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Muslims attack government silence Muslims attack government silence
(20 minutes later)
There is "growing disenchantment" at the government's failure to tackle rising anti-Islamic hostility, the Muslim Council of Britain has said. There is growing disenchantment at the government's "lacklustre response" to rising anti-Islamic hostility, the Muslim Council of Britain has said.
The council wrote to the Home Secretary to highlight the "growing problem" following a march by the English Defence League. The council wrote to the Home Secretary on the "growing problem" after a march by the English Defence League (EDL).
About 1,500 EDL supporters protested against Islamic extremism in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, on Saturday. Some 1,500 EDL supporters protested against Islamic extremism in Stoke-on-Trent on Saturday. Unite Against Fascism staged a counter-demonstration.
Unite Against Fascism held a counter- rally at the same time. Unite against Fascism staged a counter-rally. There were 17 arrests.
Three people were charged with racially or religiously aggravated disorder offences after the rally.Three people were charged with racially or religiously aggravated disorder offences after the rally.
Seventeen EDL protesters were arrested and six police officers injured after an EDL group broke through a police cordon. Six officers were hurt and five police vehicles were damaged when an EDL group broke through a police cordon.
'Disturbing trend'
Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), said there was a "growing disenchantment at the lacklustre response from our political leaders to speak out against anti-Muslim hatred" amongst many British Muslim communities.Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), said there was a "growing disenchantment at the lacklustre response from our political leaders to speak out against anti-Muslim hatred" amongst many British Muslim communities.
His letter said: "Whether this exists in explicit form through the actions of far-right groups, or implicitly with hysterical headlines in our media, the policy response to any of these has been far from satisfactory.His letter said: "Whether this exists in explicit form through the actions of far-right groups, or implicitly with hysterical headlines in our media, the policy response to any of these has been far from satisfactory.
"We ask you to take leadership in this matter, especially in a year where divisive elements may well flourish in the run-up to the next general election.""We ask you to take leadership in this matter, especially in a year where divisive elements may well flourish in the run-up to the next general election."
The MCB accused political leaders of staying silent on the issue and said they had "ridden the wave of this disturbing trend" but failed to challenge hostility.The MCB accused political leaders of staying silent on the issue and said they had "ridden the wave of this disturbing trend" but failed to challenge hostility.
It hosted a meeting of Muslim groups at the weekend to discuss what it called "the growing trend of anti-Muslim hatred and violence".It hosted a meeting of Muslim groups at the weekend to discuss what it called "the growing trend of anti-Muslim hatred and violence".