Islamic sect refused permission to build Mosque

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2243800/Islamic-sect-refused-permission-build-Muslim-place-worship-times-capacity-St-Pauls-Cathedral.html

One must ask the same question as this reader,

/// This is all rather odd. Newham is reportedly one of the most economically/socially deprived areas of the country - but the 'community' appears to have access to , literally, vast sums of money to build the proposed mosque. Where is this money
now ? ///

[sp1814]

em10

You very may well be right - but I don't necessarily think it is down to a distrust or antipathy to non-Muslims...just like Jewish synogogues will deal with Jewish suppliers, I expect Muslim clerics to deal with Muslim suppliers...especially in Newham where there's such a high Muslim population, and therefore a wide range of service providers to choose from.

[ichkeria]

Why Battersea Power Station I wonder? It wouldn't be because the towers look like minarets would it.

Maybe it's just my sense of humour ...

[emmie]

sp, these are the people who would have been in control, hardly all inclusive.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2009/sep/08/religion-islam-tablighi-jamaat

[sp1814]

em10

if it's such a run down area, why on earth doesn't the local council build homes

You've lost me I'm afraid.

Who is this build? Is it the local council or is the money coming from private finance???

[emmie]

i wish someone would take over Battersea power station and actually do something with it. such an iconic building needs to be used, and not for any religious meeting either.

[emmie]

sp, if it's a run down area, it probably needs investment across the board. Newham council has said in it web site that it's first priority would be jobs and homes, what is so hard to understand about that.

[sp1814]

em10

Thank you for that link to the Guardian story. I'd never heard of the Tablighi Jamaat before. I've briefly skim-read it, and it all sounds thoroughly worrying.

But how do we counter their influence. Is the only answer to close the mosques? I don't know how that could be achieved without driving an even bigger wedge between Muslims and non-Muslims.

[sp1814]

em10

Totally agree with you about Battersea Power Station. I read somewhere (years ago) that it was going to be renovated as a major arts centre with rolling exhibitions - but that idea was pretty much shelved after the Tate Modern opened and became a success.

[sp1814]

em10

But Newham Council aren't funding this development. If they aren't funding it, then I don't see why their spending priorities need to be called into question.

An analogy - if B&Q were to open a huge warehouse in Brixton and no funding were coming from Lambeth Council, how could Lambeth Council be criticised over their spending plans???

[emmie]

sp, the wedge is already there, and building an even bigger edifice isn't going to make things better. Read through that piece again more thoroughly it's more than worrying. The point about new homes on that site is that they are needed more than a gigantic Mosque.

[emmie]

it has been rejected, so let's hope that someone in the local authority starts getting plans together for homes in that place. It may be that it would be privately funded, but that money could be coming from Saudi Arabia, not unknown to be strict adherents to Islamic ways and Sharia Law.

[sp1814]

em10

This is specifically why your post confused me. This is taken from the Daily Mail report:

'Our planning policies promote the development of the Abbey Mills site for a mix of residential, employment and community uses, to help create a new local centre near West Ham station and regenerate the area. <br/> <br/> 'The creation of new homes and jobs are a priority for Newham Council. <br/> <br/> 'It is not considered that this application is consistent with these policies.'

So not only aren't Newham Council funding this - but it's them who have rejected the application...so you see why your post of 14:24 threw me. You're criticising Newham Council but they're not funding the mosque and have stated what their priorities are...which chimes with what you posted.

Unless I've misunderstood?!!

[sp1814]

em10

The point about new homes on that site is that they are needed more than a gigantic Mosque.

Yes - that's why the proposal was turned down.

Newham Council have said everything that you've said they should be saying. Their stance is the same as yours.

[bazwillrun]

@em10

"What about all the Christians, Hindu's, Sikhs in the area"

youd be lucky to find more than a handful

I take it you dont know the are that well ?, muslims have totally taken over there , like everywhere they go

[sp1814]

em10

It may be that it would be privately funded, but that money could be coming from Saudi Arabia, not unknown to be strict adherents to Islamic ways and Sharia Law.

Absolutely - but the point I was trying to make was that the funding of this was never every coming from Newham. The way your post from 14:24 reads suggests that you thought that - maybe I misread it.

[bazwillrun]

forgot to say their spokesperson in the report I read yesterday as to why they need this place said that" blah blah blah and we are a growing community"

arent they just

thanks for that titbit of info

[TWR]

Is the UK going to be to be re-named? " Do what you want, we have not got the B@LLS to stop you?

[albaqwerty]

/// The mosque, which was planned to be around the size of Battersea Power Station (pictured), would have had 40ft minarets, an Islamic library, sports facilities and eight flats for visiting clerics ///

just what England needs, more 'visiting' clerics.

[Mick-Talbot]

No?


Must admit though that is a stab in the dark that answer ........

[emmie]

sp local authorities have a duty to all their inhabitants, to maintain social housing for one thing, to support local businesses, and that means all people, they could have accepted the planning proposal just as easily. in this case they haven't, but if you look how long that planning application has been around, since i believe 1999, why has it taken so long for them to refuse this application.