Jemima Khan 'Would Like to See Julian Assange Confront Rape Allegations'
THE GUARDIAN: Socialite who donated to WikiLeaks founder's bail money also defends him over fears of extradition to US

One of Julian Assange's most prominent supporters, Jemima Khan, has said she would like to see the WikiLeaks founder, who has made an asylum bid to avoid extradition to Sweden, confront the rape allegations made against him by two Swedish women.

The socialite and charity fundraiser, who faces losing the £20,000 she put towards his bail money after Assange took refuge at the Ecuadorean embassy in London and sought political asylum, said on Twitter that the women deserved a response to their allegations.

She wrote: "For the record, in response to those asking about Assange & bail money.... I personally would like to see Assange confront the rape allegations in Sweden and the 2 women at the centre have a right to a response."

But Khan, one of several high-profile celebrities and activists who have supported Assange since his arrest in December 2010, said she also believed Assange was justified over his fears of being extradited to the US if he goes to Sweden.

"[T]here is no doubt that Assange has a real fear of being extradited to the US nor that the US gov is out to get WikiLeaks," she tweeted. » | David Batty | Friday, June 22, 2012

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George Galloway Calls In Lawyer over Jemima Khan’s Claim That He Converted to Islam in a Secret Ceremony More Than a Decade Ago

MAIL ONLINE: George Galloway denies taking part in the ceremony - but doesn't deny being a Muslim / He says article written by Jemima Khan is littered with 'schoolgirl howlers' / Politician has always been referred to as Catholic / Interview carried out as Mr Galloway ate a halal meal

George Galloway has called in his lawyers over Jemima Khan's claim that he converted to Islam in a 'phantom' ceremony more than a decade ago.

The socialite had said the maverick MP took part in a 'shahadah' conversion, attended by members of the Muslim Association of Great Britain.

Mrs Khan, who herself became a Muslim ahead of her failed marriage to cricketer Imran Khan, claimed she knows someone who attended the event in north-west London in an article in the New Statesman magazine.

But Mr Galloway, who was elected to Parliament as MP for Bradford West in a by-election last month, angrily denied that any ceremony had taken place.

Last night, he issued a statement saying: 'The further allegations from the New Statesman in response to my rebuttal moves the issue into the area of defamation.

'Jemima Khan asked me on tape about this phantom ceremony in Kilburn and I told her it was a lie and whoever told her it was a liar.

'No trace of this exchange appears in the New Statesman piece, which is predicated upon it. Now that they are denying my denial it places the matter in the hands of my solicitor.'

The four times married 57-year-old had refused to deny claims that he is a Muslim. Read on and comment » | Rob Cooper and Leon Watson | Friday, April 27, 2012

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George Galloway Denies Jemima Khan's Claims of Muslim Conversion Ceremony

THE GUARDIAN: Khan's claim in New Statesman article that Galloway converted in north London 10 years ago is 'categorically untrue', he says

George Galloway has denied claims made by Jemima Khan in the New Statesman that he converted to Islam in a ceremony in London more than 10 years ago.

The newly elected MP for Bradford West does not deny being a Muslim, but says Khan's claim of a conversion in a hotel in Kilburn, north-west London, is "simply and categorically untrue".

Galloway is often asked about his faith but refuses to answer, saying hisreligion is a "personal matter" of no import to his political activities. He recently married his fourth wife in what has been reported was a Muslim ceremony in Amsterdam.

In a statement entitled "The Staggers has fallen on its face", Galloway responded to the New Statesman piece by saying: "The opening paragraph of Jemima Khan's piece in the New Statesman [referring to an alleged conversion ceremony] is totally untrue. Moreover, I told her it was fallacious when she put it to me. I have never attended any such ceremony in Kilburn, Karachi or Kathmandu. It is simply and categorically untrue."

Khan's piece starts with the claim that Galloway converted at a ceremony attended by members of the Muslim Association of Britain. "Those close to him know this. The rest of the world, including his Muslim constituents, does not," writes Khan. She goes on to describe Galloway's reaction when she told him someone she knew also attended the "shahadah" conversion ceremony, claiming he did not respond, instead staring at her across the table and then getting up to leave the interview. » | Helen Pidd | Thursday, April 26, 2012

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Jemima Khan on Saudi Arabia , on Being a Woman There, and on UK-Saudi Relations
Congratulations, Jemima, on writing this excellent article. Just one thing, though: You share your view of Islam with Pollyanna! Oh, and one more thing: You state: ""...the rules there [Saudi Arabia] have got nothing to do with Islam." Really, Jemima? Go tell that to the Wahhabis!

THE TELEGRAPH: King Abdullah arrived at Heathrow last Wednesday morning for the first State Visit to the UK for 20 years – five planes, 13 family members, an entourage of several hundred. No women.

I've been to Saudi Arabia a few times. It's not much fun being a woman there. I suspect it's worse being a Saudi woman. And worse still being her migrant maid.

It's a mad place and the rules there have got nothing to do with Islam.

I've had my feet beaten, not once but twice – first by a stick-wielding crone at Mecca for not wearing socks, then by a pool attendant when I (swathed entirely in compulsory trick-or-treat black) took my son to the hotel pool for a paddle.

I've heard old ladies complain that they are so harassed at night by the frustrated male youth of Jeddah that they have to take their scarves off and reveal their raddled faces just to scare them off. The irony of having to show your face to protect your modesty was entirely lost on them.

I've also woken up mid-flight on the plane home from Jeddah to London and discovered that the passengers who embarked in full hijab have all been replaced by Bond Street babes.

In Saudi Arabia, a woman can't travel abroad, leave the house or even be examined by a doctor without the express permission of her husband. She cannot be seen with any man except a close family member, the only exception being her chauffeur – and that's a necessity because legally she's not permitted to drive. She cannot marry a non-Muslim (or even a non-Sunni Muslim). And she cannot wear anything other than a long black cloak and headscarf in public. Although women account for 70 per cent of all graduates, they make up just 5 per cent of the workforce. If they contravene the strict laws, they risk public floggings or execution. Britain’s love affair with the Saudi Kingdom (more)

Mark Alexander