The director of the East London Mosque has condemned “any actions” that incite hatred as police investigate threats made against a woman working in Whitechapel by Muslim extremists.

The woman was approached by people telling her “to cover up” at the pharmacy where she works and its owner was told there would be a boycott unless she dressed differently, according to her husband.

Two threats have been reported to Tower Hamlets police, the second last Tuesday and neither the woman nor her husband want to be named because of the nature of the threats.

Dilowar Khan, director of the mosque and London Muslim Centre in Whitechapel Road, said: “There have been certain incidents in the borough by a handful of people recently who do not represent the mainstream or majority Muslim view.

“We condemn any actions that resort to inciting hatred and disrupting the cohesion of our various communities.

“We continue to work hand-in-hand with other groups to ensure that Tower Hamlets is a place for harmony and will never be a place for inequality and intolerance.”

His comments follow homophobic stickers being displayed in the Brick Lane and Canary Wharf areas declaring Tower Hamlets a “gay-free zone” in February and saying “Allah is severe in punishment”.

Paul Ricketts, the police’s borough commander, said: “I am saddened that there are a small minority of people who do not wish to respect the lifestyle choices of others.

“At this stage there is no information to suggest any of the incidents are linked.

“Anyone found committing such criminal acts will face criminal proceedings.”

The threats against the Whitechapel woman are being investigated and no arrests have been made and the appearance of the stickers is being investigated by the borough’s Community Safety Unit.

Anyone with information can call police on 0300 123 1212.