Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Do you trust your councillor?
I'm not sure I trust my councillors which is why I've voted to have an elected mayor. If the councillors can appoint who they like as mayor then there will be even less independent oversight of them.
Either way you can have your vote here: http://www.surreyheath.gov.uk/survey/decisionmaking.htm
I notice the choices are "strong leader" or "elected mayor" like someone who is elected can't also be a strong leader.
Either way you can have your vote here: http://www.surreyheath.gov.uk/survey/decisionmaking.htm
I notice the choices are "strong leader" or "elected mayor" like someone who is elected can't also be a strong leader.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Muslims and Bedfordshire police
There is a email doing the rounds about Bedfordshire police policy of entering Muslim households. I've reproduced it below. Bedfordshire police have responded to this here. Unfortunately, they fail to address the real issue. The issue is not whether they have a policy when entering a Muslim household but whether they have a similar policy respect for any non-Muslim groups. Reading their response it looks like they don't.
BEDFORDSHIRE (U.K) POLICE FORCE'S
RULES REGARDING TERRORISTS AND DANGEROUS CRIMINALS
If they are non-Muslim
• Consider the most opportune time of day to be able to arrest suspects with minimum resistance
• Apply all necessary force to enter the premises and arrest suspects accordingly.
If they are Muslim:
Community leaders must be consulted before raids into Muslim houses.
Officers must not search occupied bedrooms and bathrooms before dawn.
Use of police dogs will be considered serious desecration of the premises.
Cameras and camcorders should not be used in case capturing women in inappropriate dress.
If people are praying at home officers should stand aside and not disrupt the prayer -they should be allowed the opportunity to finish.
Officers should take their shoes off before raiding a Muslim house.
The reasons for pre-dawn raids on Muslim houses needs to be clear and transparent.
Officers must not touch holy books or religious artefacts without permission.
Muslim prisoners should be allowed to take additional clothing to the station.
With this continuing appeasement, no wonder it’s now predicted that Britain will become an
Islamic State by 2070.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Cheeky sods
Romans, the estate agents, have just put in a planning application for a huge 3m illuminated sign stuck next to the A30. Bit of a cheek given that they wrote in support of the mosque planning application on the grounds that it would improve the street scene.
This is what it will look like: https://www.public.surreyheath-online.gov.uk/whalecom60b1ef305f59f921/whalecom0/Scripts/DocsOnLine/47399_6.pdf
I think I will engage in my new found hobby of writing to the council.
This is what it will look like: https://www.public.surreyheath-online.gov.uk/whalecom60b1ef305f59f921/whalecom0/Scripts/DocsOnLine/47399_6.pdf
I think I will engage in my new found hobby of writing to the council.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Dr Taj Hargey and the MCB
Having heard Dr Hargey speak at the council meeting I've been reading various article by and about him. This is one of the interesting ones, if only because of the poor light it throw on the MCB.
In other news, the Camberley Mosque website has been updated to say that the "rundown building that we use as a place of worship is too precious to be replaced by a new modern building so please continue your worship in the existing rundown building as normal"
Mrs Chaudhry has said that "in the meantime (waiting for the appeal process) the building is going to be as it is, in a terrible state"
The new plan appear to be to let the building fall into disrepair. Hopefully the council won't let them and will issue a repair notice, something it sounds like they should've done a while ago.
In other news, the Camberley Mosque website has been updated to say that the "rundown building that we use as a place of worship is too precious to be replaced by a new modern building so please continue your worship in the existing rundown building as normal"
Mrs Chaudhry has said that "in the meantime (waiting for the appeal process) the building is going to be as it is, in a terrible state"
The new plan appear to be to let the building fall into disrepair. Hopefully the council won't let them and will issue a repair notice, something it sounds like they should've done a while ago.
Labels: Camberley Mosque, MCB
Thursday, March 11, 2010
We won!
