More than 50 victims of Islamist-inspired terror attacks have signed a joint letter calling for an end to anti-Muslim hate - including Lee Rigby's wife.
They warn it is the “height of irresponsibility” for some politicians to equate “being Muslim with being an extremist”.
“The single most important thing we can do is to isolate the extremists and the terrorists from the vast majority of British Muslims who deplore such violence,” the letter adds.
Signatories include survivors and relatives of those killed in attacks in the UK and around the world.
The signatories include Rebecca Rigby, whose husband, Lee Rigby, was murdered by Islamic extremists, Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale, on May 22, 2013.
The attack took place near the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich, southeast London, at 2.20pm, where he was stationed as a soldier.
After being hit by a car driven by the terrorists, Lee was viciously attacked by the knife-wielding duo who attempted to behead him.
They remained at the scene until officers subdued them, declaring their act was in revenge for Muslims killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Others that have signed include Magen Inon, whose parents were killed in Hamas’s attack on Israel in October 7 last year.
Justine Merton-Scott, a survivor of the attack on the Bataclan theatre in Paris in November 2015, and Michelle Hussain, a survivor of the Manchester Arena bombing in May 2017 also signed.
It comes as Communities Secretary Michael Gove is set to produce a new official definition of extremism within days.
Mr Gove told the Sunday Telegraph pro-Palestinian marchers should question whether extremist groups are behind some of the protests, and that the new definition will help protesters decide whether to attend events.
“Some of the events that have been organised, have been organised by extremist organisations,” he said.
“That doesn’t mean that people who have gone on them are extremist, quite the opposite. But it means that you can begin to question: do you really want to be lending credence to this organisation?”
The letter – signed by 58 survivors – says they are “only too aware” of the threat of “Islamist extremism”, but added that it is wrong to conflate extremists with the vast majority of British Muslims.
“This is not only wrong in itself, it makes the job of the Islamist extremists easier and plays into the hands of terrorists… We also know where anti-Muslim hate can lead.
“While Islamist-inspired extremism is our country’s most pressing terror threat, it is not our only one – and responding to it by feeding far-right extremism, dividing our communities and exaggerating the risk will feed a cycle of extremism that will put more people at risk.
“It is the height of irresponsibility.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel