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[purdey]

I will have some of this now it is warming up. Foreigners and the UK. The sixties seems to be a good starting point. We opened the doors, to countries we had pillaged for generations. The war and national service had taken many men out of the job market so we imported cheap labour, to do the jobs the English either didn't want or were to idle to do.
Our doors are still open to those who want to work (some don't) but for every immigrant that does not want to work there are five UK nationals who are still in bed.

[Feisty]

We still have the millions of jobs that the English don't want to do as well, the hotel industry being a prime example.
When the time comes that we introduce a workfare system whereby people have to do community work for their benefits we will see just how many work shy nationals there are.

[Bill]

You are quite correct Purdey ~ it's often a misconception that its the immigrants who are all on the dole when in fact it's our home grown that often abuse the system and exploit it to the maximum .

Stories of young girls wanting to get pregnant ( by anyone ) so they can have a regular income and accommodation are common place in most communities ~ Personally I can't see how they can manage but they obviously do .

Mind you there was a lot of publicity recently and supported with evidence that in particular immigrants from the western african states are quite cute with their multiple benefit books.

Bill

[Feisty]

The girls manage Bill because more often than not they have numerous scams on the side and probably the latest bloke living with them who's doing work for cash in hand and also claiming benefits.

[purdey]

Our system is rubbish Bill. We have no need for anyone to be on Benefit. As Feisty pointed out there is work for all, yes it may not suit everyones taste but it is work and it generates income.
If work dries up there are numerous projects that can be undertaken to tidy up the UK, and keep people out of bed. Scrap all benefits for those who are able to work, no freebies for anyone entering or living in the UK unless they are willing to work like the majority.

[Eliko]

As a non-Muslim who has had much contact with Islamic communities in many parts of the world (recently the U.K ) and having been invited to attend ceremonies on many occasions (accepted and participated in out of interest), I feel I may have some small qualification in making a point which is obvious to me.

One cannot help but admire the amount of true devotion clearly visible by those who attend the Mosque, the love and companionship that those of the faith display is entirely enviable.

Regardless of whether the Mosque be splendiferous or humble, the atmosphere always seems to lean toward the latter and one FEELS it.

In contrast, when one attends the services in such places as 'St Paul's Cathedral' 'Westminster Abbey' Canterbury Cathedral' and countless others, one immediately becomes aware of an imposed sense of 'AWE' by the magnificence of the building one is in, the atmosphere is NEVER comparable to that of the Mosque and one can FEEL it.

It may be a little harsh to describe those who worship in such historic surroundings as 'Hypocrites' but I make no apology for using the word , the society over which those lauded establishments preside, bears testimony to the truth of the matter.

If you ever feel the need to be sickened, think about Tony Blair's recent conversion to the Catholic faith, the absolutely fantastic beauty of St Peter's' in Rome and the fact that 'The Pope' did not physically kick his arse out of it for having the audacity to embrace the faith represented therein.

Apply the same format to most of the 'Dignitaries' of the world, the same brush has tarred them all.

I am NOT (as I stated) a Muslim, neither am I a particular believer in 'The Almighty' and therefore I feel it is wrong to condemn religious practices since one cannot be an expert on that which one has scant knowledge of, there are millions (if not billions) of people of various denominations in this world who have little else but their faiths to cling to, it would be a cruelty to deprive them of their rights to worship and even if we knew for sure that 'The Almighty' was non-existent, it should be kept secret from them.

I do not suggest that ALL who are not of the Islamic faith are 'Hypocrites', as an 'Outside Observer' I would hazzard a guess that 'Hypocrisy' is far more prevelant outside of the faith of Islam, than within it.

Perhaps there SHOULD be more Mosques, they may well serve as a redeemer to some of the un-Godly lot that post on this forum, MYSELF included of course.

[Feisty]

What an excellent post Eliko.

I am no follower of religion of any denomination but am a great respector of the Muslim faith in it's true form.

[Eliko]

What an excellent post Eliko.

I am no follower of religion of any denomination but am a great respector of the Muslim faith in it's true form.

Thank you for your kind appraisal Feisty, much appreciated since I oft have come under severe fire from the opposition when dealing with this particular subject (or those which skirt it) such a welcome change, thank you once again. Eliko.

[Feisty]

I always give praise where it's due Eliko and hope that I am mature and open minded enough to listen to opinions and even change mine where I am persuaded by a good logical argument. Not that it was needed in this case.
I used to be married to a Muslim man and while we are no longer together the reasons are nothing to do with his faith and his faith was never a problem between us (apart from when he was a bit testy during Ramadan).
Too often people react angrily through fear of the unknown or ignorance.

[tessintrnc]

Perhaps renovating a few deserted mosques in the South would be a good idea?

Most of them have been / are being renovated Tess ~ except for the more remote villages and even they have seen some improvement over the last few years ~ this is in stark contrast to what seems to be happening to the orthodox churches in the north .

There are certain things I'm not happy about in the south such as desecration of Turkish Cypriot graves but as the same happens to Greek Cypriot graves in the north I don't complain as it seems to be tit for tat even though it's unpleasant who ever is doing it .


Bill

I visited a restaurant in Lapithos yesterday and on the way we passed by a Church that had been recently whitewashed and there were also other things going on inside - lets hope that this is not a remote example of renovation to the churches - but the start of many. As for the graves - the worst ones I have personally seen were at Alsancak (don't know the Greek name) very, very sad, lets hope that all desecrated graves will be repaired one day (on both sides). On a lighter note:

I visited the old ruins of the 12th century Church at
Ayios Philon (Karpas) at the weekend and my 4 year old grandson asked - "is this where Jesus is buried"? No says I, then he asks, "Nan, is this church very old"? Yes says I, very, very old. Then he asks "is this the church you went to when you were a little girl"?.............

Tess 900 odd yrs old and still counting.............