UK muslims may stage anti-terror demo

The Muslim Council of Britain is considering a plan for a national demonstration of protest against the terrorists behind the London bombings.

The inter-faith event, which has yet to be agreed, would involve marches in the capital and other cities across the UK.

A vigil organised by the Islamic Society of Britain with other church groups will take place in Manchester on Sunday, with a similar event scheduled for London at a future date, said Iqbal Sacranie, secretary general of the MCB.

He said: “We are working hand-in-hand with other faith communities. It is crucial – our mission can only be successful if we are working with everyone else.

“We are also aiming to organise a national vigil. That is something again being considered.”

Meanwhile, police were continuing a crackdown on perpetrators of so-called racist “revenge” attacks following the London bombings.

Scotland Yard has vowed to deal “robustly” with the incidents, which have prompted concern in the Muslim community.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Brian Paddick said there had been several apparent revenge attacks on ethnic groups in the capital since the terrorists struck last Thursday.

Five people were arrested on suspicion of attempting to petrol bomb a Sikh temple in Belvedere, south-east London.

They have since been bailed to return to a south London police station in mid-July pending further inquiries.

Another individual has been charged in connection with hoax calls to a place of worship, according to Mr Paddick.

Incidents of arson and criminal damage have also been reported at mosques in Tower Hamlets and Merton – both in London – and Telford, Leeds, Bristol and Birkenhead.

He said: “We need people from every community to report incidents to the police of any faith-hate crime and any other hate crime. Police will deal with these offences robustly.

“We will not tolerate a small minority of people who are using these tragic events last Thursday to stir up hatred.

“Londoners are not attacking each other. They are being united by this terrible tragedy and we need to make sure we all stick together.”

Mr Paddick was speaking after a meeting between senior police officers, members of the Greater London Assembly and more than 200 community representatives from around the capital.

He said the officers had updated delegates on the police response to the bombings, and listened to their concerns.

“We thanked them for being calm and being patient. We know some people are feeling vulnerable and we want to reassure those people that we are there to protect them.”

Mr Sacranie said he feared “unscrupulous elements” may use the bombings as an excuse to attack the Islamic community.

“We know there may be some unscrupulous elements in our society who may look upon Thursday’s carnage as a morbid opportunity to attack and undermine British Muslims, the institutions and mosques,” he said.