Fox News announces Birmingham is a ‘no-go zone’ for non-Muslims

The man on the right stated, on Rupert Murdoch's Fox News, that Birmingham is a 'no-go' zone for non-Muslims.

The man on the right stated, on Rupert Murdoch’s Fox News, that Birmingham is a ‘no-go’ zone for non-Muslims.

If anybody on Twitter hasn’t been alerted to #foxnewsfacts, type it in and improve your life.

Rupert Murdoch’s Fox News TV channel kicked off the trend with the following sensational revelation:

For clarity, the man said: “And in Britain, it’s not just no-go zones, there are actual cities like Birmingham that are totally Muslim where non-Muslims just simply don’t go in. And parts of London, there are actually Muslim religious police that actually beat and actually wound seriously anyone who doesn’t dress according to Muslim, religious Muslim attire.”

Inevitably, the presentation of this information as fact led to the proliferation of more #foxnewsfacts, some of which follow:

Fans of Birmingham City Football Club worship at the Blues Mosque. (Clive Peedell)

English real ale is bottled upside down so crowncork top can be banged on workhouse floor to check seal and create some bubbles. (Julian Bray UK)

The English City of Ba’ath is dedicated to the overthrow of the state of Israel. (Bernie Banter)

150111foxnewsfacts1

Fox News reports people taking to the streets of Birmingham, holding signs reading JE SUIS BENNY. (Neil Mossey)

150111foxnewsfacts2

The south west is the only place white people live now. (Goddessdeeva)

150111foxnewsfacts3

Mullah Jasper El Carrot. He has ruled Birmingham for decades. (Craig Chez)

Jules R pointed out: “Just you lot wait until Fox News find out there’s a place called The Black Country.”

A particular favourite of this writer was the claim that Bristol is entirely submerged, which led Yr Obdt Srvt to tweet that his own parents are turning into dolphins.

There is already a petition asking the Mayor of Birmingham to let non-Muslims back into the city. It reads:

“Today international ‘terrorism’ expert Steven Emerson astoundingly revealed to Fox News the literally incredible information that, ‘in Britain, it’s not just no-go zones – there are actual cities like Birmingham that are totally muslim, where non-muslims just simply don’t go in’.

“Most people in Britain had no idea that non-muslims no longer ‘just simply go in’ to Birmingham and other cities in the UK (Emerson did not yet state which other cities he is referring to). Birmingham had loads of non-muslims in the last time I was there, so this is a real shock.

“We call upon the city of Birmingham and other non-specified British cities to once again allow non-muslims to roam their streets.

“[edit: it’s a shame to have to add this bit, because it spoils the joke a bit – but for the avoidance of doubt, this is a satirical petition. I know that Birmingham is a diverse city and that everyone is welcome there as in all other cities in the UK. Fox News’ so-called ‘expert’ apparently does not.]”

There is a more sinister aspect to this. It could be suggested that, by making these claims on a major news channel, the Murdoch media is trying to stir up internecine unrest in the United Kingdom. This is, of course, illegal.

Follow me on Twitter: @MidWalesMike

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19 Comments

  1. Landless Peasant January 12, 2015 at 1:43 am - Reply

    It’s either a deliberate attempt at provocation, or sheer ignorance, I’m not sure which. God knows what they’d make of my neighbourhood (Manningham). It’s predominantly Asian/Muslim around here, but in no way exclusively so, and is generally safer than some of the large Council estates that are predominantly white English. In my house alone there are English, Welsh, Polish, Pakistani, Jamaican, and in the past we’ve had Spanish, Greek, Serbian, Hungarian, Nigerian and Indian living here as well. And even though my city has a large Asian Muslim population that too is very diverse; Pakistani/Kashmiri/Mirpuri, Silhetti, Bangladeshi, Bengali, Iraqi, Iranian, Afghan, etc. etc. The Right-wing just don’t understand multiculturalism, it’s beyond them. Poor souls. Their brains are shriveled up with fear.

  2. Liz727 January 12, 2015 at 5:54 am - Reply

    Dear, dear, what a blunder in the Age of Social Media, most unforgiving, bet he’s working on his résumé as we type! :-D

    • Mike Sivier January 12, 2015 at 12:18 pm - Reply

      I bet he’s received a raise.

