abc riots

Violent race riot flared after mosque chief urged Muslims to confront right-wing ‘English Defence League’ protesters

 

Faces of anger: Some of the Asian youths who opposed protesters from the Right-wing English Defence League in Birmingham. The city’s top Muslim leader had urged his followers to ‘vent their feelings’
Read more:

The most influential Muslim leader in the West Midlands urged his followers to ‘vent their feelings’ against Right-wing protesters during a Birmingham  rally that ended in violent clashes and 90 arrests.

Birmingham Central Mosque chairman Dr Mohammad Naseem encouraged Muslims to counter-demonstrate during Saturday’s anti-Islamic protest by the English Defence League (EDL).

The police had advised community leaders to stop people from attending, reported The Times.

One protester from the league, Leisha Brookes, 42, said: ‘We are simply protesting about the fact that if people come to our country, they should respect our laws.

‘If an English person went to an Arab country they would be expected to dress appropriately, and all we are asking is for them to do the same.’

The league has planned protest marches in other cities, including one next month in Manchester.

Yesterday a West Midlands Police spokesman said all those arrested were male, aged between 16 and 39, and offences included criminal damage and violent disorder, including possession of an offensive weapon.