Muslim group backs Ken as 'best mayoral candidate'

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

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

Tory mayoral challenger Boris Johnson today insisted he was "not remotely worried" by the show of support for Mr Livingstone. 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."

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 the 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 modernday public figures."

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 claimed that the Muslim leaders involved could mobilise many voters to back Mr Livingstone.

The Mayor welcomed the statement.