I was at the extraordinary council meeting last night to decide on the mosque application. I'm glad to say, nearly all of the councillors voted against the plan. Why it had to go to these length I don't know. There was little in the way new information. My suspicion is that previously the planning committee hadn't given the matter much thought and allowed themselves to be led by Councillor Bell. Perhaps next time they'll actually bother to read all the available documents. And if someone could chivvy them along as well; I've never seen so many people take so long to say so little.
I think we won in the end because we focused on the planning issues. When the other side spoke, most of them talked about their needs for a suitable place to pray and meet. No-one was denying that. What they failed to do was justify why it had to be on that site with that particular design.
We had Taj Hargey speaking on our behalf. He made the very good points that the proposed design wasn't a global mosque design but specific to certain parts of Asia: there is no need to have domes and minarets. And having separate prayer facilities for men and women (and the women's only about 25% of the size) isn't part of moderate Muslim belief.
The evening took at nasty turn at the end when someone threatening to kill Dr Hargey and he had to have a police escort away from the venue.
I think we won in the end because we focused on the planning issues. When the other side spoke, most of them talked about their needs for a suitable place to pray and meet. No-one was denying that. What they failed to do was justify why it had to be on that site with that particular design.
We had Taj Hargey speaking on our behalf. He made the very good points that the proposed design wasn't a global mosque design but specific to certain parts of Asia: there is no need to have domes and minarets. And having separate prayer facilities for men and women (and the women's only about 25% of the size) isn't part of moderate Muslim belief.
The evening took at nasty turn at the end when someone threatening to kill Dr Hargey and he had to have a police escort away from the venue.
Labels: Camberley Mosque
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
In the papers
The mosque is now in the Telegraph and The Times.
People have been gathering outside Camberley Theatre already but the police have moved them on.
People have been gathering outside Camberley Theatre already but the police have moved them on.
Labels: Camberley Mosque
Sunday, March 07, 2010
Final meeting
For anyone going to the meeting on Wednesday, it is worth reading the council's final report: http://www.surreyheath.gov.uk/council/committees/meetings.htm?pk_meeting=949&comid=4
Labels: Camberley Mosque
Saturday, March 06, 2010
Alan Hilliar and Camberley Mosque
Alan Hillier has posted an article about the mosque of the LibDem website. It's almost as if he hasn't read the English Heritage report. I've sent them my comments but who knows if they'll make it through moderation. If not, here they are:
In response to reflections on the Camberley Mosque planning application (by Alan Hilliar on 3rd March 2010):
> I've visited the London Road site and studied the plans the plans for the proposed traditional mosque carefully.
Comparing these comments with the English Heritage report makes interesting readings. Your statements about what you state EH think and what they have actually written seem to diverge somewhat. The EH report is at https://www.public.surreyheath-online.gov.uk/whalecom60b1ef305f59f921/whalecom0/Scripts/DocsOnLine/39807_15.pdf
> As regards the value or character of the existing buildings, in my view it's only the old 1906 infants' school that is more interesting architecturally, and that would be retained with the current application.
But EH state that "the crowding of the Infants' School denies it the space usually desirable for this size of building" They also say that "it is wrong to deny that the building is part of a group and wrong to deny that it is related to other buildings".
> The Council has (in 2002) already granted permission to knock down most of the main school building, retaining only the front wall and Surrey County Council and
About the previous plan EH say "the permission granted in 2003 would not, if full implemented, affect this interest very significantly, as the shape and evolution of the building would continue to be legible". This is completely different to the new plan.
> English Heritage have said they think the main school building doesn't contribute significantly to the character of the area.
EH say that the building is "significant in its own right" and that "the building as it stands makes a positive contribution to the conservation area".
> Having read the other comments on the various web sites very carefully, I don't think the issues are around the size and shape of the proposed new building. It sounds as if the main points are that a traditional mosque feels out of place in a very public location like the London Road and that it seems to symbolise an intrusion into our traditional English culture. Perhaps also it seems to jar that a Victorian school should be replaced by a traditional Mosque.
