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Racism Rife Against A Muslim Family Playing Chess For England

mswithacause | 08.08.2012 01:26 | Anti-racism | Culture | Education | World

The father of 3 children playing chess for England in Austria has made an appeal for support due to racism encountered by his family at the hands of England's chess delegation team. ‘I would be grateful if you could find the time to email the Director of Junior Chess & Education of the ECF, ( director.juniorchess@englishchess.org.uk) Phil Ehr and support my contention that the Watleys & Weavers should be sent home.'

From Right to left - Ibrahim, Yousuf & Ieysaa Bin-Suhayl pictured at their home
From Right to left - Ibrahim, Yousuf & Ieysaa Bin-Suhayl pictured at their home

The children with their mother and youngest brother at their home in Cambridge.
The children with their mother and youngest brother at their home in Cambridge.


Yousuf, Ibraheem and Ieysaa bin-Suhayl (aged 13, 10 and 7 years respectively) from Cambridgeshire are representing England in chess, at the European Union Youth Championships in Austria. The Championship commenced in Mureck on 31st July and ends on 8th August 2012. The brothers accompanied by their mother have travelled to Austria upon receiving an invitation by the English Chess Federation (ECF).

Last week, the children’s father Sohale, raised his concerns to Phil Ehr, Director of Junior Chess and Education of the ECF about the racist behaviour and treatment of his wife and son’s in Mureck, by other members of the England chess delegation. Today, due to an escalation of the situation and his concerns for the safety of his family, Sohale has made his appeal public and wrote: ‘Unfortunately, other members of the England team have taken a violent dislike to this Muslim contingent. The boys aged 13, 10 and 7 have not been provided halaal food and were expected to eat cold boiled eggs and bits of bread. They have had to ask their coach not to drink alcohol while teaching them chess and they have had to sit segregated from the rest of the England contingent because the delegation is unwilling to give up alcohol. Matters have been so stressed that my wife has been publically spat at, sworn at and physically abused by members of the English delegation called Watley and Weaver.‘

Sohale was unable to accompany his wife and children to the Championship due to child care needs of their younger two children at home. Sohale's wife Tomasina wears a headscarf and both herself and Yousuf are observing the month of Ramadan whilst in Mureck. The intimidation and harassment against this Muslim family appears to have started at the onset of this championship. Sohale confirmed he has been emailing Phil Ehr alerting him to his concerns about the circumstances, welfare and treatment of his family in Mureck. Phil has responded generally with disregard to his concerns, advising that he will wait until after the tournament is over to investigate them.

Sohale's concerns for the welfare of his wife and children in Mureck have fallen upon deaf ears. The failure by Phil Ehr to act has enabled the situation to escalate. This evening having spoken to his wife, Sohale confirmed, ‘the head of delegation, Dave Regis, advised the Muslim family not to return to their hotel because he was worried for their safety in light of physical threats being made against the Muslim family and in particular against 13 year-old Yousuf. The Muslim family had to be escorted back to their hotel by the Austrian police.’

Sohale explains, ‘I have repeatedly communicated with the English Chess Federation (ECF) to take action for the security of my family, but in vain. The ECF should ban the culprits from the delegation and send them home as they have brought shame to the nation at a time when England is hosting the whole world for the Olympic Games.’

Sohale has asked for your support, ‘I would be grateful if you could find the time to email ( director.juniorchess@englishchess.org.uk) the Director of Junior Chess and Education of the ECF, Phil Ehr, and support my contention that the Watleys and Weavers should be sent home in disgrace. Alternatively, if you do not agree you may give him your opinion of the correct course of action.’

Speaking to Sohale today about how these events are impacting upon his children trying to compete in the championships he replied, “Ieysaa is doing well and currently leading the tournament, he is a wonder child in Chess. The pressures are certainly impacting upon Yousuf (the eldest); he has had to stand up to defend his mother against abuse from members of the England Delegation”. Sohale confirmed that his family are the only ethnic minority team participating for the England team. Sohale said, “The ECF should be ashamed of themselves. Chess is a game where ethnic minorities in the UK are disproportionately over represented. The ECF has no diversity policy or training to provide the correct provisions for ethnic minorities. They are completely out of touch in contrast to other sporting organisations in the UK."

