Police watched over a council planning meeting where emotions ran high over a proposal to create a Muslim-run community and welfare centre.

Officers attended plans panel north and east at Leeds City Council where members unanimously voted to give the go-ahead to convert the derelict Lingfield pub in Moortown.

Applicants UKIM, UK Islamic Mission, who bought the site, want to create a public gym, IT suite, library, training facilities and a prayer room for up to 70 worshippers.

More than 400 letters of objection were received over traffic, congestion and noise concerns. Many also expressed fears the centre would be used exclusively by the Islamic community. The night before the planning meeting the words "a mosque" were repeatedly daubed on the exterior of the forlorn building.

In a deputation to the panel, Gavin Boby, of the Law and Freedom Foundation, said he spoke against the plan on behalf of the Lingfield community: "Community use is laughable. It is a lie. It is a facility for a specific sector alone. You will find it will only be used by one sector."

Asked how many local people he knew would use the centre, Mohammed Arif of UKIM, said five households. He added that all facilities, including the "thorn in everyone's side", the prayer room, would be open to everyone.

The proposed community centre is subject to 21 restrictions, including opening hours from 8.30am to 10.30pm, or midnight during the month of Ramadan when visitor numbers can be no more than 65. The building cannot be used for weddings and must be open to community use.

Mr Arif said: "I am relieved by the result. We are in no mad rush and need to forge links with the community first."

Yorkshire Evening Post, 22 February 2013

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British National Party officials have made an official complaint after plans to transform a former Presbyterian church in a town in Shropshire into a Muslim centre were given the go-ahead.

The north Shropshire branch of the far-right party said the decision made by Shropshire Council planning officers should have been made at a full public meeting rather than in private. And they have written to Shirehall in protest over how the issue has been handled.

Phil Reddall, organiser of North Shropshire BNP, said he had made a complaint to Shropshire Council due to the decision being delegated to the planning department.

The 19th century building in Oswald Road, will provide a permanent home to Oswestry Muslim Society for the first time in its 10-year history. George Miah, chief adviser of the society, has previously said the organisation hopes to build bridges and gain better understanding in the community through the facility.

The £300,000 project will see the building, currently a furniture store, converted back into a place for meeting and worship. Work will include internal alterations and the creation of a one-bedroom, residential unit.

Mr Reddall said: "Maladministration has been cited as I believe, given the comments received from the public and the culturally significant nature of the application, the council had a moral duty to make a decision as an elected body, thus being fully accountable to the electorate."

Mr Reddall said he was awaiting a council reply before deciding his next move.

Shropshire Star, 18 February 2013

In an accompanying editorial the Star comments:

Having failed to mobilise mass opposition to the plans despite an aggressive publicity campaign, it is now trying to play the political guilt card. The far-right organisation's latest grumble is that the decision should have been taken at an open, transparent, public debate rather than by planning officials behind closed doors.

More than 70 people wrote to Shropshire Council to object to plans by the local Muslim Society to develop a 19th century former Presbyterian church in Oswestry, while around 40 penned their support.

This is hardly a case of the local authority trying to steamroller through a planning decision against an enormous groundswell of public outrage – despite the BNP's best efforts in canvassing opposition by delivering provocative leaflets through the letterboxes of some 2,000 nearby homes.

The BNP's view is that the council showed political cowardice over a 'culturally significant' planning application for the building, most recently used as a furniture warehouse. The only real cowardice here is the BNP's refusal to acknowledge that it does not have the public on its side.

Officials cite the planning decision as another example of the political establishment going out of its way to appease the Muslim community, while disenfranchising other sections of the population at the same time.

Would the party have been making such an incessant song and dance if the plans had involved turning the building into a church where other religious groups, like Methodists or Catholics would worship?

Of course not.

If the BNP wants to bring the discussion round to electoral accountability, they would do well to also remember that they do not have a single councillor in Shropshire, and are not likely to see that position change in the near future.

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Randolph Linn is behind bars after pleading guilty to federal arson and related crimes committed at the Islamic Center of Greater Toledo, but local Muslim leaders are concerned there may be more people like him out there.

