A GROUP set up to combat what it calls the ‘Islamisation of the Western World’ has ruled out a visit to Cardiff.
Pegida UK held its inaugural rally at Birmingham International rail station last weekend and featured an appearance from its leader Tommy Robinson.
Mr Robinson, who is the former English Defence League (EDL) leader, rejected the idea of holding Pegida UK marches elsewhere.
He told attendees that he wanted to distance the group from accusations of disorganisation and hooliganism previously associated with the EDL.
“What we are trying to do is find somewhere secure where this can happen without causing too much disruption. That may be difficult in other cities,” he said.
“We are not looking to move around like the English Defence League. We are not looking to build divisions because you have people in different cities thinking they can do what they want in your name.”
The decision also reflected a desire to avoid confrontation with opposition groups.
Mr Robinson added: “We are trying to have a calmer atmosphere. With the EDL there was a lot of anger and frustration and we just piled into city centres.”
The decision comes despite high-profile cases of Islamic radicalism in Cardiff over the last couple of years.
In June 2014 a video filmed in Syria emerged online showing Nasser Muthana and Reyaad Khan, both 20 and from Cardiff. The video was aimed at recruiting jihadists to fight for ISIS.
Daoud Salaman, Chairman of the South Wales Islamic Centre, responded to Robinson’s comments. He said: “Even if they did come to Wales, people here would be unsympathetic to their view.
“Muslims have been in Cardiff for a very long time and have integrated well. There have been problems like the two young men who travelled to Syria to fight for ISIS, but they are not practising Islam as it was practised by the prophet.”