I am tempted not to attempt to respond to the issues other than the design aspect because it is difficult to do so without being accused of racism. However, I will attempt to do so.
Is fighting to preserve visible aspects of your culture and history wrong?
> In terms of the making the appearance of the proposed new mosque building more acceptable, we could perhaps ask the applicants to soften the impact of the new building by putting more tree planting along the London Road, so that you would see very little of the traditional mosque as you drove along the road. We could ask that they cover the outside of the building in (say) traditional Victorian red brick, so that the colour would blend in with the TA centre next door.
Perhaps if they'd stated in the plans what they were going to build it with, we could discuss it. As it stands, we've no idea what materials it will use which seems unreasonable for a conservation area.
> But beyond specific design issues, I don't think that in reality, a traditional mosque would represent a threat to our culture. We have plenty of traditions of our own which underpin our sense of identity as a country and a community.
One of those traditions is our architecture so demolishing our historic buildings is a threat to our culture. Yes we have plenty of other areas of culture but that doesn't mean we should be happy about part of our heritage and culture being destroyed.
Perhaps if it was a well designed mosque, more people might agree with you. Again quoting from the EH report "the submitted design does not have have enough architectural quality" and "it is hard to see how the character of the area ... could have been a key factor that informed the design"
> I don't think we need to feel in any way threatened by this application, and I don't feel that it holds the symbolic value that some would suggest.
The fact that you don't see a symbolic value in the design does not mean that there isn't a strong symbolism in it. Having a traditional mosque so close to the RMA will be seen by people of both sides of the debate as symbolic. Therefore the symbolism of the design has to be considered. It doesn't matter whether the symbolism is intentional, that symbolism still exists. Even you agree that there is a significant symbolism when you say "it seems to symbolise (to others) an intrusion into our traditional English culture".
In response to reflections on the Camberley Mosque planning application (by Alan Hilliar
> I've visited the London Road site and studied the plans the plans for the proposed traditional mosque carefully.
Comparing these comments with the English Heritage report makes interesting readings. Your statements about what you state EH think and what they have actually written seem to diverge somewhat. The EH report is at https://www.public.surreyheath-online.gov.uk/whalecom60b1ef305f59f921/whalecom0/Scripts/DocsOnLine/39807_15.pdf
> As regards the value or character of the existing buildings, in my view it's only the old 1906 infants' school that is more interesting architecturally, and that would be retained with the current application.
But EH state that "the crowding of the Infants' School denies it the space usually desirable for this size of building" They also say that "it is wrong to deny that the building is part of a group and wrong to deny that it is related to other buildings".
> The Council has (in 2002) already granted permission to knock down most of the main school building, retaining only the front wall and Surrey County Council and
About the previous plan EH say "the permission granted in 2003 would not, if full implemented, affect this interest very significantly, as the shape and evolution of the building would continue to be legible". This is completely different to the new plan.
> English Heritage have said they think the main school building doesn't contribute significantly to the character of the area.
EH say that the building is "significant in its own right" and that "the building as it stands makes a positive contribution to the conservation area".
> Having read the other comments on the various web sites very carefully, I don't think the issues are around the size and shape of the proposed new building. It sounds as if the main points are that a traditional mosque feels out of place in a very public location like the London Road and that it seems to symbolise an intrusion into our traditional English culture. Perhaps also it seems to jar that a Victorian school should be replaced by a traditional Mosque.
I am tempted not to attempt to respond to the issues other than the design aspect because it is difficult to do so without being accused of racism. However, I will attempt to do so.
Is fighting to preserve visible aspects of your culture and history wrong?
> In terms of the making the appearance of the proposed new mosque building more acceptable, we could perhaps ask the applicants to soften the impact of the new building by putting more tree planting along the London Road, so that you would see very little of the traditional mosque as you drove along the road. We could ask that they cover the outside of the building in (say) traditional Victorian red brick, so that the colour would blend in with the TA centre next door.
