Rod Liddle's description of "Somali Muslim savages" has been criticised by leading UK Muslims, as has his insinuation that the Left do not criticise extremism.
Rod Liddle’s description of “Somali Muslim savages” and the implication that British Muslims and the Left are uncritical of practices such as beheading, stoning and mutilation – and seek to silence such criticism – have been brushed aside by leading mainstream Muslims.
Maajid Nawaz, Director of the Quilliam Foundation, told Left Foot Forward:
“If it’s offensive, it’s offensive, and it should be criticised and we’ll criticise it – and we’ll get criticised for that. But the people criticising us are themselves the extremists.
“Where Rod Liddle gets into trouble is when putting this together with everything else.”
Liddle, who’s in the running to be the next editor of the Independent – which Left Foot Forward reported yesterday – had written in the Spectator on November 19:
“Time for a quick update on what the Muslim savages are up to. Here’s a story from today’s Daily Mail, with a cut-out-keep picture, of Somali Muslim savages stoning to a twenty year old woman for the crime of adultery.“
He concluded his article with a sarcastic sideswipe at Somalis:
“Incidentally, many Somalis have come to Britain as immigrants recently, where they are widely admired for their strong work ethic, respect for the law and keen, piercing, intelligence.”
And on Saturday, in a column on the now-abandoned Islam4Uk march through Wootton Bassett, he wrote:
“F*** off back to where you’re from, then, you Muslims.”
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43 Responses to “Latest Liddle outburst: “F*** off back to where you’re from, then, you Muslims.””
Adam Bell
Liddle didn’t say ‘minority of religious nutters’, though, which is rather the point. He specifically stated that muslims should go back to their countries of origin, without any distinction made between Islam4UK and moderate muslims. I’m sure you’re not proposing that, to give a hypothecated example, the nice Mr Sharif who runs the shop down the road (who prays five times a day but has never dreamt of stoning adulterous women in his life) should be forcibly expelled from the country.
I’m quite happy to agree that anyone who forces women to cover themselves up is a barbarian. I’m quite happy to agree that anyone who believes homosexual people should be executed is a savage. What I’m not prepared to agree with is that anyone who happens to be a member of a nation or religion should be blamed for the actions of any other member of that nation or religion. Liddle is. That’s why it’s acceptable to label him as a bigot.
To be honest though, I suspect this whole Liddle story may be an effort to boost the Independent’s flagging circulation, as it’s been going down the tube for some time now.
Shamik Das
Thanks for all your comments. Let me pick up on a couple of points. Balham Bugle, how would you describe Liddle’s comments if not racist or extreme? There’s no qualification to his remarks, he’s not even saying them in the heat of the moment – not that that would be any defence – he’s clearly thought about what he’s saying and is well aware of the overtones of what he’s said.
Anon, I don’t know any “normal decent people in this country” who would share the sentiments of the likes of Liddle and Nick Griffin. He’s using the language of the BNP, the old “f*** off back to where you’re from” language.
As for moderate Muslims and the Left not condemning barbarity, read again Maajid’s comments in the article. What Liddle and Griffin seek to do is tar all Muslims, and all Somalis with the same brush.
Anon E Mouse
Adam Bell – Agreed, especially the last bit on flagging circulation.
Shamik – I also don’t know anyone who would share the views of the BNP but we both know there are an awful lot of people who do – ask anyone with a BNP councillor or MEP.
Perhaps if Labour MP’s had spent more time acting on behalf of the people they claim they represent rather than pandering to minorities in this country in a bid to win votes we wouldn’t be in the mess we’re currently in.
It is an ugly aspect to Labour’s time in office that their pathetic attempts to slur anyone as a racist who objected to the ways changes in populations were forced on them resulted in the election of the BNP in this country.
Independent’s progressive credentials must be respected «
[…] as the website Left Foot Forward noted today, Liddle has continued to churn out shocking remarks, such as referring to “Somali savages”, and […]
Balham Bugle
Does anyone read people’s comment? For clarity, my comment questioned why a blog that claims to focus on policy and not individuals is running a story that focuses on individuals and not policy. I’m accusing LFF of not being true to its explicit stated goals.
The reason I’m not defending Liddle is that I have no interest in doing so. I don’t know the guy. I don’t read the Independent and whether Liddle is editor or not will make no difference to that; I’m happy with my current sources of news. I imagine those that are offended by Liddle find his writing offensive.
Tom – please look at the earlier (linked) story by Will Straw on this theme which did accuse him sexism, racism, etc.