MUSLIMS opened the doors of their mosque to welcome the community and answer questions about their beliefs.

Noor Ul Islam mosque in Leyton High Road held a Visit My Mosque Day on Sunday (February 5).

Crowds attended the event which featured henna hand painting, Quran recitations, and children’s activities.

Suleman Aboo who volunteers at the mosque said one guest asked him about Islam and terrorism.

He said: “Someone asked me about Muslim terrorists and I told them it was an oxymoron question - you can either be a Muslim or a terrorist but you cannot be both.

“I wasn’t offended that they asked, I was happy because I was able to clear things up.

“People in my work environment often say things to me as well and I always them to ask me anything.

“It was a great opportunity for us to welcome everyone in because they may have been unsure of what is going on inside the mosque and now they have seen.

“When I ask my son what he is going to be when he grows us up he always says I want to be a good human being. Islam is not just about keeping a beard and certain clothing.”

Sumiyya Iqbal who is a member of the Women’s Advisory Board at Noor Ul Islam mosque has been attending the religious classes and sports activities at the centre since she was a child.

The 27-year-old said she was the victim of a hate crime in Whitechapel in 2016 but has never had any trouble in Waltham Forest.

Ms Iqbal said: “I think it is vital to have the Women’s Advisory Board to represent the women here because we are half of the community. Women play such a massive role in this mosque.

“It’s important to open the mosque to educate people and to break down barriers because Islamophobic hate crimes are on the rise.

“Last year after one of the terrorist attacks in France I was on a bus in Whitechapel with a friend in a hijab and a man told me he was going to kill me.

“We moved from the upper deck and I felt safer and I reported it to police.

“But we have never been bothered in Waltham Forest. The people here are very understanding.”

Chairman of the mosque Yusuf Hansa said it was encouraging to see over 100 people attend the open day and take an interest in Islam.

Mr Hansa said: “It is our duty to show that Islam is a peaceful religion and our mosque has an open door policy.

“It was very encouraging to see so many people attend because most of them may have never been to a mosque before.

“We involve a lot of young people in our mosque because when the elderly are gone they will need to take over.”