Extremists WALTHAM FOREST

MUSLIM extremists calling for democracy to be replaced by Shariah law marched through the borough today.

Around 50 members of Muslims Against Crusades (MAC) and Waltham Forest Muslims (WFM) marched for two hours from Leyton Tube station to Walthamstow town square.

Protesters carrying black flags and loudspeakers set off from Leyton Tube station at 1.20pm.

They chanted slogans such as ‘democracy - hyprocrisy’, ‘Sharia for UK’ and ‘Secularism go to hell’.

There was a heavy police presence as the march made slow progress along the route, with traffic backed up behind it.

Police moved quickly to seperate march supporters from opponents outside the Goose pub in Walthamstow as the demonstration aproached the town square.

But the day passed without major incident.

Council leader Chris Robbins, who an earlier inter-faith event celebrating the diversity of the borough, condemned the protest.

He said: “These people have no place in our borough.

"Those nutters don’t represent our views at all and everyday people reject them.”

“The quicker they leave, the better.”

The The Friendship Pilgrimage, organised by Forest Women's Interfaith Network, visited religious sites around the borough to celebrate diversity in Waltham Forest.

MAC has recently attempted to impose Sharia zones in the borough, by putting up posters saying alcohol, gambling, music and smoking are banned.

The council and police have co-ordinated a swift response, removing the posters and vowing to prosecute anyone illegally fly-posting.

MAC is led by radical cleric Anjem Choudary, of Colchester Road, Leyton, while WFM is headed by Abu Izzadeen, fomally known as Omar Brooks, of Brierley Road, Leytonstone.

Izzadeen, who was jailed in 2009 for inciting terrorism, today called on residents with financial difficulties to join Islam, which he said would provide everyone with a home.

“We are here to save you from yourselves,” he said.