This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7162409.stm
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Muslims offer prayers for Bhutto | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| British Muslims have offered prayers for the former Pakistani leader Benazir Bhutto, who was assassinated by a suicide bomber. | |
| Special prayers were said at Birmingham Central Mosque following the usual Friday service. | |
| Mosque chairman Dr Mohammed Naseem urged the people of Pakistan not to let the assassination destroy democracy. | Mosque chairman Dr Mohammed Naseem urged the people of Pakistan not to let the assassination destroy democracy. |
| Prime Minister Gordon Brown telephoned President Pervez Musharraf to pass on Britain's condolences and support. | |
| Mr Brown urged Mr Musharraf to "stick to the course he has outlined to build democracy and stability in Pakistan". | |
| Dr Naseem also called on Pakistanis to remain calm as violence erupted in the country amid fears of civil war breaking out. | |
| He said the country's citizens should "take time to come together and say we are not letting anybody disrupt our process of democracy. | |
| "Destroying property and killing people is senseless. Gun law is not the right law for any country." | "Destroying property and killing people is senseless. Gun law is not the right law for any country." |
| The country, presently in the clutches of military, is being held at ransom by anti-democratic and terrorist forces Ishtiaq AhmedBradford Council of Mosques UK Pakistanis express shock | The country, presently in the clutches of military, is being held at ransom by anti-democratic and terrorist forces Ishtiaq AhmedBradford Council of Mosques UK Pakistanis express shock |
| Salma Yaqoob, Respect councillor for Birmingham's Sparkbrook area, said that Ms Bhutto was a charismatic figure who came to Birmingham quite often where she was "always well received." | Salma Yaqoob, Respect councillor for Birmingham's Sparkbrook area, said that Ms Bhutto was a charismatic figure who came to Birmingham quite often where she was "always well received." |
| She added that many Muslims in Birmingham had families in Pakistan and feared for their safety as riots later erupted in several Pakistani cities in the hours after the assassination. | She added that many Muslims in Birmingham had families in Pakistan and feared for their safety as riots later erupted in several Pakistani cities in the hours after the assassination. |
| The Archbishop of Birmingham, the Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, said the city's Catholic community would also be praying for Ms Bhutto and her family. | The Archbishop of Birmingham, the Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, said the city's Catholic community would also be praying for Ms Bhutto and her family. |
| He said: "The assassination of Benazir Bhutto is a terrible crime which creates a critical situation in Pakistan. | He said: "The assassination of Benazir Bhutto is a terrible crime which creates a critical situation in Pakistan. |
| "We shall also be praying for Ms Bhutto and her family." | "We shall also be praying for Ms Bhutto and her family." |
| In Bradford, where about 70,000 people of Pakistani origin live, the killing was condemned as a "sad day" for the country and a threat to democracy. | In Bradford, where about 70,000 people of Pakistani origin live, the killing was condemned as a "sad day" for the country and a threat to democracy. |
| Bradford Council of Mosques spokesman Ishtiaq Ahmed said: "The murder of Benazir Bhutto is a major setback to restoring democracy in Pakistan. | |
| "The country, presently in the clutches of military, is being held at ransom by anti-democratic and terrorist forces." | "The country, presently in the clutches of military, is being held at ransom by anti-democratic and terrorist forces." |
| Bradford was a major support base for Mrs Bhutto's political party, the PPP. | Bradford was a major support base for Mrs Bhutto's political party, the PPP. |
| Mohammed Akram, from the Hanfia mosque in the city, said people would be anxious to find out who was behind the killing. | Mohammed Akram, from the Hanfia mosque in the city, said people would be anxious to find out who was behind the killing. |
| "We're shocked and we're very sad when we heard this news," he told BBC Radio 5 Live. The Pakistani flag flew at half-mast at the London embassy | "We're shocked and we're very sad when we heard this news," he told BBC Radio 5 Live. The Pakistani flag flew at half-mast at the London embassy |
| "She had a lot of supporters in Bradford. In fact, her father had a lot of support and since then she was like a Bradfordian to us." | "She had a lot of supporters in Bradford. In fact, her father had a lot of support and since then she was like a Bradfordian to us." |
| Earlier, the Prime Minister condemned the attack as "a cowardly terrorist act designed to destabilise democratic elections." | |
| He told President Musharraf: "The international community is united in its outrage and determination that those who stoop to such tactics shall not prevail. | |
| "This deadly attack is also a potent reminder of the threat we face from terror. | |
| "Pakistan is a major ally in the global effort to combat this menace." | |
| Mr Brown also pledged his support in the "efforts to destroy al Qaeda" during the conversation with Mr Musharraf, Downing Street said. | |
| Foreign Secretary David Miliband called the bombing, which killed about 20 people, a "senseless attack". | Foreign Secretary David Miliband called the bombing, which killed about 20 people, a "senseless attack". |
| The Tories said it was "an appalling act of terrorism" and the Lib Dems called it a "hammer blow" to democracy in Pakistan. |