Asian PIA steward arrested and charged at Leeds Bradford Airport for attempting to smuggle 2.5kg

88 Pages·2013·23.59 MB·English

Asian
Express
®
Yorkshire
NOVEMBER 4TH EDITION 2013
SCANDALOUS!
PIA steward arrested and charged at
Leeds Bradford Airport for attempting
to smuggle 2.5kg of heroin into UK
By Anush Ansari following the seizure of
[email protected] approximately two and a half PI
kilograms of heroin at Leeds A
Bradford International Airport.
(PAIA )P akstiestwaanr dI nthearsn atbioenenal Achiarlrigneeds Continued on page 10 in the
spotlight
again
2 Local www.asianexpress.co.uk November 2013 - 4th Edition
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Published by Turbo Consultancy Ltd. CATWALK: Sharon Cheng,
Company Registration No.7959162. Director of the Children’s Heart
Tur4bo A Cramnlseuyl tCaonucryt ,L td. Surgery fund looks glamorous
Armley Road, Leeds,
West Yorkshire, LS12 2LB
Thousands raised for
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More than 300 people crowded into Aagrah connection, and donated a four-tier chocolate
Midpoint last weekend as the Give a Gift appeal fountain for the night.
launched its latest event. Before the passing of her 18-year-old daughter,
New reduced fares for With Bollywood dancers, fashion shows and Safiyah Mohammed, in February, the local mother
photo shoots, all under one roof, the evening of was offered respite by Martin House Children’s
‘Glitz and Glamour’ proved to be a major success in Hospice. The weekend’s event was the first time Ms
Christmas, Easter & helping raise thousands of pounds for the two local Khan has been involved in such a fundraising effort
causes - Martin House Children’s Hospice and since her loss and has now joined up with the Give
Leeds General Infirmary Children’s Heart Unit. a Gift team to help with future events.
Summer Holidays Following on from the huge success of the toy Sharon Cheng, LGI’s Director of the Children’s
donation appeal during Ramadhan and Eid, and Heart Surgery fund, was in attendance on the night
last month’s 5k run, the night concluded with two and thoroughly enjoyed the events, even getting
£6,000 cheques being handed over to involved with the onstage fashion show, calling it a
representatives from the two causes. ‘pleasure’ to be part of.
A special catwalk was setup to present all the “I was really impressed with the whole event,”
stunning attires, with clothing kindly donated for she said. “The level of commitment everybody
the night from Janan, Sass boutique and Reeshan showed to organise it in such a short period of time
‘the golden stitch’, whilst makeup and hair, came was amazing and really showed their passion to
free courtesy of Eliza’s Elegance. help out the two causes.
Balloonz by Julez donated more than £200 of “The Give a Gift team are a brilliant example of
balloons, decorating the whole stage and creating a communities pulling together to tackle a serious
Appointed Agent spiral arch as well as providing foil balloons for the cause, such as children’s heart disease.”
decor. Sarah Tarpey, West Yorkshire community
Event organiser, Rifhat Malik, spoke of her fundraiser for Martin House, also praised the night
gratitude for all the volunteers and donations which and was ‘thrilled’ to be invited and involved.
helped make the night possible. She said: “I feel humbled by the fantastic support
“We owe a big thank you to everyone involved given to our children and families from the entire
in making the whole evening so special,” she said, Asian Community, in particular Hanif and Rifhat
“from Laila (Khan) and Ruby (Malik), our Malik from the Hamara Health and Fitness centre.
hostesses to all the companies involved. Adding: “This is such a wonderful thing to have
contact office:01274 370039 / 736522 “It was stressful at times to arrange in such a done for Martin House, and we are hugely
short period of time but I have no doubt that I grateful.”
would do it all again in a heartbeat.” For more information about the Give a Gift
mobiles: 07525671924 / 07545904234 Yasmin Khan was one local business owner who appeal please visit www.giveagift.org.uk and get
got involved in the event due to a personal involved today.