  3. Tony Dean January 12, 2015 at 9:18 am - Reply

    Fox News, The Daily Mail on acid.

  4. Michelle January 12, 2015 at 9:28 am - Reply

    Thank you for the funniest start to Monday in a long while, Huffington Post is also running a best of #Foxnewsfacts, I even had my own silly contribution: “Delicious falafels served in UK by starred Muslim chefs to undermine devotion to the Favourite White National Dish – Curry! #Foxnewsfacts”

    Seriously, however, although this extreme fabrication highlights news propaganda I hope it also alerts us all to the more subtle media manipulations. For example, last Thursday I just happened to tune in to Sunshine radio (Hereford) at lunch time and noticed that the lunch time news spent an inordinately long time on one item about a local man with an Arabic sounding name who had beaten his wife (a description of where she was beaten on her body was given) and was belatedly coming to justice because his wife had taken a while to report the violence due to his controlling behaviour. Could it be a little droplet belonging to the problem, reaction, solution agenda…?

    Btw I don’t believe in lizards or aliens, just there is nothing new under the sun, the trick of drawing attention elsewhere when the establishment is being rumbled is a very old one and speaking of Romans apparently even they used disguised soldiers to stir up trouble when the empire’s subjects became a little crowd of protest.

  5. chopale January 12, 2015 at 9:57 am - Reply

    What more can you expect from a right wing “Kangaroo! Press and Media owner!

  6. Jonathan Wilson January 12, 2015 at 10:35 am - Reply

    You do realise that your neighbourhood is to be renamed Manning so that its Halal compliant? #foxnewsfacts

    • Mike Sivier January 12, 2015 at 12:04 pm - Reply

      Shocking. Now not only Fox News but you too have said terrible things about the Venice of the North.
      I haven’t been there for a while so really can’t comment!

  7. hstorm January 12, 2015 at 2:33 pm - Reply

    https://twitter.com/HavetStorm/status/554646848699658241

    London – popular suburb of Norwich.

  8. Ian Holland January 13, 2015 at 1:54 am - Reply

    being a brummie aged 60 this guy is on a different planet but….Alum rock and other predominantly muslim areas are “no go areas” for non-muslims to be honest.I`ve seen and experienced this first hand and it is damn
    scary.

  9. Mick January 16, 2015 at 10:22 am - Reply

    Nice to see that when someone places the truth in front of you, you do the same as most people and look the other way, think I’m going to un subscribe your beginning to look like a politician. So sad thought you were interested in the truth not in looking away I live just out side Brum and there are plenty of places that you will avoid if you have a brain and want all you teeth, car windows to remain intact! The people that were collecting in Hall green last summer for the Dogs Home were told that “this is a Muslim Area and you are not welcome” the police had to intervene the escort them to safety. It was reported in the local papers, Solihull Observer I think, but may also have been in the Solihull News. The truth is the Muslims in certain areas of Birmingham do not want White people in their streets. This is racial, they are making it that way!

    • Mike Sivier January 16, 2015 at 11:29 am - Reply

      “In certain areas” does not equal “in all areas”. I didn’t tinker with the truth – but I think you are trying to.
      As for your comments about unsubscribing, I found a very useful image for it:
      (Flounce)
      Don’t let the (virtual) door hit your rear end on the way out.

  10. Michelle January 16, 2015 at 12:04 pm - Reply

    Hi Mike – your door hinges need oiling! :)

    I attended a very interesting discussion at House of Commons on Tuesday sponsored by Rushanara Ali MP, Fiyaz Mughal OBE (director of Faith Matters, an interfaith and anti-extremist organisation) and Professor Matthew Feldman (an expert on fascist ideology and the contemporary far-right in Europe and the USA), Frances Sealey of Globalnet21 arranged this meeting.

    I heard about the sincere hard work of those trying to prevent the back lash against Muslims since the Paris tragedy and what we can all do to help, when I have typed up my notes, I leave the salient points here in a comment. All the best.

    • Mike Sivier January 16, 2015 at 12:08 pm - Reply

      Would you rather do a guest blog about it? I’m sure a lot of people would like to read an article about this as it is so topical just now.

