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Jeremy Corbyn is facing criticism for attending an event organised by a so-called hardline Muslim group previously accused of anti-semitism.

A number of Labour MPs attended the event held by the Muslim Engagement and Development group (Mend) to mark the start of Islamophobia Awareness Week on Wednesday.

Mr Corbyn reportedly told the audience: "Our future lies in mutual respect between all communities...An attack on any of us is an attack on all of us. The only future is to come together."

In 2010, a Channel 4 Dispatches investigation secretly filmed the organisation's director of engagement, Azad Ali, professing his "love" for al-Qaeda recruiter Anwar al-Awlaki.

Mr Ali was also filmed saying "nobody agrees" with democracy if it comes "at the expense of not implementing the Sharia".

Politicians spoke out against Corbyn's appearance at the event after he rejected an invitation to a dinner marking the Balfour Declaration, to be attended by Theresa May and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Former communities secretary Sir Eric Pickles slammed the appearance.

He told the Daily Mail: “To not make a dinner is perhaps excusable but to attend a meeting of extremists who are vowed to destroy Israel is contemptible.”

Tory MP Philip Davies added: “During the election Jeremy Corbyn said his links to violent extremism, such as to the IRA and to Hamas, was a thing of the past.

“We can now see that this is not historical at all. His addiction to hardline extremists continues to this day.”

Henna Rai, director of the Women Against Radicalisation Network, said: "I don't think any MPs should be seen associating with Mend.

"They are a deeply problematic organisation which regularly labels any Muslims collaborating with the government on counter-extremism initiatives as 'bad Muslims'.

"Just as I was alarmed to see the Hindu nationalist Tapan Ghosh recently hosted in Parliament, this was another example of extremism being hosted in the heart of our democracy.

"I think our elected politicians have to exercise due diligence and be more critical in deciding who is worthy of being given such a platform."

Stephen Kinnock, MP for Aberavon, spoke at the event alongside Mr Corbyn.

In a statement issued ahead of the event, he wrote: "Recent media reports have brought to my attention statements and actions from Mend that are of grave concern.

"I strongly disagree with the tone and content of the comments that have been highlighted.

"I would like to make it absolutely clear that I unconditionally condemn any and all actions that could be constructed as divisive, aggressive or contrary to the values that we should all cherish: inclusion, peace, justice and the rule of the law of the land."

MPs Anna Soubry, Crispin Blunt, Sir Ed Davey and Joanna Cherry had been due to speak at the event but pulled out shortly before.

Speaking on his LBC radio show ahead of the event, Maajid Nawaz, founder of anti-extremist organisation Quilliam, said: "What are you thinking? You should be ashamed of yourselves.

"If your colleagues have pulled out, what are you still doing being involved with this event?"

The neo-conservative Henry Jackson Society think tank published a report earlier this week describing Mend as "regularly hosting illiberal, intolerant and extremist Islamist speakers at public events".

A Mend spokesman denied these claims in a statement, writing: "The Henry Jackson Society clearly has its own partisan agenda and is aimed at discrediting Mend with a view to trying to discourage politicians, journalists, unions, civil liberty organisations and others to work with us.

"Our increasing influence and acceptance is an irritant to the Henry Jackson Society and it appears they believe only certain organisations can be allowed to express political views on behalf of Muslims."

A spokesman for Mr Corbyn told The Telegraph: "Jeremy was pleased to attend an event to mark the start of Islamophobia Awareness Month alongside representatives from political parties, the Met Police and the office of the Independent Review of Terror Legislation."

When criticised in the past for meeting with Islamist groups Hezbollah and Hamas, Corbyn had said "to bring about a peace process, you have to talk to people with whom you profoundly disagree."

Hundreds are expected to turn out for a pro-Palestine march in London on Saturday, in opposition to the celebration of the Balfour Declaration and Netanyahu's visit.

The Standard has approached both Jeremy Corbyn and Mend for comment.