Racism Rife Against A Muslim Family Playing Chess For England
mswithacause | 08.08.2012 01:26 | Anti-racism | Culture | Education | World
The father of 3 children playing chess for England in Austria has made an appeal for support due to racism encountered by his family at the hands of England's chess delegation team. ‘I would be grateful if you could find the time to email the Director of Junior Chess & Education of the ECF, (
director.juniorchess@englishchess.org.uk) Phil Ehr and support my contention that the Watleys & Weavers should be sent home.'
director.juniorchess@englishchess.org.uk) Phil Ehr and support my contention that the Watleys & Weavers should be sent home.'
From Right to left - Ibrahim, Yousuf & Ieysaa Bin-Suhayl pictured at their home
The children with their mother and youngest brother at their home in Cambridge.
Yousuf, Ibraheem and Ieysaa bin-Suhayl (aged 13, 10 and 7 years respectively) from Cambridgeshire are representing England in chess, at the European Union Youth Championships in Austria. The Championship commenced in Mureck on 31st July and ends on 8th August 2012. The brothers accompanied by their mother have travelled to Austria upon receiving an invitation by the English Chess Federation (ECF).
Last week, the children’s father Sohale, raised his concerns to Phil Ehr, Director of Junior Chess and Education of the ECF about the racist behaviour and treatment of his wife and son’s in Mureck, by other members of the England chess delegation. Today, due to an escalation of the situation and his concerns for the safety of his family, Sohale has made his appeal public and wrote: ‘Unfortunately, other members of the England team have taken a violent dislike to this Muslim contingent. The boys aged 13, 10 and 7 have not been provided halaal food and were expected to eat cold boiled eggs and bits of bread. They have had to ask their coach not to drink alcohol while teaching them chess and they have had to sit segregated from the rest of the England contingent because the delegation is unwilling to give up alcohol. Matters have been so stressed that my wife has been publically spat at, sworn at and physically abused by members of the English delegation called Watley and Weaver.‘
Sohale was unable to accompany his wife and children to the Championship due to child care needs of their younger two children at home. Sohale's wife Tomasina wears a headscarf and both herself and Yousuf are observing the month of Ramadan whilst in Mureck. The intimidation and harassment against this Muslim family appears to have started at the onset of this championship. Sohale confirmed he has been emailing Phil Ehr alerting him to his concerns about the circumstances, welfare and treatment of his family in Mureck. Phil has responded generally with disregard to his concerns, advising that he will wait until after the tournament is over to investigate them.
Sohale's concerns for the welfare of his wife and children in Mureck have fallen upon deaf ears. The failure by Phil Ehr to act has enabled the situation to escalate. This evening having spoken to his wife, Sohale confirmed, ‘the head of delegation, Dave Regis, advised the Muslim family not to return to their hotel because he was worried for their safety in light of physical threats being made against the Muslim family and in particular against 13 year-old Yousuf. The Muslim family had to be escorted back to their hotel by the Austrian police.’
Sohale explains, ‘I have repeatedly communicated with the English Chess Federation (ECF) to take action for the security of my family, but in vain. The ECF should ban the culprits from the delegation and send them home as they have brought shame to the nation at a time when England is hosting the whole world for the Olympic Games.’
Sohale has asked for your support, ‘I would be grateful if you could find the time to email ( director.juniorchess@englishchess.org.uk) the Director of Junior Chess and Education of the ECF, Phil Ehr, and support my contention that the Watleys and Weavers should be sent home in disgrace. Alternatively, if you do not agree you may give him your opinion of the correct course of action.’
Speaking to Sohale today about how these events are impacting upon his children trying to compete in the championships he replied, “Ieysaa is doing well and currently leading the tournament, he is a wonder child in Chess. The pressures are certainly impacting upon Yousuf (the eldest); he has had to stand up to defend his mother against abuse from members of the England Delegation”. Sohale confirmed that his family are the only ethnic minority team participating for the England team. Sohale said, “The ECF should be ashamed of themselves. Chess is a game where ethnic minorities in the UK are disproportionately over represented. The ECF has no diversity policy or training to provide the correct provisions for ethnic minorities. They are completely out of touch in contrast to other sporting organisations in the UK."
