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| quote: | Muslim leaders join condemnation
Muslim women in headscarves are warned to be vigilant
Muslim leaders have condemned the attacks on London and said they fear their communities could now fall prey to vigilante attacks.
Muslim Association of Britain president Ahmed Sheikh said the attacks would make the Muslim community less safe.
He said women in headscarves might be in particular danger and warned all Muslims to be especially vigilant.
Muslim News editor Ahmed Versi noted one of London's biggest Muslim areas, around Aldgate, had been targeted.
Mr Sheikh said the unique good relationship Muslims had with the government and society was threatened.
"The person who did this was targeting along with wider British society the Muslim community, ruining the good relationship we have."
He said the police should consider extra protection for mosques and Islamic schools and said Muslims, particularly women in headscarves, should be vigilant and avoid unnecessary journeys.
"It is scary. A tiny element of the community will make use of this. It is a blow to us, to all of us. It is a moment of sadness and we send our condolences to the families of those who have been killed or injured."
Sir Iqbal Sacranie of the Muslim Council of Britain said he utterly condemned the attacks.
"We are simply appalled and want to express our deepest condolences to the families.
"These terrorists, these evil peoplewant to demoralise us as a nation and divide us.
"All of must unite in helping the police to hunt these murderers down."
Mr Sacranie admitted "there may well be elements who want to exploit this tragedy and incite hatred".
Attacks danger
Mr Versi said he had already received one threatening e-mail about the blasts.
"There might be some increase in attacks on the Muslim community especially visible aspects of Islam like mosques, community centres and women with headscarves.
"Recently there have been a lot of attacks on Muslim women on buses in London, it has increased during the last few months."
But he said the immediate Muslim revulsion at the attacks could help calm the situation.
"I don't think there'll be as high a number of attacks as after 11 September because Muslims have come out very strongly, especially Muslim leaders, condemning the attacks.
"I'm sure many Muslims will have been injured as well... one of the bombs - at Aldgate - was near to the east London mosque, it's a very heavy Muslim area.
"Muslims have to be vigilant now, especially the mosques, and I hope the police will increase security on mosques and Islamic centres."
Other religious leaders also offered their condolences and condemned the attack.
Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks said: "These terrible events have brought home to us the full evil that terror represents.
"It is not the weapon of the weak against the strong but the rage of the angry against the defenceless and innocent. It is an evil means to an evil end.
"I will be asking all our congregations to say special prayers for the victims and their families this Sabbath. We grieve for the dead, pray for the injured and share our tears with the bereaved." |
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4660411.stm
Good to see islamic leaders acting quickly on this one.
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