November 2013 - 4th Edition www.asianexpress.co.uk Local 3
Glamour
FUNDRAISING: Two £6,000 cheques were presented to
Sharon Cheng, Director of the Children’s Heart Surgery fund,
and Sarah Tarpey, Community fundraiser for Martin House
STRIKE A POSE: Models were on hand to
showcase the latest fashion from top designers
DELIGHTED: Organiser Rifhat Malik
(right) with the hostesses of the evening
pleased that ladies enjoyed the night
LADIES: A glamorous dress code saw ladies
arrive in style on the night (l-r) Natasha Siraj,
Sajida Saleem, Bhranti Naik and Ranu Suri
4 Local www.asianexpress.co.uk November 2013 - 4th Edition
GOT A “OUT-DATED IMAMS
STORY?
DOING MORE HARM
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THAN GOOD”
Adoption Muslim prison
Awareness advisor speaks
People interested in finding out Young Muslim men are turning out against
more about adoption, especially away from religion in their droves CHANGE: Younger
mosque leader needed
adopting a disabled child, are because of the old-fashion
being invited to an information attitudes in Britain’s mosques, old-fashioned
evening next week. according to the Prison Service’s
The meeting will be held on
Muslim advisor. Ahtsham Ali said
Tuesday 26th November at Cockburn it was one of the reasons why a mosque leaders
High School LS11 5TT at 6.30pm.
growing number of Muslims are
Leeds City Council hosts monthly
turning to crime and finding
information evenings which provide
themselves in prison. We take a
potential adoptive parents with
information about the adoption look at how Yorkshire’s Muslim
process and the children we need to communities feel about this and more common, about what goes on
find families for. whether old fashioned Imams at some mosques,” she said.
This month’s information evening need to change their ways. “Hitting kids just gives all the
will focus particularly on highlighting Mr Ali also blamed family wrong signals out. Rather than
disabled children and children with breakdown, problems resulting doing any good, it does the exact
additional needs as well as providing from arranged marriages, drugs opposite; it’s not the way to teach
general information about the and the absence of male role them with force.
adoption process. This will include models. “It’s about wanting to learn
adoptive parents of disabled children The cleric was highly critical of about your religion and when you
describing their parenting UK mosques for failing to have those bad memories of
experiences and challenging negative understand young Muslims raised getting hit, you will always
stereotypes of disability. There will be
in Britain and said a main factor associate your religion with those
presentations from adoption social
workers and the opportunity for one was that most import foreign memories.”
to one discussions with parents and imams who cannot speak English Wajida now self schools her son
workers about adopting disabled and focus only on religious rituals. at home and said it was the best
children as well as the process of Mr Ali, who has been the Prison decision she’d ever made.
adoption. Service’s adviser for eight-and-a- She added: “Yes sending your
half-years, said: “Most will get kids to the mosque is a great thing
Children’s rights imams imported from other and we need to encourage this.
countries who can’t speak English. “But I find teaching them
top of agenda More importantly they can’t relate yourself builds a greater bond
to second and third-generation between you and them, something
youngsters growing up here. that you will remember forever.
Leeds has committed to respect, “It is a tragedy. I have seen “I remember my mum taught
protect and fulfil children’s human youngsters, the next generation, me how to read the Quran and it
rights as part of a new partnership just totally switch off from it. This believed the numbers are on the religion fun and put more was brilliant.”
with UNICEF, which will is dangerous. It allows others to rise, Mr Ali added: “There is a lot emphasis on teaching religious A 21-year-old man of Bradford,
complement the city’s existing take advantage, to take up the of family breakdown happening ethics. wanting only to be referred to as
Child Friendly ambitions. vacuum.” now. The divorce rate is very high. One mother Wajida Iqram, used Zaf has just served a short prison
As one of just six local authorities
In March 2010, 10,358 of the I think there is a struggle for those to send her 11-year-old to a sentence for assault and he blames
in the UK to sign up to the new
partnership, Leeds is reaffirming its 85,184 people in prison were who have been born and brought madrassa in Leeds for Quranic the pressures of society for the
commitment to children and young Muslim, while there has been a up here and their acceptance of studies and said she now prefers to reasons in high prison rates among
people across the city. steep rise in the number of arranged marriage.” self teach her kids. Muslims.
