UK-based Muslims fear 'wave of anti-Islamic attacks' following Woolwich murder

Muslim groups have urged authorities to take serious action against anti-Islamic attacks, saying that they fear a wave of reprisals in the wake of the Woolwich murder of Drummer Lee Rigby.

Muslim representatives are pleading with police to clamp down on Islamaphobic attacks, and are appealing for solidarity throughout their communities, reports the Daily Star.

Counter-terrorism police are investigating after a Somali cultural centre was burned to the ground in Muswell Hill, north London on Wednesday. The building was daubed with the letters "EDL", apparently referencing the English Defence League.

The blaze came as the RAF Bomber Command War Memorial in Green Park, central London, was defaced again after being attacked by vandals last week, this time with the words "Lee Rigby's killers should hang".

Farooq Murad, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain, said that the British Muslim community came out in droves to condemn the murder, and it is despicable that Muslims should be held to account and suffer in this way.

Murad said it is time for serious action against such crimes, adding that they now need a proper response from police authorities.

Murad appealed to the media to act responsibly and not "stoke up" anti-Muslim sentiment, and urged Muslim communities to unite.