'Suspicious' Islamic centre fire

An anti-fascist group is holding a vigil tonight following an arson attack on an Islamic centre in North London.

The Al-Rahma Islamic Centre in Muswell Hill was burnt to the ground in the early hours of yesterday morning, and anti-terrorist police are still investigating the cause.

The Metropolitan Police are increasing police patrols in Muswell Hill tonight after an Islamic Centre was destroyed in a fire.

It happened in the early hours of Wednesday morning, by lunchtime counter-terrorism police were called in to investigate.

Graffiti daubed on the walls of the Somali Welfare Association Centre appeared to link the attack to supporters of the English Defence League - although they've denied involvement.

Ronke Phillips reports.

The fire that destroyed an Islamic centre which is believed to have been a racially motivated attack has left many in the Muslim community feeling unnerved.

Some are fearing the fire may have been started in retaliation for the killing of Drummer Lee Rigby in Woolwich.

A Rabbi has expressed sympathy and solidarity with Muslim communities after a 'suspicious' blaze destroyed a north London mosque.

Speaking on behalf of the Jewish communities Rabbi Miriam Berger of the nearby Finchley Reform Synagogue condemned those responsible for the fire which is strongly believed to be racially motivated and offered support:

Police today confirmed the letters 'EDL' have been found daubed on an Islamic community centre which was destroyed in a 'suspicious' fire in north London.

Barnet Borough Commander Adrian Usher said police are in the very early stages of the investigation but when and where the graffiti was placed is the focal point of the inquiry.

Read more on the north London mosque fire here.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson has 'slammed' those responsible for the fire in a north London mosque saying there is no place for hate or violence in a diverse city like London:

Counter-terror police are investigating a fire at a Somali Islamic centre in north London where graffiti spelling out EDL was found daubed on the building.

Police are investigating whether there is any link between the graffiti and the fire.

Counter-terror police are investigating a fire at a Somali community centre in north London where graffiti spelling out EDL was found daubed on the building, Scotland Yard said.