Muslims urge Nottingham to unite against terror

Community leaders have described last week's attack in Woolwich as "heinous" and say there is "no place in any religion" for the people who did it.

An event will be held tonight where people can express their condolences to the family of soldier Lee Rigby and to show they are united against extremism.

The meeting has been organised by Musharraf Hussain, of the Karimia Institute and Nottingham Citizens, an umbrella organisation for community groups from all backgrounds.
It will include a minute's silence for Mr Rigby, who was killed in Woolwich last Wednesday. Two suspects, Michael Adebolajo, 28, and Michael Adebowale, 22, are understood to be converts to Islam.

Adebolajo remains in hospital but Adebowale 22, was discharged yesterday afternoon and moved to police custody.

The gathering is at the Kashmir Conference Centre in Carlton Road, St Anns, at 7pm.

Maqsood Ahmed, director of community, welfare and development at the charity Muslim Hands, labelled the attack "horrible and heinous".

He added: "There is no place for anyone who did this in any religion, especially not Islam.

"There are no words for what happened and we need to come together to show our condolences for the family of the soldier and come together as a community – note I said one community, not communities."

Sajid Mohammed, co-founder of the charity Himmah, said Muslims in Nottingham felt it was important to do something quickly.

He added: "The people that did this want us to fall apart but we won't let them. We will come together to show our love and compassion and respect at what I would say is a national tragedy. People can see this for what it is – a heinous attack on an innocent soldier."

Reverend Karen Rooms, co-chair of Nottingham Citizens, said: "We have worked hard at building strong relationships across the community and across faiths and we have to stand together at times like this."

Nottingham's Sikh community has also expressed its outrage at the attack.

A statement from a number of temples said: "We are deeply shocked at the sickening and brutal attack on serving British soldier Lee Rigby.

"This is a disgusting and outrageous act."

[Jeffrey says: We've been fed this type of thing over and over again - where are the masses of upset moslems showing unity with us??? - never seen - it always has to be some sort of manufactured  'umbrella' organisation / 'diversities' council spokesperson(s) purportedly speaking out for the masses.]