This item is available on the Militant Islam Monitor website, at http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/757

Islamic leaders in UK :' Muslims are the real victims of the terror attacks ' - 'Women in headscarves warned to be vigilant'

Terror supporting MCB head Iqbal Sacranie who advocated entrance of Bin Laden into UK warns that Muslims are at risk
July 7, 2005

Muslim woman in headscarf Muslim women in headscarves are warned to be vigilant

MIM: As usual the only condemnation from Muslims has been related to how the terror attacks will affect them and their community . That is because a large procentage of British Muslims support the aims of the terrorists and are hoping that Britons will literally 'be brought to their knees' and made to submit to Islam.

Muslims in the UK have cynically used the attacks to focus to advance portray themselves as the victims - and imply that their community was suffering the most from the terrorists.

Ahmed Versi stated :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.

* Ahmed Sheikh, president of the Muslim Association of Britain, said he feared a backlash and added that the Muslim community would feel less safe.

*Mr Sheikh said the unique good relationship Muslims had with the government and society was threatened.

*He warned that Muslims, especially women in headscarves, might fall prey to vigilante attacks.

*Muslim News editor Ahmed Versi noted one of London's biggest Muslim areas, around Aldgate, had been targeted.

*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."

*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.

* Mr Sacranie admitted "there may well be elements who want to exploit this tragedy and incite hatred".

* Muslims have to be vigilant now, especially the mosques, and I hope the police will increase security on mosques and Islamic centres

http://newswww.bbc.net.uk/1/hi/uk/4660411.stm

Muslim leaders join condemnation

Muslim leaders have condemned the terror attacks on London and called for full co-operation with police.

Muslim Council of Britain spokesman Inayat Bunglawala called on worshippers to pray for victims at Friday prayers.

And Ahmed Sheikh, president of the Muslim Association of Britain, said he feared a backlash and added that the Muslim community would feel less safe.

He said warned that Muslims, especially women in headscarves, might fall prey to vigilante attacks.

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."
Muslims have to be vigilant now, especially the mosques, and I hope the police will increase security
Ahmed Versi
Muslim News

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 people want to demoralise us as a nation and divide us.

"All of must unite in helping the police to hunt these murderers down."

Attack aftermath

Mr Sacranie admitted "there may well be elements who want to exploit this tragedy and incite hatred".

Faith leaders in the East End have prepared for the aftermath of a terror attack in London.

The Bishop of Stepney, Stephen Oliver and Dr Mohammed Abdul Bari, the chairman of the East London Mosque, spoke together outside the Royal London Hospital saying the East End and London must remain united in the face of terror.
When something like this happens people are at first afraid, and then people get angry
Stephen Oliver
Bishop of Stepney

Dr Bari said "We're just shocked and horrified by what has happened. I spoke to the congregation at the mosque and tried to calm their fears and told them they must remain vigilant.

"We have worked together with the communities in the East End for many years and we must continue doing so."

Bishop Oliver said "When something like this happens people are at first afraid, and then people get angry.

"There's a great deal of speculation in this atmosphere. We are determined that whatever the reaction it is one that unites the different faith communities."

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."

'Terrible events'

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."

The Sikh Federation said: "We totally condemn the terrorist attacks targeting innocent civilians in London. These are the acts of cowards and a challenge to the international world. Those responsible have no respect for human life."

The federation is cancelling a demonstration due to be held on Friday outside the Indian High Commission.

-------

MIM: Note how the comments of the radical Islamist group Hizb ut Tahrir are virtually identical to those views expressed by the so called 'mainstream' Muslim groups, claiming that the Muslims are the true victims of terrorism not the perpetrators :http://www.1924.org/opinion/index.php?id=1990_0_34_0_C

London, UK, July 7

Dr Imran Waheed, the Representative of Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain, said "

"It is lamentable that some politicians and commentators are apportioning blame for these attacks on Muslims, without evidence, as Muslims rightfully feel that they have far greater experience of being the victims rather than the perpetrators of terror."

