The New Nation - Internet Edition

Sanen Marshall

Why were Rizwaan Sabir and Hicham Yezza arrested? The UK's Terrorism Act 2006 makes a person liable to criminal prosecution if the person 'distributes or circulates a terrorist publication,' which might indicate that the person is involved in plotting terror attacks. Rizwaan, a student at the School of Politics at the University of Nottingham, had downloaded an 'Al-Qaeda training manual' from the Internet and sent it to his friend, Hicham, a university clerk at the School of Modern Languages, for printing. The discovery of the document by other staff at the School caused alarm. The university authorities responded by calling in the police and this led to the arrests. The curious thing about the above scenario was that the so-called manual was downloaded from the US Department of Justice website. Rizwaan was in fact researching terrorism for his postgraduate dissertation on radical Islam. The manual can also be purchased on Amazon.com.

An article by three Nottingham academics in the Times Higher Education Supplement thus questioned 'whether UK universities will stand up and defend academic freedom in the face of the potentially draconian ramifications of anti-terror legislation.' The University authorities responded by reminding the public that above all "the incident was triggered by the discovery of an 'al Qaeda Training Manual' on the computer of an individual [Hicham] who was neither an academic member of staff, nor a student and in a School where one would not expect to find such material being used for research purposes." The university authorities also emphasised that "there is no 'right' to access and research terrorist materials. Those who do so run the risk of being investigated and prosecuted on terrorism charges. Equally, there is no 'prohibition' on accessing terrorist materials for the purpose of research. Those who do so are likely to be able to offer a defence to charges (although they may be held in custody for some time while the matter is investigated). This is the law and applies to all universities."

Rizwaan was released without being charged after six days. His friend Hicham, who is an Algerian national, was likewPreparing to celebrate Eid

In keeping with the ongoing vogue of rising prices this year's Eid Bazaar reflects the same trend, be it the air conditioned fashion houses of exclusive multi-storied urban shopping malls or the colorful displays of the roadside makeshift stands.

Hordes of customers from different classes flock to these stores with expectations of buying some things for themselves and their dear ones within their capacities. However, with market situation as it is all their wishes and desires can not be incorporated within their limited incomes, but there is no end to their endeavours.

In spite of this, markets have been decked in new colours and the shopkeepers, excited at the prospect of making some good money, have no time to waste. Every passing minute means a new deal and every deal means profit.

In contrast to this with prospects of further price hike, a cold winter and famine looming ahead inhabitants of the country's various post flood-affected areas have very little scope of joining in the frenzy of Eid shopping.

Photos: Prito Reza / DrikNEWS

Text Edited By: Humaira Fatima Jalil / DrikNEWS