EVENT REVIEW: Is Islam Being Criminalised?

The new month (Rabi' al-Awwal, just in case you were thinking January) was witness to a blessed gathering in Manchester on Saturday. Wrong again, it wasn’t at the Etihaad Stadium, but the Eastern Pearl Banqueting Hall. Over six hundred Muslims (or were they Islamists?), both male and female (with segregated seating, I must add, out of choice), of all ages (though males aged 18- 40, better watch out, you do qualify as potential combatants) made a hijrah to listen to a much esteemed panel of speakers (or was it preachers of hate?).