Muslim leaders urge Imams to help UK fight terrorism

LONDON - British Muslim leaders yesterday urged every Imam to help police fight terrorism after the arrest of eight men stoked fears that disaffected young Britons may be as much of a threat as foreign militants.

The appeal for vigilance was being sent to prayer leaders in more than 1000 mosques after the arrests and seizure of explosives in Britain's biggest anti-terror operation since the September 11 attacks of 2001.

"We will not tolerate terrorism," Iqbal Sacranie, the council's secretary-general, said in the letter to Imams after the arrest of the eight, believed to be British Muslims of Pakistani origin.

"It is important that we exercise extra vigilance in terms of fulfilling our duty. If there is anything we become aware of, it is our duty to ensure that this is reported immediately to the police."

The letter was welcomed by Prime Minister Tony Blair who said: "The threat of terrorism affects every family in this country, Muslim and non-Muslim alike, and it is right that we all work together to defeat this threat and do not allow the extremists to divide us."

Calling for vigilance, he told Parliament: "The UK and its interests abroad remain a terrorist target."

Security sources said those arrested were "not thought to be al Qaeda" or to have connections with foreign groups, but inquiries into their backgrounds continued as police began quizzing the suspects.

"I think it has always been on the cards that it had a propensity to become home-grown," Magnus Ranstorp, a terrorism expert at St Andrew's University, said.

"I think the concept of nationality has meant very little when it comes to those gravitating towards the Islamic extremists."

Police believe the suspects could have been planning a truck or car bomb aimed at civilians.

British newspapers were packed with speculation about the possible target - from airports to suburban shopping malls and including Arsenal football ground in north London.

Police have been at pains to stress they are not targeting Muslims but some groups accuse them of adopting an "arrest first, ask questions later" approach.

Muslim Council spokesman Inayat Bunglawala said their leaders feared there could be a backlash against the country's two million Muslims if an attack were launched in Britain.

- REUTERS