Part One
It was the 15th of June Tariq Rodgers and his wife Sara had just collected the keys for their new house in Clapham London SW12. It had been a long wait a lot of going without trying to save up every penny for the deposit now the house was theirs and the Nationwide’s. It was a good size house with a garden and down the road there was a park. The Rodgers and their four children were delighted. Tariq had so many plans of what to do with all that extra space Sara was working out where the children were going to sleep and in a few years time they could sell the house in London and buy a mansion in Newcastle Tariq and Sara were both born in Newcastle as were their parents and grandparents They were proud born and bred Muslim Geordies
They could move in on July 1st .The children would soon have to say goodbye to all their old friends and make some new ones at their new school. This was a new beginning for the whole family. Tariq was a chemistry graduate A Bachelor of Science but he could only get a job at Boots The Chemist but he liked it. He liked meeting people, he liked the hours, he always had a fascination for mixing chemicals and Boots didn’t mind sending him on Post Graduate Courses the more he knew the value he was to the organisation. Sara was a Freelance Structural Engineer she could build anything on paper from nuclear power plants to windmills her imagination and obsession with every detail was legendary among her family and friends. The outside shed would soon be rebuilt as a garage this was going to be Sara’s Den. Today was the first day of the rest of their lives.
The Rodger’s moved in on Sunday the 1st furniture and boxes all arrived by car and van. The front and back gardens were filled full of all their worldly goods. There were boxes of Sara’s toys or technical equipment. The children ran up and down the stairs delivering each box to its designated room. Sara had labeled everything Tariq and his mates helped to reassemble the furniture only stopping for the occasional beverage and a smoke.
Tariq and Sara were delighted to receive a house moving gift from their friends, a sack filled with seed of all different kinds and eight bags of fertilizer. Sara received a special gift of several crates filled with all her Uncle Hassan’s old electrical equipment Codenamed Junk
“Why throw it away if you can get it fixed”
This Northern mantra kept Uncle Hassan in business for over forty years.
By nightfall all the important things were in place. The kitchen was ready and all the rooms could be occupied. Tomorrow was a big day for the children, it was their first day at their new school in Clapham. Tariq would drop them off for the first two weeks and then the four of them would take the bus almost door to door. The oldest two were use to traveling by bus and they would look after the younger two, which had always been the family way.
The house was finally livable and everybody was tired the other boxes could wait until tomorrow or the days after. Next week the local Imam was going to stop by and bless their new home but tonight they were all going to celebrate not a big celebration just some food, beer and a thank you to everyone who helped tomorrow was after all a school and work day. The wine trickled, old stories were retold and the food went down a treat. The music was playing, not too loud but just enough sounds to sing along with; Tariq loved his Tom Jones. At 10 the music had died down and the drinking had stopped the children were in bed and the friends were on their way out the door. It’s not in a working class mans nature not to leave glass half full so every glass was emptied. There was one poor still devout believer who didn’t drink but had long since accepted the ways of the west; he was the chauffer for the evening his jacket and shoes were already on
There were neighbours to both sides and three houses adjacent. The curtains in all 5 homes twitched throughout the day. To the left of the Rodger’s there were a middle-aged couple with a trimly molded hedge and a fine beautiful front lawn their back garden was also immaculate. Everybody in this area was blessed to have a front and back garden. These houses were built in the Good old days when South West London land was not at such a high premium.
To the right there was an, obvious white van driver he had stone cladding, iron railings and a closed gate. The houses over the road were not terribly remarkable but they were well kept and newly painted. The Rodgers’s neighbours were not happy about having an Asian Family move next door. These were dangerous times, there were Islamic terrorist cells popping up all over London. This country was at war or at least on a war footing Mr. On the right and Mr. further to the right well remembered the 1980’s and the war on terror. This current situation was no different, everyone had to be alert. The thought of Indian parties with lots of loud Indian music, singing and dancing did also cross their minds, not to mention the smell of curry and the filth, they didn’t live like us. They always had two cars in the drive and an old van parked outside taking up their precious parking places. This would not do! Early Monday morning Mr. further to the right was surprised to get a call on his mobile so early in the morning disturbing his tea and toast early morning ritual. He wasn’t himself until he had a cup of tea and a smoke
” Hello”
“Hello it’s me”
“Hello! Why are you ringing me and why now? You only live next door”
“I know but I didn’t want the new Asian Family to see me come over so soon after they’d moved in, they’d get suspicious. What are we going to do about them? Nobody told me that Darkies were going to move in next door. We don’t need their sort around here”
“Why should anyone consult you on anything?. You hated your last neighbour. You didn’t speak to him for twenty years. The Estate agents don’t have to confer with you before they sell a house. We can’t do anything about it?”