Assalamualaikum, peace be upon you
mswithacause
http://mswithacause.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/racism-rife-against-muslim-family.html
Last week, the children’s father Sohale, raised his concerns to Phil Ehr, Director of Junior Chess and Education of the ECF about the racist behaviour and treatment of his wife and son’s in Mureck, by other members of the England chess delegation. Today, due to an escalation of the situation and his concerns for the safety of his family, Sohale has made his appeal public and wrote: ‘Unfortunately, other members of the England team have taken a violent dislike to this Muslim contingent. The boys aged 13, 10 and 7 have not been provided halaal food and were expected to eat cold boiled eggs and bits of bread. They have had to ask their coach not to drink alcohol while teaching them chess and they have had to sit segregated from the rest of the England contingent because the delegation is unwilling to give up alcohol. Matters have been so stressed that my wife has been publically spat at, sworn at and physically abused by members of the English delegation called Watley and Weaver.‘
Sohale was unable to accompany his wife and children to the Championship due to child care needs of their younger two children at home. Sohale's wife Tomasina wears a headscarf and both herself and Yousuf are observing the month of Ramadan whilst in Mureck. The intimidation and harassment against this Muslim family appears to have started at the onset of this championship. Sohale confirmed he has been emailing Phil Ehr alerting him to his concerns about the circumstances, welfare and treatment of his family in Mureck. Phil has responded generally with disregard to his concerns, advising that he will wait until after the tournament is over to investigate them.
Sohale's concerns for the welfare of his wife and children in Mureck have fallen upon deaf ears. The failure by Phil Ehr to act has enabled the situation to escalate. This evening having spoken to his wife, Sohale confirmed, ‘the head of delegation, Dave Regis, advised the Muslim family not to return to their hotel because he was worried for their safety in light of physical threats being made against the Muslim family and in particular against 13 year-old Yousuf. The Muslim family had to be escorted back to their hotel by the Austrian police.’
Sohale explains, ‘I have repeatedly communicated with the English Chess Federation (ECF) to take action for the security of my family, but in vain. The ECF should ban the culprits from the delegation and send them home as they have brought shame to the nation at a time when England is hosting the whole world for the Olympic Games.’
Sohale has asked for your support, ‘I would be grateful if you could find the time to email (
director.juniorchess@englishchess.org.uk) the Director of Junior Chess and Education of the ECF, Phil Ehr, and support my contention that the Watleys and Weavers should be sent home in disgrace. Alternatively, if you do not agree you may give him your opinion of the correct course of action.’ Speaking to Sohale today about how these events are impacting upon his children trying to compete in the championships he replied, “Ieysaa is doing well and currently leading the tournament, he is a wonder child in Chess. The pressures are certainly impacting upon Yousuf (the eldest); he has had to stand up to defend his mother against abuse from members of the England Delegation”. Sohale confirmed that his family are the only ethnic minority team participating for the England team. Sohale said, “The ECF should be ashamed of themselves. Chess is a game where ethnic minorities in the UK are disproportionately over represented. The ECF has no diversity policy or training to provide the correct provisions for ethnic minorities. They are completely out of touch in contrast to other sporting organisations in the UK."
Assalamualaikum, peace be upon you
mswithacause
http://mswithacause.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/racism-rife-against-muslim-family.html
mswithacause
Comments
Hide 24 hidden comments or hide all comments
Not everyone is a Muslim
08.08.2012 05:52
Live and let live
Racism
08.08.2012 09:33
Clearly the mother and father are religious (it is impossible for the children to be as they are too young to make an informed decision concerning faith). Their religion requires them to follow certain rules however they seem determined to force others of different or no religion to follow those same rules and are upset because they can't get their own way.
Bobby Fisher
Racism
08.08.2012 10:04
Surely those who want to drink it can whilst those who do not can just not without there bring segregation.