Linn, a 52-year-old truck driver and ex-Marine from St. Joe, Ind., was initially charged with one count each of intentionally damaging religious property and using fire or explosives in commission of a felony for the Sept. 30 arson attack. A third charge, of using a firearm to commit a crime of violence, was added by a grand jury Dec. 18.

He pleaded guilty to all three counts in U.S. District Court in Toledo on Dec. 19 as part of a binding agreement and could be sentenced to 20 years in prison in April. He will also be required to pay a $250,000 fine and restitution that may exceed $1 million.

"Yes, justice has been served and the Islamic Center will be rebuilt and we will meet inside it and continue to do so. But the actual problem hasn't been dealt with," said S. Zaheer Hasan, a spokesman for the United Muslim Association of Toledo.

"There's a bad feeling, first of all because of the environment, which is becoming hateful," he said. "The arson attack was an isolated incident, but it was a product of that hatred."

Mahjabeen Islam, president of the Islamic Center, said it was "upsetting" to sit through Linn's hearing, during which the suspect vented his hatred of Muslims. "It was terrible because he was guilty, but he has no remorse at all," Islam said. "It was very apparent to everyone that he blamed the media; he blamed Fox News; he tried to blame alcohol."

Linn told U.S. District Judge Jack Zouhary that prior to his crime he drank 45 beers in seven hours. He then said he spontaneously decided, after seeing a wounded U.S. soldier on television, to get into his Chevrolet Sonic and drive 82 miles from St. Joe to Perrysburg.

He brought three firearms and stopped along the way to fill three gas containers, authorities said.

Linn said in court that he had hauled his truck many times past the domed mosque at the junction of Interstates 75 and 475.

According to Islam, when Zouhary asked Linn if knew any Muslims personally, he replied, "No, I only know what I hear on the radio and see on Fox News." He told the judge that Muslims are "going around killing us," Islam said.

Zouhary told Linn that the attack on the mosque was an attack on all places of religion. "You are no better than the terrorists or extremists you sought to punish," the judge told Linn.

Islam said she believes irresponsible media coverage fanned Linn's hatred and distorted his view of her faith. "My feeling is that the media needs to be more responsible. The combination of ignorance about Muslims and Islam, and hate and alcohol, and then whipping up all of this hatred in the media, is a lethal combination," Islam said.

Damage to the mosque from the blaze and from the building's sprinkler system and firefighters' hoses is estimated at $1.5 million, Islam said, adding that insurance is covering the expenses. Repairs are scheduled to be completed by the end of March. In the meantime, the mosque is holding Friday prayers at a Rossford indoor sports complex – with added security – and the center's Islamic school meets at Owens Community College.

Islam said surveillance cameras showed Linn, wearing a camouflage hat and sweatshirt, walking through the mosque with a pistol in his left hand. He left a beer can in the women's hijab room, she said, before pouring gasoline on the carpet in the main prayer room and igniting it.

"Had somebody been there, I dread to think about what could have happened because he had a gun. If people had been there, it might have been like the [Oak Creek, Wis.] Sikh temple shooting."

Toledo Free Press, 28 December 2012

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An example of British National Party propaganda against the proposed centreControversial plans for Oswestry's first Muslim centre have been given the go-ahead. It will be sited in a 19th century former Presbyterian church.

The bid to change the church in Oswald Road, into a Muslim prayer centre sparked more than 70 objections and led to the town being targeted in a leafleting campaign by the British National Party.

But more than 40 people wrote in support of the bid by Oswestry Muslim Society and permission was given by Shropshire Council planning officers under delegated powers.

Planning officers revealed today that some of the objectors' views had not been placed on the council planning website where the public's representations can normally be viewed as they were of a "sensitive and potentially provocative nature".

A planning report said: "There have been a substantial number of representations received both in support of (41) and objection to (72) the proposal. Many of these relate either entirely or primarily to the race and/or religion of the applicants and individual perceptions about the potential influence on both the local and wider community. These matters are not material planning considerations and should not play any part in the determination of the application."

It said the bid was approved as the proposed use was appropriate for the building and would not have an adverse impact on the area.

