MOSQUES should play a key role to help Muslim voters communicate with the Government according to the shadow cabinet member for communities.

Speaking during a visit on Thursday to Palmers Green Mosque, in Oakthorpe Road, Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, a life peer, said it was time for the focus to shift from the Government's reliance on community leaders - “pet Muslims” as she put it - to listening to people's everyday concerns.

“I think the Government approach has led to a culture, almost an industry, where everybody wants to be the right Muslim of the time because it gets them a cup of tea at Downing Street,” she said.

“Muslims are from different backgrounds and different countries. There's no such thing as a community leader who can speak for them all.

She added: “The Government has engaged with Muslims only on the basis of religion but more seriously on the basis of terrorism. That's not what Muslims are all about.”

She said politicians should focus on what ordinary Muslims were interested in, such as discipline in society and family values and that she would encourage a system where MPs would visit mosques to pass on opinions and concerns.

The Baroness was given a guided tour of the mosque and education centre during a visit to Southgate and praised the new prayer rooms, changing rooms, creche and high-tech teaching areas.

After nearly ten years, the mosque is finally nearing completion and attracts 1,000 worshippers on average to prayers.

Treasurer Talat Shaikh said education was key and that mosque elders wanted to pass on advice about living in Britain as well as respect for others, especially women, in their teachings.

But he made it clear the building was not a place for politics.

He said: “At this moment, we don't agree with any politics — we've got open minds.”

Lady Warsi, named Britain's most influential female Muslim last month, had earlier given an inspirational speech in Urdu to a group of Asian women in Trinity at Bowes Methodist Church and Community Centre in Palmerston Road, Southgate.

She spoke about how women should not stay at home but could do everything men could do.

Speaking of her shadow cabinet post, she said: “Questions have been raised as to whether Asian women should be in that position. I think it's very important to send out that message.

“We can have it all. I think we live in an era where Asian women can have it all.”

Her speech, delivered in Urdu, went down well with audience members.

“I think everybody enjoyed it,” said Ila Bheda, 62, from Turnpike Lane, one of several who praised the British-born baroness's command of Urdu.

“What she said was that women shouldn't rely on the men — we should do it ourselves. We are stronger than men and I agree with her.”