http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/boltonnews/display.var.1749480.0.asylum_seekers_plea_to_lords...

A YOUNG woman forced to flee war-torn Africa to Bolton with her family
spoke to members of the House of Lords before peers considered
legislation that would remove benefits from failed asylum seekers.

Flores Sukula, aged 21, told members how her family had been forced to
live on handouts and charity after their benefits were stopped.

The House was yesterday debating the Borders and Immigration Bill.

Campaigners have called for Section 9 of the legislation, which would
allow the Government to withdraw benefits from failed asylum seekers, to
be dropped. The Sukula family, who live in Great Lever having fled the
Democratic Republic of Congo in 2001, were one of 116 families whose
benefits were withdrawn as part of a pilot scheme in Greater Manchester.

At a meeting organised by the Children's Society on Monday, Miss Sukula
addressed five peers who are today due to complete a two-day debate on
the Bill before it returns to the House of Commons.

Miss Sukula said: "I told them how hard it had been for my family and I
hope they will help to give every child who comes to this country a fair
chance."

http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2007/10/10/106057/uk-muslims-say-prejudice...

Most Muslim people in the UK are reluctant to use mental health services
and think that the prejudice they face affects their mental health, said
researchers today on World Mental Health Day.

According to a study carried out by Aap Ki Awaaz from the mental health
charity Rethink, 61%% of people in the Pakistani community believe the
portrayals of Muslim people in the media, and society's perception of
them, damage their mental health.

But a large proportion of people of Pakistani origin are reluctant to
access mental health services because of shame, fear and ignorance,
found researchers.

Both language barriers and a lack of community-based services or
woman-based services were highlighted as reasons for the low uptake in
the number of Muslim people accessing mental health services.

This study was backed up by a separate survey by YouGov, published
today, which found that 89%% of people in the UK were more suspicious of
Muslim people than 10 years ago.

About half of respondents agreed that mental health was affected by the
way people were treated in society.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1019097_row_over_jesus_picture

A MANCHESTER Airport boss was suspended after he hung an image of Jesus
on a staffroom wall.

Car parks supervisor Gareth Langmead, who is Catholic, was sent home
after a Muslim colleague complained. Mr Langmead, a team leader in the
car parks department, was supended for three days while airport chiefs
investigated the complaint.

He was then reinstated - without a blemish on his record.

Union chiefs have criticised the way he was treated and accused the
airport of over-reacting.

It is understood Mr Langmead, 40, from Atherton, found the image of the
Sacred Heart of Jesus - the subject of devotion by many Catholics - in a
desk drawer while cleaning out an office. He placed the image on a wall
in a staff rest room, prompting the complaint.

Trade union leaders who backed his case said he has been left `very
upset' by what happened and described his suspension as `an
over-reaction'.

Glyn Platt, a full-time official at the Unison union, said: "He has been
left very upset.