Today was the first time that I heard a Muslim in England talk about this as 'our country'; it was surprisingly moving.  The lady was describing an initiative to demonstrate their allegiance to the UK.  She felt that many citizens may judge the Islamic community and its values on the hostile and violent behaviour of a small group of extremists who do not represent the Muslim community: she argued that most Muslims living in the UK strongly disapprove of these antisocial views and actions.  "But", she added, "too few of us have been speaking out and we want to put this right."

As the BBC Today programme reported the story:

"A group of Muslim women from around the country will be laying a wreath later this week at the National Memorial Arboretum, to show their solidarity and support for troops. The women say they were motivated by their revulsion at the Islamist extremist demonstration in Luton last year and the threats to disrupt commemorations at the repatriation of dead service personnel at Wooton Bassett."

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