Bombs setback for peace talks

Islamic commentators have warned that this week's bomb attacks on India's financial hub will lead to a rise in Islamophobia in the Indian subcontinent.

This after three blasts hit in Mumbai, killing 17 people and leaving 140 injured on Wednesday. Following the blasts, the homes of two suspects believed to be Indian Mujahideen - an indigenous terrorist group - were raided.

Iqbal Jassat, chairman of Media Review Network - whose role is to dispel the myths and stereotypes about Islam and Muslims and to foster bridges of understanding - said his organisation deplored the bombings.

"We are also concerned by the unfounded allegations that would imply that some or other Muslim organisation is behind the bombing.

"As (far as) we are aware, no group has taken responsibility. We therefore urge the Indian government and media to be extremely sensitive to the possibility of unwarranted attacks on innocent Muslim lives."

Muslim academic Professor Hussein Solomon, who is based at the University of Pretoria, said the threat of Islamophobia would always be an issue after any attack on India.

He said there was clearly a high level of planning and sophistication in the attacks.

"I am worried about the timing. Recently there has been improvement between Pakistan and India. I'm not sure if whoever did this was trying to sabotage not only India but the coming together of the two nations as well."

He conceded that inside India there were radical extremist Islamic groups. "But I think the Indians have been very careful because of the situation in Kashmir and Afghanistan. They've been saying, look we don't know who the people are, we are looking at CCTV footage and doing assessments.

"If indeed it is shown to be the work, again, of Muslim extremists, then I think you are going to have a backlash in terms of Islamophobia."

Mumbai is a popular tourist destination for South Africans. But Clayson Monyela, spokesman for the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, confirmed that no South Africans were injured or killed by the blasts.

Dinesh Naidoo of Serendipity Tours has 86 South Africans in India and 28 in Mumbai.

He said none of his clients was affected.

"None have changed their flights to come back earlier and no flights have been interrupted. There was no panic," he said.

Naidoo added they had no cancellations from South Africans who had booked flights to India.

However, head of the Hindu Maha Sabha Ashwin Trikamjee said the attack on the Indian city would have many repercussions for its tourist industry.

"Mumbai seems to have become a regular victim of these attacks. One can only feel for the families of the deceased but also for the people of Mumbai. The city is definitely going to suffer, with people simply staying away for fear of their own safety. Two of my own friends who had plans to go to Mumbai in the next month have said they would wait and see."