Assalamualaikum, peace be upon you

mswithacause
 http://mswithacause.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/racism-rife-against-muslim-family.html

mswithacause

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Not everyone is a Muslim

08.08.2012 05:52

Just because they choose to observe rules laid down by an old man 1000 years ago does not mean the rest of the team need to do the same.

Live and let live


Racism

08.08.2012 09:33

Difficult to see the racism when they were invited to play, their trip was funded by the English Chess Society, their hotel rooms have been provided free of charge and all they are expected to purchase is food.

Clearly the mother and father are religious (it is impossible for the children to be as they are too young to make an informed decision concerning faith). Their religion requires them to follow certain rules however they seem determined to force others of different or no religion to follow those same rules and are upset because they can't get their own way.

Bobby Fisher


Racism

08.08.2012 10:04

The abuse and threats being metted out to these Muslim competitors show that racism is clearly going on here. However it seems the writer and the Muslim chess players are saying its racist not to give up alcohol when requested by Muslims. Why do the team as a whole need to not drink alcohol and why do the Muslim players feel they need to not sit with people who are drinking alcohol?
Surely those who want to drink it can whilst those who do not can just not without there bring segregation.

Dan Factor


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Islam and alcohol

08.08.2012 10:34

Intoxicants were forbidden in the Qur'an through several separate verses revealed at different times over a period of years. At first, it was forbidden for Muslims to attend to prayers while intoxicated (4:43). Then a later verse was revealed which said that alcohol contains some good and some evil, but the evil is greater than the good (2:219). This was the next step in turning people away from consumption of it. Finally, "intoxicants and games of chance" were called "abominations of Satan's handiwork," intended to turn people away from God and forget about prayer, and Muslims were ordered to abstain (5:90-91). (Note - the Qur'an is not arranged chronologically, so later verses of the book were not necessarily revealed after earlier verses.)
In the first verse cited above, the word for "intoxicated" is sukara which is derived from the word "sugar" and means drunk or intoxicated. That verse doesn't mention the drink which makes one so. In the next verses cited, the word which is often translated as "wine" or "intoxicants" is al-khamr, which is related to the verb "to ferment." This word could be used to describe other intoxicants such as beer, although wine is the most common understanding of the word.

Muslims interpret these verses in total to forbid any intoxicating substance -- whether it be wine, beer, gin, whiskey, or whatever. The result is the same, and the Qur'an outlines that it is the intoxication, which makes one forgetful of God and prayer, which is harmful. Over the years, the list of intoxicating substances has come to include more modern street drugs and the like.

The Prophet Muhammad also instructed his followers, at the time, to avoid any intoxicating substances -- (paraphrased) "if it intoxicates in a large amount, it is forbidden even in a small amount." For this reason, most observant Muslims avoid alcohol in any form, even small amounts that are sometimes used in cooking.


Even being near alcohol is offensive for Muslims and to fail to understand that is both offensive and racist. This family deserves an apology and compensation for how they have suffered at the hands of these followers of 'Isa.

Muslim support network


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Muslims should accept no-muslims drink alcohol

08.08.2012 11:23

If Muslims not believe in drinking then fine - but shouldn't try and impose their beliefs on others. If non-Muslims drink alcohol in their company then they have to right to and it certainly isn't racist. All religious beliefs are man made and rubbish in my opinon, but I also believe that people have to right to believe in religion without screaming discrimination.

Racism is when a person discriminates against another because of their skin colour - it has nothing to do with someone trying to impose their religious views on non-believers.

atheist


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Why are Muslims so powerless and quick to accuse others?

08.08.2012 12:04

There are an estimated 1,476,233,470 Muslims on the face of the planet: one billion in Asia, 400 million in Africa, 44 million in Europe and six million in the Americas. Every fifth human being is a Muslim. For every single Hindu there are two Muslims, for every Buddhist there are two Muslims and for every Jew there are one hundred Muslims. Ever wondered why Muslims are so powerless?

Here is why: There are 57 member-countries of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), and all of them put together have around 500 universities; one university for every three million Muslims. The United States has 5,758 universities (1 for every 57,000 Americans) and India has 8,407. In 2004, Shanghai Jiao Tong University compiled an 'Academic Ranking of World Universities', and intriguingly, not one university from Muslim-majority states was in the top 500.

