LONDON: Extra security will be put up at mosques around the UK in the wake of the deadly attacks in Norway, British Muslim leaders said on Sunday. Mohammed Shafiq, the leader of Ramazan Foundation, one of Britain's largest Muslim groups, said mosques are being extra vigilant as it emerges that the suspect blamed for the Norway attacks opposed Muslim immigration to Europe.

Shafiq said he was talking to other European Muslim leaders about the need to increase security and to British police about extra protection.

“People are afraid that we will be the next target,” Safiq said in a telephone interview during a large gathering of scholars and leaders in northern city of Birmingham. “As a result, we've told people to be extra vigilant and there will be added security placed at mosques.”A pig's head was recently left at a mosque outside of Oxford, he added.

An online manifesto ranting against Muslim immigration to Europe was written by the 32-year-old Norwegian suspect, Anders Behring Breivik, and Breivik had been working on it for years, said his lawyer, Geir Lippestad.

On Friday, seven people died in a bombing outside government headquarters. Hours later, 86 more died in a shooting spree on a nearby island.—AP

Opinion

Editorial

Lingering concerns
19 Sep, 2024

Lingering concerns

Embarrassed after failing to muster numbers during the high-stakes drama that played out all weekend, the govt will need time to regroup.
Pager explosions
Updated 19 Sep, 2024

Pager explosions

This dangerous brinkmanship is likely to drag the region — and the global economy — into a vortex of violence and instability.
Losing to China
19 Sep, 2024

Losing to China

AT a time when they should have stepped up, a sense of complacency seemed to have descended on the Pakistan hockey...
Parliament’s place
Updated 17 Sep, 2024

Parliament’s place

Efforts to restore parliament’s sanctity must rise above all political differences and legislative activities must be open to scrutiny and debate.
Afghan policy flux
Updated 18 Sep, 2024

Afghan policy flux

A fresh approach is needed, where Pakistan’s security is prioritised and decision taken to improve ties. Afghan Taliban also need to respond in kind.
HIV/AIDS outbreak
17 Sep, 2024

HIV/AIDS outbreak

MULTIPLE factors — the government’s inability to put its people first, a rickety health infrastructure, and...