Your Local Guardian: Ahmed Amman Ahmed Amman, 23: “I was angry. I was being told the march was coming, so I didn’t come to the mosque [younger members were sent home to avoid any risk of provocation], but I feel we should have stayed to protect it.”

His friend Rashed Farah (not pictured), 21, said he was also angry at the people’s feelings Muslims would “just take it”.

Your Local Guardian: Mostahfiz Gani Mostahfiz Gani, 36, a teacher at St John’s CofE Primary School, in Portland Road, said: “I believe if these people had come to the mosque when they were younger they might not have attacked it.

“Just two weeks ago year 6 children from our school visited. Many had never set foot inside a mosque, so opening up the mosque is crucial.”

Your Local Guardian: Man charged over Kingston Mosque attacks

Your Local Guardian: Abbobakar Mulbocus Abbobakar Mulbocus, 76, a prison and hospital chaplain, said: "This mosque shows how anybody can work together with different cultures.

"Some people pray differently but we have to respect them."

Asked if he would forgive the mosque attackers he said: "If they meant it we would. We respect British culture and don’t want extremists."

Your Local Guardian: Ahmed Abdul Ahmed Abdul Karem, 27, who works at Aroma coffee shop in Surbiton, escaped from Iraq after being mistakenly shot in the leg by coalition forces.

He said: "They hear bad things about Muslims, but not all the Christians are the same.

"I was in the park praying and someone cycling swore at me. I felt very sorry inside. This is God’s land. It is for everyone."