Dan Factor
Islam and alcohol
08.08.2012 10:34
In the first verse cited above, the word for "intoxicated" is sukara which is derived from the word "sugar" and means drunk or intoxicated. That verse doesn't mention the drink which makes one so. In the next verses cited, the word which is often translated as "wine" or "intoxicants" is al-khamr, which is related to the verb "to ferment." This word could be used to describe other intoxicants such as beer, although wine is the most common understanding of the word.
Muslims interpret these verses in total to forbid any intoxicating substance -- whether it be wine, beer, gin, whiskey, or whatever. The result is the same, and the Qur'an outlines that it is the intoxication, which makes one forgetful of God and prayer, which is harmful. Over the years, the list of intoxicating substances has come to include more modern street drugs and the like.
The Prophet Muhammad also instructed his followers, at the time, to avoid any intoxicating substances -- (paraphrased) "if it intoxicates in a large amount, it is forbidden even in a small amount." For this reason, most observant Muslims avoid alcohol in any form, even small amounts that are sometimes used in cooking.
Even being near alcohol is offensive for Muslims and to fail to understand that is both offensive and racist. This family deserves an apology and compensation for how they have suffered at the hands of these followers of 'Isa.
Muslim support network
Muslims should accept no-muslims drink alcohol
08.08.2012 11:23
Racism is when a person discriminates against another because of their skin colour - it has nothing to do with someone trying to impose their religious views on non-believers.
atheist
Why are Muslims so powerless and quick to accuse others?
08.08.2012 12:04
Here is why: There are 57 member-countries of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), and all of them put together have around 500 universities; one university for every three million Muslims. The United States has 5,758 universities (1 for every 57,000 Americans) and India has 8,407. In 2004, Shanghai Jiao Tong University compiled an 'Academic Ranking of World Universities', and intriguingly, not one university from Muslim-majority states was in the top 500.
As per data collected by the UNDP, literacy in the Christian world stands at nearly 90 per cent and 15 Christian-majority states have a literacy rate of 100 per cent. A Muslim-majority state, as a sharp contrast, has an average literacy rate of around 40 per cent and there is no Muslim-majority state with a literacy rate of 100 per cent. Some 98 per cent of the 'literates' in the Christian world had completed primary school, while less than 50 per cent of the 'literates' in the Muslim world did the same. Around 40 per cent of the 'literates' in the Christian world attended university while no more than two per cent of the 'literates' in the Muslim world did the same.
Muslim-majority countries have 230 scientists per one million Muslims. The U.S. has 4,000 scientists per million and Japan has 5,000 per million. In the entire Arab world, the total number of full-time researchers is 35,000 and there are only 50 technicians per one million Arabs (in the Christian world there are up to 1,000 technicians per one million). Furthermore, the Muslim world spends 0.2 per cent of its GDP on research and development, while the Christian world spends around five per cent of its GDP.
Conclusion: The Muslim world lacks the capacity to produce knowledge.
Daily newspapers per 1,000 people and number of book titles per million are two indicators of whether knowledge is being diffused in a society. In Pakistan, there are 23 daily newspapers per 1,000 Pakistanis while the same ratio in Singapore is 360. In the UK, the number of book titles per million stands at 2,000 while the same in Egypt is 20.
Conclusion: The Muslim world is failing to diffuse knowledge.
Exports of high technology products as a percentage of total exports are an important indicator of knowledge application. Pakistan's exports of high technology products as a percentage of total exports stands at one per cent. The same for Saudi Arabia, Kuwait , Morocco , and Algeria (are all at 0.3 per cent) while Singapore is at 58 per cent.
Conclusion: The Muslim world is failing to apply knowledge.
Why are Muslims powerless?
Because we aren't producing knowledge.
Why are Muslims powerless?
Because we aren't diffusing knowledge.
Why are Muslims powerless?
Because we aren't applying knowledge.
And, the future belongs to knowledge-based societies.
Interestingly, the combined annual GDP of 57 OIC-countries is under $2 trillion. America, just by herself, produces goods and services worth $12 trillion; China - $8 trillion, Japan - $3.8 trillion and Germany - $2.4 trillion (purchasing power parity basis).
