LEADING figures in the Islamic community in Wales are organising a peaceful community vigil in Newport in memory of soldier Lee Rigby, who was brutally murdered on a busy London street three weeks ago.

The event, organised by Mubarak Ali, secretary of the Islamic Society Wales and David Phillips, from the South East Wales Racial Equality Council, will be held this Saturday, as a mark of respect to Drummer Rigby, who was hacked to death on May 22.

Mr Ali said: “We have invited councillors, MPs, and the first minister for Wales, and we are expecting a good turn out.”

“We have invited a number of organisations and charities to the event, and we will hold a collection for Help for Heroes.

“We are standing together to unite all different faiths and groups against terrorism,” he said.

Mr Ali said the purpose of the vigil is to celebrate the strength of the community, to reject extremism in all its forms and to remember all victims of war and violent crime.

Mr Ali said: “I saw a lot of negative stuff on the news and social networking sites following Drummer Rigby’s death – but the people who killed him are small group of radical lunatics.

“They are not like the vast majority of Muslims in this country.

“We strongly condemn those acts of terrorism.”

Mr Ali said every year he lays a wreath of poppies at the memorial in memory of those soldiers who have given their lives for this country.

He added: “We all have political views but members of the armed forces do a hard job in those war zones.

“Everyone is against extremists, whether they are EDL or extremist terrorists.

This is our chance, regardless of religion or race, to stand against those people and show we are united and we support British troops, which is why this event is also in honour of Help for Heroes.”

The community vigil will meet in Westgate Square, on Saturday, at 6pm. All are welcome.