The Muslim and Arab communities in Fife have denounced the murder of a soldier in London as an abhorrent crime which plays into the hands of extremists at the far-right end of the political spectrum.
The Kirkcaldy Islamic Centre (KIC), Fife Arabic Society (FAS) and Scottish Arab Federation (SAFE) have condemned the alleged actions of the accused.
They have stressed that Islam is a peaceful religion and have expressed deep regret that the vast majority of the UK’s two million law-abiding Muslims now find themselves being maligned through some sections of the media.
The Courier revealed on Saturday that police are stepping up patrols at mosques across Fife and Tayside in an effort to see off any backlash against Muslims in the wake of the terror attack in London.
Officers have appealed to leaders of organisations that represent ethnic minority communities to report “heightened tensions” and warned of “potential hostilities”.
The controversial English Defence League has already clashed with police and attacked mosques, with the Scottish Defence League said to be mobilising in Tayside “due to high demand”.
Speaking on behalf of the KIC, FAS and SAFE, Adnan Miyasar, executive director of the Kirkcaldy-based SAFE, told The Courier he was aware all mosques and community groups have asked their members not to get involved in unwanted provocations.
Mr Miyasar said: “We do send our sincerest condolences to the victim’s family and denounce this criminal act in the strongest terms.
“What makes this particularly deplorable is the senseless uttering of the killers about their motives, which plays directly in the hands of the extremist elements at the other end of the spectrum.
“Those did not waste any time to exploit an extremely sad and disturbing event towards racial hatred and Islamophobia.”
He added: “Suffice to say that Islam is in essence a very tolerant and peaceful religion.”