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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Muslims attack government silence | Muslims attack government silence |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| There is growing disenchantment at the government's "lacklustre response" to 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 on the "growing problem" after a march by the English Defence League (EDL). | The council wrote to the Home Secretary on the "growing problem" after a march by the English Defence League (EDL). |
| Some 1,500 EDL supporters protested against Islamic extremism in Stoke-on-Trent on Saturday. | |
| The Home Office insisted the government "will challenge any views that reject or undermine our shared values". | |
| A spokesman added: "We do not encourage or advocate any voices of hatred or violence within our communities." | |
| 'Disturbing trend' | 'Disturbing trend' |
| Three people were charged with racially or religiously aggravated disorder offences after the EDL's rally. | |
| Unite against Fascism staged a counter-demonstration. There were 17 arrests. | |
| Six officers were hurt and five police vehicles were damaged when an EDL group broke through a police cordon. | |
| 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". |
| But a spokesman for the Department for Communities said the EDL did not represent the "vast majority" of people in the UK. | |
| He added: "Government condemns any group that seeks to create distrust and division between communities. | |
| "Government is working to address all forms of extremism, including violent far-right groups." |