AFTER the death of Osama Bin Laden, deputy prime minister Nick Clegg appeared in Bradford calling for calm responses in the Muslim community.
In wake of the news which occurred on Sunday (1) regarding the death of the Al Qaeda leader, there are fears of terrorist related reprisals from supporters of Bin Laden.
Liberal Democrat leader Mr Clegg, appeared at the Kala Sangam headquarters at St Peter’s House, near Bradford Cathedral, for a Q&A session yesterday. He told the audience of local Bradford residents, that the War on Terror was never a conflict with the Muslim world: “It is really important to remember that there was no conflict with the
Muslim world – it was Osama Bin Laden who was at war with the Muslim world.”
Mr Clegg said he felt “relief” after hearing about the death of Bin Laden and added: “This was a man who sowed so much hatred, violence and division around the world. He is no longer able to do that himself.”
But he called for “vigilance” in the event of Al Qaeda or its supporters “seeking to make their presence felt”.
A question was asked from a member of the audience asking Mr Clegg about what the coalition government would do to combat Islamophobia. He said: “Any form of prejudice is unacceptable. I am liberal to my fingertips and we must be uncompromising. Whoever incites violence or hatred must be dealt with firmly."
He reiterated his view that “today more than any other day” that the war against Islamic extremists following the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York a decade ago was not aimed at Muslims in general.
