London's Faith Communities Respond to Bombings: Condemnation and Fear of Retaliation

July 8, 2005

Source: The Independent

http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/this_britain/article297652.ece

On July 8, 2005 The Independent reported, "The [July 7] explosions [in three subway stations and a double-decker bus] prompted the Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) to issue the extraordinary advice yesterday that no Muslim should travel or go out unless strictly necessary, for fear of reprisals... Dr. Mohammed Naseem, chairman of the Birmingham central mosque, questioned the IHRC's advice and said it was 'a bit over the top.' But the anxieties voiced by most Muslim groups provided a depressing reminder of how individuals of non-British extraction have found themselves blamed for events such as the 11 September terrorist attacks and the Madrid train bombings last year... Muslim groups also issued swift condemnations of the attacks... The churches also came to the help of community relations... The Hindu Forum of Britain also appealed to faith communities to not allow themselves to be divided."