People sit down to somosas and pizza at the Lewisham Islamic Centre. Photograph by Alastair Cutting
Following the lead of the York Mosque that was widely praised for diffusing the tension of protesters from the EDL and other groups last weekend by offering them tea and biscuits, Lewisham Islamic Centre today welcomed all-comers with somosas and pizza.
Far right political group the BNP had originally organised a protest march in Westminster, but they were met by a larger group of those from the Anti-fascist league and other organisations who were successful in preventing much of a demonstration.
Whilst the protests continued in Westminster, the Lewisham Islamic Centre opened its doors to all-comers in a sign of hospitality and community, welcoming all those in their borough and neighbouring boroughs who had prevented the BNP from getting permission to march there. The Islamic Centre had previously been organising a rally to oppose any BNP protests in Lewisham, but with the news that the BNP failed to obtain permission for a protest march there, they instead have opened their doors and are offering somosas and pizza to anyone who walks in.