Fourteen rabbis have sent a letter of solidarity to Ilford Islamic Centre, after Muslim worshippers were pelted with eggs while attending prayers this week.

Police launched an investigation after receiving a report of racially aggravated criminal damage at around 11pm on Tuesday evening at a mosque in Albert Road, Ilford.

Worshippers were reportedly pelted with eggs, as local politicians condemned the incident as a “disgraceful act of hatred and violence” that has “no place” in the community.

The Federation of Redbridge Muslim Organisations (FORMO) tweeted that five people were hit, but none injured. The Muslim community is observing the holy month of Ramadan, which ends next week.

Woodford Forest United Synagogue’s Rabbi Mordechai Wollenberg organised a letter with other local rabbis, expressing the community’s “support and our solidarity following the deplorable and indefensible Islamophobic attack”.

The rabbis say they hope the perpetrators will be caught and that Muslims “will not be discouraged from going about their lawful practice of their religion and worship unhindered.”

Saying Redbridge’s religious communities “coexist in harmony and mutual respect for one another and for the rule of law”, they said nobody “should have to fear attack simply for attending a place of worship. There can be zero tolerance for any hatred of this kind.”

Ahmed Nahwaz, director and secretary of the centre, said: “I was caught by surprise because leading up to this we had a very quiet and peaceful 20-odd nights.