Sharia law protests: Plea for calm (From Salisbury Journal)

Sharia law protests: Plea for calm

2:56am Saturday 31st October 2009

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Police and religious leaders have urged troublemakers to stay away as thousands of rival protesters prepare to gather amid extremists' calls for sharia law in Britain.

Supporters of the proposals, far right groups and anti-fascist demonstrators are set to march at various sites amid heightened security in London and Leeds.

Scotland Yard played down the risk of any violent clashes, but West Yorkshire officers warned they were preparing for "some disorder".

A wave of counter-protests were announced after campaign group Islam4UK announced plans to host a march and rally in support of sharia law. According to reports it will start outside the House of Commons and converge on Trafalgar Square.

The Islamic Society of Britain said it would join other organisations in staging a "dignified, non-violent" counter-demonstration at Piccadilly Circus.

Julie Siddiqi, of The Islamic Society of Britain, said: "We urge people across the UK of all faiths and no faith not to be provoked by those seeking to divide us. The democracy we currently enjoy in Britain allows everyone to practise their faith freely. It is the actions of a few extremists that continue to marginalise and further misrepresent our faith."

In Leeds and London, demonstrations are being held by the English Defence League (EDL), a group which describes itself as a "counter-Jihad movement". Unite Against Fascism has organised a counter-rally in the West Yorkshire city's centre.

The protests will be away from main shopping areas in Leeds but, between 6am and 7pm, parts of Cookridge Street and Headrow will be closed.

Chief Supt Mark Milsom' of West Yorkshire Police' said: "We expect there may be some disorder, given previous events elsewhere, and have plans in place to deal with that.

"Because of the EDL focuses on Islamic issues, members of the local Muslim communities, particularly younger people, might feel threatened and be tempted into attending. This would potentially play into the hands of both groups. My message is, don't get drawn in, let the police handle the event, let people stage their protest then go on their way."

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