"This has totally changed what I have learned about this country and my time here," 

"They are clearly identifying Muslim students. It's a big insult …The first thing I will do is leave this country as soon as possible. The police officer said your country [Pakistan] is not secure but I still prefer to live there. I love my country."

Pakistani student Muhammad Adil describes ordeal after arrest at gunpoint at Liverpool John Moores University

Sadiq Khan says US foreign policy on Pakistan is damaging Britain

Similar allegations were made six years ago when young muslim men were arrested in Longsight. Charged under Anti Terror Laws the lead story in the media then was that 'muslims were out to bomb the Manchester United match'. Turned out that these youth were fans with shirts and tickets to the game. They were later released without charge.

Last month drivers from Blackburn were stopped and arrested taking humanitarian aid to Gaza as part of the Viva Palestina! convoy. The lead story in the media then was that 'muslim men driving buses' had been 'charged under anti terror legislation'. This was the only coverage about the convoy full of aid raised for Gaza from across the region. All were later released with out charge.

It has been revealed that MI5 have been involved in torture and rendition of Muslim men.

"There is a pattern here. Muslims are being scapegoated. They are presumed guilty before any charges are made, no trial having taken place. It is as if they are Muslim so they must be guilty! The press repeat stories planted by unnamed 'sources' in the media. We have seen this all happen before, with the Irish in Britain, with the Jews in Germany.

Islamophobia is being used to help justify the escalation of an unpopular war in Afghanistan, to pave the way for further US attacks on Pakistan. Stop the War will always stand together with our Muslim brothers and sisters against racist Islamophobia".

Mark Krantz convener GM STWC

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