Heartbroken faith leaders have united to call for an end to the rioting that has rocked Leicester.
A recent T20 cricket match is believed to have reignited historic tensions that fuelled violence between sections of the city’s Muslim and Hindu communities over the weekend.
And many fear the unrest – in which 25 police officers have been injured – has been hijacked by racists and extremists hoping to undermine Leicester’s status as “a beacon of diversity”.
Muslim and Hindu leaders gathered at a mosque yesterday and said in a joint statement, read by Pradyumna Pradipgajjar, of Iskcon Hindu temple: “Our two faiths have lived harmoniously in this wonderful city for half a century.
“We fought off racist haters together and made this city a beacon of diversity and community cohesion. That is why we are saddened and heartbroken to see the eruption of tension and violence.
“We together call upon the immediate cessation of provocation and violence. We together call upon the inciters of hatred to leave our city alone.”
Police said the original disorder on Saturday was sparked by a protest.
But the trouble has also flared since India faced arch-rival Pakistan in the T20 Asia Cup in Dubai last month.
Suleman Nagdi, of the Federation of Muslim Organisations, said a “country-based dispute” flared up after India won on August 28. He claimed “loyalties kicked in” and said it was the first time he could remember the Hindu and Muslim communities becoming violent.
Police continue “proactive patrols”, with 47 people arrested so far and one jailed. Temporary chief constable Rob Nixon said officers were drafted in from other forces. It is understood some were even diverted from the Queen’s funeral.
It is feared anger in the city is being stoked by “distorted social media” and troublemakers from outside.
Claudia Webbe, independent MP for Leicester East, said some are “preying on this unease” by “spreading misinformation” – and she had warned police of reports “of incitement to hate targeting those of Muslim of Hindu faith”.
And Jonathan Ashworth, Labour MP for Leicester South, called the troubles a “dark episode” in a city that prides itself on “celebrating our diversity”. He said: “Attempts to sow division, including by those with extremist views, will fail and are totally condemned.”
A Leicester faith leader said the violence had been fuelled by a “country-based dispute” after the Asia Cup cricket match between India and Pakistan The T20 match in Dubai on August 28 was won by India with two balls to spare and inflamed historic tensions.
Suleman Nagdi, from the city’s Federation of Muslim Organisations, said “loyalties kicked in” after the cricket clash.
He said it was the first time he could remember the Hindu and Muslim communities becoming violent.