LONDON, July 13 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – Apologizing on behalf of the people of London for the fuss that overshadowed the current visit by Sheikh Yussef Al-Qaradawi, London Mayor invited the prominent Muslim scholar back to the United Kingdom next October.

"On behalf of the people of London, I want to apologize to the Sheikh for the outbreak of xenophobia and hysteria in some sections of the tabloid press which demonstrated an underlying ignorance of Islam," Ken Livingstone said Monday, July 12, reported British daily the Independent.

Attending the Pro-Hijab Conference, held at the Greater London Authority under his auspices, Livingstone said he was honored to invite Qaradawi back to Britain for another lecture tour, reported the Dehavilland web site Tuesday, July 13.

Dr Qaradawi welcomed the invitation to attend the European Social Forum at Alexander Palace next October, where the issue of banning Hijab in some parts of Western Europe, will be one of the main themes.

"I would like this invitation. I would hope to meet him (Livingstone) again."

The London mayor praised Qaradawi as "a moderate scholar, held in respect throughout the Muslim world" who preaches tolerance and respect for others.

He stressed that the veteran scholar does not hold the views which others had attributed to him, according to the Independent.

Livingstone went on to say that "ignorance and misrepresentation" by the media might be due to the lack of members of staff on newspapers drawn from the ethnic minorities, making them unrepresentative of the population they serve.

He suggested it was an issue he would look at during his term of office.

"It is not the first time it has happened. Many of us have been victims of this in the past when the press write speeches that were not made from a meeting you never attended," he added.

Livingstone also questioned Tory leader, Michael Howard's "knee-jerk reaction" to Qaradawi's visit.

"The leader of the opposition, having been Home Secretary on the occasion when professor Al-Qaradawi came to this country five times and did not see it was necessary to ban him then, suddenly has a knee-jerk reaction to ban him now that we have a Labour Government," he added.

In his address before the conference, Sheikh Qaradawi said plurality and diversity were necessary in society and pointed out that it was not just Islam that encouraged women to dress modestly - Judaism and Christianity had similar traditions.

"If a woman can wear a mini skirt or a sleeveless top, why can't she wear a headscarf? Banning it is against religious freedom," he said.

The Board of Deputies of British Jews has launched a vile campaign against Qaradawi's visit and presented an alleged "dossier" against him to police.

"We have advised the Metropolitan Police that there is insufficient evidence that a criminal offence has been committed," ruled the CPS.

Sheikh Qaradawi has condemned those who judged his works without having read them.

Addressing 3,500 worshippers during Friday prayers in London's Central Mosque, the scholar said he was being misrepresented.

He further accused some parties of the press of deliberately distorting his views without trying or even caring to read any of his books and lectures, or watching his frequent TV appearances.

The controversy was sparked by a British MP, who urged Home Secretary David Blunkett to deny the renowned scholar access to London.

Louise Ellman, Labour member for Liverpool Liverside, is a member of the Labour Friends of Israel group and had delivered several speeches before Israeli groups in London like Poale Zion.