What had the "East London Advertiser" to do with the spread of the "news" item that "Muslim councillors" had imposed a "ban"?

Muslim council chiefs ban 'tea and sandwiches' in meetings for Ramadan Last updated at 02:59am on 29.08.08
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Councillors have been ordered not to eat during town hall meetings while Muslim colleagues fast during the holy month of Ramadan.
All elected members at Left-wing Tower Hamlets Council in East London have been sent an email asking them to follow strict Islamic fasting during September no matter what their faith.
As well as restricting food and drink until after sunset, the authority's leaders have decided to reduce the number of meetings throughout the month so they do not clash with the requirements of Ramadan.





Ramadan row: Tower Hamlets Council leader Lutfur Rahman and Liberal Democrat leader Stephanie Eaton



The seven remaining meetings scheduled to take place will also include special prayer breaks to accommodate Muslim councillors.
But some members of the Labour-run council say the demands favour one religious group over the others.
Dr Stephanie Eaton, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said she would ignore the restrictions.
She said: 'The Liberal Democrats have enormous respect for the contribution of all faith groups and cultures to the life of the community of Tower Hamlets.
'But we fervently believe that the rules of any one religion should not be imposed upon others.
'I was rather disconcerted to see that the arrangements put in place for Ramadan, which we support for Muslim colleagues, have been imposed upon all councillors.










Holy row: A view of Tower Hamlets in east London


'We object to the request that non-Muslim councillors observe the fasting rules for Ramadan. This sends out the wrong message to our community.
'Our community consists of a huge number of different religions, all of which should be valued, and no one religion should be accorded more status or influence than others.'
This is not the first time the council, which has a broad ethnic make-up, has courted controversy.
It has been criticised in the past for being 'overly politically correct' after calling its staff Christmas meal a 'festive meal'.
And it has also staged a Bonfire Night party which featured a Bengal tiger instead of Guy Fawkes.
During Ramadan, strict Muslims are obliged to fast between sunrise and sundown.
They must abstain from all food, drink, gum chewing, tobacco, and any kind of sexual contact.
The holy period falls on the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, and this year it begins at the start of September, which means there are more daylight fasting hours than if it fell in later months.
Most of the council's debates are scheduled to start at 6.30pm.
But with the sun not setting until an hour later, devout Muslims will be unable to break their fast - known as Iftar - until midway through the meeting, where they will be given a 45-minute break.
Food and refreshments, such as sandwiches and biscuits, are normally laid on at town hall meetings.
Controversy has arisen because all members have been told not to eat until after sunset, out of courtesy to their Muslim colleagues, and so there will be food left for them later in the evening.
In the memo to councillors, John Williams, the council's head of democratic services, said: 'It is requested that members do not partake of any refreshments until after the Iftar refreshments are served.'
Council bosses said the arrangements were in place 'where it is not reasonable to expect members observing Ramadan, and who are required to attend a formal committee or other meeting, to travel home in time for sundown in order to break fast and undertake prayers'. Councillors have been ordered not to eat during town hall meetings while Muslim colleagues fast during the holy month of Ramadan.
All elected members at Left-wing Tower Hamlets Council in East London have been sent an email asking them to follow strict Islamic fasting during September no matter what their faith.
As well as restricting food and drink until after sunset, the authority's leaders have decided to reduce the number of meetings throughout the month so they do not clash with the requirements of Ramadan.

Ramadan row: Tower Hamlets Council leader Lutfur Rahman and Liberal Democrat leader Stephanie Eaton
The seven remaining meetings scheduled to take place will also include special prayer breaks to accommodate Muslim councillors.
But some members of the Labour-run council say the demands favour one religious group over the others.
Dr Stephanie Eaton, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said she would ignore the restrictions.
She said: 'The Liberal Democrats have enormous respect for the contribution of all faith groups and cultures to the life of the community of Tower Hamlets.
'But we fervently believe that the rules of any one religion should not be imposed upon others.
'I was rather disconcerted to see that the arrangements put in place for Ramadan, which we support for Muslim colleagues, have been imposed upon all councillors.