As per data collected by the UNDP, literacy in the Christian world stands at nearly 90 per cent and 15 Christian-majority states have a literacy rate of 100 per cent. A Muslim-majority state, as a sharp contrast, has an average literacy rate of around 40 per cent and there is no Muslim-majority state with a literacy rate of 100 per cent. Some 98 per cent of the 'literates' in the Christian world had completed primary school, while less than 50 per cent of the 'literates' in the Muslim world did the same. Around 40 per cent of the 'literates' in the Christian world attended university while no more than two per cent of the 'literates' in the Muslim world did the same.

Muslim-majority countries have 230 scientists per one million Muslims. The U.S. has 4,000 scientists per million and Japan has 5,000 per million. In the entire Arab world, the total number of full-time researchers is 35,000 and there are only 50 technicians per one million Arabs (in the Christian world there are up to 1,000 technicians per one million). Furthermore, the Muslim world spends 0.2 per cent of its GDP on research and development, while the Christian world spends around five per cent of its GDP.

Conclusion: The Muslim world lacks the capacity to produce knowledge.

Daily newspapers per 1,000 people and number of book titles per million are two indicators of whether knowledge is being diffused in a society. In Pakistan, there are 23 daily newspapers per 1,000 Pakistanis while the same ratio in Singapore is 360. In the UK, the number of book titles per million stands at 2,000 while the same in Egypt is 20.

Conclusion: The Muslim world is failing to diffuse knowledge.

Exports of high technology products as a percentage of total exports are an important indicator of knowledge application. Pakistan's exports of high technology products as a percentage of total exports stands at one per cent. The same for Saudi Arabia, Kuwait , Morocco , and Algeria (are all at 0.3 per cent) while Singapore is at 58 per cent.

Conclusion: The Muslim world is failing to apply knowledge.

Why are Muslims powerless?

Because we aren't producing knowledge.

Why are Muslims powerless?
Because we aren't diffusing knowledge.

Why are Muslims powerless?
Because we aren't applying knowledge.

And, the future belongs to knowledge-based societies.

Interestingly, the combined annual GDP of 57 OIC-countries is under $2 trillion. America, just by herself, produces goods and services worth $12 trillion; China - $8 trillion, Japan - $3.8 trillion and Germany - $2.4 trillion (purchasing power parity basis).

Oil rich Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait and Qatar collectively produce goods and services (mostly oil) worth $500 billion; Spain alone produces goods and services worth over $1 trillion; Catholic Poland - $489 billion and Buddhist Thailand - $545 billion. Muslim GDP, as a percentage of worlds GDP, is fast declining.

So, why are Muslims so powerless?

Answer: Lack of education!

All we do is shouting to Allah the whole day and blame everyone else for our multiple failures.

Reformed Muslim


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We have an obligation to guide you to God

08.08.2012 14:18

"Muslims should accept no-muslims drink alcohol
08.08.2012 11:23

If Muslims not believe in drinking then fine - but shouldn't try and impose their beliefs on others. "






Not drinking is a rule given to us by God, when you drink you break God's holy law so we must do all we can to save you. Submit now to the word of God, read the teachings of his Prophets and most importantly of all,

"I testify that there is none worthy of worship except God, and I testify that Muhammad (sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam) is a Messenger of God"

Muslim


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youboughtitonyerself

08.08.2012 14:54

Multiculturism how wonderful ha.ha.he. He.

i smiled


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"Not drinking is a rule given to us by God"

08.08.2012 15:11

Bugger it ! - I must have missed that.

Was there a meeting I was supposed to attend, an email that got stuck in my spam filter, perhaps a phone call while I was in the shower ?


I would hate to think that anybody is living their lives based on some fairy story that they heard about from an old man who has a financial interest in them believing it.

Stella Artois


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Just troll try-hards.

08.08.2012 15:26

This story IS about racism and so are a number of the comments which follow. To question other peoples faith, to reduce matters like this to populist garbage shows a general contempt for Muslims and Islam. That is racism in spirit and law. Time and time again we see stories 'about Muslims' posted on Indymedia and time and time again we have to read the snot which follows.

The person who posted this is a racist, the comments which follow are posted by racists.

Nothing to see here, move along.

Essex scum


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"Not drinking is a rule given to us by God"

08.08.2012 15:27

>>>>>Was there a meeting I was supposed to attend, an email that got stuck in my spam filter, perhaps a phone call while I was in the shower ? <<<<<<<




Where were you ? There was all sorts of fuss, new rules for everyone, I'll give you the quick highlights

No booze - not sure why but he was very insistent.

