Councillors in Aberdeen yesterday expressed “shock” at the revelations of a city link to Islamist militant group Isis – and called for “unity” among local communities.
All 43 members unanimously backed a motion from SNP group leader Callum McCaig reacting to the news this week that former St Machar Academy pupil Abdul Rakib Amin was part of the extremist group.
The sole Moslem politician on the local authority, Labour’s Tauqueer Malik, also stressed that Isis had “nothing to do with Islam” and expressed his sadness at the north-east link to the organisation.
Mr McCaig’s motion said the council “welcomes the huge and enriching contribution” made to the city by the Bangladeshi and wider Moslem community.
At a full council meeting, the SNP councillor said: “At times like this, it is important that the whole city comes together in a spirit of peace, unity and solidarity to ensure that the actions of an individual are not used as a breeding ground for intolerance.”
He added: “Communities across this city are incredibly well integrated, and have a huge role to play in the vibrant fabric of life in Aberdeen. For something like that to be put at risk would be a huge and unjust travesty.”
Lower Deeside ward member Mr Malik said he moved to the city in 1991 and was a regular attendee at the Crown Terrace mosque.
He said: “There is only ever peace and harmony. The groups that have formed since 9/11 have nothing to do with Islam.
“This young man lived in Aberdeen, but sadly he was radicalised somewhere else.
“There is no place for anyone like that among the Moslem community here – we are united in Aberdeen.”