Mick Hartley

As we all desperately await some Muslim – any Muslim – prepared to stand up and condemn the atrocities committed in the name of Islam, this has to be good news:

British Muslims are planning a mass rally in Central London to demonstrate against all forms of terrorism. The Muslim Council of Britain, the largest umbrella group of the 2.5 million Muslims in Britain, is urgently consulting its members and mosques on proposals for a rally to underline Muslim condemnation of the Madrid bombings and al-Qaeda violence.

“We need to show that there is no difference of opinion among any of us in Britain — Muslim, Christian or whatever religion — in our stand on this. We are one and the same, and it is a common enemy that we are fighting,” Iqbal Sacranie, the council’s secretary-general, said.

He said it was important to show other Britons that British Muslims were doing something visible against violence. The council strongly condemned the bombings in Madrid but was hurt that its statement was not widely reported.

Mr Sacranie also condemned the abuse of politicial issues by al-Qaeda and other extremists who used them as justification for violence. “There can never be any justification for terrorism,” he said.

The organisers are hoping to include representatives from every mosque in Britain, as well as Muslim MPs, businessmen, professional leaders and academics. “Everyone in the community should be represented,” he said. The council is considering possible approaches to leaders of other religious groups to join in a demonstration against terrorism.

“The hearts of Muslims and all peoples of conscience go out to families of those whose loved ones have been murdered and those who have been wounded in these appalling atrocities. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the Spanish people at this time of shock and grief,” the council said after the Madrid bombings. Mr Sacranie and other members of the council have visited the Spanish Embassy to sign the book of condolences.