Mr. On the right replied softly and slowly
“We have to get rid of them I think that having a Pakki family in the area will affect the value of our homes. There’s the mess they make and the noise. Once one Pakki family moves in they will be followed by more Pakki families. Those that do work and don’t sponge off the state, have low paid jobs they are not educated as well as us. We still have some council houses in this road and your average Asian family will never have enough money to buy their own home. We will be home owners trying to sell our homes situated within a Muslim run council estate. Is that what you want? I don’t! When I retire I want to sell my house and use the profits to buy a villa in Spain. Do you really want to live with these people? Do you believe your property will be safe when a bunch of Islam’s move into the area? Call your nephew get the police involved there’s always the terrorist aspect.”
“You’re right I’ll phone my nephew today”
replied Mr. Further to the right
That evening the newly installed doorbell chimed for the first time at Rodgers new home. Tariq opened the door smiling it was the first time he had answered the front door of his new home. Standing outside were two police officers Constable A and Constable B. Tariq still with a smiling face spoke the Constables
” Hello Constables what can I do for you?”
” Can I have your name please sir?”
Asked Constable A
” It’s Tariq Rodgers”
He answered tentatively´
“Can I help you with anything Constable?”
It was now Constable B’s turn to talk
“We’ll ask the questions Squire. We’ve had a call about you moving in and we just wanted to pop by and check things were ok”
“It’s not Squire it’s Tariq or Mr. Rodgers. What is there to check out Bonny Lad?”
Constable B replied sharply
“Bonny Lad! Are you taking the mick? We’re just doing our job m ate, we’re protecting the public. Now if you’ll just let us in, we’ll have a quick look around and be on our way”
“No I don’t think I will let you into my home, we’re eating we’re having our tea. Come back tomorrow with a warrant if you can get one”
Said Tariq almost defiantly
Constable A took step forward as he did so, Sara came to the door.
“What do you want I could hear you from the kitchen. You’re not coming into our house without just cause. You have no right”
she said indignantly
Constables A and B by this time were getting impatient, in their experience Asian’s always did as they were told, Constable B looked mockingly as Tariq and said
” I thought your lot kept your women quiet, you’ve got a mouthy cow there. You should talk to your Imam; tell him you can’t keep your woman in check. I wouldn’t let my wife talk to someone like that go back inside darling, we’ll be in, in a minute put the kettle on”
Tariq replied angrily
“Don’t talk to me or about my wife like that and please leave or I’ll call your station”
Constable A looked sternly at Tariq
“We’re coming back for you Sunni and next time we’ll be mob handed I won’t have to ask next time we’ll just knock your door down. You see, your Islamic Brotherhood have made life so much easier for us. See you soon mate”
Constable A and B went into the street Constable A called the station on his radio
” Yes Sarge definitely suspicious An Islamic family just moved in neighbor said he saw a load of boxes brought in, looked like electrical equipment timers etc. They wouldn’t give us leave to come in I don’t like it”
The sergeant answered
“Alright son, you were right to call it in I’ll call it in “
Constable A smile at Constable B
“Whatever happens we’re just two beat Bobbies doing our duty”
Constable A and B waited patiently outside The Rodgers house until two vans and two police cars pulled up two armed policemen jumped out of the back of the van. They ran up to the front door and hammered loudly
“Armed Police! Open the door!”
Tariq opened the door immediately
“You down on the ground is there anyone else on the premises?”
“Yes”
replied Tariq
” I have a wife and my four children inside”
With a raised but calm voice the armed police officer commanded
“Everybody else on the premises come out slowly with your hands raised”
The entire family followed in single file, out the door Sara led
“All of you lie down, face down and hands behind your head”
Barked the armed officer
Part Two
The younger of the two Rodgers children began to cry Sara broke from the single file to comfort them and she was wrestled to the ground by one of the other unarmed police officers Tariq screamed
“What are you doing to my wife?”
