A MOSQUE which served tea and biscuits to English Defence League (EDL) supporters has been praised by the Archbishop of York.

More than 100 supporters of the mosque in Bull Lane, York turned up after Facebook messages supposedly from the EDL called for demonstrators to gather outside the mosque. 

About six turned up, but they were invited inside to play football with worshippers.

Imam Abid Salik said: ”We did have a few people who did come to protest, but when they came some of the members of the mosque went over and they engaged in conversation.

"Some people went over with cups of tea and biscuits, they were talking for about 30 or 40 minutes and then they came inside, which was a really, really beautiful thing.”

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, added: "Tea, biscuits, and football are a great and typically Yorkshire combination when it comes to disarming hostile and extremist views."

Professor Mohamed El-Gomati from the University of York, an elder at the Mosque, said: “Rather than have a shouting match outside we have invited people in to have a discussion and show solidarity over a cup of tea with us and see exactly what we are doing to dispel any myths. There is nothing better than knowledge.”

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said they had been made aware of the event, but no threats had been reported.