Glasgow rally to protest against 'unacceptable anti-Muslim rhetoric'

Thousands of people are expected to join to rally in Glasgow today protesting against anti-Muslim rhetoric among politicians and in the media.

The rally, organised by the Glasgow Stop the War Coalition and the Muslim Association of Britain, was prompted by fears that recent statements by government figures had led to the growing number of attacks on Muslims and increasing sectarian sentiment.

It came as the Conservative Party leader David Cameron added his voice to the debate, stating that he was concerned the Muslim community was feeling "slightly targeted" by the debate.

It was Jack Straw who first raised the issue, revealing in a newspaper columnn that he asked Muslim constituents in Blackburn to remove veils when he met them. Tony Blair joined the debate two days ago, describing the veil a "mark of separation".

Mr Cameron said: "I think there is a danger of politicians piling in to have their tenpence-worth and really they have to ask themselves whether this is having an overall good effect or not." He defended the comments made by Mr Straw, saying he had raised the issue in a "calm, reasonable, moderate" way, but added that he would not follow the former foreign secretary's lead.

Gill Hubbard of Glasgow Stop the War Coalition said: "Jack Straw claimed that women wearing the niqab makes him feel 'uncomfortable' and creates social division, John Reid lectured Muslim parents on how to bring up their children, implying that they are responsible for terrorism and David Cameron got the headline with 'I'll smash Muslim ghettos'. These statements are unacceptable."