Police ban national flags at Muslim festival

A row erupted today over a decision by police to ban the waving of national flags at street celebrations in London this month. Muslims marking the Eid-ul-Adha festival in Southall have been told that flags may be confiscated if police believe their display could spark trouble.

In recent years, young Muslim men have marked the event by waving the Pakistani flag from their cars while driving down local streets.

But a Metropolitan Police spokesman said similar displays had sparked violence in

Southall in the past. Sadiq Khan, of leading community group the Muslim Council of Britain, said: "I can't see the legal justification for this. I'm unclear how the carrying of national flags causes antisocial behaviour."

Police in Ealing said the festival on 21 and 22 January was a faith celebration so there was no need to display national flags.

The force also insisted it had consulted local community groups who had lent their support to the ban.