Group calls off anti-war march

Islam4UK said it would no longer stage an anti-war march through Wootton Bassett
12 April 2012

A controversial Islamic group has abandoned plans for an anti-war march through a town where processions for dead British soldiers are held.

Islam4UK provoked anger with a scheme to march through Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire, prompting MPs to urge local authorities and the Home Secretary to step in.

A statement from leader of the group Anjem Choudary said the group had "successfully highlighted the plight of Muslims in Afghanistan".

He went on: "We at Islam4UK have decided, after consultation with others including our Sheikh Omar Bakri Muhammad, that no more could be achieved even if a procession were to take place in Wootton Bassett and in light of this we would like to announce today that there will no longer be a procession through this market town."

Islam4UK remained defiant and said it would continue to oppose the war in Afghanistan.

Mr Choudary said: "We once again appeal to the British public and in particular the families and friends of soldiers who have died or are currently involved in Afghanistan to engage with us in an honest dialogue.

"There is common ground between us. Just as you grieve the deaths of your sons and daughters, we too grieve the deaths of thousands of ordinary Muslim men, women and children."

Islam4UK denied that members had planned to carry 500 empty coffins through the town.

Mohammed Shafiq from the Ramadhan Foundation said Mr Choudary had been deliberately provocative.

He said: "His attempt to demonstrate at Wootton Bassett was set out to provoke hatred between communities and is not welcomed in the Muslim communities. He and his cronies have no support in the British Muslim communities."

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