Muslims fear racial backlash after attacks

MUSLIM groups across Britain condemned the terrorist bombings in London, but were bracing themselves for a possible backlash.

The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) said it “utterly condemns the perpetrators of what appears to be a series of co-ordinated attacks”.

It added in a statement: “While news unfolds, MCB urges for calm.”

There was no immediate confirmation of who was responsible for the attacks, but a claim was made on the Al-Qal’ah - Fortress - internet site, by a group calling itself the Secret Organisation Group of Al-Qaida of Jihad Organisation in Europe.

Muslim groups feared a backlash. Some British Muslims reported being attacked or harassed following the September 11 terrorist attacks and the Madrid train bombings last year.

Some Islamic organisations issued a warning to stay indoors, amid fears of reprisals following the London bombings.

Massoud Shadjareh, chairman of the Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC), appealed for calm and condemned the bombings.

“The Islamic Human Rights Commission utterly condemns this attack, but now we appeal that there should be no further victims as a result of reprisals,” he said.

“IHRC is advising Muslims not to travel or go out unless necessary, and is particularly concerned that women should not go out alone in this climate.

“In the event of being attacked, IHRC urges victims not to retaliate and to report the matter to the police and appropriate authorities.”

However, Dr Mohammed Naseem, chairman of the Birmingham Central Mosque, questioned the advice and said it was “a bit over the top”.

But he expressed concern about the potential use of existing anti-terrorism legislation that has been criticised in recent years by the Muslim community.

The government should be open about the evidence it has against potential suspects and not help foster a “climate of suspicion” about the Muslim community, he said.

The Muslim Council of Britain said in an extended statement later: “The evil people who planned and carried out these series of explosions in London want to demoralise us as a nation and divide us as a people.

“All of us must unite in helping the police to capture these murderers.”

But while the condemnations were expressed, Muslims across the capital feared they might be targets of attacks.

Karim Mohammed, manager of the Hilal House restaurant on Edgware Road, said: “People are asking how will it affect us, are we going to be treated in a nice way after this? We have nothing to do with this.”