London is a more 'Islamic' city than most in Muslim countries, leading cleric claims

London is a more 'Islamic' city than most in Muslim countries, a leading scholar has claimed.

Maulana Syed Ali Raza Rivzi, a prominent Shia cleric, said freedom to practise his faith and the country's multicultural mix means he “feels more Islamic” in Britain.

He made the comments at the annual Benedict XVI Lecture in London where he spoke alongside Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the head of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales and Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis.

He said Islam was about “love and justice” but accused Muslim political leaders around of the world of failing to show this.

The cleric said: “I feel that London has more Islamic values than many of the Muslim countries put together.

“There are many different communities living together in peace and harmony, giving respect to the others and loving others and that is what Islam is all about – and unfortunately [much] of the Muslim political leadership has failed to provide that.

“I feel more Islamic living here because I can easily practise my faith and give respect to all other members of the community belonging to different faiths and not even belonging to a faith, to anything.

“Because that is what Islam is all about, respecting and giving to others. If in one line I could say what Islam is all about, it is all about love and justice.”