Bombers Condemned By Somali Community

Leaders from Bristol's Somali community met to vehemently condemn the recent terrorist activities across the country. A group drawn from various organisations, including residents, traders and religious leaders, issued a joint statement on behalf of the entire community urging people to be unified against the terrorists and to help find those responsible.

One of the suspects arrested following the failed London bombing of July 21, Yasin Hassan Omar, is a Somalian and people from the community in Bristol have been concerned about a backlash against them.

The meeting heard that since the spate of terrorist activities which started on July 7, a number of Muslims from the Asian and Somali populations have been subject to abuse and attacks.

Mosques in Easton and Totterdown were also targeted and the police have increased patrols in those areas as a result.

Lawrence Hill's sector Inspector Andy Coote was at the meeting at the Learning Centre in St Paul's yesterday, to remind people to be vigilant in their communities.

Special powers have also been invoked since the attacks which gives police the right to stop anybody or any vehicle if they suspect it may be linked to terrorism.

At the meeting, speaker Latif Ismail read out a prepared statement which underlined the fact that the Koran, Islam's equivalent of the Bible, clearly states that killing is wrong.

He said: "We utterly condemn the criminals who perpetrated the terrorist attacks on July 7 and the attempted attacks on July 21, and those who recruit and prey upon the susceptible minds of young men.

"We would urge all to see these criminals as criminals and not to allow anyone to point the finger at anyone of faith, creed, background or colour.

"The Qur'an (Koran) clearly declares that killing an innocent person is tantamount to killing all mankind and likewise saving a single life is as if one had saved the life of all mankind.

"This is both a principle and a command.

"We urge Muslims and non-Muslims to be united in helping the police identify and bring to justice those who are trying to carry out the killing of innocent people.

"Our strength lies in our unity."

Insp Coote, based at Trinity Road, said it was important that the Muslim community helped the police in finding would be terrorists.

He said: "The people living next door to the bombers in London had no idea what they were planning, which means they could be living anywhere, even next door to you.

"We are saying that people should be alert but not alarmed and to report anything suspicious to the police.

"It can be dealt with anonymously.

"We do have powers to stop people now but I am making it clear to officers that the degree of evil is not marked by the colour of your skin and that the power is being used to find the right people."

Kayse Maxamed, the editor of the Somali Voice newspaper, which started in Bristol last year, added: "The Somali Voice and police in Bristol are working together to inform the community latest development of hunting the terrorist attacks in London, to advise the community to report any suspicious of anyone's behaviour within the community and also to report if any one feels discrimination or victimisation flowing arrest of Yasin Hassan Omar.

"On Thursday, I distributed 100 leaflets to the Somali community and visited four different mosques to discus how we maintain community relations and also support the police to catch the terrorist and also report any hate crime."

l A vigil was being held outside the St Mark's Road Mosque after Friday pra- yers.

The Stop the War Group organised the event to show support for the Muslim community in Bristol.

Police are asking anybody who sees anything suspicious which could be related to terrorism, to call 999.