On the 20th of March 2003, an illegal Anglo-American invasion against the people of Iraq was launched. The United Kingdom decided to follow its senior partner, the United States of America headlong into an invasion of Iraq, flouting all international laws and conventions in the process. As the war machine oiled its gears, our Prime Minister, Tony Blair told us that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction that could be ready within 45 minutes.

In the last election some of the MPACUK team went to Blackburn to ask Muslims not to vote for Jack Straw, a pro Israeli, pro war then foreign secretary. We were unbelievably opposed by Mosque leaders in the area who told the Muslims to carry on voting for Straw, because he served local Muslims' interests. "We are putting the interests of the Muslim community in the UK first and foremost and I don't have any shame in saying that".

AN interfaith open day is being held at a Bolton Mosque later this month. The event, which takes place at the Zakariyya Central Mosque in Peace Street, has been organised by Bolton Interfaith Council, in partnership with Bolton Council of Mosques. It will include a tour of the mosque, led by Imam Rashid Musa and discussion on the topic: "What does it mean to be British and what does it mean to you?" including guest speakers.

THE men behind a controversial mosque plan have launched their own radio show to give residents the chance to speak out over local issues. Farouk Hussain and Sheraz Arshad were the driving force behind the Clitheroe mosque scheme, which finally resulted in plans for an inter-faith community centre being approved by Ribble Valley Council in December.

A second alleged bomber in the July 21 failed London attacks said he used a harmless device to only protest against the plight of Muslims everywhere, especially in Iraq, reported The Independent on Saturday, March 17.  Appearing before the Woolwich Crown Court in southeast London, Muktar Said Ibrahim admitted making the devices used in the failed suicide plot to blow up commuters on London transport on July 21, 2005.

We would like to invite all readers of the MPACUK website to an online interview where you can put forward your questions to Richard Kuper, from Jews for Justice for Palestine. Richard Kuper is the Chair of Jews for Justice for Palestine. Jews for Justice for Palestinians is a Jewish organisation that is in the forefront of the struggle, with others, for a just solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Questions Must Be Submitted (Registration Needed) By 19th March

A WOLDS vicar has penned a controversial column warning local Christians about the rise of Islam. The Rev Tony Kidd, vicar of the Beacon Benefice which includes Burton Agnes with Harpham, Lowthorpe and Ruston Parva, has spoken out in the latest issue of The Parish Magazine which is circulated throughout the Driffield area.

Timothy Garton-Ash is obviously right in his assertion that "what has characterised the Muslim world throughout history is the great diversity of what Muslims say and do under the banner of Islam." One could even afford a smile, if it was not so worrying, that this idea, considered self-evident for any other ethnic or religious group, is proclaimed as if a groundbreaking discovery. What it shows, yet again, is that when it comes to issues related to Islam and Muslims, the world has gone slightly mad.

A new sanctions package designed to put pressure on Iran over its nuclear programme has been agreed by the six countries handling the issue at the UN. The British ambassador immediately sent the draft to the 10 non-permanent Security Council members, who have not been included in the negotiations. The package includes an arms embargo and economic penalties.