Perhaps if they'd stated in the plans what they were going to build it with, we could discuss it. As it stands, we've no idea what materials it will use which seems unreasonable for a conservation area.
> But beyond specific design issues, I don't think that in reality, a traditional mosque would represent a threat to our culture. We have plenty of traditions of our own which underpin our sense of identity as a country and a community.
One of those traditions is our architecture so demolishing our historic buildings is a threat to our culture. Yes we have plenty of other areas of culture but that doesn't mean we should be happy about part of our heritage and culture being destroyed.
Perhaps if it was a well designed mosque, more people might agree with you. Again quoting from the EH report "the submitted design does not have have enough architectural quality" and "it is hard to see how the character of the area ... could have been a key factor that informed the design"
> I don't think we need to feel in any way threatened by this application, and I don't feel that it holds the symbolic value that some would suggest.
The fact that you don't see a symbolic value in the design does not mean that there isn't a strong symbolism in it. Having a traditional mosque so close to the RMA will be seen by people of both sides of the debate as symbolic. Therefore the symbolism of the design has to be considered. It doesn't matter whether the symbolism is intentional, that symbolism still exists. Even you agree that there is a significant symbolism when you say "it seems to symbolise (to others) an intrusion into our traditional English culture".
Labels: Camberley Mosque
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Sexism and the mosque
I've been trawling through some of the details of the planning application and they make very interesting reading. For example, have a look at appendix 1, statement of community involvement page 19. Look at how little space is given to the women's locker and changing space.
Also look at the planning statement page 30: "Muslim women wear the veil and gown to conceal themselves from men". I see plenty of Muslim women just wearing a headscarf. This implies the mosque is going to require women to be fully veiled.
And on page 17 "One of the interesting issues and design features in contemporary mosques is the space of prayer for women. Typically around 15% of the prayer space is given to women who are usually housed to the sides, separated from the men"
By using the word "contemporary", they are implying that their particular brand of Tablighi Jamaat Islam is the normal one and we should all accept it. Its not and we shouldn't accept it. Muslim women are no less religious than the men and shouldn't have to wear a veil to attend a mosque. Nor should they have reduced facilities than the men. Or is the mosque going to be male dominated and they'd really much prefer it is the women stayed at home?
Also look at the planning statement page 30: "Muslim women wear the veil and gown to conceal themselves from men". I see plenty of Muslim women just wearing a headscarf. This implies the mosque is going to require women to be fully veiled.
And on page 17 "One of the interesting issues and design features in contemporary mosques is the space of prayer for women. Typically around 15% of the prayer space is given to women who are usually housed to the sides, separated from the men"
By using the word "contemporary", they are implying that their particular brand of Tablighi Jamaat Islam is the normal one and we should all accept it. Its not and we shouldn't accept it. Muslim women are no less religious than the men and shouldn't have to wear a veil to attend a mosque. Nor should they have reduced facilities than the men. Or is the mosque going to be male dominated and they'd really much prefer it is the women stayed at home?
Monday, February 22, 2010
Going National
As well as the News of the World, the mosque application has also made it into the Daily Mail and the Telegraph. The Daily Mail article seems to be a copy of the New of the World article with the odd inaccuracy thrown in. The Telegraph then copies pretty much word for word what the Mail said, including the mistake about the application being approved.
The BBC have been in Camberley as well so we've just appeared on the BBC London News. It was no more accurate than the newspaper articles. Apparently the plans have been altered to restrict access to the towers. They failed to mention that happened ages ago when the MOD first raised the security issue. They didn't mention the wider issues around the planning applications.
