Sheikh says Muslims must be tight-lipped

LONDON, April 1 (UPI) -- A British Muslim leader says Muslims cannot cooperate with local authorities against other members of the faith, The Telegraph reported Thursday.

Sheikh Omar Bakri Muhammad made the remarks on a BBC Radio program in reaction to a call from the Muslim Council of Britain for the community to play its part in the fight against terrorism.

"Muslims have a unique way of life. Cooperating with the authorities against any other Muslims, that is an act of apostasy in Islam," Omar said.

The council issued its statement after anti-terrorism raids this week in southeast England netted the arrest of eight terror suspects and a half-ton of explosives.

"Muslims in Britain have the right to defend themselves, but without the use of violence," Omar said, adding it was the imams' role to lecture, not the Muslim Council of Britain, whom he described as "a bunch of seculars."

Omar also complained the media was "demonizing" the Muslim community in Britain, and that a "cycle of violence" has been created by both terrorists and the British-U.S. response.