Muslims urged to protest against strikes

Opinions are divided on military action

Muslims in the UK are being called on to organise peaceful protests to show their opposition to the US-led military air strikes on Afghanistan.

The request has come from the Muslim Council of Britain, which represents many Muslim groups in the UK.

It is worried the strikes will destabilise the region, and has said it is "deeply saddened and gravely concerned".

Some more outspoken Muslim leaders in Britain have said people would see the raids as an attack on Islam.

The Muslim Council of Britain said: "The people of Afghanistan neither planned nor perpetrated terror - they must not be doubly victimised."

Fears of retaliation

It also urged vigilance "against acts of hate and Islamophobia directed at the Muslim community".

Others believe the action is justified but are worried about possible retaliatory attacks.

The Director of the Manchester Council for Community Relations, Khan Moghal, is worried about the safety of local Muslims.

We condemned the attack on the World Trade Center, and we are condemning the attack on the innocent people of Afghanistan by America and Britain

Ajmal Masroor, Islamic Society

He said on Monday: "My main concern is what will happen in terms of any retaliation."

But he added: "Countries cannot just walk away when thousands have died and there are terrorists hell-bent on flying planes into buildings."

President of the Islamic Society of Britain, Ajmal Masroor, said he was appalled by the attacks.

"We condemned the attack on the World Trade Center, and we are condemning the attack on the innocent people of Afghanistan by America and Britain."

And the Chairman of Birmingham Central Mosque Dr Mohammed Naseem told BBC News: "We have never solved any problems through going to war."

On Monday, religious leaders met with prime minister Tony Blair to discuss the sensitive situation.

'We must build bridges'

Afterwards, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey underlined the war on terrorism should not be used as an excuse for aggression towards any religious community.

He said it was not "a confrontation between religions".

"Current divisions must not be used here as a pretext or an excuse for hostility and aggression towards any individual community on the basis of religious adherence.

"At a time when emotions are running high and anxieties and fears abound, it's vital that we continue to build bridges not walls, to make friends, not scapegoats."