There came no answer he tried to raise himself up off the ground, a policeman’s boot pushed his face back down. One of the other officers started to talk on his radio
“We need a WPC, a family liaison officer and send an interpreter. Where are you from?”
Asked the officer
“Gateshead”
Answered Tariq
‘’Don’t take the mick we’re trying to help you here”
‘’Then let me and my wife stand up and comfort our children”
pleaded Tariq
“We’ll deal with your children you have a lot more things to worry about. Under the Counter terrorism Act 2008 we have the right to enter your premises search and seize any equipment or literature appertaining to acts of terrorism. Are you or your wife carrying any sort of weapon? “
“No!”
came Tariq’s emphatic answer
Tariq and Sara were given permission to slowly stand up and then they were searched. In the meantime another car pulled up with two women police officers, they took charge of the Rodgers children
“What are you doing to my children?”
asked Sara now nearly on the brink of hysteria
The police woman answered sympathetically
“We’ll just mind them for a while until this is all over this is not a good place for them to be right now”
“Just let me see them so that I know that they are alright”`
pleaded Sara
The police woman nodded and gave a reassuring smile. The four children were put into a police car three in the back and one in the front. The police woman sat in the driver’s seat. The rest of the police officers piled out of the van and entered the Rodger’s home. Tariq and Sara were allowed to stand up and follow the officers into the house. Their hands were bound behind their backs and they were under the constant supervision of two burly armed police officers All of Tariq’s chemistry books and manuals were seized and every box of electrical equipment was taken from the garage and subsequently loaded into the back of the van.
When the initial search was completed an unarmed policeman wearing at flat braided cap approached Sara and Tariq
“I must caution you that under The Prevention of Terrorism Act 2008 I am detaining you both on suspicion of plotting to commit acts of terrorism you do not have to say anything; but it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence. You will both be remanded in Custody at Paddington Road Police Station until a formal hearing can be arranged and a full investigation is completed”
Tariq Protested
“But we haven’t done anything”
“That’s for a magistrate to decide. I’m only doing my job. If you are innocent then you will be released. Right now you and your wife are coming to the station with me”
came the reply
Sara screamed at the officer in charge
“What about my children?”
“We have contacted Social Services and there is an On-call Social Worker on his way. My officer will remain here with the children until she arrives to take charge of your children. I have no doubt that suitable foster care arrangements are being made as we speak”
This was the handbook reply. This was not the first time they had separated families from each other
Tariq by this time although scared and confused began to collect his thoughts, this was just a mistake. This situation was just so surreal it couldn’t be allowed to continue Tariq remembered the police in Gateshead they could be bastards but they were nearly always fair bastards. They knew who we all were; they knew the good from the bad The local bobbies only targeted the trouble makers Tariq and Sara`s families had never been bothered Tariq made a demand!
“I want a solicitor for me and my wife”
“The duty solicitor has been informed and is on his way to the station. You will both be formally cautioned at the station and be offered free access to legal representation”
Came the short rehearsed answer after which Tariq and Sara were escorted to the back of two separate police car
Under The Prevention of Terrorism act the police were allowed to detain Tariq and Sara for up to 14 days without charging them or telling why they had been arrested. There were no visitors allowed and just the one phone call each, Tariq called Uncle Hassan and explained the whole story.
Uncle Hassan took a train to London to take the children out of foster care. The family had never needed Social Services before and they wouldn’t now The Duty Solicitor told Tariq and Sara to cooperate and all this would soon be over. They couldn’t plead guilty because no formal charges had been brought
“Just do as I direct you, sign anything they put in front of you, answer truthfully all their questions and you’ll be home for your breakfast”
This was the advice given to Sara by one of the very young duty solicitors. It was clear to him after talking to the desk sergeant that is was never the woman’s fault in these cases. The wife would always do as her husband commanded her it was the Muslim way. Sara however was a well educated western woman who by an accident of birth was born into a somewhat lapsed Muslim family. It was the same narrative for Tariq. They met they fell in love and they got married. Both went to University and received Honours Degrees in their subjects just like 12 million other graduates. It seemed to Sara and quickly it dawned on Tariq their only crime was the colour of their skin and this would be a accusation they could not disprove.
