BRITAIN: A book of condolences in memory of Kenneth Bigley has been stolen from a British mosque, a spokesman said yesterday.
The beheading of Mr Bigley (62) in Iraq prompted Muslim leaders in Birmingham to express their community's horror.
All the imams and Muslim leaders from around Birmingham, which has a large Muslim population, had signed the book and cards, candles and pictures of Mr Bigley had been placed outside.
"On Saturday evening there were a few problems with a few individuals who were threatening to take the book away. On Sunday morning the caretaker found the book was gone," said Adam Yosef, spokesman for the Birmingham Central Mosque.
"The following day the tribute was also damaged and ruined - parts of it were stolen, posters were removed and signs were ripped off," he said. "It's a disgusting thing to do."
It is the second such incident at the mosque. In March, a book of condolences for victims of the Madrid train bombings was also stolen.
While Mr Bigley's murder drew deep condemnation from British Muslims, some radical Islamist groups said the US-led occupation of Iraq, backed by Britain, was to blame for his death.
Mr Yosef said the mosque had no idea who was responsible but suggested it could have been disaffected Muslims.
"It's very rare for the Muslim leaders from different groups to come together agreeing on one issue but they did. It goes to show if these individuals happened to be Muslim . . . they don't belong to any of the main Muslim groups. They are a minority and they've got bigoted views."
A second book of condolences has been opened.