A CONTROVERSIAL march by an Islamic group through Wootton Bassett has been cancelled.
Islam4UK had planned a march through the town made famous by the repatriations of fallen servicemen who are honoured by local people and visitors.
It wanted to highlight the plight of Muslims killed during the conflict. However, it said yesterday that it felt it had achieved its objectives without the march.
In a statement on its website Anjem Choudary, leader of Islam4UK, said: "Having successfully highlighted the plight of Muslims in Afghanistan globally and having successfully engaged with thousands of ordinary people through our website and via blogs, phone calls, emails etc. on the reality of the conflict and our collective responsibility, we at islam4uk have decided, after consultation with others including our Sheikh Omar Bakri Muhammad, that no more could be achieved even if a procession were to take place in Wootton Bassett and in light of this we would like to announce today that there will no longer be a procession through this market town.
"This does not mean that we will remain silent on the atrocities being committed in Afghanistan under the guise of fighting for freedom and democracy and it also does not mean that we will not continue to highlight the true cost of this war against Islam and Muslims called fighting terrorism."
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