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Revision as of 14:39, 10 November 2007
The London Markaz also known as the Abbey Mills Islamic centre is a proposed mosque and "Islamic centre" to be built on an 18 acre site in Stratford, East London near to the site where the London 2012 Olympic Park will be built. The structure, if built, would be the largest religious building in Britain and the largest mosque in Europe.
[1] For this reason it is often informally referred to in press discourse as a plan for a "mega-mosque".
The plans have sparked a controversy for alleged links between Islamist terrorism and Tablighi Jamaat, an Islamic missionary group, who wish to build the mosque.
Tablighi Jamaat state that they will raise this money through donations from both Britain and abroad.[2] The site of the proposed development currently holds a mosque which is attended by between 2,000 and 2,500 worshippers. The current owners are a group called Anjuman-E-Islahul Muslimeen UK.[1]
The Project
Press reports as to the size of the mosque have varied considerably. Ali Mangera who drew up the design plans for the mosque stated that up to 30,000 visitors could be accommodated at any one time.[3] The Daily Telegraph have suggested that between 40,000 and 70,000 worshippers could be held.[4] Other sources say just 12,000.[5]
Apart from a mosque the development would also include housing, a gym, exhibition space, a library, a small school and a garden.[1]
The mosque has been designed to be environmentally friendly. The washing areas in the Markaz will recycle water used by an internal spiral water cascade connecting washing areas on three levels below. The minarets of the mosque will be wind turbines. Tidal power from the adjacent Channelsea River will be harnessed. Additional electricity will be generated by solar panels.[6]
Development
In November 2006 it was reported that the plans breached Newham’s planning laws and would have to be resubmitted.
After 48,000 signatures were collected against the plans the government stated that they would block the proposal. [7][8]
Support
Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London has publicly stated his support for the development of the mosque as a symbol of community harmony. [citation needed]
The Tablighi Jamaat have stated that they are opposed to terrorism and do not support extremism while also rejecting claims that they incite violence. They describe themselves as a non-political group.
They blamed opposition to the building of the mosque on a climate of Islamophobia in Britain. [5]
In a BBC interview, Ali Mangera, the architect of the project, stated that the mosque was needed as 25% of the borough of Newham's population is Muslim. He also stated that taxpayers would not fund the development of the mosque.[3]
The pressure group Islamophobia Watch which claims to document discrimination against Muslims mentions the development of the mosque.[9]
Controversy
The government has voiced concerns that the building of mosque on such a large scale could aggravate “community-tensions”. Muslim groups were able to collect 2 thousand Signatures against the plans in 10 days. Concerns have also been raised about alleged links between Tablighi Jamaat and terrorist groups.
London Borough of Newham Councillor Alan Craig of the Christian Peoples Alliance has criticised development plans on the grounds that they would change the character of the local area making it predominantly Muslim.[3]
In an interview with the Telegraph he stated:
“I am concerned about the community and security impact of the mosque…although permission has not yet been given, Muslims are moving into the area in preparation. The Savile Town area of Dewsbury where Tablighi Jamaat is currently based is now more than 90 per cent Muslim. This part of London has always been a very diverse community and that is how it should be kept. We can't have one group taking over."[4]
He has also called for a public inquiry into the development. [1]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d Law, Peter (2006-11-07). "Mega-mosque planning deadline missed". This Is Local London. Retrieved 2007-07-11.
- ^ Steyn, Mark (2005-11-29). "Wake up and listen to the muezzin". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2007-07-11.
- ^ a b c Trench, Zia (2006-10-14). "Case for a mega mosque". BBC The Politics Show. Retrieved 2007-07-11.
- ^ a b Johnston, Philip (2006-099-25). "The shadow cast by a mega-mosque". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2007-07-11.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b Rahman, Emdad (2007-05-27). "UK Group Allays Grand Mosque Fears". IslamOnline.net. Retrieved 2007-07-11.
- ^ "Sustainable mosque for London". Fresh Science. 2005-12-24. Retrieved 2007-07-11.
- ^ Sugden, Joanna (2007-05-09). "Setback for Muslim sect's 'mega-mosque' in London". The Times. Retrieved 2007-06-17.
- ^ Ben Leapman (2007-02-21). "Supermosque for 70,000 'will be blocked'". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2007-06-17.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ "Yet more on the 'mega-mosque'". Retrieved 2007-07-11.
External links
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