Police Probe Into Extremist Posters
Detectives have broken their veil of silence over the fanatics who peppered the route of the Easter Sunday parade - celebrating the Prophet Mohammed's birthday - with posters bearing slogans trumpeting Islam's 'supremacy' and urging attacks on non-believers.
Organisers believe the offensive posters - some of which supported attacks on the White House and the Catholic Church in Rome - were erected in a bid by the extremists to hijack a peaceful event for their own political purposes.
Police have now seized the movie posters and are looking into who was behind them.
Chris Blagbrough, chief inspector of community engagement for Trent Valley, which covers Burton, said: "The display of the posters, which were distributed out and about, is an offence and we are actively and robustly investigating."
Arranged by ruling committees of the Uxbridge Street and Princess Street mosques, the 11th annual parade attracted up to 1,000 devotees who sang and waved flags.
After speeches at Uxbridge Street mosque, they walked down Evershed Way, Union Street, Station Street, Borough Road, Waterloo Street and Albert Street to the Princess Street mosque to enjoy more speeches and a four-course meal.
It was during the procession that The Mail captured images of the inflammatory posters, which were attributed to three groups.
One said" "Islam is supreme and nothing can match its supremacy", while another read "You will attack Rome and Allah will enable you to conquer it".
Police say that, posters aside, the parade was a big success.
Chief Insp. Blagbrough, who was on the march, added: "The march passed without any other issues.
"It was a really warm, friendly community march which people actively got involved with and enjoyed. Many people also came out to watch.
"There was not a slight syllable of animosity. There were speeches saying what a great march it was and I would wholeheartedly endorse those comments."
Muslim community leaders condemned those who put up the posters after the parade.
Mohammed Jamil, president of Burton's Pakistan Community Centre, said: "I'm very concerned and strongly condemn whoever has done it.
"If they strongly believe what they put up, they should come out into the open and hold their own event."
April 08, 2008
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