CAIRO/LONDON, July 13, 2005 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – A British Muslim was beaten to death in the first reported racism-driven death since the London terrorist attacks, raising fears of a backlash against the Muslim minority in the country.

The sorrowful incident came as British Muslims are planning peaceful anti-terror marches to condemn the grisly bombings, which left at least 52 people killed and hundreds wounded.

"A British Muslim of Pakistani origin was beaten to death by a gang of extremists in Nottingham [in northern Britain]," Feda Hassan, the Muslim Association of Britain (MAB) media official, told IslamOnline.net Wednesday, July 13.

Police sources said that Kamal Raza, 48, had gone to a shop on Sunday, July 10, to buy some items and while getting out, he was obstructed by a gang of extremists, who shouted anti-Muslim abuse against him, the Guardian reported.

They said the attackers called Raza "Taliban" (in reference to the Afghan movement accused by the West of supporting the terrorist Al-Qaeda network) and beat him until he breathed his last.

"This is an outrageous incident, carried out by a group of unscrupulous people who were motivated by the London attacks to vent their hatred on the Muslims," the Muslim activist added.

Hassan urged the British Muslims, who vehemently condemned the attacks and said they would distance themselves from the attackers if proved Muslims, to remain vigilant and report any assaults against them to police.

The killing of Raza has fueled fears of backlash and reprisal attacks against Muslims.

"This has sent shivers down the community. People are very worried, if this is the start of an escalation," Azad Ali, who chairs the Muslim Safety Forum, was quoted as saying by the Guardian.

"I am scared on two fronts. I'm scared that I could be the next victim of somebody indiscriminately killing me, and I'm scared that I may be the victim of somebody's indiscriminate hatred."

Fears of reprisals have been running high among British Muslims in the wake of the July 7 attacks. At least seven mosques have come under arson and racist attacks since then.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, warned on Monday, July 11, against making Muslims "scapegoats" for the London bombings.

“We are also aiming to organize a national vigil. That is something again being considered,” said Sacranie.

Meanwhile, British Muslims are planning a series of marches in London and other cities to condemn the blasts.

The Muslim Association of Britain (MAB) urged British Muslims and people of other faiths, in a statement on its Web site on Wednesday, to come to the streets on Thursday, July 14, to mark a two-minute silence on the victims of the London blasts.

The Muslim body also urged the British Muslims to come out in droves as an expression of their united stance in condemnation of the bombings, sympathy for the victims and their families, and resolve against terrorism or the victimization of any minority.

Other Muslim marches are also being planned to kick off on Sunday, July 17, in the city of Manchester to be followed later by other rallies in London, Birmingham, Leicester, Bradford and Leeds, according to the Ireland On-Line Web site.

“We are working hand-in-hand with other faith communities. It is crucial – our mission can only be successful if we are working with everyone else," said Sir Iqbal Sacranie, the secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB).

He added that a vigil will also be organized by the Islamic Society of Britain in tandem with other church groups in Manchester on Sunday.

A similar event is also scheduled for London at a future date, he added.

“We are also aiming to organize a national vigil. That is something again being considered.”

Sheik Ibrahim Mogra of the MCB said the marches are meant for making ordinary Britons realize that the terrorists were not representative of mainstream Islam, reported The Scotsman.

"The idea is to show we are united in condemning this murderous act. It would send a very strong message to the terrorists and to the British public that we are against violence and want to live in peace. The terrorists will not drive a wedge between us," he said.

Famed British writer Karen Armstrong wrote in the Guardian Monday that terror has no religion, with people calling themselves Muslims, Christians or Jews committing crimes in the name of their great religions.

Addressing the House of Commons on Monday, Blair pledged to work with Muslims in Britain to promote the "moderate and true voice" of Islam.