Leeds’ on-going ambition to be a Muslims behind bars over the past Mr Ali urged mosques to “Nothing has ever happened to “Yes we do have a problem in
child friendly city already fits well with two decades, according to the become more accessible to the him, but I have heard the stories, our Mosques, one of which is the
UNICEF’s aims to put children’s National Offender Management young, for faith leaders to make which are becoming increasingly Imams that are in them.
rights at the heart of public services. Service. “Most of the ones in Bradford
Cllr Abid Hussain, who is also don’t speak a word of English and
Philippines senior vice-president of the same just continue to do the same things,
Mosque Committee said the then we wonder why there are so
Fundraising language barrier was a prominent many problems.
problem and noted that kids often “We need English speakers and
lost interest because they couldn’t those with knowledge to guide the
Residents in Leeds are being understand Urdu or Punjabi. youth of today.”
encouraged to support events “Up until a few months ago the Ayub Iqbal, a crime solicitor
being organised to help those teachers were having problems from Leeds sees a lot of Muslim
affected by the disaster in the speaking English which obviously clients.
Philippines. caused some difficulties,” he said. He speaks about his thoughts of
The local Filipino Leeds The Madni Jamia Mosque in the situation: “Most of my clients
Association, made up of Leeds Bradford has been doing things a are Asian. Now that’s not just
residents originally from the little differently for a while now. because there are a lot of Asians in
Philippines, will be hosting a “tea and Offering madrassas in English as Leeds and Bradford, it’s because a
coffee for a cause” fundraiser at St
well as recently hosting a careers lot of Asians are getting into crime.
Augustine’s Church on Harehills
Road on December 1 at 10.30am to drop-in day, the Thornbury road “Now there must be a reason for
raise money for victims of Typhoon mosque is moving with the times. that. I personally blame lack of
Haiyan. Mosque General Secretary, education. While I do think some
And Filfoods on Harehills Road are Abdul Sattar said: “It's different to of our imams are a bit out of touch,
also accepting donations, which will when we grew up when we could even non-Muslims can be
go to the Philippine National Red not understand Urdu very well. criminals.”
Cross, the Save the Children Mosques should be teaching in However, one Bradford imam,
Foundation and the Department of English as well as it’s the mother Fiaz Ahmed said old-school
Social Welfare and Development. tongue of many of the children. teaching needs to be preserved for
The Leeds group, many of whom “You’ll find that the children fear of losing traditions.
work as nurses at St James's learn quicker and they remember He said: “I think most imams do
Hospital, decided to organise the more, which they can put into their a good job in not only following
event to help friends and family and own lives.” their religion but encouraging
to help local Filipinos awaiting news Discussing other reasons why he BOLD: Ahtsham Ali hits out against ineffective Imams as prison rates soar others to learn as well.”
of their loved ones.
November 2013 - 4th Edition www.asianexpress.co.uk Local 5
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Inspirational
Former bus driver becomes first
A former bus driver, who
investigated complaints that Asian
workers had to pay bribes to corrupt Asian elected President of the TUC
union officials before they could
gain employment on the buses has
broken all barriers.
Mohammed Taj is the first Asian practices throughout the company, trying and you will succeed!” “Taj is one of life’s really good In the late 1980s unions were
and Muslim trade unionist to be there was a court case and those Outlining what he hoped to guys. beginning to look at how they might
elected President of the Trades found guilty were sent to prison. achieve as President of the TUC, Taj “His story is both a Bradford do more to better represent workers
Union Congress (TUC). Now, commenting on how it felt to said: “In my twelve months as story of an ordinary person from black and Asian communities.
