Several muslims worldwide watched with shock and dismay a few months ago on May 22nd 2013 as news unfolded over several days of the tragic and violent killing akin to execution of a young soldier in London.

The men who took on anarchial powers had killed the young soldier who was a married man with a young child because of his choice of career.

Concerns arose as it was established that the killers were identified as
Michael Adebolajo, 28, from Romford, east London, and Michael Adebowale, 22, from Greenwich, south-east London.

Rigby was off duty and walking along Wellington Street in Woolwich,London when he was attacked. Two men ran him down with a car, then used knives and a cleaver to stab and hack him to death in broad daylight. The men dragged Rigby’s body into the road and remained at the scene until police arrived. They told passers-by that they had killed a soldier to avenge the killing of Muslims by the British military.

The assailants, armed with a gun and cleaver, charged at the police, who fired shots that wounded them both. They were apprehended and taken to separate hospitals. Both are British of Nigerian descent who were raised as Christians and converted to Islam.

The aftermath of the event led to retaliation. On 23 May, two mosques were attacked. In Braintree, Essex a man entered a mosque with two knives, threatened the congregation, and threw an explosive device. Witnesses say the explosive device was a grenade or gas canister. In Gillingham, Kent, a man ran into a mosque and smashed windows and bookcases, specifically targeting those containing copies of the Quran. Two men were arrested in connection with the attacks. On 26 May, several petrol bombs were thrown into a mosque in Grimsby. No one was injured and the fires were rapidly extinguished.Two former soldiers were arrested in connection with the attack.

On 5 June, the Al-Rahma Islamic Centre in Muswell Hill, which was used by children after school, was destroyed by a fire. The building had been sprayed with graffiti making reference to the English Defence League. The fire investigation is being conducted by Scotland Yard’s counter-terrorism command, because of a possible link to domestic extremism. On 8 June, a fire at Darul Uloom School, an Islamic boarding school in southeast London, forced the evacuation of 128 students and teachers. Police said they feared the incident may have been a revenge attack.

In general islamophobia related crimes have risen since the incident.

Today in Middlesborough; Birmingham the young soldier was laid to rest amidst touching eulogies highlighting his devotion, gentle nature and exemplary character. Crowds of army veterans and the public lined the streets to pay respects and show solidarity for the family; colleagues and friends of the slain soldier.

Pauses for silence and payment of respect were made by several soldiers and public service providers.

The death of Lee Rigby has opened up ongoing concern of increase in violent religiously motivated attacks in relatively peaceful Britain since involvement in Iraq,Afghanistan and the terrible incident of 9/11 in America.

It would appear more attention and caution and supervision is indicated for religious leaders worldwide.

Whilst these incidents pale in comparison to religious mercenary attacks in Nigeria nevertheless the perpetrators claim they acted in the name of religion and happen to be Nigerian and that is worrying.

A stark line of review of treatment of immigrants and their descendants, respect of sociocultural and ethnoreligious dispositions and diligence of religious leaders and the public may well be the way forward for England.

All too often we find a high percentile of Nigerian families abroad and muslims abroad are exposed to treatments which may trigger misguided reactions from those who feel motivated to show their disagreement and anger in extraordinary and violent ways.

The sometimes polarised perceptions christians and muslims develop is a growing and ongoing concern and whilst it is clear that the motivation these young men and retaliators are driven with was misguided, vile and dangerous; the fact remains that there must be discontent and anger in grassroots communities that is feeding the upsurge of randomised and senseless attacks.

On this occasion 1 soldier was executed, safety of children and worshippers oblivious to danger in environments deemed safe were threatened and continues.

Others may argue that abuses of power and exaggeration and partial biased application of law and jurisdiction relating to welfare, children and families of those who migrate to Britain coupled with widespread dispossession amounting to abuses of due process may also be major players in the extreme retaliatory styles exhibited by many.

This is a cosmopolitan conflict and also a community conflict and it needs to be curbed at the root. The interpretations of law and policy need examination to ensure that they are not biased toward religions or ethnic groups and where that appears present; corrections need to be made.

For the family of Lee Rigby, they must be shielded and supported by the government to have their lives adapt to their loss and to move on. His death is not to be blamed on Islam but rather should be a call for change at all levels. Its not exemplary of a war or attacks by muslims, this was an individually thought out execution by persons who obviously have lost their minds and sought fame and attention. Its a shame they chose Lee, but it could have been anyone of us they chose.

In Nigeria our elders say one who is dead has gone to our maker and is at rest, we pray that the death of Lee Rigsby who volunteered his life for low pay and a life governed by loyalty to a career serving his country invokes all of the right questions and encourages the right changes in perception of religious and ethnic differences and promotes change at all levels.

For those of us who remain alive; may God have mercy on us all. From God we come and to him is our return. Aluta continua.