Shropshire Star, 31 January 2013

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A man who placed a pig's head outside a community centre used for prayers by Muslims has been warned he faces a possible jail sentence for the offence.

Liam Ferrar (24) appeared at Leicester Magistrates' Court today to admit religiously aggravated harassment aimed at the Muslim community.

The court heard that Ferrar had acquired the pig's head at a wedding the previous summer and kept it in a freezer at his home in Brook Road, Thurnby Lodge, Leicester.

On Christmas night, December 25, he went to the Thurnby Lodge Community Centre, in Thurncourt Road, and placed the head by the locked doors, facing out towards the Muslim worshippers who arrived at the centre the following morning.

The community centre has been the scene of regular protests over a former Scout hut nearby which Leicester City Council was going to allow Muslim group As Salaam to use for prayers. The protesters wanted the Scout hut to be kept for use by the wider community.

The court was told the protests had involved racial abuse being shouted by members of the Forgotten Estates campaign group, and other insults.

Group member Ferrar, who at times acted as a liaison between the protest group and the police, was recognised by officers viewing CCTV footage. After being arrested on December 28, he "became tearful" and confessed, the court was told.

Louise Cocks, prosecuting, said: "The defendant is a member of the Forgotten Estates group that has been involved in the protests about the use of the Scout hut. There's intelligence about this defendant playing a fundamental role in the protest group."

Miss Cocks said that on Boxing Day morning, members of As Salaam arrived at the community centre to find the pig's head. Moulana Mohammed Lockhat, the Imam for the As Salaam group, decided to call the police, who went to remove the head.

Miss Cocks said Mr Lockhat said in his statement that the incident was "extremely distressing". "The pig is a creature Muslims are forbidden from using any part of," she said. Miss Cocks added: "He says that prior to the pig's head incident he received malicious communications in relation to pig's heads and blood."

After Ferrar's guilty plea, the case was adjourned for a probation report. District judge John Temperley told Ferrar it was an "extremely serious case" and that "all options, including custody" were being considered.

Ferrar has been required by a court order to live outside the area and has been staying with a relative in Leicester's West End. Steve Morris, representing Ferrar, made an application for his applicant to be allowed back onto the Thurnby Lodge estate, but the application was declined.

Ferrar is due back at Leicester Magistrates' Court at 10am on Monday, February 18, for sentencing.

Leicester Mercury, 24 January 2013

For the background to Forgotten Estates see here and here. Despite the organisation's clear links to the far right, Leicester mayor Peter Soulsby saw fit to give them control of the disputed scout hut rent-free for the next two years. As Salaam, meanwhile, have been offered alternative premises at an unaffordable rent. Did someone mention a "two-tier system"?

EDL member Chris Hopewell presents Forgotten Estates petition to Peter Soulsby

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English Defence League protestors in Shotton Colliery last monthPolice last night sought to reassure residents of a village where a far-right group protested against a planned Islamic education centre.

Around 200 members of the English Defence League gathered in the former pit village of Shotton Colliery, County Durham, on Saturday, December 1. Two people were arrested on suspicion of breach of bail and a woman was given a police warning.

It came after Durham County Council passed plans by businessman Kaiser Choudry to transform the Melrose Arms, a disused pub on Front Street, into an education centre.

Shotton Comrades Social Club was almost full for the special meeting last night attended by police, Stuart Timmiss, the council's head of planning and assets and councillor Eunice Huntingdon, who represents the area, to discuss the plans. Several residents voiced fears about extremism at the meeting.

Mr Choudry has said the centre is for the use of the whole community though it is intended to primarily serve the local Muslim community, which comprises around 10 to 12 families.

A 102-signature petition and 12 letters of objection were lodged with the authority, mostly raising concerns about parking. But the meeting also heard of concerns about how Muslims would integrate into the village community.

Coun Ted Hall, who sits on the Shotton and Peterlee parish councils, summed up the mood. He said: "The feeling in the village is totally hostile. People in this village see no need for it [the centre]."

Mr Timmiss said the community needed to pull together. "I have seen some opposition to the plan tonight again and we're here to ensure that we have all agencies working together to resolve some of the integration issues that exist here in the village," he said.

