‘Stop U.S. bloggers from entering UK’

British authorities have raised deep concerns over a scheduled visit by two American bloggers notorious for attacks against Muslims and Islam to the United Kingdom.

U.S. bloggers Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer, who are notorious for attacks against Muslims and Islam, are scheduled to visit Britain to speak at a planned march by the English Defence League (EDL).

Geller has led many campaigns against Muslims since plans to build a mosque near the 9/11 site in New York.

She also runs “Stop Islamization of America”, a group referred to as an anti-Muslim hate group by the Southern Law Poverty Center.

The anti-Islam bloggers plan to join Danish activist Anders Gravers, of “Stop Islamisation of Europe”, and EDL chieftains Tommy Robinson and Kevin Carroll.

The march, planned by EDL to mark Armed Forces Day on June 29, will end in Woolwich, south east London, where an off-duty British soldier was murdered by two assailants.

“I am alarmed that the EDL [English Defence League] is planning this type of march in Woolwich,” said Home Affairs Committee chairman Keith Vaz.

“It is clear that the location, motivation and attendees at this march will incite hatred”, he added.

According to Tell Mama project, which monitors anti-Muslim attacks in Britain, 212 Å“anti-Muslim incidents” have been reported after the Woolwich attack.

The figure included 11 attacks on mosques, in a series of manifestation of anti-Muslim sentiments.

Last week, three Muslim worshippers were stabbed after the night prayers in Birmingham.

Fearing troubles, British officials have called for banning the incendiary bloggers from entering the country.

“Adding incendiary speakers such as Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer just fuels the fire,” Vaz said.

“Before we have to pay the costs for the extra policing required for this demonstration, the Home Secretary should consider using her discretion to ban these two speakers from entering the country.

“A ban should be enforced properly and physically stop people entering our borders.”

Anti-fascist campaign Hope Not Hate also started a petition calling on Home Secretary to deny the two bloggers a visa on the grounds that “their very presence in the UK will give encouragement to racists and extremists”.

The EDL, a far-right group that emerged in 2009, has held numerous protests against what it calls Å“Islamic extremism” in Britain.

Far-right groups like the EDL and the British National Party (BNP) are playing the card of immigration to stoke sentiment against Muslims and immigrants.

MOL/HE