Oil rich Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait and Qatar collectively produce goods and services (mostly oil) worth $500 billion; Spain alone produces goods and services worth over $1 trillion; Catholic Poland - $489 billion and Buddhist Thailand - $545 billion. Muslim GDP, as a percentage of worlds GDP, is fast declining.
So, why are Muslims so powerless?
Answer: Lack of education!
All we do is shouting to Allah the whole day and blame everyone else for our multiple failures.
Reformed Muslim
We have an obligation to guide you to God
08.08.2012 14:18
08.08.2012 11:23
If Muslims not believe in drinking then fine - but shouldn't try and impose their beliefs on others. "
Not drinking is a rule given to us by God, when you drink you break God's holy law so we must do all we can to save you. Submit now to the word of God, read the teachings of his Prophets and most importantly of all,
"I testify that there is none worthy of worship except God, and I testify that Muhammad (sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam) is a Messenger of God"
Muslim
youboughtitonyerself
08.08.2012 14:54
i smiled
"Not drinking is a rule given to us by God"
08.08.2012 15:11
Was there a meeting I was supposed to attend, an email that got stuck in my spam filter, perhaps a phone call while I was in the shower ?
I would hate to think that anybody is living their lives based on some fairy story that they heard about from an old man who has a financial interest in them believing it.
Stella Artois
Just troll try-hards.
08.08.2012 15:26
The person who posted this is a racist, the comments which follow are posted by racists.
Nothing to see here, move along.
Essex scum
"Not drinking is a rule given to us by God"
08.08.2012 15:27
Where were you ? There was all sorts of fuss, new rules for everyone, I'll give you the quick highlights
No booze - not sure why but he was very insistent.
Women have to have scarves on their head - again bit sketchy as to why but not our place to question the main man is it ?
Praying to him five times a day - seems a bit demanding and unessesary for an omnipresent all seeing individual but perhaps he just needs the reassurance (difficult childhood maybe)
No pork - can't imagine what anybody has against a bacon sandwich but there you go thems the rules now.
Make a trip to Saudi Arabia and throw stones at a black rock - We think he might have been stoned when he laid out this one or possibly he was just taking the piss.
Loyal subject of the great pasta in the sky
Other religions are available
08.08.2012 15:33
Finding life a pain because of the demands of your 'God"
Looking for an easier path to salvation ?
Keeping the options open
The emptiness of it all!
08.08.2012 16:15
You can drink booze if you want to...you can take drugs if you want to. Its your choice and the damage you do to yourself is yours too.
"Women have to have scarves on their head - again bit sketchy as to why but not our place to question the main man is it ?"
Thats exactly it. Its not your place fella. Who trusts the word of a drunk!
"Praying to him five times a day - seems a bit demanding and unessesary for an omnipresent all seeing individual but perhaps he just needs the reassurance (difficult childhood maybe)"
Are you talking about God or something else? Yourself maybe!
"No pork - can't imagine what anybody has against a bacon sandwich but there you go thems the rules now."
Why would you care about the harm pork does to you when you are busy pickling your brain in alcohol?
"Make a trip to Saudi Arabia and throw stones at a black rock - We think he might have been stoned when he laid out this one or possibly he was just taking the piss."
We you say? Who's we?
In this life you have God...or you have nothing. You have nothing and your smearing is based on nothing. When you die only then will you see the empty life you have lived displayed in full colour before your eyes. Only then will you understand what price you have paid for your atheism.
The death of an atheist...is indeed a miserable thing.
May God forgive you.
An Englishman in New York.
Not racism
08.08.2012 16:29
Antifascist
Muslim Support Network
08.08.2012 18:10
So is it offensive to Muslims who live near and off licence or a pub?
I do not see how I am being racist by suggesting people should be forced to not drink alcohol because some people of a particular religion object. I would say the same if it were Christians demanding such a thing.
Muslim Support Network do you believe non Muslims should have to adhere to Muslims religious beliefs if they are in their company and to not do so is racist?
Dan Factor
You are all wrong.
08.08.2012 21:04
There are lots of different races that follow any given religion. Therefore, it is impossible to commit racism against a group that is NOT a race. As for the law there are two very specific ones dealing with race and religious hatred.
