Ordinary worshippers from the East London Mosque kept rioters at bay until police arrived.

Mosque stewards ensured worshippers and passers-by remained safe.

Rioters had run down Whitechapel Road damaging shops fronts along the way.

They passed the East London Mosque on the opposite side of the road just as hundreds of worshippers were leaving after prayers and the breaking of their fasts for Ramadan.

Later that evening, as the Ramadan night prayers were about to begin, Sheikh Abdul Qayum, chief imam of the East London Mosque, told worshippers: "You can see there is violence and looting spreading across London.

"We have to be very careful, especially our young people – parents should take responsibility over their children and make sure they are not to get involved in any kind of reactions. Parents should ensure their children stay at home. Young people should go straight home after the Tarawih prayers. I ask everyone to be very vigilant and I pray this incident passes over us quickly".

The Secretary of the Mosque, Habibur Rahman also appealed to worshippers, saying: "Today you have seen riots spreading throughout London. Just after prayers you would have seen the rioters pass through here. This is very serious criminality from criminals, and in fact they have been setting places on fire, they have been vandalising places and businesses.

"It is really important for young people, and especially our young people in Tower Hamlets not to get involved – it may look exciting and you may want to see what's going on, but please do not do this.

Habib also spoke about some of the "exaggerated" rumours spreading about the mosque being attacked which were untrue, although he stressed everyone to be "very very careful", as businesses and many shops came under threat.

The messages were also aired live throughout Tower Hamlets, via the Muslim Community Radio (MCR 87.7FM) station that is tuned into by a vast majority of the community especially during Ramadan.

The Tower Hamlets Council of Mosques has issued a press statement today, strongly condemning the actions of a "small numbers of young people across the country causing a huge amount of damage to people's businesses, homes and possessions. This type of behaviour is not acceptable behaviour in any civilized society and is categorically forbidden in Islam."

Another press statement from the Muslim Council of Britain, said, "There can be no justification whatsoever for such mindless and thuggish behaviour." Mosque management, staff and volunteers have been asked to remain extra vigilant tonight, as 5,000 worshippers expected to turnout for night prayers, amid possibilities that further disturbances could break out in the borough.