HARROW'S senior councillors have made a final show of solidarity against outside extremist groups - who look set to descend on the borough's biggest mosque tomorrow (Friday).
A group labelled Stop the Islamification of Europe has been using social network sites to reel in people in a proposed protest outside the Station Road mosque on the eighth anniversary of terrorism attacks that killed thousands of people in the USA.
But concern has grown around the proposed 9/11 demonstration because it falls on Friday, a Muslim holy day, during the religious festival Ramadan.
There are also fears that the rally could escalate into violence after anti-fascist groups announced they would also hold a demonstration at the same venue.
Police have confirmed they will have a strong presence in the area after bloody scenes at two similar protests in Birmingham in the past month.
On Tuesday this week the leaders of Harrow's three main political parties came together to issue the following statement: "Harrow is the most religiously diverse local authority in the country and is proud to be so.
"It has an outstanding record of religious and racial harmony where all communities respect each other.
"It is therefore particularly disturbing to learn that our borough has been picked out for a demonstration this Friday aimed at one of our particular communities.
"The people behind this protest appear to be coming from outside the borough and they do not represent the views of Harrow residents.
"The Central Mosque has been in Harrow for 25 years and our Muslim residents are Harrow citizens just like the rest of us who at the same time follow their own particular faith.
"Harrow does not tolerate extreme views, either from those who seek to justify violence or those who try to further a political agenda by creating divisions among people from different backgrounds.
"The council is committed to working with all its residents to build stronger communities and we would appeal once again to the organisers to cancel this demonstration."
As the rally is being labelled by organisers as a peaceful protest police do not have the authority to prevent it from going ahead but the statement added: "We have been assured that the event will be sensitively but robustly policed so that people will be able to go about their business as normal.
"We also know, and appreciate, that the mosque is appealing to its congregation and all others to remain calm and show restraint whatever the provocation.
"The best outcome will be if we can all show a calm and united front."
