London (CNN) -- British Muslim groups voiced their horror and condemnation Thursday over the slaying of a soldier in a London street by attackers who said they were acting to avenge Muslim deaths overseas. But Muslim commentators also suggested there is more that the country's leaders can do to address issues within the Muslim community, particularly among alienated young men. Woolwich attack: Latest developments According to 2011 census figures, Muslims make up the second-largest religious group in Britain, with 2.7 million people. That represents an increase of 1.2 million (from 3% to 5% of the population) since 2001. The suspected attackers in the Woolwich slaying, who are hospitalized under police guard, claimed to be acting for Islam, but it's not yet clear if they were affiliated with any group.
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Muslim Council of Britain condemns "a truly barbaric act that has no basis in Islam"
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"What we don't need are knee-jerk reactions," says commentator Mohammed Ansar
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"A lot of Muslim leaders have had their heads in the sand," says analyst Shiraz Maher
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A suspect in Wednesday's Woolwich killing claimed to be acting to avenge Muslim deaths
"We need a civic identity, we need to make people understand that we are all @placeholder citizens, we are all part of this society.