Application for “Mega Mosque” in London Denied by Council

by Jeremy Reynalds, Faith Issues

An application to build a proposed “mega mosque” in Stratford, London, has been rejected by Newham Council.

According to a story by Christian Concern, the mosque, proposed by fundamentalist group Tablighi Jamaat, would have been three times the size of Saint Paul’s Cathedral and located very close to the Olympic Park.

Christian Concern said the plans included a prayer hall for around 7,500 men and a separate facility for about 2,000 women.

About 3,000 supporters gathered outside the hearing at the council’s town hall, with many holding signs saying, “15 years of waiting. Not a day more. Vote yes to the Riverine Center.”

Christian Concern reported that the mega mosque, known as the Abbey Mills Mosque or the Riverine Center, was rejected by councillors following a recommendation by Newham Council officers.

According to Christian Concern, a spokesman for the council said last night “Councillors have considered this application at length and with great care before deciding to reject it.”

The spokesman added, “There are…concerns about the size of the proposed buildings and impact on parking and traffic in the local area.”

Christian Concern reported that Alan Craig, campaign director of the MegaMosqueNoThankscampaign criticized the proposals saying, “The sheer size of the mosque betrays the ambition and arrogance of Tablighi Jamaat. Their religious ideology is divisive and hostile to non-Muslims, and there is certainly no local demand for something of this magnitude.”

Tablighi Jamaat, which has been attempting to build the mosque for over 10 years, has been accused of radicalizing young Muslim. It has been operating in Britain since 1944.

ASSIST News Service