An Islamic group called Tablighi Jamaat has been
refused plans to build what would have been Britain's
largest mosque. The so-called 'megamosque' in east
London would have housed more than 11,000 people in
a number of prayer rooms and halls.
If granted permission, the mosque, which would have
been close to the Olympic Park, would have had three
times the floor space of St Paul's Cathedral and 190-ft
minarets.
Opponents to the plans claim the sect promotes an
"ultra-conservative" brand of Islam and that the plans
would have led to heightened tensions in the area.
Supporters have been attempting to have the plans
agreed for 13 years but in 2012 the scheme, officially
called the Abbey Mills Markaz, was rejected by Newham
councillors.
The group appealed and took their application to a
three-week long public inquiry in summer last year - the
report of which was handed to the Government in
January. A source is reported to have said: "This
proposal has created a great division in Newham.
"That would get a lot worse if the thing was built."
Alan Craig, a former Newham councillor who led the
campaign against the plans, said: “This is fantastic
news.
"For a decade and a half, Tablighi Jamaat has pulled
out every stop to get its way, but at last the spectre is
over.” Before the decision was made, the plans were
subject to furious scrutiny and campaigning by far-right
extremist groups such as the BNP.
The Islamic group behind the plans already has a
temporary mosque for 2,500 worshippers on site and
despite a 2013 High Court order to close it, it remains
open.
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