The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) echoes the sentiments expressed by Allison Bucknell, Mayoress of Wooton Bassett, and condemns the call by the fringe extremist group Islam4UK for their proposed march in Wootton Bassett. This group thrives on controversy and we will do well to ensure we do not grant them the oxygen of publicity they crave.
The overwhelming majority of British Muslims want nothing to do with such extremists. Like other Britons, Muslims are not opposed to Britain’s Armed Forces. Indeed, Muslims have made a deep and historic contribution to this nation’s defence, with over 2.5 million serving in the First and Second World Wars. The deaths of those in Afghanistan and other areas of conflicts are not only a concern amongst Muslims, it is shared by other British people, who do not resort to such sensationalist and divisive stunts.
The MCB respects the value of free speech in Britain and echoes the sentiments of many of its affiliates to disregard such provocations. We commend the Wiltshire Islamic Cultural Centre and others for issuing a clear message that this protest is not acceptable and has no support at all by the local Muslim community.
[END]
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. The Muslim Council of Britain is the UK's largest Muslim umbrella body with around 500 affiliated national, regional and local organisations, mosques, charities and schools.
2. On the occasion of Remembrance Sunday, the Muslim Council of Britain published Remembering the Brave: The Muslim contribution to Britain’s Armed Forces. It can be downloaded here: Remembering the Brave
For further information contact:
The Muslim Council of Britain
PO Box 57330
London
E1 2WJ
Tel: 0845 26 26 786
Fax: 0207 247 7079
media@mcb.org.uk
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