Wembley Arena peace conference postponed

Wembley peace conference postponed after Dr Zakir Naik's ban indefinitely after the keynote speaker was banned from entering the UK.
The Al-Khair Peace Convention was due to take place at Wembley Arena tomorrow, with well-known Muslim cleric Dr Zakir Naik due to attend as the star guest.
However, Dr Naik has been banned from the country by Home Secretary Theresa May because of what she described as “unacceptable behaviour”.
The arranger, Croydon based charity the Al-Khair Foundation, has postponed the event as Dr Naik launches a legal challenge to Mrs May's decision.
The conference would have been the focus of a demonstration by the English Defence League (EDL), which claimed Dr Zakir was a “preacher of hate”, an accusation he has strenuously denied.
EDL demonstration threat as a result, Unite Against Fascism activists were planning a counter-demonstration against an organisation they accuse of having links to the British National Party and being supporters of racism and fascism.
However, since Dr Naik's ban, both protests have been relocated to Barking tomorrow.
The Al-Khair Foundation insists the conference will be re-arranged when Dr Naik can enter the country, and both UAF and EDL have indicated they may protest in Wembley if that happens.

In Wembley Arena Mystery over rumours of a right-wing protest

Mystery surrounds a rumour that a controversial organisation are to hold a protest in the borough next Saturday (26). According to anti fascism campaigners, the (EDL) English Defence League are planning to demonstrate outside Wembley Arena while a peace conference organised by Al Khair Foundation, a Muslim charity, takes place. But, the EDL are staying tight lipped over the claims and their website has no announcement. The EDL are a far right organisation who campaign against Islamism, Sharia law and Islamic extremism in England. Since they were established last year they have been involved in a number of protests that have culminated in clashes between its members and its critics. If a rally by EDF does go ahead, Brent and Harrow United Against Fascism (BHUAF) are planning a counter protest at the same time. The borough's 40 Labour councillors, the Bishop of Willesden and the President and Secretary of Brent Trades Union Council have come out in support of BHUAF's plans.Cllr Ann John, leader of Brent Council, said: "Brent is Britain's most diverse multi cultural and multi faith borough and our diversity is our strength. "The planned demonstration is a deliberate provocation aimed at creating fear amongst the Muslim community and undermining community relations."

Badminton England start preparations for World Championships after Wembley nod

Badminton England, the national governing body, will meet world badminton officials in the next three weeks to begin preparations for the World Championships after an agreement was reached last week to host the sport at Wembley Arena in 2012. The 2011 World Championships, to be held in August, will be a test event for the London 2012 Olympics and negotiations will take place with the Badminton World Federation to fathom expectations for the event.

Locog, London 2012's organisers, finally reached an agreement last week for badminton and rhythmic gymnastics to be staged at Wembley Arena after months of prolonged negotiations.

The sports had initially resisted the change to base them in north Greenwich, the original plan, due to the increased travel times from the Olympic Village to north London.

Adrian Christy, Badminton England's chief executive, said: "It has been well known for some time that there have been issues and we have been sympathetic to that with the economic climate in mind.

"The logistical problem has been how to transport the players in a sensible time. No one expected it to last this long but the complexity of the athletes hotel and the training facilities have been a factor."

Badminton's training facility will be at Redbridge Sports Centre in Barkingside, Essex and will herald the sport's Olympic legacy after the Games.

Redbridge is currently completing a £6.3 million redevelopment and the 12-court facility will also host the other competing teams as an Olympic training venue.