Islamic leaders back Livingstone re-election bid

Leading Muslims have backed Ken Livingstone to win a third term as London Mayor.

They issued a statement hailing him for supporting multicultural society, fighting Islamophobia and racism, and protecting Muslim communities.

The signatories said it was in the "best interest" of Muslims for Mr Livingstone to be re-elected on 1 May.

Tory mayoral challenger Boris Johnson insisted he was "not remotely worried" by the show of support for his rival. He said: "When anything is signed by so-called community leaders I take it with a big pinch of salt.

"My grandfather was a Muslim and so was my great-grandfather. I am proud of my Muslim ancestry. But I want to talk about the interests of Londoners. I don't care what religion they are. I want to look after people from all communities."

The statement, published on the Guardian website, is signed by 63 individuals or groups including Mohammed Ali, chief executive of the Islam Channel, Professor Tariq Ramadan and Dilwar Hussain from the London Muslim Centre, part of East London Mosque.

Praising Mr Livingstone, it states: "His stands and policies have constantly championed justice in the Middle East ... freedom for the Palestinians and withdrawal of occupying troops from Iraq; a rare trait of modern-day public figures.

"He has enhanced London's standing in the world and helped improve the lives of all of the city's communities. We pledge to continue our support for the Mayor on all levels possible in order to secure his staying in office for a third term."

Ihtisham Hibatullah of the British Muslim Initiative, which is behind the statement, argued that Mr Livingstone was doing more to help Muslim communities than Mr Johnson or Liberal Democrat candidate Brian Paddick. He also claimed the Muslim leaders involved could mobilise many voters to back Mr Livingstone.

The Mayor welcomed the statement, saying: "The fundamental basis of London's openness and choice is that every Londoner should be able to live their life as they freely choose with the sole condition that they do not prevent others doing the same."

However, the Mayor has been engulfed in controversy in the past after he invited Islamic scholar Yusuf al-Qaradawi to a conference about female students wearing hijab.

Mr al-Qaradawi has been accused of supporting female genital mutilation, wife-beating, the execution of homosexuals in Islamic states, the destruction of the Jewish people, and the use of suicide bombs against civilians.