At the age of 21, Taj became a bus win the election and take on one of President I would like to help lower overcoming the odds to reach the Mr Taj was elected chairman of
driver and was introduced to union the UK’s most important jobs, Taj the barriers to racism. I believe that top - and a story of courageously the T&G’s national race equality
work, after which he became said: “Its’ a really proud moment for one of the best way to break down fighting racism. committee, and is a long serving
involved with the Transport and me, as someone who has made it racial barriers is the place of work.” “He has not been poisoned by it member of the Executive Council of
General Workers’ Union. through the ranks from shop floor Taj studied at the Trade Union and has been able to make the the union. Mr Taj has been on the
He received death threats when level.” Centre at Bradford College and breakthrough to represent people TUC’s General Council since 2001.
he began to investigate complaints When asked how he felt to later went on to teach the courses regardless of their skin colour,
that Asian workers had to pay become the first Asian and Muslim and is an avid supporter of the religion and their beliefs - and that I
bribes to corrupt union officials and President of the TUC, Mr Taj said: College. think sums up Mohammed Taj!”
managers before they could gain “I’m a worker first and a trade He gives credit to the Head of In 1982 Mr Taj was elected as a
employment on the buses. unionist who happens to be a Trade Union Studies, Steve Davison T&G’s shop steward at the
Not one for backing down, Taj was Muslim. and Bradford College Lecturer Bill company. Taj elaborating further
determined to uncover the truth and “I want to show people that Morgan-Cooper with encouraging said: “When I first stood, 70% of the
fight the injustice. He explains: “In anyone can succeed. I came to him in his union work during his members here were white at the
those days you were talking about England in 1966 not being able to early involvement. time, so getting elected was a bit of a
paying your first eight weeks of your speak a word of English; I went to Commenting on the newly elected milestone because there was this
salary to a middleman. an immigrant centre for three President, Steve Davison, Head of perception that wherever there were
“I persuaded people to talk and months then onto Bradford College Trade Union Studies at Bradford white workers, you were not likely
said ‘look it’s important we break to study. College said: “I’m absolutely to succeed.” Ten years later he
the scandal.” “If I can do it, then so can you. delighted, both for the TUC and for became a worker director for the
As a result of his work into unjust Don’t give up, keep fighting, keep Taj personally. whole of West Yorkshire.
Mohammad Taj, President
Trades Union Congress (TUC)
“Taj’s story is one of
an ordinary person
overcoming the odds
to reach the top - and a
story of courageously
fighting racism.” Steve
Davison - Head of
Trade Union Studies
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Chapel Allerton’s clinMchA TthHeE MtitAleT I(Cl-IrA)N FSa:i tThh eH aCrhdayp, eBle Athllaenrtyo Hn atreea man wd aKsa udsetluigbhht eBdh taotnagar
number crunchers
clinch top prize
in city-wide
tournament By Ashley Grint
[email protected]
Maestros
had seen almost 50 competition and they came back
schools enter. saying that lots of the things we
Chapel Allerton’s had done in this group had helped
Gifted and Talented them to solve some of the
maths class proved problems there.
to be a winning “I was really, really proud of
combination on the them, and honestly couldn’t have
day, as each team asked for anything more. It gives
member decided a them the recognition that they’re
different part of the on the right track for their level
A team of young competition was their favourite. six and they really are as brilliant
mathematicians were celebrating With sections such as number as we think they are.”
a calculated victory last week as grids, puzzles and a multiple Year Six pupil, Kaustabh
they scooped top prize in one of choice maths challenge, the Bhatnagar added his delight at
Leeds’ largest arithmetic contest ensured all areas of the winning the competition.
competitions. subject were covered. Speaking after clinching the
In a hotly contested final, the Miss Alex Bradley, Year 6’s Maths Challenge title, he said:
team of four Year 6 pupils from mathematics gifted and talented “There was something for
Chapel Allerton Primary School tutor, has been teaching at the everyone. Some questions were
overcame teams from 23 other school for ten years and began easy; others really hard and
schools to take the trophy in the tutoring the current Year 6 gifted luckily we had done algebra in
Leeds Junior Schools’ Maths and talented class this year. extra maths.”
