Muslim leaders condemn London bomb attacks

British Muslim leaders have called for worshippers to mourn victims of the London bomb blasts at Friday prayers across Britain today and urged full co-operation with police hunting the killers.

"We stand shoulder to shoulder with our fellow British citizens," said

Bunglawala, spokesman for the Muslim Council of Britain, one of the mainstream groups which represents 1.6 million Muslims.

"Whoever was behind today's atrocity and whatever background they come from, we condemn them utterly," Mr Bunglawala said.

He said the council was also urging full cooperation with the police "to ensure that no extremist grounds are able to exploit today's tragedy for their own divisive political purposes".

Ahmed Sheik, president of the Muslim Association of Britain, echoed his fears, saying: "In the near future we are sure that there will be a backlash in response to this ... barbaric and criminal act.

"We advise Muslims in such circumstances to be vigilant and not to go out unless necessary, and to stay among Muslim congregations," he said.

Meanwhile, Irish Muslim leaders also condemned the attacks.

Sheikh Allama Zille Umar Qadri, Director of the Clonee Islamic Centre and Minhaj Youth Ireland called the attacks "acts of evil" committed by "sick, pathetic cowards".

"This was a terrorist attack aimed at ordinary working class Londoners, black and white, Muslim and Christian, Hindu and Jew, young and old. Our sympathies and our prayers are with the victims, their families and friends," he said.

Sheikh Qadri added that he was encouraged by the words of the assistant deputy commissioner of London police, Brian Paddick, who said at a press conference yesterday that Islam and terrorism are two different and opposite things.

"Muslims who are terrorists have nothing to do with Islam," Sheikh Qadri added.

"All Imams should condemn these blasts in the Friday sermons and advice Muslims to do whatever they can to help their fellow Britons and bring these cowards to justice," he concluded.