A GERMAN right-wing extremist group has tried to scupper building plans for a mosque - by planting ten large wooden crosses at the site.

The activists, known as Citizens for Efurt, wanted to block the move "for the preservation of our culture", they said.

The activists erected ten giant crosses where the mosque is due to be built Credit: Twitter / @Kant_Brockman

Now the owner of the site is launching legal action as the community's imam Said Ahmad Arif said the construction would go ahead.

He told Sputnik News: "This is not something that scares us."

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The mosque is being constructed for the Ahmadiyya Muslims in the small village of Marbach, near Erfurt, in the central eastern state of Thuringia.

The Muslim community there has been supported over the plans by both villagers and politicians - but the right-wing populist party took exception.

German extremists are trying to block plans to build a mosque in the area Credit: Twitter / @Metropolico_

On the Citizens for Erfurt Facebook page, the group wrote: "We built a sign of identity and our way of life. For the preservation of our culture."

They claim the crucifixes had been taken down and defaced by those opposed to their protest.

But the defiant activists simply erected them for the third time.

Citizens for Erfurt added: "Further protest against the mosque is being organised.

"The residents are asking themselves what kind of people would damage a crucifix to make way for a mosque.

We built a sign of identity and our way of life. For the preservation of our culture. Citizens for Erfurt

"So far all your cowardly actions have achieved is to make the population of Marbach more determined to protest the mosque.

"We promise you, we will put the cross back up again every time."

But their actions were condemned by evangelical pastor Ricklef Muennich who said: "There is no reason to ram ten crosses into the ground as a sign of battle.

Those behind the plans to build the mosque say they will still go ahead despite the protests

"The cross of Jesus really stands for love, for love of your neighbour and your enemies.

"According to our constitution, this freedom is not only for Christians but also for Jews and Muslims.

"Therefore, we support the right of the Ahmadiyya community to set up a mosque here."

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