-religion protest by ripping out pages from the Koran in front of Muslims has been discharged.

The eight women and four men on the jury at Leicester Crown Court failed to agree on a verdict.

They sent a note to the judge saying there was no prospect of them reaching either a unanimous or a majority verdict on which at least 10 of them agreed.

Peter James Crawford (52) was said to have torn pages from his own copy of the Koran and thrown the holy book on the ground next to a stall run by the Islamic Information Centre, near the Clock Tower, in Leicester city centre, on the afternoon of May 12.

Crawford, of Mere Road, Spinney Hill, Leicester, denied causing religiously aggravated intentional harassment, alarm or distress by demonstrating hostility based on membership of a particular religious group. The Crown Prosecution Service has 14 days to decide whether or not to proceed with a retrial.

Crawford was released on bail with a condition imposed that he should not to go within half-a-mile of the Clock Tower on Saturday afternoons.

THIS WEEK'S VISITORS (1,619)

Regular update on the number of pageviews received from different parts of the world in the week just ending.

1. United Kingdom 521
2. United States 517
3. Russia 206
4. Ukraine 92
5. France 84
6. Spain 53
7. India 50
8. Poland 49
9. Germany 30
10. China 17

This week's total: 1,619 (last week: 2,154). These are aggregates of figures from the top ten countries only. Blogger's analytics doesn't show the numbers of pageviews below the tenth-ranking country and they don’t show the cumulative total including those additional countries, which is undoubtedly larger than the number shown above.

The world map at the top of this post is the graphic that I see on the stats page. The darker the green, the more pageviews from that country. I can see different versions of that map for "now" (i.e. in the last two hours), "today", "this week", "this month" and "all time". They're updated each time I look at them.

EVENT HELPS FUND VITAL MEDICAL SUPPLIES

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury (but not on its website):

Event helps fund vital medical supplies

Charity volunteers raised £53,000 for emergency aid in Gaza by holding a fund-raising dinner.

Islamic Relief volunteers staged the event at Koyla's, in Charter Street, Leicester.

The money will help to provide medical supplies to hospitals in the area.

Salim Lorgat, a fund-raiser for the Islamic Relief, said he was pleased with the response to the event.

He said: "there was so much support, it was very moving.

"Families in Gaza are suffering and we are delighted to be able to support with vital supplies to hospitals."

Globally, the charity aims to raise £10 million for its work in Gaza, half of which being spent on medical supplies and half on trying to help the area recover from recent events.

"It would be easy to be disheartened by how much damage has been done to but we are encouraged by the dedication of our staff in Gaza and the generous response of supporters in the East Midlands," said Salim.

BID FOR NEW GUILD STAGE

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Bid for new Guild stage

Worshippers want to replace a stage in a historic building as it is not strong enough to support the weight of a two-tonne statue of a god.

The Shirdi Sai Baba Temple Association, of London, is converting the grade II-listed Guild of Disabled building, in Colton Street, Leicester, into a place of worship.

It intends to put the marble effigy of the god Murthi in the prayer hall but said the existing wooden stage would not support it.

It is proposing a marble replacement.

Officers at Leicester City Council are considering the planning application.

RIPPING KORAN WAS "FREEDOM OF SPEECH"

This article appears in today's Leicester Mercury:

Ripping Koran was "freedom of speech"

An atheist who ripped out pages from the Koran in front of Muslims at a stall promoting Islam was simply exercising freedom of speech, a court heard.

Peter James Crawford told police his decision to then throw the holy book on to the pavement at the Clock Tower, in Leicester city centre, was part of his protest against religion.

The 52-year-old is on trial at Leicester Crown Court accused of causing religiously aggravated intentional harassment, alarm or distress, by demonstrating hostility based on membership of a particular religious group, Islam.

He denies the charge.

Barrister Steven Newcombe, who is representing Crawford, told the jury: "You have to expect that if you set up a stall in the city centre of Leicester advocating views, you are going to get people who have a completely opposite view.

"To do what they did in such a place takes a bit of a thick skin.

"You have to anticipate and expect that somebody is going to take exception and that is exactly what this defendant did.

"This defendant had a right to freedom of expression, just as the two Muslims had a similar right to advocate their religion."

After he had been arrested, Crawford told police he had had the copy of the Koran for two years and had studied it.

Prosecutor James Bide-Thomas told the jury Crawford, of Mere Road, Spinney Hill, Leicester, had approached the Islamic Information Centre's stall run by volunteers under the Clock Tower on Saturday, May 12.

He said at about 1.30pm, Crawford tore out pages of the Koran he had brought with him and then threw the holy book on to the pavement.

Mr Bide-Thomas said: "You the jury have to decide whether he made a valid religious protest or did he go out to upset some Muslims?"He said it was the prosecution case that Crawford had deliberately caused distress and upset to the Muslims on the stall.

Her honour Judge Taylor QC told the jury that the case centred on the balance between the right of Crawford to freedom of speech and the right of the two Muslims to advocate their views without being subject to criminal behaviour.

She said the jury had to decide whether Crawford's behaviour had been insulting and whether the decision to prosecute him was proportionate.

The jury of eight women and four men deliberated for one hour and 39 minutes before the judge sent them to a hotel for the night. They were due to resume their deliberations today.