British Muslim body calls for unity

The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) has called on Islamic communities to remain united, following reports of tensions between Sunni and Shiite Muslims in London. In a statement, the umbrella group condemned those who seek to exploit the complex situation in the Middle East and Muslim world to reach their "nefarious" goals. MCB's statement comes after a video posted online showed members of radical cleric Anjem Choudary's group Islam4UK clashing with supporters of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during a Syrian demonstration on London's Edgware Road. Choudary was leading an anti-Assad march from Regents Park Mosque to the Syrian Embassy, when the violence took place. "We condemn the antics of Anjem Choudary and his (un)merry-band of publicity seekers who last Friday took to the streets of London to spew their hate-filled message and attack people they thought to be from the Shia tradition," an MCB statement said. The Muslim body called on Muslim "scholars, leaders and institutions from all traditions to stand firm and be vigilant, speak out against sectarianism and ensure the forces of unity prevail." Choudary, a vocal critic of the UK's involvement in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, believes in the implementation of Sharia law throughout the UK.