MEMBERS of a Harrow mosque have condemned the beheading of a British soldier in Woolwich as "inhumane and barbaric".

Harrow Central Mosque in Station Road released a statement on Thursday signed by chairman Irfan Hussain and the executive committee condemning the attack - which one of the suspects claimed had been carried out in the name of Islam - in the "strongest terms possible".

It reads: "As a representative body of Muslims we again absolutely and resolutely reject any attempt to justify such actions in this way or in any way. For anyone to even suggest this is disgraceful and despicable. Our thoughts and our respects are with the family and friends of the victim and all those affected by these senseless and atrocious acts and we, as Muslims in Harrow and throughout the country stand in solidarity with our wider community – our fellow citizens of the United Kingdom.

"We offer our full and complete support to the authorities should any assistance be required and we stand shoulder to shoulder with them. We implore all the community not to react in a way which fuels further tension and division. The actions which have been perpetrated have no place in any teachings of Islam and as Muslims we are equally disgusted by these outrageous acts – acts which are undeniably nothing less than inhumane and barbaric."

Two suspects were shot at the scene by police and are currently recovering in hospital under armed guard.