Muslims join mourners paying tribute as war heroes return (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Muslims join mourners paying tribute as war heroes return

4:16pm Tuesday 5th January 2010

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Muslim mourners braved heavy snow today to join hundreds and pay tribute to two soldiers killed in Afghanistan – days after an extremist group vowed to march through the town.

Rifleman Aidan Howell, 19, from Sidcup, Kent, was killed in a bomb blast near Forward Operating Base Zeebrugge in the Kajaki area of Helmand province on December 28.

Sapper David Watson, 23, from Whickham, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, was killed on New Year’s Eve after a controlled explosion near Patrol Base Blenheim in Sangin, Helmand Province.

The heroes’ coffins passed through Wootton Bassett today where fanatical Islamic preacher Anjem Choudary threatened to parade in opposition to the war.

Choudary and his followers have vowed to march through the town with 500 empty coffins to symbolise the hundreds of muslims killed during the conflict.

But hundreds of mourners lined the patriotic town of Wootton Bassett to pay a respectful tribute to our war dead.

Muslim mourners joined the devastated families of the two fallen soldiers in condemning Islam4UK’s planned march.

Pensioner Abdul Latif, 65, who has lived in Wootton Bassett, Wilts., since 1995 with wife Samina, 52, slammed Islam4UK as “extremists”.

He said: “I’ve been to these repatriations about 13 times and we have great sympathy with the families who have lost their children at war.

“They are fighting for all of us, not just their religions, but the whole country. We have great respect for everyone that passes through here.

“We sit here in peace and harmony while they fight for us. That’s why we come here to show our respects. Whatever my beliefs they are human just like us.

“Although we believe in Islam we do not support Islam4UK. They are a minority of Muslims. They are extremists and we will not support them walking through Wootton Bassett.”

Steven Stratford and Pete Bell travelled over 100 miles to the repatriation to pay their respects to close friend Rifleman Aiden Howell.

Mr Stretford said: “Aiden was an excellent boy. You could not meet a nicer, better gentleman.

“It’s very difficult to be here. We came over 100 miles to get here but we would have walked it.

“If these Muslims come to protest here it will be carnage. If they want to protest they shouldn’t do it here. This is where the soldiers come back as heroes.”

Pete Bell said: “If this Muslim group want to protest they should go to London or go to the Government, it is completely disrespectful and anti-British.

“Everyone who comes to see the soldiers through Wootton Bassett are themselves heroes. The people in Wootton Bassett are the best and treated us so kindly.”

The two soldier’s bodies were flown home on a Hercules plane, which landed at RAF Lyneham at 11.30am.

Following a private memorial service for families at the base a procession then made its way along the A3102.

The market town was brought to a silent standstill at 2.15pm as their coffins, draped in Union Jack flags, passed slowly through the town, to spontaneous applause.

Family and friends wept as they threw red, white and yellow roses onto the hearses while mourners stood for a minute’s silence at the town’s war memorial.

Regimental banners were lowered and church bells rang in respect before the vehicles continued up the High Street to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

The poignant tribute comes after Mr Choudary, head of Islam4UK, announced plans to march through the town, which has become synonymous with honouring our war dead.

The move has continued to draw fury and one Muslim community leader branded the group a “band of self-serving, publicity craving lunatics” who “thrive on attention”.

Bristol-based Muslim leader Farooq Siddique said: “They openly declare they are a “platform” for Al Muhajiroon; a group banned in this country under anti-terror laws.

“I despise even having to talk about them. But at the same time I am compelled to make it clear that he and his idiots do not represent the Muslim community of Bristol, Wiltshire or anywhere else in this country.

“I have spoken to many Muslims about the planned march, and everyone, bar none, has equally condemned them.”

Wali Rahman, who runs the Wiltshire Islamic Cultural Centre, added: “This planned march will spark up racial tensions and cause a backlash against the whole Muslim population.

“I am totally against it. It would damage the positive relations and trust we have been trying to build since the 911 attack and represent a big step backwards.

“There are two million Muslims in Britain and I can say confidently that the vast majority are against this organisation who speak for no one but themselves.

“It is sad that Islam4UK are shaping the public’s perception of British Muslims because they are a tiny minority and I don’t know anyone who shares their views.”

PM Gordon Brown called the plans for the march “abhorrent and offensive” while Tory leader David Cameron branded their views “completely reprehensible”.

Among the mourners was Terry Davis, 73, from Trowbridge, standard bearer for the Royal Engineers, who described Islam4UK’s planned march as “disrespectful.”

He said: “I have been to many repatriations and I come here to show my support.

“The reason I am here today is because a royal engineer is passing through and I wanted to show my support to his family.

“Every hearse contains someone’s son, they should all be supported.

“I do not think Islam4UK should protest along this street. It’s completely disrespectful to the families and it should not go ahead.

“If it does then there will be a lot of people left upset and disappointed.”

MP for north Wiltshire James Gray said: “My concern was that Mr Choudary wanted was publicity and if the people of Wootton Bassett reacted badly that would give him exactly what he wanted.

“I think it’s perfectly acceptable for Mr Choudary to hold a protest but it is totally inappropriate for him to do that here.”

Wootton Bassett Mayor Steve Bucknell said: “I was worried that there might be a different atmosphere today after all that’s happened over the last few days.

“But it is as peaceful and respectful as ever.”

The deaths bring the number of those killed in the war-torn country to 108 last year and a total of 245 British troops have now died since operations began in 2001.

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