-----------------------

Muslims claim to be afraid of 'backlash' in London as Brits defiantly take to the subways

MIM: Individual Muslim responses to the attacks also followed the pattern of - we are the real victims, or the potential victims, or could have been victims because there might have been Muslims in the vicinity. Even more perverse is that that one terrorist linked organisation has urged Muslims to stay home -claiming a feared backlash. A cursory examination of comments made by people who survived the attacks shows that not one victim mentioned Muslims in any context and that law enforcement avoided the use of Islam and terrorism in most of their communiques.

The Islamic Human Rights Commission issued a plea for London Muslims to stay off the streets, for their own safety. The Muslim Council of Britain made a public appeal to the nation's 2 million Muslims, who worship at 800 mosques, to cooperate with investigators and pray for the victims and survivors of the bombings.

Sitting alone in a private women's prayer room at a city mosque, Fatima - - she gave only her first name -- said she feared the city she has called home for 12 years could soon reject her.

"You see me sitting here, and I'm not looking to make problems," Fatima said, adjusting her black hijab to cover her face and diverting her eyes to the floor as she spoke. "We keep running and hiding. Running and dashing. When someone does something stupid, (Muslims) suffer for it."
-----------------------------------------

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/4665143.stm

These evil deeds make victims of us all," he said.

'Persecuting us'

Mahmood Hussain, 50, said he feared for the whole community.

"It does stress me," he said. "I hope it will not happen here."

Jamal Ahmed Jamal Ahmed says Islam itself has been targeted

Thirteen-year-old Humza Chaudry, who experienced verbal abuse after the US attacks, called on non-Muslims to learn more about Islam.

"I fear that soon it is going to get so bad and al-Qaeda will make Muslims look so bad that people who aren't Muslim are going to start persecuting us.

"It is not Islam at all. I have read up on it and I fear those who do abuse us don't understand, it is not necessarily racism."

Jamal Ahmed, 35, from Kings Heath in Birmingham, said he was expecting a negative reaction to his preaching on Friday afternoon.

He said he had already witnessed people staring at a Muslim girl wearing traditional Islamic dress as he travelled on a bus in the city.

"People are just assuming, they don't really know who did it," he said.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1524557,00.html

Excerpt from "Luton youth fear reprisals"

MIM: The writer of this article was so intent on making that Muslims look like victims that they did not report that Luton is one of the bastions of Al Muhajiroun (and known for being a center for radical Islamists).One of the two suicide bombers from the UK who perpetrated an attack in Israel came from there.

Excerpt from "Luton youth fear reprisals"

A police car and a couple of officers were on patrol in Mohammed Shoaib's street in Luton yesterday. Rather than feeling reassured by their presence, he felt angry.

"They were trying to intimidate us," said the 20-year-old economics student. "We never see the police in our street, why did they suddenly appear?"

The police in Luton and across Britain said that extra patrols were in Muslim areas to reassure the community and reduce the chance of the sort of violent reprisals that followed September 11. But the fact that Mr Shoaib and his friends felt intimidated rather than comforted may give an insight into the siege mentality felt by members of the Muslim community

At the Ethnic Minority Training Centre, where young people, mainly Muslim, are taught computer and other skills, the project coordinator, Farasat Latif, said people were "sickened" at what had happened. "A bomb is indiscriminate, it kills people of all faiths, including Muslims. We hope the perpetrators are caught as quickly as possible."

Mr Latif added there was anger that a conclusion had been jumped to that the attack was carried out by al-Qaida. "We should keep an open mind," he said.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Muslim Commission spokesman

We are double victims in this situation. Muslims were victims of the bombing itself and have become victims of the backlash. We are telling people to go out on the streets and get on with their lives but to take precautions because there are a lot of nutcases out there." http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,22989-1690516,00.html

----------------

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,22989-1686687_2,00.html

MIM: Note that even this article which purports to show that there were Muslim victims of the attacks the writer inadvertantly reveals the opposite in that her family refers to the terrorists destroying "her" very British way of life .It would be also worth finding out if the mosque which this ' very British Muslimah' is said to have attended shared her love of Britain.

Now the family of Shahera Akther Islam, 20, fear that she has been murdered in the name of the religion that she loved by terrorists determined to destroy her very British way of life.

This item is available on the Militant Islam Monitor website, at http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/757