So that leaves relious hatred and it is hardly hateful to say that if you decide not to drink alcohol on that is your rite as it is mine to drink if I wish to.
The Veritas
Selective complaining
08.08.2012 23:06
"Matters have been so stressed that my wife has been publically spat at, sworn at and physically abused by members of the English delegation called Watley and Weaver"
If the above has happened as a result of anti-Muslim sentiment, or dare I say it, "Islamophobia", then it is a hate crime, no matter what. People so far have seemed to focus on the alcohol aspect, and not the fact that those who are representing their country are having family members spat at and physically abused. If this is acceptable, I wonder if some of the commentators above wouldn't mind others spitting at, swearing at, or physically abusing their wives, daughters or mothers.
“The ECF should be ashamed of themselves. Chess is a game where ethnic minorities in the UK are disproportionately over represented. The ECF has no diversity policy or training to provide the correct provisions for ethnic minorities. They are completely out of touch in contrast to other sporting organisations in the UK."
As a national sporting body, the ECF needs to bring itself in line with other UK sporting bodies to provide a tolerant and inclusive atmosphere for everyone to play in. Education is the key to this, and from most of the comments above, something clearly lacking in this conversation...
The One who reads the WHOLE article
In reply to Dan Factor
09.08.2012 07:55
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The answer is yes and as Muslims we are surprised that people find this so difficult to understand. Islam gets so little respect in this country. We are working toward the day when the UK is a Muslim nation with all the joy that comes with that.
Muslim support network
Suspect
09.08.2012 09:53
Atheist
More suspect
09.08.2012 10:28
I don’t find this statement credible, and even if it is true it in no way amounts to racism.
“they have had to sit segregated from the rest of the England contingent because the delegation is unwilling to give up alcohol.”
In other words, their mother has sat them apart from the rest of the supposedly hard-boozing England children’s chess team because she thinks she has the right to demand what they eat and drink.
“Matters have been so stressed that my wife has been publically spat at, sworn at and physically abused by members of the English delegation called Watley and Weaver.‘”
If this is accurately reported here, it’s appalling, but strange that there have been no arrests or that there are no reports of it ANYWHERE else.
“The intimidation and harassment against this Muslim family appears to have started at the onset of this championship.”
No details?
“This evening having spoken to his wife, Sohale confirmed, ‘the head of delegation, Dave Regis, advised the Muslim family not to return to their hotel because he was worried for their safety in light of physical threats being made against the Muslim family and in particular against 13 year-old Yousuf. The Muslim family had to be escorted back to their hotel by the Austrian police.”
And there is nothing about this ANYWHERE in the mainstream press? Nor any form of statement that I can find from the English Chess Federation?
Atheist
Total fabrication, please remove from your web site.
09.08.2012 12:36
The ECF rejects all forms of racism and is committed to all people equally.
I can be contacted on 01785 242269 to confirm any part of this.
Lawrence Cooper - Director of International Chess - The English Chess Federation
e-mail:
director.international@englishchess.org.uk
Oh me, oh my a troll, who'd have thought it.....
09.08.2012 13:41
Lawrence Cooper - Director of International Chess - The English Chess Federation
ECF Grading Database
Player: Bin-Suhayl, Ieysaa
Playing for England and the English Chess Federation, from 31st July to 9th August in Mureck, Austria –
Under 8 – Ieysaa bin-Suhayl
Under 10 – Tess Weaver
Under 12 – Theo Slade & Ibraheem bin-Suhayl
Under 14 – Lauren Weaver & Yousuf bin-Suhayl
Coaches – Dave Regis & Tom Rendle
International Round-Up – from Lawrence Cooper
EU Youth Championship Mureck, Austria 31st July -9th August 2012
[web 1 | 2 | 3]
Scores after four rounds:
Under 8 – Ieysaa bin-Suhayl 3, Under 10 – Tess Weaver 1, Under 12 – Theo Slade 2.5 & Ibraheem bin-Suhayl 0.5, Under 14 – Stephen Whatley 2.5, Lauren Weaver & Yousuf bin-Suhayl 1.5.
