"Thank you, 'One Leicester'. We belong to you."

This is the text of a letter in today's Leicester Mercury which deserves to be reproduced here, without need for any comment from me.

Muslims: We Belong!

The EDL induced anxieties and nervousness in the Muslim community in the city.

The last few weeks and days were not easy, pressure continued to mount and everyone in the community was concerned to find constructive and positive ways to face this challenge.

In this difficult time, we were not left on our own. From the Bishop of Leicester to leaders of all faiths and no faiths, from the community groups to all the agencies, politicians, MPs, councillors, council officers and police, people engaged with us on supportive terms. The local media, including the Mercury, acted in a most responsible way in dealing with many sensitive issues.

Last Friday evening the peace vigil and multi-faith prayers at the St Martin's further demonstrated solidarity of unprecedented nature. The Hope Not Hate event echoed a message of unity, togetherness and "One Leicester". We were not allowed to feel isolated.

What we have experienced in the last few days is a genuine spirit of "Oneness" in Leicester: the unprecedented nature of engagements, partnerships and co-operation, we never experienced before. History will record this event with pride.

Leicester has shown the way forward and set a shining example of harmony and peace. On behalf of my community, I thank everyone of you for your support.

The Muslim community and its leadership faced this challenge with full of dignity, hope and optimism. This was only possible due to morale-boosting support and assistance from all of you.

I want to congratulate my community and its committed leadership for showing restraint and courage.

Our young people, at time full of anger and frustration, showed the admirable restraint and followed unanimous decisions taken by us all. Well done, all of you.

If the EDL had come to Leicester to learn about us on peaceful terms we would have treated them as our guests and offered them a curry treat of this wonderful city. The opportunity is missed. "One Leicester" defeated them in dividing the communities. We have come out stronger than before in our resolve. Thank you, "One Leicester". We belong to you.

Abdulkarim Gheewala
President, Islamic Education Trust, Leicester

There's also a full page "Thank You" notice from the Federation of Muslim Organisations in today's paper.