Imams urge Britons against Syria travel

People flee a damaged site hit by what activists said was a barrel bomb dropped by forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in Aleppo's district of al-Sukari. Picture: Hosam Katan

People flee a damaged site hit by what activists said was a barrel bomb dropped by forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in Aleppo's district of al-Sukari. Picture: Hosam Katan

Published Jul 4, 2014

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London -

About 100 imams are urging British Muslims to refrain from travelling to Syria amid concerns that fighters will become radicalised.

The open letter issued on Friday offered a unified voice by various religious factions, appealing to British Muslims to support those affected by the war in Syria and recent fighting in Iraq, but to do so “from the UK in a safe and responsible way.”

The letter comes as concerns grow about home-grown terrorism. Fears about returning radicals have been heightened by a video released online that showed three men identified as British exhorting compatriots to come join the militants in Iraq.

UK authorities estimate as many as 500 Britons have travelled to Syria to fight, and that some may have crossed into Iraq. - Sapa-AP

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