      • Michelle January 16, 2015 at 12:18 pm - Reply

        OK, no probs will try and write cogent notes and give you the meeting web link, then you can post if you think worthwhile. I will write them up in the next 24 hours. All the best.

        • Mike Sivier January 17, 2015 at 9:46 pm - Reply

          Your email address is returning ‘undeliverable’ messages. How about you just send me your notes in a comment to this site? I can do the rest here.

  11. Michelle January 18, 2015 at 1:35 am - Reply

    Apologies my mailbox had a snag and my laptop too – just when it’s not needed! Please still send your email to me, my mail system should be behaving itself again, ta.

    Here it is:

    Youth, Alienation and Radicalisation
    Many young people in Europe are disenchanted and have become alienated from the political process; this is a serious issue for any society and especially those that label themselves as democratic. Even before the recent Paris tragedy Rushanara Ali MP had agreed to sponsor a meeting in the House of Commons to discuss “Youth, Alienation and Radicalisation,” terms that can equally encompass young Muslims as well as white working class people.

    Rushanara was joined by Fiyaz Mughal OBE, director of Faith Matters, an interfaith and anti-extremist organisation and Professor Matthew Feldman, an expert on fascist ideology and the contemporary far-right in Europe and the USA.
    I was one of the attendees keenly listening for comments that may shed light on the root causes of this disenchantment and how it could be addressed; my pen and notebook were ready to capture any insights. Fiyaz opened the meeting by acknowledging that the Paris incident would result in new legislation and information gathering amongst the North African community that would have consequences on free speech, he said the right to publish is a right we should protect.

    Matthew highlighted that radicalisation is accumulative from a series of events, however, since 9/11 this was the first time France had suffered home grown terrorism. He stated that terrorism is a tactic that is not just linked to one group, extremists though diametrically opposed often rely upon each other narratives.

    Fiyaz stressed that although people from lower socio economic groups were more vulnerable to radicalisation evidence was only cursory, social exclusion could have many causes such as mental health issues, a lack of trust in the system, a perceived discrimination, ideology or theology. Stop and search practices along with anti-Muslim rhetoric in the media and our foreign policy in relation to the Israeli Palestinian crisis should also be considered. He said that the Koachi brothers had been described as normal boys but they became politicised after a journey to Yemen and had stated that the images from the Abu Ghraib prison in 2004 were a source of grievance, while Kahn a UK extremist had cited the Iraq war as one of the driving forces behind his actions, the online world could also be used to radicalise young people. Fiyaz also outlined vulnerability after converting from one faith to another, creating changes in the individual while at the same time experiencing familiar external support fall away, leaving the young person susceptible to gang-like pressures. Extreme groups often have a gang mentality; they are against state structures and have a nihilistic mind-set. Fiyaz also mentioned that radicalisation did not occur in the Mosques; it was actually taking place in common public spaces such as the gym.

    A member of the audience asked the unanswerable question ‘why do people move from non-violence to violence?’ Matthew replied currently there are no definitive explanations, only indications as to the causes with less than 1% of extremists actually moving to violence. At this point he made it clear that far right groups may not agree on the use of violence or have similar views on the electoral system but they do have a common denominator, anti-Muslim prejudice now prevails, it is no longer anti-Semitism.

    Approximately half of the Muslim attacks in this country are carried out by a hardened core of far right individuals who use prejudicial logic and tit for tat extremism. For example after Lee Rigby’s murder there was a 373% increase in reported anti-Muslim incidents (the contagion effect) and in the 3 months after Rigby there was a massive rise in Mosque attacks, however, collecting detailed statistics is not easy because hate crimes are not disaggregated into their specific types and 5 out of 6 hate crimes are not usually reported to the police. It was also noted later in the discussion that hate crimes are often opportunistic and only 25% of them are tried, resulting in a significant lack of confidence. There are new faces of the far right such as ‘National Action,’ a small group of proud neo-Nazis who are targeting campuses and ‘Britain First.’

