Muslim leaders urge restraint in response to far-right attacks

Heads of mosques in West Midlands warn against reactive violence as some communities plan counter-protests to protect streets from rioters

Muslim community leaders have urged restraint amid signs of a growing readiness to defend mosques, businesses and homes using violence if necessary after a week of aggression from the far right.

On Monday, several hundred Muslim men, some wearing balaclavas and masks, gathered in the Bordesley area of Birmingham as threats of an imminent attack by the English Defence League (EDL) and other far-right activists circulated on social media.