Women have to have scarves on their head - again bit sketchy as to why but not our place to question the main man is it ?

Praying to him five times a day - seems a bit demanding and unessesary for an omnipresent all seeing individual but perhaps he just needs the reassurance (difficult childhood maybe)

No pork - can't imagine what anybody has against a bacon sandwich but there you go thems the rules now.

Make a trip to Saudi Arabia and throw stones at a black rock - We think he might have been stoned when he laid out this one or possibly he was just taking the piss.


Loyal subject of the great pasta in the sky


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Other religions are available

08.08.2012 15:33

Unhappy with your faith choices ?

Finding life a pain because of the demands of your 'God"

Looking for an easier path to salvation ?

 http://www.venganza.org

Keeping the options open


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The emptiness of it all!

08.08.2012 16:15

"No booze - not sure why but he was very insistent."

You can drink booze if you want to...you can take drugs if you want to. Its your choice and the damage you do to yourself is yours too.

"Women have to have scarves on their head - again bit sketchy as to why but not our place to question the main man is it ?"

Thats exactly it. Its not your place fella. Who trusts the word of a drunk!

"Praying to him five times a day - seems a bit demanding and unessesary for an omnipresent all seeing individual but perhaps he just needs the reassurance (difficult childhood maybe)"

Are you talking about God or something else? Yourself maybe!

"No pork - can't imagine what anybody has against a bacon sandwich but there you go thems the rules now."

Why would you care about the harm pork does to you when you are busy pickling your brain in alcohol?

"Make a trip to Saudi Arabia and throw stones at a black rock - We think he might have been stoned when he laid out this one or possibly he was just taking the piss."

We you say? Who's we?

In this life you have God...or you have nothing. You have nothing and your smearing is based on nothing. When you die only then will you see the empty life you have lived displayed in full colour before your eyes. Only then will you understand what price you have paid for your atheism.

The death of an atheist...is indeed a miserable thing.

May God forgive you.

An Englishman in New York.


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Not racism

08.08.2012 16:29

I don't see any racism here. What I see is some stupid religious cranks, having indoctrinated their kids, are now arrogantly trying to ram their vile religion down the throats of others. Take this shit down off Indymedia, we're not all mugs.

Antifascist


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Muslim Support Network

08.08.2012 18:10

"Even being near alcohol is offensive for Muslims and to fail to understand that is both offensive and racist."

So is it offensive to Muslims who live near and off licence or a pub?

I do not see how I am being racist by suggesting people should be forced to not drink alcohol because some people of a particular religion object. I would say the same if it were Christians demanding such a thing.

Muslim Support Network do you believe non Muslims should have to adhere to Muslims religious beliefs if they are in their company and to not do so is racist?

Dan Factor


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You are all wrong.

08.08.2012 21:04

Muslim is NOT a race! Its a religion or faith.

There are lots of different races that follow any given religion. Therefore, it is impossible to commit racism against a group that is NOT a race. As for the law there are two very specific ones dealing with race and religious hatred.

So that leaves relious hatred and it is hardly hateful to say that if you decide not to drink alcohol on that is your rite as it is mine to drink if I wish to.

The Veritas


Selective complaining

08.08.2012 23:06

It seems most of the comments so far have been made by people either trying to take a cheap shot at Muslims, or at people of religion.


"Matters have been so stressed that my wife has been publically spat at, sworn at and physically abused by members of the English delegation called Watley and Weaver"

If the above has happened as a result of anti-Muslim sentiment, or dare I say it, "Islamophobia", then it is a hate crime, no matter what. People so far have seemed to focus on the alcohol aspect, and not the fact that those who are representing their country are having family members spat at and physically abused. If this is acceptable, I wonder if some of the commentators above wouldn't mind others spitting at, swearing at, or physically abusing their wives, daughters or mothers.



“The ECF should be ashamed of themselves. Chess is a game where ethnic minorities in the UK are disproportionately over represented. The ECF has no diversity policy or training to provide the correct provisions for ethnic minorities. They are completely out of touch in contrast to other sporting organisations in the UK."

As a national sporting body, the ECF needs to bring itself in line with other UK sporting bodies to provide a tolerant and inclusive atmosphere for everyone to play in. Education is the key to this, and from most of the comments above, something clearly lacking in this conversation...

