Muslims protesters in 2010 as they burnt a large poppy – religious leaders are now calling on unity (Picture: AP)

British Muslims ‘should wear the poppy, rather than burn it,’ an Islamic organisation has said.

High-profile Muslim campaigners are calling for unity this Remembrance Day, and have urged members of the faith to respect the fallen.

Some mosques around the UK will also take the significant step of stepping up poppy stalls, the Sunday Times reports.

The move comes three years after a group of extremists set fire to a giant poppy in Kensington, London, on November 11, amid chants of ‘British soldiers burn in hell’.


Religious leaders are now trying to counteract the negative perceptions of Muslims that arose from such events.

Religious leaders want Muslims to respect those who died in the line of duty (Picture: PA)

The Islamic Society of Britain wants to remind the country’s Muslims that many thousands of their forefathers fought in both world wars and in many cases gave their lives.



‘How can you question a whole community’s loyalty when thousands died serving this country?’ Julie Siddiqi, the executive director asked.

Stalls will be run in Leeds, Leicester and Southampton, while the fallen will be commemorated during Friday prayers in Headingly, Leeds.

Qari Asim, imam for the Leeds Makkah mosque, said: ‘Britain is our country. We should remember those who have lost their lives.’