    Rushanara gave her opinion on why young people turned from politics to radicalisation, she said that politically we live is a difficult international environment, the interdependence between countries is profound, while technology and the Internet can be a negative or positive force. On the positive side, she thought young people wanted interactive politics and that they were interested in issues such as the environment and poverty. Nevertheless, the events of 9/11 and 7/7 were uniquely different for those with a young Muslim identity; other groups had not suffered the same effects. She felt that Britain leads in dealing with youth alienation but extreme narratives should be constantly challenged, we have to be thick skinned and be able to explain our stance contrary to those of the extreme:

    • How can we use our collective intelligence to prevent such extremism?
    • How can we use our personal sphere of influence in our everyday contact with young people and can we empower ourselves to confront these issues?
    • We have to ensure that young people are not made to feel defensive if being blamed, incorrectly, for the acts of others who conveniently use the term ‘religion’ for their terrorism.

    Matthew at this point reminded the audience that liberalism requires everyone’s participation; we all have a responsibility for the society we inhabit. Far right groups are aware that The Racial and Religious Hatred Act does not offer Muslims protection as one ethnic group and are therefore not given the same legal protection as others, such as Jews or Sikhs. Britain has strong equality legislation but funds have been slashed, so the Equality and Human Rights Commission cannot enforce the legislation well.

    Rushanara stated that neighbourliness in the UK overall was in decline, charging immigrants with the notion that they were the ones who were at fault because they were not integrating only served ‘to do immigrants down.’

    Fiyaz reiterated the role of the media and the Murdoch’s of this world who carry on as normal and are not being held to account for their sensationalist, negative reporting – the media needs to develop a responsible approach. He emphasised that far right propaganda can be extremely slick and difficult to combat, we as citizens need to build a shared sense of community and co-ownership that creates more opportunities to mix and care for one another.

    Did we get to the bottom of the root cause of youth disenchantment? There were many useful points but the role of UK foreign policy and the militaristic agenda was only briefly mentioned, after all extreme far right views are not only the gambit of the young and disenfranchised. One statement from the audience aptly described the difficulty many of us have in expressing our citizenship because we feel disempowered in a society driven by rampant neoliberal capitalism. We all can do our bit to combat this alienating, inhuman milieu – a small act of kindness may go much further than we think, please give it a try.

    Michelle Thomasson 17th January 15

    For your notes – The meeting was organised by Francis Sealey of GlobalNet 21 and the speaker profiles were:

    Rushanara Ali is the MP for Bethnal Green & Bow and Associate Director of the Young Foundation. Previously she was the Shadow Minister for International Development. She resigned from the Labour frontbench in order to abstain on a House of Commons motion permitting military action in Iraq in September 2014.

    Fiyaz Mughal OBE is director of Faith Matters, an interfaith and anti-extremist organisation which runs the TELL MAMA anti-Muslim violence helpline. Fiyaz was appointed on the Working Group for Communities that was linked to the Extremism Task Force developed in 2005 after the 7/7 bombings. In early 2008, Fiyaz was successful in becoming an elected member IDeA Peer Mentor for national work with local authorities on the Preventing Violent Extremism agenda. Fiyaz was honoured in June 2009 by Her Majesty the Queen and was bestowed with the Honour of the Order of the British Empire.

    Professor Matthew Feldman is an expert on fascist ideology and the contemporary far-right in Europe and the USA. He has written widely on these subjects, as well as on the interaction between politics and faith in the modern world. Matthew worked with the police and Crown Prosecution on far-right terrorism and incitement, where he acted as the prosecution’s expert witness in several high-profile cases. Since 2009. This has led to additional consultation with police, probation, CPS and third sector organisations across the UK, the intelligence services, as well as for the All-Parliamentary Committee on Anti-Semitism. He has also appeared on various radio and television programmes to discuss the rise of the far-right in the 21st century.

    Meeting link with speaker profiles and further discussion by some of the attendees can be found here, it was held at the house of Commons on 13thJanuary 2015:
    http://www.meetup.com/GlobalNet21/events/215857722/comments/443282215/?itemTypeToken=COMMENT&a=uc1_rd&read=1&_af_eid=215857722&_af=event

  12. Michelle January 19, 2015 at 8:39 pm - Reply

    Last try at this, not sure if you have seen my 2 previous comments or are now ignoring me? :)

    I’ve slightly rewritten my notes (sorry they were laboured as it was very late) and have given the correct meeting link (not the one that went to the comment section).

    Here’s a post of my notes, if you want to use them: https://plus.google.com/106378646438633592924/posts/TbQSf1EZGnK

    Hope all is OK… please respond :)

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