The One who reads the WHOLE article


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In reply to Dan Factor

09.08.2012 07:55

Muslim Support Network do you believe non Muslims should have to adhere to Muslims religious beliefs if they are in their company and to not do so is racist?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The answer is yes and as Muslims we are surprised that people find this so difficult to understand. Islam gets so little respect in this country. We are working toward the day when the UK is a Muslim nation with all the joy that comes with that.

Muslim support network


Suspect

09.08.2012 09:53

Have these incidents been reported objectively or is it simply the complaint of one person written up as a news report, and since when was principled opposition to religion regarded as racism on Indymedia? Personally I don't trust this report and I very much doubt that there's a great deal of alcohol abuse going on in the England children's chess team.

Atheist


More suspect

09.08.2012 10:28

“They have had to ask their coach not to drink alcohol while teaching them chess”

I don’t find this statement credible, and even if it is true it in no way amounts to racism.

“they have had to sit segregated from the rest of the England contingent because the delegation is unwilling to give up alcohol.”

In other words, their mother has sat them apart from the rest of the supposedly hard-boozing England children’s chess team because she thinks she has the right to demand what they eat and drink.

“Matters have been so stressed that my wife has been publically spat at, sworn at and physically abused by members of the English delegation called Watley and Weaver.‘”

If this is accurately reported here, it’s appalling, but strange that there have been no arrests or that there are no reports of it ANYWHERE else.

“The intimidation and harassment against this Muslim family appears to have started at the onset of this championship.”

No details?

“This evening having spoken to his wife, Sohale confirmed, ‘the head of delegation, Dave Regis, advised the Muslim family not to return to their hotel because he was worried for their safety in light of physical threats being made against the Muslim family and in particular against 13 year-old Yousuf. The Muslim family had to be escorted back to their hotel by the Austrian police.”

And there is nothing about this ANYWHERE in the mainstream press? Nor any form of statement that I can find from the English Chess Federation?

Atheist


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Total fabrication, please remove from your web site.

09.08.2012 12:36

This entire report is total fabrication. This family are completely unknown to us, none of them are playing in any tournament that we know off and they are not connected to the English Chess Federation in any way.

The ECF rejects all forms of racism and is committed to all people equally.


I can be contacted on 01785 242269 to confirm any part of this.

Lawrence Cooper - Director of International Chess - The English Chess Federation
mail e-mail: director.international@englishchess.org.uk


Oh me, oh my a troll, who'd have thought it.....

09.08.2012 13:41

"This family are completely unknown to us, none of them are playing in any tournament that we know off and they are not connected to the English Chess Federation in any way. "
Lawrence Cooper - Director of International Chess - The English Chess Federation

ECF Grading Database
Player: Bin-Suhayl, Ieysaa
 http://www.ecfgrading.org.uk/?ref=283325G&listid=1502107007

Playing for England and the English Chess Federation, from 31st July to 9th August in Mureck, Austria –
Under 8 – Ieysaa bin-Suhayl
Under 10 – Tess Weaver
Under 12 – Theo Slade & Ibraheem bin-Suhayl
Under 14 – Lauren Weaver & Yousuf bin-Suhayl
Coaches – Dave Regis & Tom Rendle
 http://englishchess.org.uk/Juniors/play/play-for-england/meet-englands-team-in-the-eu-youth-championships-2012-mureck/

International Round-Up – from Lawrence Cooper
EU Youth Championship Mureck, Austria 31st July -9th August 2012
[web 1 | 2 | 3]
Scores after four rounds:
Under 8 – Ieysaa bin-Suhayl 3, Under 10 – Tess Weaver 1, Under 12 – Theo Slade 2.5 & Ibraheem bin-Suhayl 0.5, Under 14 – Stephen Whatley 2.5, Lauren Weaver & Yousuf bin-Suhayl 1.5.
Coaches – Dave Regis & Tom Rendle.
 http://www.englishchess.org.uk/?p=20676

bishop takes porn


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Unsurprising

09.08.2012 14:10

Sorry Indymedia, but you're going to have to up your game in terms of this kind of trolling. The appeasement of Islam by clueless white liberals simply encourages scum like the EDL. This post should have been taken down yesterday.

Antifascist


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IMC UK is an interactive site offering inclusive participation. All postings to the open publishing newswire are the responsibility of the individual authors and not of IMC UK. Although IMC UK volunteers attempt to ensure accuracy of the newswire, they take no responsibility legal or otherwise for the contents of the open publishing site. Mention of external web sites or services is for information purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation.