“Your Honour The accused live at an address known to the Security Services A large quantity of electric timers and other associated electrical items were found hidden in the accused garage added to this a number of chemical manuals that were also seized which are now being examined by my colleagues in The Metropolitan Police The Crown therefore asks The Bench to grant us leave to detain the accused for a minimum of three months in order to give The CPS sufficient time to gather more evidence to make a solid viable case against Tariq and Sara Rodgers.”
The request was granted with no referral to The Crown Court. The Crown Prosecution Service was given three months to prepare its case. This meant that Sara and Tariq could be held at a secret destination incarcerated for three months. Tariq and Sara were led from the court.
Uncle Hassan was infomed of the entire procedure and this wasn’t justice, his father had fought in World War two his Uncle had done his National Service for his country they were British Citizens. What should he tell the children and how would he explain this to Boots the Chemist? They wouldn’t want a suspected terrorist doling out proscriptions. Sara had impending and existing clients they would very quickly go somewhere else. The whole family and community in Gatehead couldn’t believe what was happening. This was all just a mistake a misunderstanding; Sara and Tariq Rodgers were not terrorists.
Mr. On the right and Mr. further to the right felt vindicated. They were right all along you can’t trust those Islamics. We tried to help them and what do they do? They start bombing London and ´´ there’s no smoke without Fatwa“
Everyone had seen the police cars and the vans; they had seen items being brought out of the house. Mr. On the right phoned The South London Press and told them his story about an Islamic Terror Group arrest. He told the reporter on the phone that he didn’t like the look of his new neighbour and he had been right all along. The Rodgers had been arrested and he didn’t know where they were now but another old Arab had been seen entering the house with four children. That same evening there was headline in The Evening Standard, there was a news report on all the London radio Stations and there was a pack of reporters outside Sara and Tariq’s home all trying to get in, take a photo, a quote or an interview. The BBC and ITV were there they weren’t trying to get in, it was enough for them just to be outside. Mr. On the Right and Mr. Further on the Right were happy to be interviewed
Uncle Hassan and the children had to fight their way through the dwindling group of reporters the next morning to get to the car. The children couldn’t take the bus they would never have made it to the bus stop. When they arrived at the school they were greeted by the headmaster he considered it prudent to exclude the children until all this nasty business had been resolved for their own safety. The headmaster had spoken to the council and arrangements were being made, as they spoke for home tutoring. What was Uncle Hassan to do? He wasn’t expecting to become a foster father at his age. He couldn’t take the children back to Gateshead. The fourteen and fifteen year olds could be left alone with the little ones for a few hours while he visited the Mosque and tried to find some proper legal help. Life had to continue even under these strange circumstances. The world might have gone mad but this was just a stupid misunderstanding.
Uncle Hassan dropped the children back home and phoned Aunty to explain what was going on and to reassure her. Uncle Hassan’s instructions to the children were clear and precise as he left the children alone for a short while
“Don’t answer the phone and don’t answer the door I’ll be back soon”
After too many “No Comments” Uncle Hassan got to his car and drove to the Mosque. When he arrived he was greeted at the door by one of the Elders, he blocked his path he would not let him come in. The Elder gave him an envelope it contained a great deal of cash. It was a donation from the Mosque
“What’s this?”
enquired Uncle Hassan
“It’s some money to help feed the family or to find legal representation. We as a Mosque will not associate ourselves with terrorism. I’m sorry but these are difficult times. You must go now”
Answered the Elder
“We need help and advice from The Imam. My niece and nephew are innocent and in prison”
Uncle Hassan´s pleas for help and guidance made no difference
“If it is the Will of The Prophet that they will go free then they will go free but we cannot help you. Now please go “
As the elder’s last words left his mouth he closed and locked the door Uncle Hassan shouted thank you at the door but what was he I thanking them for? He had plenty of money Tariq and Sara needed help. Uncle Hassan went back to his car once inside with the doors and windows closed, a huge rage came over him he screamed and he punched his dashboard as worshipers walked by and quickly moved on again After a while Uncle Hassan managed to compose himself enough to drive home, he had responsibilities. He was a temporary foster father, Tariq and Sara needed him, he had to ask God to make him strong
Amnesty International London were there on hand. They jumped at the chance to take the case of the unjustly imprisoned Islamic couple. Their representative in London was overjoyed to take their case. He could stick it to The British Government!. He repeatedly contacted Uncle Hassan, not to talk about the case but to arrange television and radio interviews. Uncle Hassan didn’t want coverage he wanted his nephew and niece freed so they could get on with their lives. They were hard working British people and they should not have had their freedom taken away from them. Uncle Hassan cared about the plight of the world or injustices in other countries he always gave money to some or other Muslim backed charity but right now his priority was for things to get back to normal Amnesty International soon lost interest they didn’t like Uncle Hassan’s uppity attitude they found him brusque and sometimes rude and uncooperative. They carried on with the case but with a lot less energy and vigour.
