For The Few Who've Been Following

[Annie]

England

The Bulletin


Saturday, July 16, 2005
THEY'LL PROBABLY PROMOTE HIM

Guardian trainee Dilpazier Aslam—whose defence of Muslim sassiness is reprinted in today’s Melbourne Age—maintains a range of interests outside of journalism, prompting this email from Scott Burgess to the Guardian’s op-ed editor:

As you may be aware, there’s been a bit of a stir raised by “sassy” Guardian trainee Dilpazier Aslam and his article published Wednesday.

Apparently, Mr. Aslam is, or was until very recently, a member of Hizb Ut Tahrir - an organisation which, according to the BBC, “promotes racism and anti-Semitic hatred, calls suicide bombers martyrs, and urges Muslims to kill Jewish people."

My readers are interested in knowing whether Guardian newspapers were aware of Mr. Aslam’s affiliations before he was hired.

If so, one wonders whether it is standard Guardian policy to employ members of extremist organisations like Hizb Ut Tahrir (which was described in a Guardian article of November 11, 2004 as “Britain’s most radical Islamic group"). The question is raised as to whether you would hire, and provide a forum for, a known member of an international group of right-wing extremists who expressed similar views.

If not, one wonders first about your screening procedures, and secondly whether Mr. Aslam will remain employed by the Guardian now that you are aware of his affiliations.

Thanks very much for your attention.

Another Guardian trainee, David Foulkes, died in the Edgware Road blast. Observes Tim Worstall: “Must be difficult being an apologist for those who have killed your co-worker.”

UPDATE. Must-read: Burgess reviews The Independent’s powerful attempt to out-appease The Guardian. It’s a clash of appeasement titans!

Posted by Tim B. on 07/16/2005 at 04:13 AM

http://timblair.net/ee/index.php/weblog/theyll_probably_promote_him/