Britain's Multi Cultural Nightmare

A Muslim is to go on trial in a British legal first, accused of encouraging two boys to flog themselves during an Islamic ceremony to he held in Manchester.

Syed Mustafa Zaidi, 44, is accused of encouraging the boys, aged 15 and 13, who cannot be named for legal reasons, to beat themselves during a traditional Ashura ceremony at a community centre in Levenshulme, Manchester, on January 19.

The practice is common among Shia Muslims but allowing children to harm themselves is contrary to British law.

Ashura involves practitioners flagellating themselves using a Zanjeer Zani, an implement which has a wooden handle with chains and blades attached.

The Ashura ceremony takes place during the Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, and commemorates the martyrdom of Husayn, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed and a central figure in the Shia faith.

Zaidi, of Station Road, Eccles, Salford, denies two counts of child cruelty. Doubtless his defence will be that it is his religion.

Source