Hawkwind subject of Fatwa

[M Holmes]

BBC News Today.

The pop band "Hawkwind" were today condemned by the British Muslim
Council for their song "Assassins of Allah". The song, which features
such lyrics as "Death unto all infidels" is claimed to be clearly
based on Al Queda and and supports the stereotyping of muslims
as terrorists.

"I'm shocked that someone is making profits by painting Al Queda as
heroes" said Muhhamad Quatari of the BMC. It has been suggested that
muslims will picket concerts by the band whose albums also feature songs
such as "Aerospaceage Inferno" and "Space is Their Palestine", also
written to exploit the political situation.

The Home Secretary has announced that the band will be investigated to
see whether any racial hatred laws have been broken and that although he
doesn't condone censorship, he would be consulting with executives from
the music industry to see what could be done. He also stated that the
Foreign Secretary had been in touch with the American government had
made clear that Britain is willing to deport members of the band in
response to concerns about their support of terrorism.

A spokesman for the band would say only that "Hey, if President Bush
wants us over there for a command performance, then of course we'll be
happy to go".