Plaid Cymru Muslim councillor Mohammed Islam has called for the Home Secretary to ban a controversial US pastor from entering to share his views on Islam with far-right activists.
Councillor Islam, who represents the multi-ethnic community of Riverside in Cardiff, said he believed the visit by Pastor Terry Jones would stoke up tensions between communities.
Pastor Jones sparked condemnation around the world when he threatened to burn the Koran on the anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks.
He intends to preach against what he claims are the evils and destructiveness of Islam at an English Defence League (EDL) rally in Luton, Bedfordshire, on February 5.
Councillor Islam said: “I believe passionately in free speech but to allow this man with his hate agenda to enter Britain will only bring out more extremists out onto the streets.
“We should not allow this man to whip up racial hatred. The English Defence League is only interested in stirring up trouble. In Cardiff communities live together well side by side and I don’t want anything happening to change that,” added Councillor Islam.
He added: “Theresa May as Home Secretary should act quickly and ban Pastor Jones from the UK and I am writing to ask her to do so.”
