Muslim leader appeals to 'Islamic duty' of followers to prevent attacks

A Muslim leader has declared that it is the "Islamic duty" of the faithful to fight to eliminate extremism as he made the strongest condemnation yet of the attempted car bombings in London and Glasgow.

Muhammad Abdul Bari, the secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, issued a direct challenge to the fundamentalists.

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"Those who seek to deliberately kill or main innocent people are the enemies of all of us," he said.

Mr Bari said: "It is our Islamic duty not only to utterly and totally condemn such evil actions, but to provide all the necessary support to prevent such atrocities from taking place."

Muslim leaders from across Britain will hold talks this weekend to discuss ways to "undermine and defeat the terrorists who seek to attack us". The meeting of imams and community activists will discuss how they can work better with police and other partners to combat the terror threat facing Britain.

In a direct message to extremists, Mr Bari said: "There is no cause whatsoever that could possibly justify such barbarity. Those who engage in such murderous actions and those that provide support for them are the enemies of all, Muslims and non-Muslims, and they stand against our shared values in the UK.

"The police and security services... deserve the fullest support and co-operation from each and every sector of our society, including all Muslims."