Some 200 Muslims gathered in central London in a show of defiance against Donald Trump’s visit today.
People converged in Cavendish Square Gardens to pray and protest against the US President, who is on a three day visit to the UK.
The jummah was coordinated with the “#DUMPTRUMP” campaign and was backed by the Finsbury Park Mosque and Jeremy Corbyn.
Mr Corbyn, Labour leader and Islington North MP, told the Gazette: “We need to assert the values of our community and the inclusive way our society works.
“We are not anti-muslim in any way and we also need to remind President Trump that the Paris Climate Change agreement is very important for protecting our planet.”
He added: “His treatment of Mexican children has been disgraceful.”
There were Muslims from Manchester, Birmingham and beyond at the event, and protestors from the “Stop Trump” march also stopped to show solidarity.
The prayers were led by Dr Anas Altikriti, chairman of the Muslim Association of Britain, who also condemned Trump’s travel ban and his recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Dr Altikriti also asked that people remember the Srebernica genocide, where 8,000 people were murdered 23 years ago.
Speaking after the prayers, Sayed from north London said: “We are a coalition of people who have come from all walks of life and we find what the president stands for abhorrent.”
Mohammed Kozbar, chairman of Finsbury Park Mosque in St Thomas’s Road encouraged Muslims to attend the event, so that they could assemble with the “Stop Trump” protest.
Mr Kozbar said: “It’s quite important for us to participate and make sure we have our voices heard by the government and Trump himself.”
When asked if he had a message for President Trump, Mr Kozbar said: “Arrogance is not the solution – the answer is to spread loved instead of hate.
“As a leader he should spread love among people and try to unite them rather then divide them.”
Organisers of the “Stop Trump” march dubbed it a “carnival of resistance”, and there is estimated to be up to 100,000 people taking part.
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