Holy row: A view of Tower Hamlets in east London
'We object to the request that non-Muslim councillors observe the fasting rules for Ramadan. This sends out the wrong message to our community.
'Our community consists of a huge number of different religions, all of which should be valued, and no one religion should be accorded more status or influence than others.'
This is not the first time the council, which has a broad ethnic make-up, has courted controversy.
It has been criticised in the past for being 'overly politically correct' after calling its staff Christmas meal a 'festive meal'.
And it has also staged a Bonfire Night party which featured a Bengal tiger instead of Guy Fawkes.
During Ramadan, strict Muslims are obliged to fast between sunrise and sundown.
They must abstain from all food, drink, gum chewing, tobacco, and any kind of sexual contact.
The holy period falls on the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, and this year it begins at the start of September, which means there are more daylight fasting hours than if it fell in later months.
Most of the council's debates are scheduled to start at 6.30pm.
But with the sun not setting until an hour later, devout Muslims will be unable to break their fast - known as Iftar - until midway through the meeting, where they will be given a 45-minute break.
Food and refreshments, such as sandwiches and biscuits, are normally laid on at town hall meetings.
Controversy has arisen because all members have been told not to eat until after sunset, out of courtesy to their Muslim colleagues, and so there will be food left for them later in the evening.
In the memo to councillors, John Williams, the council's head of democratic services, said: 'It is requested that members do not partake of any refreshments until after the Iftar refreshments are served.'
Council bosses said the arrangements were in place 'where it is not reasonable to expect members observing Ramadan, and who are required to attend a formal committee or other meeting, to travel home in time for sundown in order to break fast and undertake prayers'.






