Community leaders were yesterday quick to condemn the terror attacks in Glasgow and London, while politicians played down fears of a backlash against British Muslims.
MPs, Muslim organisations and police chiefs were universal in their condemnation of events and emphasised the moderation of the vast majority of British Muslims. Mohammad Sarwar, the MP for Glasgow Central, led calls to condemn extremists who “brainwash” British-born Muslims, adding the Glasgow outrage had come as a major shock in a country in which mosques preach a moderate message.
He said: “This is a big surprise … we were not expecting this type of incident in Scotland. This is the first incident that has happened in Glasgow and everybody is shocked and terrified.”
Campaigners from the British Muslim Initiative issued a statement damning the incidents. A spokesman said: “We urge all British Muslims to fully co-operate with the authorities to apprehend and bring to justice the perpetrators.” The organisation’s president Muhammad Sawalha added: “We are utterly appalled by this sinister plot and commend the professionalism of the security services in aborting it.”
Osama Saeed, Scottish spokesman for the Muslim Association of Britain, said: “Terrorists do not care who they kill. We are seething with anger about this.”
See also “MCB condemnation with The Three Faiths Forum”, Muslim Council of Britain press release, 2 July 2007