Thatcher condemns Muslim leaders's response to terror attacks

Baroness Thatcher has criticised Muslim leaders in Britain over their response to the terror attacks in America.

The former prime minister said in a British broadsheet that Muslim leaders had not spoken out strongly enough about the September 11 atrocities.

‘‘The people who brought down those towers were Muslims and Muslims must stand up and say that is not the way of Islam,’’ she told the paper.

‘‘Passengers on those planes were told that they were going to die and there were children on board. They must say that is disgraceful.

‘‘I have not heard enough condemnation from Muslim priests.’’

Her intervention has come at an acutely sensitive time as Tony Blair was embarking on a new round of shuttle diplomacy to bolster support for the international coalition against terrorism.

US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is also in the Middle East trying to reassure key Muslim allies such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt who are deeply concerned about the fall-out in the Islamic world of any military action against Afghanistan.

Although it is more than a decade since Lady Thatcher left office, her international stature ensures that her views still attract attention around the world.

At home, Mr Blair and other British ministers have gone out of their way to reassure Muslims that any action would not be directed at Islam but at the terrorists responsible for the attacks in America.

Ministers have been alarmed by a sharp upsurge in the incidence of racist attacks on Muslims in Britain since September 11.

The matter is causing such concern that yesterday Home Secretary David Blunkett announced at the Labour Party Conference in Brighton that he would be introducing legislation to make incitement to racial hatred an offence.

Conservative Central Office refused to comment on Lady Thatcher’s remarks but Muslim leaders expressed their sadness.

They said they had immediately and unequivocally condemned the terrorist attacks.

Dr Ghayasuddin Siddiqui, leader of the Muslim Parliament, said: ‘‘I am very sad and surprised that she has said this sort of thing.

‘‘Coming from a person like Baroness Thatcher, it is very hurtful.

‘‘People need to know that out of over 6,000 people who died in this terrible incident, over 1,500 of them were Muslims.

‘‘The Muslim community has had to suffer twice - once when someone dear to them died, the second time when people say things like this.

‘‘On the question of terrorism, we are all on the same side. We all want the people who did this to be identified, brought to trial and given whatever punishment they deserve.

‘‘All Muslim organisations expressed immediately their horror and shock at what happened. We have said it once, why do we need to keep on saying it? We have also been mourning our dead.’’

Sher Azam, president of the Bradford Council of Mosques, said: ‘‘I am not aware of any Muslim leaders in Britain who did not condemn this attack.

‘‘Many Muslim lives have been lost in America. We don’t see this attack in terms of nationality, colour or creed, just as loss of lives.

‘‘It is very sad that Baroness Thatcher has made Muslims a target at a time when the Home Secretary has given us comfort by announcing legislation against religious hatred.

‘‘As a result of the US attacks the lives of ordinary Muslims have been affected.

‘‘Women wearing the traditional dress are more or less housebound. We have stepped up security at mosques and for children coming to and from the mosque because people are very, very frightened.

‘‘At a time when Muslims need support and sympathy from people of influence, it is very sad that she has felt the need to launch this unjustified attack.’’