Tariq and Sara were not on remand, they hadn’t been formally charged for any offence. They were being held in holding cells under Anti Terrorism laws. They were given uniforms, they were held separately were denied the use of a telephone or computers Tariq and Sara just had to sit alone and wait until all police and forensic examinations were completed After seven days Sara and Tariq were released, all the checks had been made their entire world had been turned upside down and investigated. The police had spoken to all of their friends and families; they were innocent of all they’d been suspected of, there was no case to answer. They could go home as if nothing had happened. All of their possessions would be returned to them. There was no apology given, no follow up news stories the whole matter was to be laid to rest. Sara and Tariq could quite simply go home to their children and a very relieved Uncle Hassan
There had been a police cordon around the house and Police plastic tape saying “Police Line Do not Cross”. This hadn’t stopped someone from painting the words “Go Back Home Islamic Scum” in big white letters. The tape was quickly removed and a group of patriots from Britain First carrying placards were moved on. The children ran to their parents, they had been scared and traumatized. They couldn’t leave the house to play or go to the shops they were spat at or jeered by the local children. No one was harmed physically but they could feel the hatred. If the children wanted to go out somewhere then Uncle Hassan drove them in Tariq’s car, theyhad to drive for at least an hour well out of the district and then after the area was thoroughly checked out, the children were allowed out of the car to play. Uncle Hassan was relieved that the press vultures had little or no interest in the small children of terrorists
Starting again after so little a time as seven days is not as easy as it sounds! In the eyes of their neighbours they weren’t innocent they just weren’t found guilty, this time. The children were allowed to go back to school they had only missed five days but they soon wanted to leave and change schools. Every day all four of them were bullied and every nasty incident seemed to go unpunished or unseen by the mainly white staff. Tariq and Sara changed their children’s school. It wasn’t an easy task; they arranged with the help of two councils to have the children moved to a school outside the borough.
Tariq went back to work at Boots he accepted a written warning for taking time off without permission and his wages were docked. However this was preferable to being sacked. He wasn’t allowed to talk to any member of the public for quite some time. He was eventually allowed to meet people and discuss their prescriptions again Tariq’s face wasn’t exceptionally memorable and nobody ever asked his name.
Sara’s comeback was not so easy, she was a freelance designer; before all this began she had a thriving business she had a lot of clients and her design reputation grow by word of mouth. The two words now were Terrorist Suspect No one was going to let a once suspected terrorist design their buildings or power plants. Sara was finished as a freelance designer and no design or architectural firm was going to use her. What was she to do? Sara could fix anything electrical if the Northerners could adopt the policy ´´ don’t bin it fix it! “ then so could the southerners Sara set up an electrical repair website. She used the garage as a workshop and Uncle Hassan’s boxes were filled with redundant spare parts. There were more than enough parts in the boxes to fix a hundred radios, toasters, microwave ovens and kitchen appliances large and small. Sara used the post for the small items and made house calls for the larger domestic or electronic devices
No one in the area speaks to the Rogers, their children can’t play with the local children Mr. On the right and Mr. Further to the right started a hate campaign on Facebook in an effort to force the Rodgers family to move. The thing is, if you launch a hate campaign on Facebook it is better to do it under a false profile. They were banned from Facebook and are now facing charges of harassment. Sara and Tariq don’t mind being ostracised and shunned by the locals they have each other and they have their own close friends. It’s the children that get the brunt of the hatred and suspicion fueled by stupid parents. They hope and pray that one day things will get better they know they won’t! One day they will have to sell up and start again somewhere else somewhere new
1,518 total views, 1 views today