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Hi-security in London to pre-emty `Magnificent 19` backlash: Hindustan Times
London, Sept 11: Security and police monitoring in London was stepped up for pre-empting any possible terror attack and also to prevent any backlash from the rally planned by Al-Muhajiroun, Islamic extremist group, to commemorate the 19 hijackers who killed over 3000 in the US attacks.
London, Sept 11: Security and police monitoring in London was stepped up for pre-empting any possible terror attack and also to prevent any backlash from the rally planned by Al-Muhajiroun, Islamic extremist group, to commemorate the 19 hijackers who killed over 3000 in the US attacks.
Posters and stickers praising the "Magnificent 19" and advertising the rally appeared mysteriously all over in inner-city areas with large Muslim populations. The Al-Muhajiroun has lined up 19 speakers to address the rally. But many Muslim leaders have expressed fear that the rally would provoke a spurt of racial attacks. The Muslim Council of Britain said it views events of this kind with immense dismay and added that they could spark anti-Muslim violence.
"Al-Muhajiroun used to be viewed as harmless clowns but since September 11 they have become much more sinister," said Inayat Bungawala, a spokesman for the Muslim Council. He reminded that there have been attacks on mosques and cemeteries after 9/11 and the Al-Muhajiroun agenda seemed to be to promote further divisions and turn people against each other.
Posters and stickers praising the "Magnificent 19" and advertising the rally appeared mysteriously all over in inner-city areas with large Muslim populations. The Al-Muhajiroun has lined up 19 speakers to address the rally. But many Muslim leaders have expressed fear that the rally would provoke a spurt of racial attacks. The Muslim Council of Britain said it views events of this kind with immense dismay and added that they could spark anti-Muslim violence.
"Al-Muhajiroun used to be viewed as harmless clowns but since September 11 they have become much more sinister," said Inayat Bungawala, a spokesman for the Muslim Council. He reminded that there have been attacks on mosques and cemeteries after 9/11 and the Al-Muhajiroun agenda seemed to be to promote further divisions and turn people against each other.
There are an estimated 1.6 million Muslims in the UK and there are over 1000 mosques, with the largest mosque complex in Europe likely to be opened for up to 10,000 worshippers in Morden, south London.