Reader views (39)
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As a Muslim I can say that is against Islam for the councillors to ask all members of the meeting in secular England to fast along with them. Putting that aside, the level of Xenophobia that exploded after the article is purely disgusting. Had another religious official made such a suggestion you can be sure that the reaction would have had a completely different flavour.- Hmmm, Perth, Australia, 11/02/2010 15:38Report abuse
They've got some neck mind, these Muslim councillors. They stand for elections in a democratic society then try and impose their archaic dietary and religious beliefs on us enlightened Westerners. If you don't like democracy Cllr Islam go live in Pakistan - they're not too keen on it either. Most people in this country don't believe that dogs and pigs are unclean or that beating oneself senseless with a spiky whip is any way to encourage children to celebrate the death of the prophet's son.- Squiz, Islington, 11/02/2010 14:38Report abuse
I live in Tower Hamlets and over the last 10 years it has become pretty much a muslim enclave. When I first moved here there was a really good balance of black, white and asian communities that integrated well but these have been slowly replaced through house allocation stealth to ensure that the area is now occupied by asian and african muslims. Tower Hamlets council should be investigated as it is fast becoming a mini-islamic government right on Westmninster's doorstep.- Big Andy, London, 11/02/2010 14:38Report abuse
I'm a Christian but I think that it's discourteous and insensitive to eat in front of Muslims during the fasting hours in Ramadan.- Mary, London, 11/02/2010 14:38Report abuse
How about starting a newspaper, called "This WAS London", so the native white people of England can still have some nostalgic feelings about what they have given away the most stupid left wing bollocks idea ever, multiculturalism! Which is just racism against the native people. Same here in Holland.- Molly-Bolly, Delft, the Netherlands, 11/02/2010 14:38Report abuse
I have served on various committees with Christians, Jews, Buddhists and Hindus and none of them ever asked for special treatment because of their religious beliefs. However, Muslims demand special treatment and when they don't get it the old cries of "prejudice" or "racism" comes up. I really do believe that these PC rules will create the very divisions and prejudices that they seek to prevent. You only have to listen to people saying what they really think to know the majority gets very angry about these rules and preferences.- Jack Stack, Melbourne, Australia, 11/02/2010 14:38Report abuse
The left wing really are a menace.- Stalin, Australia, 11/02/2010 14:38Report abuse
How long will it be before this sort of thing is forced on all of us?- Adam, Harrow, uk, 11/02/2010 14:38Report abuse
Its exactly what we deserve. Both Tory and Labour governments have allowed anyone and everyone in to this country and absolutely no attempt was made - up till now - to ensure that immigrants were integrated into the communities. In any event, Christians will soon be a minority in the UK so lets start getting used to the idea.- Scott Budge, london, uk, 11/02/2010 14:38Report abuse
"the notoriously loony Tower Hamlets Council" is just about right. If the Muslim members have a problem they can always head somewhere where their concerns will be more easily accepted - maybe a Muslim country? This really is getting beyond farcical.- Paul, London, 11/02/2010 14:38Report abuse
How racist and a breach of our human right to be forced to take uo their views. Can you imagine if we tried to impose Christian Values onto Muslims - there would be uproar. And there was me thinking the UK was a place for freedom - freedom for everyone else except if you're an English Christian!- Lucy, London, 11/02/2010 14:38Report abuse
This is a sickness that is just beginning to rear its evil head throughout Britain. Religion should be kept out of the town hall, schools and the workplace. the French would not and will not stand for this sort of abuse.- Mark Armstrong, london. uk, 11/02/2010 14:38Report abuse
Why wait any longer. Throw these 6th Century Cave Dwellers out of Britain and take back your country before it's to late! Creeping Sharia will destroy the UK unless these cult members are stopped.- Devin, Muzzy Land UK, 11/02/2010 14:38Report abuse
This is typical of the Muslim faith. It uses democracy to get it's followers into positions of power and then tries to impose its backward ideology on non-muslims. When, as a society, are we going to wake up to this creeping cancer in our midst? I hope Cllr. Eaton and her colleagues make a point of eating when and how often they wish during these meetings. We are in serious danger of letting these people move our society backwards by centuries.- Mike Bell, Perth, 11/02/2010 14:38Report abuse
Will they then stop eating chocolate in Lent?- Peter S, London, 11/02/2010 14:38Report abuse
Next time I go on a diet or one of those sponsored fasts I must remember to bar everyone else in the office for my life-style choice or decision! Surely the whole exercise is one of will power? Christian give things up for Lent but don't ram it down everyone else's throats.- Kitty, London, 11/02/2010 14:38Report abuse
Cllr Eaton should count herself lucky be in the presence of male Muslims at all! Funny the Liberal-Lefties suffering because of the very policies that they shove down everyone else's throats. Now where is that whip, the one I beat myself until I bleed with?!- Frank, Home Counties, England., 11/02/2010 14:38Report abuse
Whilst recognising that this is a loony idea - council property belongs to everyone indivisibly - perhaps Alan has missed a point: the council doesn't 'reside here', he's a born native.- Peter Bench, London, 11/02/2010 14:38Report abuse
And so the slow takeover of your country continues...and most of you seem so blind to it. Eventually, if this keeps up you might as well soon kiss your country and traditions goodbye forever!- Michael, Ridgewood, US, 11/02/2010 14:38Report abuse
I believe the Brits are waking up, sadly too slowly for my liking but we will remove political correctness and the myth of multi culturalism only if we continue to speak out. Good to see the majority of comments here condemn this stupidity. Another serious attack and the awakening will grow, but of course they'll be a cost.- Rc, Hampshire, 11/02/2010 14:38Report abuse
Why should anyone be surprised! If you let a stranger into your house, he is a guest. When you let in his brother and his entire family they will take over your house. The left wing lunatics have not only opened the front door, they've opened all the doors and the windows too! This is only the start of a lot worse to come. Someone had better nip this in the bud...and fast...- J.D, N.O U.S.A, 11/02/2010 14:38Report abuse
I left France thinking that here the 'takeover' Michael is rightly referring to would never take place...well 14 years down the line and the word Christmas is banned in some Boroughs, nativity plays are no longer PC and generally speaking as far as freedom is concerned some groups seem to have more rights than others! for an atheist like me all this violence, anger, fight for control, killing, terror, and constant complaining on the ground of religious is so offensive... but nobody cares about that!- Nathalie, Putney, London, 11/02/2010 14:38Report abuse