Cheap shot at people of religion

09.08.2012 15:51

"It seems most of the comments so far have been made by people either trying to take a cheap shot at Muslims, or at people of religion."

YOU'RE ALL FUCKING IDIOTS!

Nod


One of the violent people named is under ten!

09.08.2012 19:31

Bishop takes pawn does bring up an interesting point. The two people named as perpetrating the worst abuse, Weaver and Whatley, are aged under 10 and under 14.

Is Indymedia really a place where disputes between children, even if they are allegedly racist or violent, should be discussed?

Is it also right to put forward allegation against children without giving the children involved a right to reply?

Finally, is it right to name and shame the children involved?

This also put's into context the alleged racism and violence. This basically boils down to the fact that there is no Halal food, people drink and refuse to stop drinking and two children (one of whom is under ten) have been unpleasent and possibly violent towards other children.

To ask activists to get involved and start an internet campiagn alleging racism onthis basis is not only illogical but also extremely oppresive and abusive towards ALL the children involved.

Pawn


Hidden Comment

This posting has been hidden because it breaches the Indymedia UK (IMC UK) Editorial Guidelines.

IMC UK is an interactive site offering inclusive participation. All postings to the open publishing newswire are the responsibility of the individual authors and not of IMC UK. Although IMC UK volunteers attempt to ensure accuracy of the newswire, they take no responsibility legal or otherwise for the contents of the open publishing site. Mention of external web sites or services is for information purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation.

Agree Pawn

09.08.2012 20:57

This article is a disgrace and IM mods should be ashamed of themselves for keeping it in place and for hiding posts which are clearly not against IM guidelines (I don't include this one and I expect it'll also be hidden soon, but you should think on IM).

Prawn


Further Developments - Child Chess Player Attacked at EU Championship

09.08.2012 23:46

There are further developments to this article - 9/08/12 - '13 year old Yousuf currently representing England at the European Union Youth Championships in Austria was attacked today during a chess tournament by an Adult female, Brigitte Weaver, a member of the England chess delegation.'  http://mswithacause.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/child-chess-player-for-england-is.html

mswithacause


'Muslims with a cause'

10.08.2012 07:15

Do you have a source for this report apart from your own site?

Sceptic


Hidden Comment

This posting has been hidden because it breaches the Indymedia UK (IMC UK) Editorial Guidelines.

IMC UK is an interactive site offering inclusive participation. All postings to the open publishing newswire are the responsibility of the individual authors and not of IMC UK. Although IMC UK volunteers attempt to ensure accuracy of the newswire, they take no responsibility legal or otherwise for the contents of the open publishing site. Mention of external web sites or services is for information purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation.

What the hell are you thinking you morons?

10.08.2012 08:09

Reading through the hidden comments on this thread makes me absolutely despair at the intelligence of some Indymedia moderators these days.

Long-time IM user


Hidden Comment

This posting has been hidden because it breaches the Indymedia UK (IMC UK) Editorial Guidelines.

IMC UK is an interactive site offering inclusive participation. All postings to the open publishing newswire are the responsibility of the individual authors and not of IMC UK. Although IMC UK volunteers attempt to ensure accuracy of the newswire, they take no responsibility legal or otherwise for the contents of the open publishing site. Mention of external web sites or services is for information purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation.

Religion, what a joke

10.08.2012 08:49

We should be ridiculing ALL religions. Living your life around a set of rules designed to protect people from the elements who were living in the Middle East 2000 years ago - what a load of old nonsense.

What's even worse is parents indoctrinating their children with these fairy stories and even inflicting pain upon them with genital mutilation for 'religious' reasons.

In any other circumstances religious education would be child abuse. Imagine the reaction to someone who told their children that five times a day they had to life one leg and bark at a clothes line and yet we tell them lies like wafer into flesh, 'God' is watching you, taking a trip to Mecca will get you into Paradise and growing your hair into curls is an instruction from a man in the sky.

I'm sick to death of hearing how we should "respect all faiths" - why ? We should be openly laughing at people of faith and educating them to their stupidity.

Atheist and bloody proud of it


Hidden Comment

This posting has been hidden because it breaches the Indymedia UK (IMC UK) Editorial Guidelines.

