Kaz wrote:I have seen numerous condemnations of the atrocity by Muslim community leaders
Sorry Kaz, I no longer believe those condemnations are sincere. I do not trust them. They are as much a kneejerk reaction to the bombing as Andy Burnham's "I Love Manchester" fest. Neither of them do anything to help us beat these terrorists.
The bomber frequented a mosque in the Didsbury area, I have seen it reported. The Imam there used a Friday prayer session to condemn the teachings of ISIS. The bomber took exception to this, quite publically apparently, ("he showed me a face of hate"), and moved to another mosque in Manchester where they preached a more radical line.
1. Did the first Imam report the bomber to the authorities? If not, why not?
2. Is the other mosque in Manchester still operating? If so, why has it not been closed?
3. The bomber was well known locally for fervent and public street-praying, and displaying foreign flags. Did the community report him. If not, why not?
My view is that the authorities are too tolerant of the Moslem community in our midst. They should make this community integrate and accept British values, or leave - no ifs, no buts.
And a couple of telling questions for the security services whilst we're at it:
4. The bomber flew out to Libya and then returned. If he was known to the security services, why was he not apprehended and interred on his return to Manchester Airport?
5. The bomber's family have been reported as militants, (although it is now being said that they were concerned about their son's radicalisation). They (certainly the mother, it has also been reported) left the country late 2016 leaving their two sons here. Did that not raise huge questions with the security services?
I think we need some answers to the above.
Like you, Kaz, both Mrs O and I worked in Birmingham during the IRA bombings. We can both relate stories about bombings in the city. And yes, like you, we carried on, and did our bit. But at the same time, I feel nothing but anger and contempt for terrorists and apologists for terrorists, whatever ideology they purport to represent. And I now want the authorities to get a grip and act.