Coaches – Dave Regis & Tom Rendle.
bishop takes porn
Unsurprising
09.08.2012 14:10
Antifascist
Cheap shot at people of religion
09.08.2012 15:51
YOU'RE ALL FUCKING IDIOTS!
Nod
One of the violent people named is under ten!
09.08.2012 19:31
Is Indymedia really a place where disputes between children, even if they are allegedly racist or violent, should be discussed?
Is it also right to put forward allegation against children without giving the children involved a right to reply?
Finally, is it right to name and shame the children involved?
This also put's into context the alleged racism and violence. This basically boils down to the fact that there is no Halal food, people drink and refuse to stop drinking and two children (one of whom is under ten) have been unpleasent and possibly violent towards other children.
To ask activists to get involved and start an internet campiagn alleging racism onthis basis is not only illogical but also extremely oppresive and abusive towards ALL the children involved.
Pawn
Agree Pawn
09.08.2012 20:57
Prawn
Further Developments - Child Chess Player Attacked at EU Championship
09.08.2012 23:46
mswithacause
'Muslims with a cause'
10.08.2012 07:15
Sceptic
What the hell are you thinking you morons?
10.08.2012 08:09
Long-time IM user
Religion, what a joke
10.08.2012 08:49
What's even worse is parents indoctrinating their children with these fairy stories and even inflicting pain upon them with genital mutilation for 'religious' reasons.
In any other circumstances religious education would be child abuse. Imagine the reaction to someone who told their children that five times a day they had to life one leg and bark at a clothes line and yet we tell them lies like wafer into flesh, 'God' is watching you, taking a trip to Mecca will get you into Paradise and growing your hair into curls is an instruction from a man in the sky.
I'm sick to death of hearing how we should "respect all faiths" - why ? We should be openly laughing at people of faith and educating them to their stupidity.
Atheist and bloody proud of it
Atheism, what a joke.
10.08.2012 10:06
Well Thats what YOU should be doing because you're not much good for anything.
For the rest of us its simply a question of numbers. The numbers of atheists in this world is minuscule compared to those of faith so if you want to laugh at those who believe in God then you fail to something close to a 100% standard.
Why would we all want to follow the advice of somebody who by definition will achieve nothing because he does not recognise the basic reality of the world around him?
No, atheists are good for nothing. Too arrogant and self obsessed to be of any use at all.
Effective campaigner.
@ Effective campaigner.
10.08.2012 10:11
Why not try thinking for yourself ?
Atheist and bloody proud of it
A chessplayer writes
10.08.2012 11:51
As far as the alcohol allegation is concerned, unless I misunderstand it's been made against the coach, not the children. I'd also assume it's against Tom Rendle rather than Dave Regis.
ejh
e-mail:
libraryjustin@yahoo.co.uk
Homepage:
http://streathambrixtonchess.blogspot.com
@ajh
10.08.2012 11:56
bishop takes porn
Thanks
10.08.2012 12:46
Odd. (Though no more odd than hidden comments being viewable - what's that about? I'm not a regular here...)
ejh
e-mail:
libraryjustin@yahoo.co.uk
Homepage:
http://streathambrixtonchess.blogspot.com
From the ECF...
10.08.2012 15:19
IM Jack Rudd
ECF non-Executive Director
Jack Rudd
e-mail:
jackkelshallrudd@aol.com
The true story
11.08.2012 12:50
Boys U8
Gold: Daniils Horobrijs (Latvia)
Silver: Flavius-Gabriel Stroe (Romania)
Bronze: Ieysaa Bin-Suhayl (England)
David
Congrats
13.08.2012 19:50
I'll be drinking a pint in his honour tonight: cheers!!
Spoddy chesster
Updates on Story - Racism at the EU Youth Chess Championship
14.08.2012 20:51
Press Releases
mswithacause
Story has gone national
15.08.2012 03:14
I noticed this story has now been picked up by the national press.
It is also on the telegraph website.
The independent article states that the uk police will be starting to take statements later today
Nasir Rizvi
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