Challenge, held at the Grammar “I have only been teaching this Teammate Faith Hardy added:
School at Leeds. class since September and they “We enjoyed coming out of
The ‘fantastic four’: Kaustubh are certainly a gifted bunch of school to do maths and liked the
Bhatnagar, Adam Powell, mathematicians,” Miss Bradley competition part of it even though
Bethany Hare and Faith Hardy, said. it was tense. When I heard we had
qualified for the finals after “It is the first time we have won I felt over the moon.”
success in the semi-finals, which entered into the maths
GENIUS: Chapel Allerton’s Year 6 gifted and
talented maths group with teacher Miss Bradley
November 2013 - 4th Edition www.asianexpress.co.uk Local 9
10 Local www.asianexpress.co.uk November 2013 - 4th Edition
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SCANDALOUS!
PIA steward Front page story continued remanded in custody until his next the National Crime Agency.
court appearance at Leeds Crown Kevin Parsons, acting assistant
Court on 5th December. director for Border Force, said: “This is
Syed Shahrukh Shah, 31, from The drugs were found inside the an excellent seizure of an extremely
Pakistan, appeared at the Leeds baggage that belongs to Shah, and harmful drug and I would like to pay
arrested and Magistrate’s Court on Thursday 22nd arrived on a flight from Islamabad, tribute to the vigilance and hard work
November charged with the Pakistan on Wednesday night. of the officers involved. We will
importation of a Class-A drug. Following the seizure by Border continue to work hard to keep our
Shah did not enter a Force, the investigation and borders safe and crack down on drug
plea and has been prosecution are being carried out by smuggling.”
charged at Leeds
Bradford Airport
for attempting to
smuggle 2.5kg of
heroin into UK
SENTENCED: Experienced pilot, Irfan Faiz gets nine months
imprisonment for being drunk while in charge of his passenger
jet flight out of Leeds Bradford International Airport
This latest news follows hot on must be a 12-hour gap between experience and an unblemished
the heels of the sentencing of ''bottle and throttle''. record. He has been sentenced to
experienced PIA pilot, Irfan Faiz, Mr Justice Coulson at Leeds nine months imprisonment
55, who was arrested for being Crown Court said he was Solicitor Abdul Iftikhar, of
drunk as he prepared to fly a ''astonished'' to hear that pilots Kamrans Solicitors, who are
plane. regularly flying out of the UK representing Faiz has confirmed
Faiz, father-of-two, was more were not aware of the rules in this to the Asian Express that they’ll
than three times over the alcohol country, which are based on the be lodging an appeal against the
limit, as he was about to fly an amount of alcohol present in the sentence of nine months
Airbus with 156 people on board body. imprisonment.
to Pakistan from Leeds Bradford The court Mr Iftikhar said: “The basis of
Airport on 18th September. heard that the appeal is that it is manifestly
He was about to pilot the Faiz was an excessive in all the circumstances
Pakistan International Airlines experienced of his case and that the Court of
776 flight to Islamabad, when he and well- Appeal will be requested to deal
was asked to leave the cockpit respected with Captain Faiz’s case on an
due to concerns raised by security pilot with expedited basis.”
staff. 25 years' A source at the UK’s National
Faiz gave an initial reading of Crime Agency told reporters that
41 microgrammes in 100 the agency was concerned
millilitres of breath on the police about the rise in the
officer's hand-held device. The numbers of PIA staff
legal limit for driving a car is 35 involved in the smuggling
microgrammes but for flying in of Class-A drugs into the
the UK it’s just nine, the court UK.
heard.
He later gave a reading on
the evidential machine of 28. EExxAAssppiiaannrreessss®
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of stress at the time because
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Mr Greaney also told the
GROUNDED: A PIA aircraft
judge that, despite being an
nexopt eraiwenacree d opf iltohte, Fdariizn kw-falsy ‘Tipsy’ pilot stopped at Leeds Bradford Airport
rules in the UK and that the
rules in Pakistan are that there B0bI8irGth4dGay5sE•8Rwed9diAn0gsN•0Dsc0hoo0lBpr3EomsTwTwwE.oaRsislimoBusinYes.co.uAkstaLg0/hOe7nNn9ighG4ts•4Spa1mTp5eRrd2EaysT2C3H1AvNLeaEnWmtabdAooRrrRgILhVPiAn7Li00