Security Concerns Halt Islamic Rally

A planned “Rally for Islamic Revival” that drew sharp criticism from Egypt and Algeria has been canceled because the organizers would not pay for extra security, managers of the arena where the gathering was to be held said Friday.

About 7,000 Muslim activists from around the world had been expected to attend Sunday’s rally at the London Arena organized by Al-Muhajiroun, or the Emigrants.

The group’s leader, Omar Bakri Mohammad, a Syrian living in exile in London, has denied it would be a forum to encourage violence or terrorism.

Dissidents from several Arab countries had been invited, including leaders of the Palestinian group Hamas, the Islamic Jihad in Egypt, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Muslim activists from the United States.