Radical cleric Anjem Choudary told Muslims on Friday not to vote in the General Election on 7 May, claiming it is "strictly forbidden" in Islam.
The fringe Muslim cleric, who supports the implementation of Sharia Law in the UK and was arrested last year in connection with terrorism, was at the London Central Mosque where around 100 members of far-right groups Britain First and the English Defence League chanted and waved banners against Islam.
The protesters had to be held back by police as they campaigned against Choudary and clashed with Muslims attending afternoon prayers. The Press Association reported that Choudary - often dubbed a hate preacher - was attending worship, but many tweeters reported that he was running his own publicised protest and is not allowed into the mosque.
Photo courtesy of Jon Scammell and Ruptly
Speaking outside, Choudary told Muslims not to vote at the forthcoming election.
He also handed out leaflets entitled "why it is strictly forbidden to vote in Islam". One passage read: "Only God can make things lawful and unlawful. If a human being does this ... this is considered the most heinous crime."
However, he was accused by some worshippers of encouraging anti-Islamic protests.
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The Britain First and EDL supporters shouted outside the mosque and the Islamic Cultural Centre, as hundreds of men, women and children moved inside for prayers, and had to be held back by police.
Some of the EDL and Britain First protesters chanted anti-Islamic messages, while others held up placards.
Photo courtesy of Jon Scammell and Ruptly
Around 100 police kept them away from the front of the mosque, although trouble threatened to escalate when a handful of far-right demonstrators surged down the pavement towards a group of Muslims.
The protesters, who said they were antagonised by some of the worshippers, had to be restrained by officers.
Members of the EDL sang "It's our country, we're taking it back" to the tune of the Beach Boys' Sloop John B as prayers were being held, while others simply shouted "Scum".
Choudary formed banned Islamist group Al-Muhajiroun and has been accused by The Washington Post of "preaching for the Islamic State on the streets of London".
Photo courtesy of Jon Scammell and Ruptly
