Fox News 'Muslim Birmingham' claim prompts faith rally

The rally was partly in response to comments made by self-styled terrorism expert Steve Emerson

A multi-faith rally partly prompted by a US TV pundit who claimed Birmingham was a "no-go zone" for non-Muslims has been held in the city.

The gathering of more than 200 people outside the council house was also a show of unity in the wake of the recent Paris terror attacks, organisers said.

Rev Richard Tetlow, of the Inter Faith Forum, said it was a chance for faith groups to "stand up for Birmingham".

Self-styled terrorism expert Steve Emerson apologised for his comments.

'No visa needed'

During the event, speakers from Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Sikh, Hindu and Buddhist organisations addressed the crowd.

More than 200 people assembled outside Birmingham's council house

Khurshid Ahmed, chief exec of Muslim charity the Bahu Trust said the Fox News broadcast had made people feel they "had to come out and show the world you don't need a visa to get into Birmingham".

"We are a united community, we're a multi-cultural, multi-faith and multi-racial community," he said.

"Very proud to be Brummies and very proud to be British."