"I think that is the message that Durham County and the police are trying to get across. Shotton is a great community and it has got some great people. It is going through change and we have got to support it through that change. We need to get the community working together and to dispel some of the fears that we have heard about tonight."

Chief Superintendent Ivan Wood said the force would ensure relations between factions of the community remained calm. He said: "Shotton is a peaceful, quiet village and there is no reason moving forward why it can't still be that way."

The Journal, 17 January 2013

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A British university has established a dedicated centre to study the extremist far right, with a particular focus on the increase in violent anti-Islamic sentiment and the possibility of a lone, Anders Behring Breivik style attack.

The Centre for Fascist, Anti-Fascist and Post-Fascist Studies at Teesside University will be formally launched later this month at an event marking National Holocaust Memorial Day. Beginning with two academics, Professor Nigel Copsey and Dr Matthew Feldman, the centre will specialise in both the history of far-right radicalism in this country, and current trends and dangers.

The two main UK public fronts for far-right sentiment, the British National party and the street-based, anti-Islam English Defence League, are both in apparent decline. The BNP has lost almost all its council seats, and last autumn one of its two MEPs, Andrew Brons, publicly quit, saying the party had shed 90% of its membership. The leader of the EDL, meanwhile, was jailed this month for travelling to the US using someone else's passport.

Feldman, a historian by background, said organisations such as the EDL, which began in Luton in response to anti-armed forces demonstrations by hardline Islamist groups, tended to fizzle out: "You can only mobilise people to come out on a Saturday and shout slogans for a couple of years. Then people will say, I've been to five of these demonstrations, they're getting smaller, my chance of getting arrested is getting bigger. Then you get fragmentation."

However, he argued, this should not obscure a more gradual shift from race-based far-right activism towards "cultural nationalism", notably against Islam. He said: "For the first time since, I believe, the National Front in the late 70s and early 80s, the far right is really going for popular support. It's moving out into the mainstream, with some success."

Guardian, 13 January 2013

See also "Teesside University to open study centre of far right", BBC News, 11 January 2013

And "Britain's first research unit into study of extremist politics launched by Teesside University", Northern Echo, 11 January 2013

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After facing months of harassment the Muslims of Thurnby Lodge faced a new horror in the campaign of hatred against the proposed prayer centre at the abandoned scout hut in Thurnby Lodge when a pig's head was left for them on Wednesday morning.

Muslims have faced nightly protests at the community centre they use for prayers at the moment, sometimes attended by the BNP and EDL. These are racist, anti-Muslim organizations known for their extreme views and violence at which 9 people so far have been arrested.

Though local Muslims have every sympathy for the feelings of non-Muslims in our community who feel neglected by the authorities and powerless to stop things getting worse on our streets, we do feel they are being manipulated by far right groups active in Thurnby Lodge recently.

One of the organisers of the anti-Muslim campaign is EDL member Chris Hopewell and who is pictured in the Leicester Mercury handing in a petition. Though he looks respectable in the picture, he is normally more than willing to bare his nationalist tattooed chest when trying to intimidate Muslims in Leicester city centre.

The Imam, Moulana Mohammed Lockhat said: "So far 9 arrests have been made which just goes to show the kind of people we are dealing with."

"There are protests almost daily around Isha (evening prayers) time just to intimidate & harass brothers who come for salaah (formal prayers). We are shocked and saddened by this development which is indeed a discriminating and hurtful act of religious intimidation", he added.

The pig's head did not stop fajr (early morning) prayers going ahead at the community centre, and it is a common misconception amongst the ill-educated thugs who make up far right anti-Muslim movements that the presense of pig remains or blood will some how stop Muslims from building mosques or Muslim community centres.

"Very sadly for those who tried to offend the Muslims, this has just increased our commitment to stay right here," said the Imam.

Volunteers for Outreach4Islam as well as other Leicester based Islamic groups are planning on increasing their efforts to call the non-Muslims of Thurnby Lodge to dialogue and understanding, and to separate those with understandable worries and complaints from the narrow minded violent organisations like the EDL.

