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Islamic Centre Fire: Muslims 'Need Protection'

Muslim groups have pleaded with police to clamp down on Islamaphobic attacks, saying they are living in fear of reprisals after Drummer Lee Rigby's murder.

Counter-terrorism police are investigating after a Somali cultural centre was burned to the ground in Muswell Hill, north London, in the early hours of Wednesday.

The letters "EDL" - the initials of the English Defence League - were found scrawled on the outside of the Bravanese Centre, which was also used as a mosque.

The EDL has denied any involvement in the fire.

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 the words "Lee Rigby's killers should hang" were written on the memorial.

Farooq Murad, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain , said: "It is time for serious action against such crimes.

"The British Muslim community came out in droves to condemn this murder, and it is despicable that Muslims should be held to account and suffer in this way.

"We had fine and decisive words from our leaders condemning the actions of the English Defence League, now we need a proper response from our police authorities, starting with a national police response to this issue.

"Admirably, local police forces and borough commanders have been liaising with communities.

"Now we need to hear from the Metropolitan Police Commissioner and the leaders of the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) as to what they will be doing to protect this rise in attacks."

Mr Murad also appealed to the media to act responsibly and not "stoke up" anti-Muslim sentiment.

"We are reminded by the words of Drummer Lee Rigby's family and his Regiment, who have warned against reprisal attacks. In spite of these attacks, we are heartened by the many more acts of solidarity that have taken place.

"In addition to the hate mail, we have received many messages of support from all faith communities."

The Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) said Muslims were scared and living in fear of a "wave of attacks".

Massoud Shadjareh, chairman of IHRC, said: "Muslims feel scared right now and it is completely understandable.

"Muslims have been physically attacked, mosques burnt down, cemeteries vandalised and social media is full of anti-Muslim hatred and violent threats towards Muslims.

"More needs to be done to protect the Muslim community."

The IHRC also said not enough was being done to protect Muslims.

"IHRC wrote to the Metropolitan Police Chief asking for increased awareness and protection for minority communities as well as warning of such attacks but were disappointed with the response we received," the group said.

"This attack reinforces our view that the state is not doing enough to protect minorities in the UK from hatred."

Unite Against Fascism has organised a vigil outside the cultural centre from 6pm and is calling on people from all parts of the community to come together.

And earlier shadow communities secretary Hilary Benn met with members of the community outside the cultural centre.

Flowers were also left at the scene of the fire.

Tommy Robinson, the leader of the EDL, denied one of the group's supporters was behind the blaze.

He said members have always been told not to attack mosques or places of worship and claimed there was a "nationwide campaign" to blacken the name of the group.

Kevin Carroll, of the EDL, said: "The EDL do not approve of any religious buildings being attacked."

:: Anyone with information is asked to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.