West Berkshire community leaders condemn Woolwich murder

In a moving, interfaith ceremony, community leaders joined with soldiers from Denison barracks, Hemitage, and Newbury Royal British Legion to remember the 25-year-old member of 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, allegedly killed by two terrorists in Woolwich, south east London, on May 21.
West Berkshire Muslim Society spokesman Shahzad Nadeem said: “I want to express my deepest condolences to the family of deceased Drummer Lee Rigby and condemn in the strongest terms this cold-blooded murder, done in the name of a religion which has nothing to do with these criminals.”
Others acknowledged heightened tension and increased racist abuse against local Muslims in West Berkshire since the horrific killing.
Deputy leader of Newbury Town Council, Ruwan Uduwerage Perera, said: “There is verbal abuse in the street and threats.”

Even as he spoke, one youth passing by racially abused him.
The ceremony, involving the Bangladesh Asian Welfare Centre Committee, took place at 10.45am.
Chairman of the Newbury Royal British Legion Chris Green, accompanied by Legion Standard Bearer and vice chairman Ron Grace, recited the Act of Remembrance outside St Nicolas’ Church.
Wreaths were then laid by local Islamic community leaders Lucky Miah, Imam Mobasshir Mushtaq and Waheeda Soomro.
Also present were the commanding officer of 42 Engineer Regiment stationed at Hermitage, Lt Col Richard Blunt and Regimental Sgt Major Will Robinson.
Lt Col Blunt said: “We live in the community and it’s important to us to know that, as soldiers, we’re supported.
"The message today is about togertheness. A multi-faith service such as this shows that support.”
Mr Miah said, as he laid his wreath, that Drummer Rigby had been “brutally murdered in cold blood” and added: “We’re all disgusted by this incident. As Muslims, we condemn such an act. We don’t see (the alleged perpetrators) as part of our religion or its teachings.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the deceased.”
Mr Mushtaq echoed his colleague’s condemnation and said: “Islam promotes peace and we have a big community here in Newbury living in harmony with others.”

Afterwards, Newbury mosque secretary Shamim Ahmed said: “On the whole we’ve been welcomed here in Newbury and we want to show we stand shoulder to shoulder with the wider community.”
Last week Faith Matters, which monitors anti-Muslim incidents, said the number of incidents in the past six days had risen to 193, including ten assaults on mosques. The figure compares to a total of 642 incidents in the previous 12 months, representing a 15-fold increase on last year’s average of 12 attacks per week.
Mr Uduwerage Perera said: “Some people are afraid to go out. The tragic murder has raised tensions nationally and that has been reflected locally.
“It’s often under reported because many people don’t want to ‘rock the boat.’