Politicians, community activists and faith leaders came together at a mosque as part of a national campaign to encourage tolerance in society.

For #VisitMyMosque day, they gathered at Mahfil Ali, in Gloucester Road, Harrow, for an event organised by the Shia Ithna’ashari Community of Middlesex (SICM).

Guests included the leader of Harrow Council, Sachin Shah, Rev David Tuck from St Albans Church, Rev John Swarbrick from North Harrow Methodist Church, Kol Chai Hatch End Reform Synagogue’s Rabbi Naomi Goldman and Sonoo Malkani, deputy chairman of the Harrow Interfaith Forum.

Dr Kumail Versi, executive committee member at SICM, said: “The purpose of the event was to reach out and build bridges, encourage deeper religious understanding and, above all, to provide the opportunity for people to get to know one another.”

Participants learnt about activities at the mosque and listened to special recitations from the Qur’an throughout the day.

After speeches, tea and samosas, they were given a tour of the construction site of the Salaam Centre, which hopes to act as a community hub for all of Harrow’s residents.

Gareth Thomas, MP for Harrow West, said: “I am very proud that the Mahfil Ali community in North Harrow has once again shown the openness & warmth of Harrow’s Muslim community through organising Visit My Mosque day.

“Too often the Muslim community get painted as different when in actual fact we have together vastly more in common than you might at first think after reading some of the comments used to describe them.

“This community's work not only in this case, but in its vision for the Salaam Centre, are exactly what we need in Harrow. I am already looking forward to next year’s Visit my Mosque Day.”

His words were echoed by Mr Shah, who praised the work being done by the group and said the new centre will be a “great credit to Harrow”.

Leaders from other faiths also enjoyed the event, with Rabbi Goldman describing it as an “inspiring evening” and Rev Tuck referring to the atmosphere as “one of great joy”.

SICM encouraged people to ask as many questions as possible about the Muslim faith, as well as the plans for the Salaam Centre, which will be fitted with a host of learning facilities.