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Calm urged after terror arrests Calm urged after terror arrests
(about 1 hour later)
Religious leaders are to call for calm among Birmingham's Muslim communities as police continue their investigation into an alleged kidnapping plot. Religious leaders are calling for calm among Birmingham Muslims as police investigate an alleged kidnapping plot.
Detectives have been granted more time to question nine men arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of planning to kidnap and murder a UK Muslim soldier.Detectives have been granted more time to question nine men arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of planning to kidnap and murder a UK Muslim soldier.
Some Muslims are sceptical of police intelligence and clerics at the Central Mosque will ask them not to panic. About 3,500 worshippers attended lunchtime Friday prayers at the Birmingham Central Mosque.
Some 4,000 worshippers are expected to attend Friday prayers at the mosque. "Anger is a weakness we are commanded to control; that's the Koran," said chairman Dr Mohammed Naseem.
Dr Mohammed Naseem, the mosque's chairman, said: "Anger is a weakness that we are commanded to control, that's the Koran.
Map: Birmingham arrestsMap: Birmingham arrests
"We must always stick to the best of behaviour - it's not the time to panic or get angry.""We must always stick to the best of behaviour - it's not the time to panic or get angry."
He said some in the community resented the way the raids were carried out and opposed laws allowing terror suspects to be held for up to 28 days without charge. But he said some in the community resented the way the raids were carried out and opposed laws allowing terror suspects to be held for up to 28 days without charge.
"This unfortunate country is moving towards a police state - the laws being passed are wrong and against the traditions of the country," he added."This unfortunate country is moving towards a police state - the laws being passed are wrong and against the traditions of the country," he added.
'Be patient''Be patient'
In the meantime, the West Midlands force has been trying to reassure Muslims that the arrests were targeted at criminals - not a particular faith or community.In the meantime, the West Midlands force has been trying to reassure Muslims that the arrests were targeted at criminals - not a particular faith or community.
Some 5,000 leaflets translated from English into Punjabi, Hindi, Bengali and Urdu have been handed out explaining the operation and appealing for patience.Some 5,000 leaflets translated from English into Punjabi, Hindi, Bengali and Urdu have been handed out explaining the operation and appealing for patience.
The nine men were arrested under the Terrorism Act over what security sources say was a plan to film an execution-style murder of a British soldier and post it on the web.The nine men were arrested under the Terrorism Act over what security sources say was a plan to film an execution-style murder of a British soldier and post it on the web.
Police swooped on homes and commercial premises in Sparkhill, Alum Rock, Kingstanding and Edgbaston in a series of early morning raids, arresting eight men.Police swooped on homes and commercial premises in Sparkhill, Alum Rock, Kingstanding and Edgbaston in a series of early morning raids, arresting eight men.
Less than 12 hours later they arrested a ninth on a motorway in the Birmingham area.Less than 12 hours later they arrested a ninth on a motorway in the Birmingham area.
Since then, forensic teams have been combing all 12 addresses, as police question the men in an investigation they say could take "days, if not weeks".Since then, forensic teams have been combing all 12 addresses, as police question the men in an investigation they say could take "days, if not weeks".
On Thursday, a district judge granted police a seven-day extension to continue interviewing the suspects.On Thursday, a district judge granted police a seven-day extension to continue interviewing the suspects.
Under new terror laws, police can apply in court for a series of extensions up to 28 days.Under new terror laws, police can apply in court for a series of extensions up to 28 days.
BIRMINGHAM ARRESTS 1. Two properties raided in Jackson Road, Alum Rock 2. House raided in nearby Foxton Road3. End of terrace house searched in Poplar Road, Sparkhill4. Bookshop raided in Stratford Road Further raids at Ward End Park Road (5) and Asquith Road (6)Police also searched properties on Showell Green Lane (7) and Golden Hillock Road (8) near SparkhillPolice are reported to have also raided properties in the Edgbaston (9) and Kingstanding (10) areas of the cityBIRMINGHAM ARRESTS 1. Two properties raided in Jackson Road, Alum Rock 2. House raided in nearby Foxton Road3. End of terrace house searched in Poplar Road, Sparkhill4. Bookshop raided in Stratford Road Further raids at Ward End Park Road (5) and Asquith Road (6)Police also searched properties on Showell Green Lane (7) and Golden Hillock Road (8) near SparkhillPolice are reported to have also raided properties in the Edgbaston (9) and Kingstanding (10) areas of the city
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