Religious tolerance and respect for others beliefs should be equal across the board. This is ridiculous and discriminates against non Muslims.- Rachel, Stratford, London, 11/02/2010 14:38Report abuse
What time do these "evening" meetings finish? I thought that eating was OK after sunset during Ramadan.- Bj, London, 11/02/2010 14:38Report abuse
Perhaps there are some councillors whose religion dictates that fasting is offensive, in which case presumably an email will be sent round instructing all councillors to eat during meetings otherwise it would be offensive. There may be some councillors whose religion dictates that they should stand on their heads, so at all meetings councillors must stand on their heads otherwise it would be offensive. Who was the idiot that dreamed up that batty notion - multiculturalism?- Im Archer, Alton, England, 11/02/2010 14:38Report abuse
What do you expect in Londonstan?- David Cohen, Stamford Hill, 11/02/2010 14:38Report abuse
Can we choose "Irish coffee" with "black-forest pastries"? Anyways traces of alcohol present in both products make them non-consumable product for Muslims. And look at the best part, spineless British politicians and 'sensitive' Muslims will not have to bothered with what un-believers are eating, as that's not what believers eat. In-fact the presence of alcohol will kill hunger of those believers, thus assuring that fast will not be broken by those drama"s... Just tell me, on which department should I send the bill's of choosing special meals, instead of tea and sandwich..- Puneet Madaan, Germany, 11/02/2010 14:38Report abuse
This story has to have been made up. Surely no council, councillor, or council official is quite stupid enough to have made such a request.- Warren Alexander, London, UK, 11/02/2010 14:38Report abuse
Here we go again - Muslims trying to overlay political Islam on basic politics. They fail to realise that they live in a secular Country where politics and religion are conducted separately. Mr Lutfur Rahman should aquaint himself with the customs of the Country in which he has decided to reside - and if he doesn't like them - try some other (preferably Islamic) Country.- Alan, Essex, 11/02/2010 14:38Report abuse
More PC nonsense.- Dave, London, 11/02/2010 14:38Report abuse
Damn cheek Too many concessions to this very demanding group. Perhaps they should abstain from attending the meeting because they will be unable to make useful contributions for much of them due to lack of nourishment. Why is it such an issue now? I think the more power this particular group gets the more it imposes its views and beliefs on others. I don't agree with this at all. Why should the meetings be extended for all participants to give the Muslims a long meal break and prayer breaks? that will add at least an hour to the proceedings for everyone.- Michele S, staffordshire, UK, 11/02/2010 14:38Report abuse
I don't understand why leftists are virulently ant-Christian and relentlessly attack British cultural norms in the name of diversity, but then go out of their way to accommodate an anti-freedom/anti-diversity ideology like Islam. It seems to me they are self hating and are tying to take everyone else down with them.- Glenn, California, USA, 11/02/2010 14:38Report abuse
It's too late to reverse the trend towards sSharia law. Your great granddaughters will be forced to wear the full baloney. I'm leaving this god ridden land in a couple of years.- Pete, Luton, UK, 11/02/2010 14:38Report abuse
I pity the souls where leadership is so lacking that the primative and violent superstition called Islam is given such room to expand into their midst. We in America are watching you, as you are our caged coal mine canary. Personally, I figure America is about 5-10 years behind Europe in its submission to dhimmi status. Maybe somewhere along the line a leader with some stones will stand up and push back. First, of course, the free world will somehow have to stop the flood of dollars, pound sterling, franks, etc. into the hands of the Saudi financiers of jihad. As for blame in the United States, we can look to every administration and congress since Nixon for allowing this monetary rape to get only worse through the years which is truly criminal. Even now, "W" only holds hands with the people that would kill us all and no steps are taken toward oil independence.- Pop Seak, slidell, la. USA, 11/02/2010 14:38Report abuse
Even though it may seem that the Brits are beginning to finally wake up, I do not believe that it is too late. It will be a tough fight, but it will be worth it in the end if England can once again, be England. Then maybe France, Germany, Denmark, Finland and any other country that is facing this threat will once again be THEIR country and not a desert country.- D, florida, 11/02/2010 14:38Report abuse
The world has gone mad, how dare these people inflict their weird views on everyone else, if they want to fast they can without expecting others to do the same. The same thing is happening here in Australia, they have come here and tried to stop us from having Christmas and things like that, if they want to be Muslims why don't they stay in their own country and do it.- Jane, Melbourne, 11/02/2010 14:38Report abuse
Enough appeasement please. No man escapes when freedom fails. The best men rot in filthy jails While those who cried 'Appease, appease!' Are hung by those they tried to please".~~ Horace Mann- Mariam Abdelmassih, liverpool, 11/02/2010 14:38Report abuse
Did any of you think what exactly means Ramadan ? and why Muslims are fasting? There are 12 months every year and we are fasting only for one month to feel with the poor people round the world. To appreciate what we have and thank God for it. If the guy who wasfasting all the day not eating or drinking any thing and the time of breking his fast comes so we just say no, this a discremnation, because you are muslim and why Jews and Christians dont have the same treatment? Are they have the same relgious ways, why we have a narrow minds? Grown up and be more logic before you right any thing doesn't have any sense at all. I beleive fasting is exist on other relgions too, asking for 45 minuts to pray and break the fast is not the end of the world, I think there are other important thing to really be bothered by.- Tr, B, Sw, 11/02/2010 14:38Report abuse
I think it's time that Mr Rahman and his deputy took stock and remembered that they live in a Christian country that has given freedom to people of other faiths and cultures to live their lives without restriction. I lived in a Muslim country for 6 years where the same freedoms were most definitely not given to other faiths, with Christians being under threat of arrest and deportation for talking to Muslims openly about their faith and the building of places of worship being heavily restricted. However, I willingly abided by those rules and restrictions because it was my choice to live there. Why is it that certain individuals from other faiths and cultures who choose to live in the UK cannot have the same courtesy? Mr Rahman also needs to think again about what Ramadan is really about and reflect that it is most certainly not about bending others to your will.- Maria Ziolkowski, London, United Kingdom, 11/02/2010 14:38Report abuse

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