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By Ruth Gledhill, Religion Correspondent
BRITAIN’S leading Muslim organisation is today writing to every mosque in the country asking imams and other community leaders to be on the lookout for possible terrorists in their midst.
The Muslim Council of Britain wants Muslims to inform police if they have grounds to suspect illegal activity in their mosques or communities.
The appeal to the country’s two million-plus adherents of Islam is an attempt to project an image of Islam as antiviolence and of Muslims as law-abiding British citizens, as the great majority are.
There is concern at the growing use of the term “Islamic terrorist”, especially since the Madrid bombings.
Iqbal Sacranie, secretary-general of the council, said: “There is a letter going to mosques across the country bringing to their attention the concern that has been expressed of an immediate attack taking place in the UK.
“It is important that we exercise vigilance in terms of fulfilling our duty. If there is anything we become aware of, it is our duty to ensure that this is reported immediately to the police. We will not tolerate terrorism.”
The letter was planned before yesterday’s arrests but has been rewritten to take the latest developments into account.
Sent to the imams, chairmen and secretaries of more than 1,000 mosques, the letter points out that, according to the Koran, the murder of one individual is “tantamount to murdering entire humanity”. It says: “Islam categorically forbids violence and killing of innocents, let alone indulging in violence which can cause death and mayhem.”
The Muslim Council is urging imams to provide the “correct Islamic guidance” to their communities, “especially to our youth, as to their obligation to maintain the peace and security of our country”. It calls for the “utmost vigilance” against “mischievous or criminal elements” attempting to infiltrate the community.
The council calls for close liaison with the local police and urges the “fullest co-operation” to help the police to deal with any terrorist threat.
The plea to Britain’s Muslims is part of a long-term plan to help the Muslim community to cope in a climate of increasing Islamophobia.
Further details of the plan are expected to be announced this evening at the Muslim News Awards for Excellence, in London. Mr Sacranie said a meeting will be called of all the Muslim leadership in the country to consider what action may be taken to promote the message that Islam has “nothing to do with terrorism” and “condemns violence”.
Other leading Muslims issued a warning yesterday that the police raids could provoke a backlash from the community. Ahmed Versi, editor of The Muslim News, said: “The police have to be more sensitive to make sure they have proper evidence before they detain anyone. Of course we are not against targeting terrorists.”
March 30, 2004 at 11:08 PM in UK | Permalink | TrackBack (10) | Top of page | Blog Home