The group, Islam4UK, had been planning to march through the southern English town of Wootton Basset.

The town, through which the coffins of soldiers killed in Afghanistan are paraded, has become a symbol of British losses in the country.

Islam4UK said that it wanted to draw attention to the deaths of "innocent Muslim men, women and children" killed in the conflict. The plans led to public outrage and criticism from British Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

Brown said last week that attempts to distress families of soldiers who had been killed would be "abhorrent and offensive."

High-profile coverage

Following high-profile media coverage in Britain, the group announced that it was calling off the parade. In a statement, Islam4UK said it had achieved its aims by "successfully highlighted the plight of Muslims in Afghanistan."

Hundreds of mourners regularly gather in the town as coffins pass along the main street after being flown to the RAF Lyneham airbase from Afghanistan.

Islam4UK wants the introduction of Islamic sharia law in Britain and is linked to Islamist militant Omar Bakri Mohammed, who is banned from entering the country.

rc/AFP/Reuters
Editor: Chuck Penfold