Stephen Briggs
WORSHIPPERS at a Peterborough mosque have offered the hand of peace to controversial protest group the English Defence League (EDL).
The UKIM Islamic Centre and Khadijah Mosque in Cromwell Road, Millfield, Peterborough, has invited members of the EDL to visit the mosque later this month.
The invitation was made by the mosque to try and explain some of the misconceptions some members of the group, which styles itself as protesting against Islamic extremism and Sharia Law, may have.
Fiaz Kauser, spokesman for the centre, said the idea for the invitation had come after the mosque set up a stall in the city centre at the weekend.
He said: “We held the stall in Bridge Street at the weekend where we gave out information about Islam and the Qur’an on Saturday.
“We have put up the stall across the region on a number of occasions to clear any misconceptions people have of Islam.
“We also hope that people can challenge themselves to learn more.
“We always have a lot of interest because of what is happening elsewhere in the world and reports people hear about what the Qur-an says.”
Mr Kauser said a member of the EDL actually stopped to talk with mosque members at the stall on Saturday.
He said: “A member of the EDL approached us and it actually was a very positive incident.
“He was asking questions and listening to the answers we were giving.
“We had a similar incident in Wisbech previously, where a member of the EDL approached us to talk about Sharia law - he did not know what it was, but had a number of misconceptions.
“We were able to explain what Sharia law was and answer all his questions.
“When he left he actually apologised for some of his previous views.
“He was more polite than some other people who approached us, who kept interrupting and not letting us finish.
“Following the day we decided to invite EDL members in Peterborough to come to the mosque for a question and answer session and to learn more about Islam.
“We would also like them to join us for a meal during Ramadan when we open our fast.”
The EDL held a large march in Peterborough on Saturday, December 11 last year, with more than 1,000 protesters in attendance.
The protest group was set up two years ago by a group of football fans in Luton to oppose what they perceive as the rise of extreme Islam and Sharia Law.
Stephen Lennon - also known as Tommy Robinson - an unofficial leader of the EDL, said he was interested in meeting with members of the mosque.
He said: “We have done similar meets across the country in the past, and it is something we would be interested in doing.
“We would not want to hold the meeting in the mosque. We would want to do it in a neutral location.
“We will be in talks with the mosque to see if this is possible.”
August 04, 2011, Peter Borough today