The BBC have been in Camberley as well so we've just appeared on the BBC London News. It was no more accurate than the newspaper articles. Apparently the plans have been altered to restrict access to the towers. They failed to mention that happened ages ago when the MOD first raised the security issue. They didn't mention the wider issues around the planning applications.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
News of the World
Camberley Mosque had already been blogged about by the BNP. It has now made it into the New of the World.
Monday, February 15, 2010
More Mosque stuff
It looks like the liberal democrats are in favour of the mosque being built. Alan Hiliar has written a somewhat inaccurate article in the Guardian. Apparently anyone who disagrees with the application hates muslims: "he (Gove) seems to want to placate those whose opposition stems from a deep antipathy to Muslims generally". Nice.
Monday, February 01, 2010
Camberley Mosque part 2
The date for the formal meeting has been set as 17th February according to the Camberley news and Mail. At least it is now going to the full council which should changing the voting a bit.
A petition against the plans is now available for signing. We'll be trying to get it around as many people and places as possible but if you haven't signed it, drop me an email at matt@helliwell.me.uk
A petition against the plans is now available for signing. We'll be trying to get it around as many people and places as possible but if you haven't signed it, drop me an email at matt@helliwell.me.uk
Monday, January 25, 2010
Camberley Mosque
I've just been to the planning meeting for Camberley Mosque. Against the recommendations of the planning officer, it was passed. The councillors who spoke in favour of it ignored the fact that it was a conservation area. One of them said that the school was next to a bunch of "old huts" and not what he called a street scene.
It's what I call a street scene and it isn't going to be improved by an overly large and inappropriately designed building.
After the meeting there was a fair bit of milling around going on outside with one of the councillors being applauded by the supporters and others walking around being extremely pissed off. One of the objectors decided he was now going to vote BNP.
On the plus side, I was interviewed by the BBC local news so might be on TV in a bit!
It's what I call a street scene and it isn't going to be improved by an overly large and inappropriately designed building.
After the meeting there was a fair bit of milling around going on outside with one of the councillors being applauded by the supporters and others walking around being extremely pissed off. One of the objectors decided he was now going to vote BNP.
On the plus side, I was interviewed by the BBC local news so might be on TV in a bit!
More eye surgery
I went for more laser surgery on Wednesday. The first lot of surgery went ok and had left me with a bit of remaining short sightedness (>-0.5 dioptres) and a bit of astigmatism. All would have been fine but the astigmatism caused two focal points so I had double vision. It was especially bad at night with bright lights. So my choices were to live it with, have it corrected with glasses or have more surgery. I chose the latter.
The process is the same as the first lot of surgery but instead of cutting a flap with a laser, they lift the existing flaps. First they put some eye drops in to numb the eye and then mark around the flaps with some sort of sharp needle. The it is off to the surgery where they peel back the flaps and repeat the shiny laser thing.
What I didn't realise was just how much it was going to hurt when the peeled back the flaps. It was like being kicked in the balls, except the pain was in my eyes. I knew it was going to be difficult when the surgeon said "pass me the spear"! Had I realised how much it would hurt, I'm not sure I would've had it done. However, a few days later and the pain has gone away. it's back to the routine of regular eye drops. Vision in my right eye is already excellent - I can read the bottom line of the eye charts. My left eye is still a bit blurry but no double vision.
The process is the same as the first lot of surgery but instead of cutting a flap with a laser, they lift the existing flaps. First they put some eye drops in to numb the eye and then mark around the flaps with some sort of sharp needle. The it is off to the surgery where they peel back the flaps and repeat the shiny laser thing.
What I didn't realise was just how much it was going to hurt when the peeled back the flaps. It was like being kicked in the balls, except the pain was in my eyes. I knew it was going to be difficult when the surgeon said "pass me the spear"! Had I realised how much it would hurt, I'm not sure I would've had it done. However, a few days later and the pain has gone away. it's back to the routine of regular eye drops. Vision in my right eye is already excellent - I can read the bottom line of the eye charts. My left eye is still a bit blurry but no double vision.
