DAR AL HARB - U.K.: IS BLAIR OR ISN'T HE WORRIED ABOUT THE MEGA MOSQUE PLANS FOR LONDON?!?

More information on the "mega mosque" that is planned to be built near the Olympic Park in London can be found here.


Blair's office denies worries over mosque plans

Downing Street has denied warning that community tensions could erupt if a large mosque is built near the Olympic Park site in London.

The Times said today that the Tablighi Jamaat sect has delayed plans for "a giant mosque complex" in Newham after the government warned the project could "raise tensions".A Downing Street spokesman said the government has been misrepresented.

"Where that [quote about raising tensions] came from was a government response to a Downing Street e-petition about the mosque," the spokesman said.

The response was a warning to e-petitioners to moderate their language and debate "in a way that does not raise tension in local areas".

Over 50,000 people have signed the petition against the mosque.Meanwhile, the group behind the mosque said they have not decided to respond to criticism of the scheme by delaying their planning application.

A spokesman for the Abbeymills Mosque group, which is run by members of Tablighi Jamaat, insisted: "There's never been an exact timetable, so you can't be delayed."

But he acknowledged: "Clearly the timing of any scheme is subject to change... The first priority is to get a good scheme."

He said he expects the group will file for planning permission next year.

Last February the Sunday Telegraph reported that the group had hoped to file in the autumn.

The spokesman said he couldn't remember whether this was correct.

The spokesman also said that newspapers and websites have misrepresented the structure's size, using an out-of-date architectural drawing.

He said: "There have been reports that it would seat 70,000. It would be able to accommodate a maximum of 12,000 but normal attendance would be 3,000 to 4,000."



Pertinent Links:

1) Blair's office denies worries over mosque plans