Anti-Islam demonstrators plan to protest outside one of London’s largest mosques on Friday, the anniversary of September 11, raising the prospect of violence.

Large numbers of anti-fascists also intend to descend on the site of the new Harrow central mosque to show solidarity with Muslims.

Tensions are inflamed after riots in Birmingham over the weekend during an anti-Islamic rally by the English Defence League. There were dozens of arrests after clashes between the supporters of the right-wing EDL and Muslim activists.

The EDL, which also clashed with Muslim groups in Birmingham a few weeks ago, leading to 35 arrests, is affiliated to Casuals United, former football hooligans who want to “fight Jihadists in the community”.

Both groups have promoted Friday’s protest on their websites. It is being organised by a third right-wing group calling itself Stop Islamification of Europe.

SIOE, which claims that “Islamophobia is the height of commonsense”, says it is planning a peaceful protest. However, fears of more ugly clashes were raised when Unite Against Fascism announced that large numbers of its demonstrators would also attend.

Weyman Bennett, UAF’s joint national secretary, accused the anti-Islam groups of trying to start “ethnic conflict”. He told The Times: “These self-confessed hooligans will attack people, I’m absolutely convinced about that. What will happen then? There will be a response. They know exactly what people will do, and they want a picture of people charging out of a mosque \.”

Although the building is not yet being used, hundreds of Muslims will be praying next door on the site of the existing mosque. The protest is being held during Ramadan and a large number of worshippers are expected.

Ghulam Rabbani, the general secretary of the mosque, told The Times that extra security had been hired and worshippers had been urged to ignore provocation. A similar protest was planned late last month and, although it was cancelled, groups of young Asian boys gathered at the mosque, apparently to defend it.

Mr Rabbani said that the Muslim community was upset at being targeted. “We don’t know why they are singling us out. They say we are planning a Sharia court but we have never had such a plan. This community is mixed with Muslims, Christians, Hindus and Jews. We have had very good relations for 25 years.”

The EDL said that it was not sponsoring the Harrow protest and took down information about it from its website yesterday. However, it was still pointing supporters to it on its Facebook forum.

Tommy Robinson, an EDL organiser, said that the group had yet to decide whether to join the SIOE for the event.

He said: “Our issue is with the mosque. It is near enough the size of Wembley. Five floors. That’s not good for community cohesion.”

David Ashton, the leader of Harrow Council, said it was a “great shame” that both groups of demonstrators felt they had to import their “extreme views” into the borough. The Metropolitan Police said it was aware of the protest and would ensure an “appropriate response”.

A spokeswoman said: “The borough has been working closely with the mosque and other faith communities to ensure their concerns are taken into account in the planning of the policing response.

“We will attempt to work with the organisers of all protests to provide a proportionate and appropriate response, to ensure the safety of both local people and the protesters.”

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