A HARROW mosque leader says he is “sad” about plans for a 9/11 far-right protest outside its building.

A statement on the website of the far-right coalition the British Defence Leagues says the English Defence League (EDF) has organised a demonstration in front of the building, in Station Road, on September 11, and plans to make it a memorial event for the 2001 terrorist attacks.

The event will take place on a Friday, the Islamic holy day.

Ghulam Rabbani, general secretary of the mosque, said: “We also believe that September 11 wasn't right. Everybody is allowed to pray but if we come to know that groups are extremist and they are trying to say something which is not right we don't let them.

“We try our best to tell people that this is not the way. Everyone is equal in front of Allah. Everyone has the right to pray and at the end of the day we must all be friends.”

He added: “We have a policy of anti-extremism. If people have something against us, they probably don't know us.

“If you are Christian or Muslim we can still be friends. We hope the local community and our friends and the local government and police will be there to try seriously to defend everybody.”

Members of EDL clashed with anti-fascist campaigners in Birmingham on August 10 with police in riot gear struggling to control the situation.

Officer made 35 arrests.

The original protest outside Harrow Central Mosque was organised for August 29 on the back of claims there were plans to hold Sharia court meetings in its new building.

Mr Rabbani says there are no such plans but a statement British Defence Leagues' website says they do not believe him and do not “want any more mosques in this country”.

The statement reads: “It has now been rescheduled to September 11th, which is a Friday, but will incorporate a 9/11 anniversary commemoration. This is now being organised by the EDL.”

Mr Rabbani said: “We have worked very hard with the local government and the local police to keep community cohesion and partnership.

“All of the community can live together peacefully. Most of the community is happy with us. This group is coming from outside.

“They might have some members in the community but by the look of it the local community is pretty happy with us.”