Condemnation from Brent Council over mosque protests (From Harrow Times)

Condemnation from Brent Council over mosque protests

5:41pm Tuesday 15th September 2009 in News By Tristan Kirk

COUNCILLORS from Brent offered support for their Harrow neighbours by condemning extremist demonstrations and violence outside Harrow Central Mosque on Friday.

Brent Council passed an emergency motion last night hitting out at Stop the Islamisation of Europe for organising a demonstration outside the Station Road mosque on the eighth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

It read: “This council condemns the ignorant, pointless and misguided attempts by extreme anti-Islamic elements to carry out a demonstration against the Islamic faith outside the mosque during Friday prayers and during the period of Ramadan.

“This council will oppose any similar types of demonstrations in this borough and resolves to work with the police and leaders of the mosques to prepare suitable plans to combat this threat, should it ever unfortunately occur in Brent.”

The motion went on to condemn violent attacks on police by some elements within the supporters of the mosque, saying: “This council also condemns outsiders within the counter-demonstration who refused to respond to the restraint called for by mosque leaders, and who resorted to attacks on the police.”

The motion was in line with the message from Harrow's community leaders, who have lined up to criticise both the SIOE protest and those from outside the borough who came on Friday to cause trouble.

The mosque itself has issued a message of thanks through the Harrow Times to those who turned out for a solidarity vigil organised by Unite Against Fascism.

However, its message stopped short of condemning the violent attacks on police and members of the press, scenes which overshadowed the earlier message of peace and unity from the vigil.