IMC UK is an interactive site offering inclusive participation. All postings to the open publishing newswire are the responsibility of the individual authors and not of IMC UK. Although IMC UK volunteers attempt to ensure accuracy of the newswire, they take no responsibility legal or otherwise for the contents of the open publishing site. Mention of external web sites or services is for information purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation.

Atheism, what a joke.

10.08.2012 10:06

"I'm sick to death of hearing how we should "respect all faiths" -why ? We should be openly laughing at people of faith and educating them to their stupidity."

Well Thats what YOU should be doing because you're not much good for anything.

For the rest of us its simply a question of numbers. The numbers of atheists in this world is minuscule compared to those of faith so if you want to laugh at those who believe in God then you fail to something close to a 100% standard.

Why would we all want to follow the advice of somebody who by definition will achieve nothing because he does not recognise the basic reality of the world around him?

No, atheists are good for nothing. Too arrogant and self obsessed to be of any use at all.

Effective campaigner.


Hidden Comment

This posting has been hidden because it breaches the Indymedia UK (IMC UK) Editorial Guidelines.

IMC UK is an interactive site offering inclusive participation. All postings to the open publishing newswire are the responsibility of the individual authors and not of IMC UK. Although IMC UK volunteers attempt to ensure accuracy of the newswire, they take no responsibility legal or otherwise for the contents of the open publishing site. Mention of external web sites or services is for information purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation.

@ Effective campaigner.

10.08.2012 10:11

What a sheep you are ! Everyone else is doing it so you have to as well ???

Why not try thinking for yourself ?

Atheist and bloody proud of it


A chessplayer writes

10.08.2012 11:51

Where does the denial attributed to Lawrence Cooper come from? I can't find any reference to it other than the comment above.

As far as the alcohol allegation is concerned, unless I misunderstand it's been made against the coach, not the children. I'd also assume it's against Tom Rendle rather than Dave Regis.

ejh
mail e-mail: libraryjustin@yahoo.co.uk
- Homepage: http://streathambrixtonchess.blogspot.com


@ajh

10.08.2012 11:56

Where does the denial attributed to Lawrence Cooper come from? I can't find any reference to it other than the comment above.

 https://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2012/08/498834.html?c=all#c285955

bishop takes porn


Thanks

10.08.2012 12:46

How strange. Assuming that that comment actually was from Lawrence, what was he thinking of? He knew the tournament was taking place - he reports it in a link here.

 http://www.ecforum.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=4585

Odd. (Though no more odd than hidden comments being viewable - what's that about? I'm not a regular here...)

ejh
mail e-mail: libraryjustin@yahoo.co.uk
- Homepage: http://streathambrixtonchess.blogspot.com


From the ECF...

10.08.2012 15:19

The English Chess Federation is taking this matter very seriously, and Phil Ehr, the Director of Junior Chess, is taking charge of the investigation. We have, as yet, no comment to make on this specific case, but would like to let it be known that we are committed to equal opportunities and against discrimination on religious grounds.

IM Jack Rudd
ECF non-Executive Director

Jack Rudd
mail e-mail: jackkelshallrudd@aol.com


The true story

11.08.2012 12:50

Whatever the truth about what happened please all take a moment to congatulate the youngest member of the family for his bronze medal.

Boys U8
Gold: Daniils Horobrijs (Latvia)
Silver: Flavius-Gabriel Stroe (Romania)
Bronze: Ieysaa Bin-Suhayl (England)

David


Hidden Comment

This posting has been hidden because it breaches the Indymedia UK (IMC UK) Editorial Guidelines.

IMC UK is an interactive site offering inclusive participation. All postings to the open publishing newswire are the responsibility of the individual authors and not of IMC UK. Although IMC UK volunteers attempt to ensure accuracy of the newswire, they take no responsibility legal or otherwise for the contents of the open publishing site. Mention of external web sites or services is for information purposes only and constitutes neither an endorsement nor a recommendation.

Congrats

13.08.2012 19:50

"please all take a moment to congatulate the youngest member of the family for his bronze medal"

I'll be drinking a pint in his honour tonight: cheers!!

Spoddy chesster


Story has gone national

15.08.2012 03:14

 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/muslim-brothers-abused-by-rivals-parents-on-chess-trip-8046831.html

I noticed this story has now been picked up by the national press.

It is also on the telegraph website.

The independent article states that the uk police will be starting to take statements later today

Nasir Rizvi


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