Once again Harrow is faced with another deliberate effort to undermine our traditions of tolerance, mutual respect and diversity as another demonstration by a far-right group outside Harrow ‘mosque’ is planned for Sunday December 13th.

The cynicism of this group is striking. The vast majority of those likely to demonstrate are not from the borough, have no knowledge of what happens in the Mosque or care about the impact on Harrow residents.

Harrow’s strong race relations and indeed the considerable diversity in faith and creed across the borough is one of the many things that makes Harrow an excellent place to live. The Muslim community, with its many different groupings, make an important contribution to Harrow; in particular to our cultural and social life. Members of Harrow’s Muslim communities hold senior positions in the public and private sector locally; carrying out vital jobs in the borough’s schools, policing and health service.

Harrow Central Mosque has been in the borough for twenty-five years, its trustees work closely with other religions and faith groups, and play a vital role in the inter-faith dialogues which take place across Harrow.

Down the years, there have been many who have experienced discrimination when the fear and ignorance of others has been exploited. In recent years the phenomena of Islamophobia has risen up the media and political agenda, as extreme far-right groups have sought to exploit the fears of some about the Muslim community.

In Harrow the openness and tolerance of the many parts of the Muslim community are an ongoing challenge to intolerance and prejudice, indeed many members of Harrow’s Muslim community have worked hard to break down barriers and remove misunderstanding.

There will always be room for legitimate debate about particular ideas and traditions in all faiths and amongst all groups. However legitimate debate is one thing, trying to stir up racial hatred is quite another.

The Mosque’s trustees have confirmed that there is not a Sharia Court located at the Mosque, and that indeed one has never been planned. I welcome the way the police, together with Council staff, have handled this issue to date.

I see Harrow’s rich ethnic and faith diversity as a source of pride for the borough and the Muslim community as an important element of that richness.