Tableeghi group admits mistake, re-thinks strategy in UK

LONDON: A missionary Islamic sect has admitted that it pursued a “wrong strategy” in its efforts to get approval from the local council for the building of a “mega mosque” next to the Olympics Stadium.
After the Newham Council in east London denied permission to the Tableeghi Jamaat, which has its members from Pakistan, India and Bangladesh, a spokesman of the group told this correspondent that “a wrong and outdated approach” was adopted but the group also blamed mainstream Muslim parties and politicians for failing to come in aide of the group, which is arousing suspicions in the West due to its hard-line views, which wanted to build a 9,000-capacity complex. The permission was denied at a public meeting of the council where the Muslim councillors refused to turn up to support the applications. Tableeghi Jamaat spokesman Dr Zulfikar Ali told The News that the council decision has “caused huge disappointment” amongst Muslims of Newham.
Dr Ali added: “It appeared the Labour council has taken Muslims for granted. The proposals which contained capacity for around 9,000 people for prayers, library, sports facilities and other environmental amenities enjoyed exceptional level of support of the Muslim community from Newham and the rest of the London. It is estimated that thousands of people were outside the town hall showing their support in a cold evening in a very peaceful manner.” But The News is aware that several Sunni Muslim organisations wrote to the council opposing the Tableeghi mosque plans.
The Council’s decision will now be considered by Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, who has the ultimate say. Tableeghi Jamaat said it will pursue all legal avenues to get the approval but for now, the group rests its hopes with the London mayor. “Our community seriously hope that the London Mayor will see the positive aspects of the development and gives it a go ahead. If he chooses to follow the recommendation of the Newham Council then matter will end up going through an appeal process which can be lengthy and costly.” Tableeghi Jamaat used the Abbey Mills Mosque, also known as the Riverine Centre, to host the London Markaz, also referred to as Masjid-e-Ilyas, where 2,500 people can be accommodated.
The Newham councillors heeded recommendations from the council’s officers to reject expansion. Conor McAuley, Newham Council’s executive member for regeneration and strategic planning, said: “The proposed mosque building is too big and would have an impact on important historic buildings nearby. 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 the West Ham Station and regenerate the area.” Tableeghi sect traces its origins to India in the late 1920s and has been accused in the past of radicalising young Muslims. The group is resented in Middle Eastern countries where it’s not allowed to preach openly and it is believed it could have won in its effort if it had the backing of Saudi Arabian or any other influential Islamic country.