Outreach4Islam press release, 27 December 2012

The racist minority among the white population of Thurnby Lodge is not only filled with hatred towards Muslims but is openly hostile to any non-white presence on the estate. Before Christmas, when Leicestershire's only female black firefighter, Velma Simms-Stewart, was on the estate collecting money for charity, one white inhabitant told his daughter not to give money to "the darkie".

Update:  The EDL's Leicester division have offered their own explanation of the appearance of the pig's head – it was the work of anti-fascists!

Update 2:  See "Pig's head dumped at Thurnby Lodge centre used for prayers by Muslims", Leicester Mercury, 28 December 2012

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Residents have written in support of plans for a new Muslim centre in Oswestry – defying calls from the British National Party.

Nearly 30 people have given their support to the plans for the conversion of the 19th century former Presbyterian Church in the town, with just five objections received.

The BNP had urged people to write to Shropshire Council to object to the plans for the building, which is currently occupied by a furniture business.

The Oswestry Muslim Society has applied for planning permission to change the use of the building for prayer meetings.

Supporter Iris Gordijn wrote: "It's a very good thing that at long last Muslims will get their own religious and social centre in Oswestry. I fully support this application."

Another supporter, Andrew Meredith, added: "Bringing an unused building back into use can only be good thing for the town. The fact that it is to be used as a Muslim Centre is immaterial."

Shropshire Star, 14 December 2012

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A plan to build the UK's biggest mosque in Stratford, east London, has been rejected by councillors.

Thousands of supporters gathered outside Newham Council's town hall ahead of the decision.

The Islamic missionary group Tablighi Jamaat has been trying for 10 years to build a mosque in Newham.

Supporters outside the town hall, some of whom had come from Birmingham and Bradford, held signs reading: "15 years of waiting. Not a day more. Vote yes to the Riverine Centre".

BBC London reporter Alex Bushill estimated that 3,000 people had gathered. The crowd dispersed after the meeting.

The Abbey Mills Mosque – also known as the Riverine Centre – would have become the biggest Islamic centre in the UK and one of the largest in western Europe.

Council officers recommended councillors refuse permission for expansion on the former industrial land, amid strong opposition and concern about the project.

All eight councillors on the committee voted against the plan at about 20:30 GMT.

Councillor Conor McAuley said it was rejected on the grounds that the land is designated for mixed commercial and residential use, there was not enough consideration for transport and it would not have led to more jobs and homes. He said: "That really wasn't good enough."

Community leader Ala Uddin Ahmed said: "There are 90,000 Muslims around the borough. The Muslim community is growing and there is need for bigger worship. We are extremely let down. We think it is unjust because of the demand of the local people and the Muslim community."

BBC News, 5 December 2012

Update:  See also Evening Standard, 6 December 2012

View the Original article

The far right British National Party says it will stage "numerous days of action" over plans to create a new Muslim centre in a Shropshire market town.

Members of the Shropshire branch of the BNP say that they believe the word "mosque" has been deliberately omitted from a recent planning application to convert a former church in Oswestry.

The Oswestry Muslim Society wants to convert a former Presbyterian Church in the town into a Muslim Centre.

North Shropshire organiser of the party Mr Phillip Reddall said: "Our Shropshire branch is planning numerous days of action in Oswestry in the weeks leading up to Christmas. We intend to ensure that local residents are made aware of the plans submitted by Oswestry Muslim Society.

"We will be leafleting the area and speaking to residents and shoppers. We will be encouraging local people to submit objections to these plans via Shropshire Council's online planning register.

"I believe the word 'mosque' has been deliberately omitted from the planning application."

The application, for the building on Oswald Road, which has latterly been used as a furniture store, would include internal alterations.

Creating their own centre would end a 10-year search to find a religious home for the Muslim community in the town. They currently meet at Eastern Oswestry Community Centre for prayers every Friday afternoon and also for major religious festivals such as Ramadan and Eid.

George Miah, chief adviser of Oswestry Muslim Society, said: "For the past 10 years or so we have tried to get a place to worship in the area. It could be a place for sharing viewpoints, cultural differences and understanding people. