High Commissioner responds to our email and petitions submitted during our 2nd March protest.

(Click image to enlarge)

Prime Minister's speech on immigration - press briefing, 24 March 2013

The Prime Minister will today (Monday) set out a fair and balanced cross-Government immigration system that favours people who work hard and aspire to get on in life.

David Cameron will say immigration continues to have huge benefits to our island nation and we can be proud of how open and diverse we are.

But he will add it is right to have a sensible debate about making sure that everyone who comes here pays their way and gives something back. The Government will do this by:
· stopping our benefits system from being such a “soft touch”;

1 making entitlement to our key public services something migrants earn – not an automatic right; and 2 bringing the full force of government together to crack down on illegal working.

The Prime Minister is expected to say: “While I have always believed in the benefits of immigration I have also always believed that immigration has to be properly controlled.

“As I have long argued, under the last government this simply wasn’t the case. Immigration was far too high and badly out of control. Net migration needs to come down radically from hundreds of thousands a year to just tens of thousands.

“And as we bring net migration down so we must also make sure that Britain continues to benefit from it. That means ensuring that those who do come here are the brightest and the best the people we really need with the skills and entrepreneurial talent to create the British jobs and growth that will help us to win in the global race.

“And it also means ensuring that the system is fair so that we support the aspirations of hard working people who want to get on in life. This is about building that aspiration nation I have been talking about.”

New measures to be set out by the Prime Minister include: CUTTING ACCESS TO BENEFITS For non-UK nationals after 6 months The current Home Office Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations state that someone who enters the UK in order to seek employment means they have a ‘right to reside’ as a job seeker. This means they can claim Job Seekers Allowance and other benefits.

To ensure people cannot claim benefits indefinitely, in early 2014 we will create a statutory presumption that after 6 months an EEA national can no longer retain their status as a job seeker or retained worker and continue to claim benefits, unless they can demonstrate they have actively sought work throughout that period and have a genuine chance of finding work.

Cracking down on those who have no right to work in the UK from claiming contributory benefits Currently some immigrants are exploiting a loophole which allows them to claim contributory benefits based on their National Insurance contributions despite not having the right to work in the UK. This can happen when someone has worked in the UK and paid NI but then overstayed their visa. Closing this loophole will prevent payment of contributory benefits to those with no right to work in the UK at the point of their claim.
Tougher Habitual Residence Test We will strengthen the test people have to pass to see if they are eligible to claim income related benefits – the Habitual Residence Test. There will be an increase in the number and stronger range and depth of questions asked.

The Prime Minister is expected to say: "Ending the something for nothing culture needs to apply to immigration as well as welfare. We’re going to give migrants from the EEA a very clear message. Just like British citizens, there is no absolute right to unemployment benefit.”

STOPPING 'SOMETHING FOR NOTHING' PUBLIC SERVICES Social housing We will introduce an expectation on councils to introduce a local residency test in determining who should qualify for social housing. This would mean someone would have to live in an area for say 2 or 5 years before they could even go on the waiting list.

This will stop someone from turning up and immediately gaining access to social housing. To ensure UK nationals are protected when they are moving for genuine reasons – for example for work or because of family breakdown – local authorities will have the ability to set exceptions (e.g. in relation to work mobility, armed services personnel, for people escaping domestic violence etc).

Stopping health tourism We want to stop the expectation that our health service is free to the entire world and we will take new steps to ensure the NHS can claim back money that is owed for NHS treatment provided to those not entitled to it. We will look to introduce stricter charging or a requirement for non-EEA temporary migrants to have private health insurance in order to access NHS care. Countries like the US and Australia already expect people to have insurance – we want to do the same. This will ensure we can reclaim costs when people are treated by the NHS.

The Prime Minister is expected to say: "But we should be clear that what we have is a free National Health Service, not a free International Health Service."

CRACK DOWN ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION Toughening up enforcement Key enforcement organisations will be brought together to form more local and national taskforces to target hotspots of high employment and housing abuse and there will be tougher action on rogue businesses who employ illegal workers by doubling maximum penalties to £20,000. Biometric residence permits will make it easier to identify illegal immigrants.

Rogue landlords We will introduce a new legal requirement for landlords to check the migration status of new tenants, so they are not renting to an illegal immigrant. Landlords/letting agents will be expected to demand suitable evidence from tenants (passport/valid visa/Biometric Residence Permit) and to keep a record. For UK nationals proving their status will be straightforward - simply showing a passport, driving licence or birth certificate in most cases.

Rogue landlords who flout the rules and fail to take sufficient checks will face tough consequences, which could include a fine.

Government Cheques to victims of Badami Bagh bounce!

Pakistani Christians chant slogans during a demonstration demanding that the government rebuild their homes after they were burned down following an alleged blasphemy incident, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Sunday, March 10, 2013. The incident in Lahore began on Friday, March 8, 2013 after a Muslim accused a Christian man of blasphemy, an offence that in Pakistan is punished by life in prison or death. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed)

Some 265 cheques distributed by the Pakistani government to Christian victims of an Islamist terror attack in Joseph Colony have bounced.

The cheques were meant to serve as compensation for a March 9 attack in which an over 3,000-member mob set fire to more than 150 Christian homes in Joseph Colony after alleged blasphemous remarks against Prophet Muhammad were made by Sawan Masih, a 28-year-old Christian sanitation worker.
The Express Tribune reports:

LAHORE: The cheques distributed among victims of the Joseph Colony attack by the Punjab government bounced, Express News reported Thursday. Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif had announced (Rupees) 5 million in compensation for each of those affected in the mob attack. However, the 265 cheques distributed by the government have bounced.
According to reports, the finance ministry had issued the amount promised. When the cheques bounced, the victims started protesting.

Islamic scholar Robert Spencer observes that it is not surprising the checks bounced, as those considered infidels are not entitled to monetary compensation by Muslims. Rather, it is the other way around. Of course Spencer is referring to the “jizya” — a poll tax Islamic leaders demand of their non-Muslim subjects.
Quoting from the Quran 9:29:
“Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.”

(h/t: Jihad Watch)

Shamim Mahmood BPCA's Pakistan Officer said:

"Compensation cheques people of Badami Bagh had received from the Punjab Government have bounced back and proposed reconstruction of victims homes, is of a poor standard.  Buildings have simply been painted over and cracks are there that can problems at any time."

He added;

"Dispossessed families are still suffering and Easter celebrations will be muted this year.  Children will soon be returning to school for the new term and will need excercise and text books, stationary, school bags etc."  

Shamim continued;

"Tomorrow morning I will be going to attend the proceeding of the case, as mentioned previously the Supreme Court of Pakistan has taken sue motto action against the incident.  Rimsha Masih's case has re-opened again in the apex court and Christians in Pakistan are feeling more demoralised then ever."

Rimsha Masih trial reopens!

ISLAMABAD PAKISTAN (Shamim Masih): 

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has accepted an application by Prosector Malik Ummad to re-open Rimsha Masih's case.

Earlier on January 16, 2013, the Supreme Court (SC) had dismissed a final appeal against Rimsha Masih during her blasphemy case, effectively ending all legal proceedings on the issue.

On 22^nd March, the bench of three judges headed by Justice Tasdaq Hussain Gilani made an order for the case to proceed again.

According to sources, Rimsha’s complainant has filed an application in the apex court to review the decision of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), which is accepted by the SC.

Earlier Islamabad High Court (IHC) had removed all charges against Rimsha.

http://dawn.com/2012/11/20/ihc-orders-removal-of-fir-against-rimsha/comment-page-1/

No Counsel represented Rimsha Masih during the hearing.

Redbridge Easter Parade and Festival

(Click image to see enlarge flyer)

Redbridge is to hold its first ever Easter Parade and Festival this year through a collaboration of a number of local churches.  The event details are as follows:


Date:               31st March 2013 (Easter Day)
Time:              14:00 procession starts at Cranbrook Baptist Church
Time:              15:00 United Churches of Ilford Outreach and Praise Concert
Venue:            Ilford Town Centre (Town Hall steps for Concert)
Activities:       Facepainting, Music, Food stalls, Henna, Children's Art workshop, Bible debate,  Learn more about Jesus stall, Book stalls, jewellery, Bouncy Castle and much more. 

So far Participating churches include:

City Gates Church
Clementswood Baptist Church
Cranbrook Baptist Church
Eden Christian Centre
Grace Church
Ilford Methodist Church
High Road Baptist Church
Kings Church
Salvation Army Ilford

Guest Performers include:


Ooberfuse:

Ooberfuse brings together the very best of western and eastern musical traditions. ooberfuse is a london based Catholic electro pop band composed of hal, cherrie and nico. it's all about fusing bold melodies with cool harmonies!

Learn more here:

http://www.ooberfuse.com/home.cfm



Colin Burns:

Born in Northern Ireland, but living in various locations including Germany and the Falkland Islands, Colin Burns’music reflects his varied upbringing. He began writing songs in his teens, taking classical guitar lessons that strongly shaped his musical style. Listening to rock and pop but studying classical guitar, he began to develop the rich blend of techniques that marks his playing out today.

At our Easter Festival Colin Burns will be playing songs from his new debut album "Emerald and Gold":


Combining classical and popular influence, guitarist Colin Burns introduces his debut album Emerald & Gold. The project brings together compositions from many years with the painter-turned-performer fusing instrumental dexterity  and melodic poetry.

The record is a mix of instrumental compositions and songs, with strong spiritual themes running throughout. Awake the Dawn draws on Psalm 57, and the Sweet Lightning talks about the Holy Spirit though the imagery of a storm. The album also includes two collaborations with Texan wordsmith Peter
Nevland. The tracks resulted from a suggestion by acclaimed producer Andy Baker, who recommended the use of spoken word poetry to compliment Burns’ guitar instrumentation.

An eclectic and impressive debut, Emerald & Gold offers listeners a fresh perspective on folk, faith and fingerpicking.

Learn more here:

http://files.resoundmedia.co.uk/colinpressreleasetip.pdf

Silent Testimony

By John Newton Aid to the Church in Need

THE leader of Catholics in north-east Libya has said he and his faithful will stand firm and continue undeterred despite an arson attack on a church and the arrest of Christian evangelists. 

            Speaking to Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need, Bishop Sylvester Magro of Benghazi described how the Church was providing “silent testimony” through its charitable and pastoral activities.

Asked about the torching of St Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Church in Benghazi on Thursday (14^th March), he said: “No one was expecting a reaction like that.”

Explaining the attack, the bishop said: “There was a protest in Cairo [Egypt’s capital] and this looks like a retaliation for that protest.”

The attack came in response to an anti-Libyan protest in Cairo following the death of Ezzat Atallah, an Egyptian Christian, aged 45.

Mr Atallah reportedly died of natural causes in a Benghazi prison on 10^th March, after being arrested with three other men in February on a charge of proselytising.

He was suffering from a heart condition and had diabetes.

Bishop Magro described how – despite such setbacks – the Church was continuing its mission.

He said: “Notwithstanding the difficulties that may crop up every now and then, we strive to continue with our silent testimony of worship, of faith, of trust, of confidence and growth in the Word of God.

His comments come after reports of 48 Coptic Orthodox traders kidnapped late last month after complaints about their religious imagery on vendors’ boards and stalls in Benghazi.

In a video seized by police, the traders appear locked in a small room, watched over by men with long Salafist-style beards.

Many of those kidnapped have cuts, bruises and shaven heads.

The bishop, a member of the Franciscan order which has been working in the country since 1628, praised the work of the Sisters of Immaculate Conception of Ivrea who help poor Christians.

            Most Catholics in Libya are from the Philippines or North Africa and many earn less than others in the country.

Bishop Magro who oversees the Apostolic Vicariate of Benghazi, said: “This apostolate run by Sisters from Tanzania provides the Church with a living image of interesting itself in the poor, as Pope Francis said at his installation.

             “In all situations we try to help [using] the donations provided by the Holy Father himself – we have much pastoral work also and humanitarian or charitable activity.”

            Aid to the Church in Need provided the vicariate with a vehicle enabling priests to offer Mass in remote areas at least twice a month.

Bishop Magro said: “Our Vicariate extends from Marsa al Burayqah Misratah on the gulf of Sirte up to Tubruq in the east, close to the Egyptian border, and the towns on the coast road, like Al Marj, Al Bayda, Tubruq itself, have Christian Catholic communities in each town and we are always travelling… to these mission stations.

“From Burayqah to Benghazi there are 300km roughly from Benghazi to Tubruq there are 500km, so 800 in all, and that makes the car work very hard.

            The bishop thanked Aid to the Church in Need for its support.

 He said: “I would like to thank all the benefactors that contribute through ACN because it is only through them that we can operate in our mission.

“And may God reward all those who generously donate their support – because their names are known to him alone – but we offer our prayers in supplication to the Lord for their intentions.”

St Josephs Colony tents removed despite houses in poor condition?

Shamim Masih (Lahore):

According to local sources, people of St Joseph's colony have become concerned as Police are preventing trucks getting close to the colony many of which are there to provide aid to the beleaguered victims of the recent attack.  Local Police won't let aid agencies take pictures of the demoralising conditions that victims are living in or the aid being provided.  This is believed by locals to be due to the Government wishing to hide the extent of problems and wanting all credit for restoration.

Much of the reconstruction work is useless, involving simple repair to some broken walls, and painting over cracked, unstable walls.

A local man resident informed us;

"All TV channels have been prevented access, visitors are being discouraged to go there and help people, so the govt could say all work is done by them alone"

Tents  have now been demolished yet houses are not repaired completely and people are finding themselves in a dire state.