East London Olympic Mega Mosque Set for Public Debate
For the first time supporters and opponents of the proposed Olympics mega-mosque in East London will meet to debate the key issues surrounding the proposals, at a public meeting 7 September in Stratford.
by Daniel Blake
Posted: Tuesday, September 4, 2007, 12:14 (BST)
For the first time supporters and opponents of the proposed Olympics mega-mosque in East London will meet to debate the key issues surrounding the proposals, at a public meeting 7 September in Stratford.
Following the recent petition against the mosque which attracted over 250,000 signatures on the 10 Downing Street website, a tense atmosphere will be expected as both sides put forward their arguments head-to-head in front of an open audience.
Support for the mosque will be led by Abdul Khaliq Mian, a former mega-mosque project manager and spokesman, and also a former parliamentary candidate (East Ham 2005) and local council candidate (Newham 2006) for George Galloway's Respect party.
Leading those opposing the mega mosque plans will be Councillor Alan Craig, leader of the Christian Peoples Alliance group on Newham Council.
The debate has been organised by Newham Muslim voluntary sector group 'Islamic Circles' and is open to the public.
"I'm delighted we are to debate the mega-mosque issue face-to-face at last," said Cllr Craig, who has been the leading East London opponent of the project. "I first asked for discussions with mosque promoters Tablighi Jamaat over a year ago but they have always refused to meet. This is the first real opportunity to do democracy, and I expect the debate to be hard-hitting but civilised."
Cllr Craig also criticised the stance taken by Ken Livingstone over the mega-mosque. "This debate will also serve to publicly discredit the Mayor's offensive and unfounded slur that opposition to the mosque is by nature Islamophobic and BNP-inspired," said Alan Craig. "It isn't. Many Muslims oppose the Tablighi Jamaat mega-mosque, and non-Islamic local opposition is rational, reasoned and based on respect for our Muslim fellow citizens. We stand against BNP hate-mongering."
The Christian People Alliance leaders concluded: "Of course the Mayor's unreasoned biased backing for the mega-mosque simply strengthens the cause of all opponents.
"Fortunately he has no planning powers over the Olympic zone, so he cannot directly impact the final planning decision about the mosque."
The debate is to be held at 6.15pm on Friday 7 September at Ithaca House in Stratford, East London.
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The comments below are readers' personal opinions and are in no way intended to reflect the editorial opinion of Christian Today.
Added: Sunday, September 16, 2007, 16:00 (BST)
I am appalled that the building of a mega mosque is even being considered.We are in England we should be promoting our country & our culture for this event.Not wasting money on other countries religious beliefs.It is the muslim religious beliefs that brought about the bombing of our great city & now were going to build a huge mosque so that possible future bombers have a nice big safe place to meet & arrange such attrocities.Surely St Pauls Cathederal is a big enough beautiful piece of architectural brilliance & religious worship that is a legendary landmark that it should not be overshadowed.
julian herriott, Sutterton, England
Added: Sunday, September 16, 2007, 14:48 (BST)
I think the proposals is outragious. Living in E15, I will be next to the olympic stadium which will effect my everyday life, not to mention many lives of local people.
I feel we have much too many mosques already in east london and therefore the need to build another is unreasonable. The olympic village/stadium will effect us here locally if this mosque is built it will add to the frustration and inconvenience that we will experience. If any building is to be built it should be more homes for the homeless and people who are over crowded. This is a christain country and it about time the christain people start claiming their right. If we was to go to a muslim country to live, we would not be permitted to build a church. I think the Christian alliance are doing a wonderful job in trying to stop this from happening, however i do not feel the way to show support would be to put up posters in our window as in this day and age, people kill and with all these bombings, i know I would fear for my family's safety if i was to put up a poster.
I think, all churches should stand together locally, with their local people and ensure this does not ahppen.
diane chitolie, stratford
Added: Friday, September 7, 2007, 10:02 (BST)
I oppose to the building of the mega mosque and I know many moderate muslims also oppose. To have a mosque of this size is not necessary. Small church and mosque communities give a closer sense of fellowship and unity. If a mega mosque is built it would, because of the shear size, give a air of supremacy and NO religion should be allowed this status.
Also if a radical thinking Imam should rule, he will reach a larger audience, and indoctrinate a radical islamic view, whether they want it or not.
IrisAnn Fernando, London
Added: Wednesday, September 5, 2007, 11:19 (BST)
I can't believe this debate is even still going on!
There is nothing to debate.
That in a Christian/Secular country the biggest place of worship should be an utterly alien Mosque in worship of an totally alien religion is madness full stop. And culturally/historically an utter disgrace.
But when you add the FACTS that it is being run by a known extremist arm of Islam, that it will be the biggest place of worship in the same capital city of our country that was recently blown up by suicide bombers in the name of that same religion (by Islamist already indoctrinated in OTHER mosques)...And the mind boggling stupidity and PC need for cultural suicide is stunning to behold.
If after 7/7 we are even thnking about handing Islam a gift of this size in thanks for all the death and destruction it heaped on our capital city...I hate to think what we would have offered as a thank you gift if Big Ben had been blown to bits.
Buckingham Palace as the world's largest prayer room perhaps?
Well when they try to blow us up again I'm sure they'll have the chance at recieving more presents from us in gratitude.
Dave B, Stoke, Staffs
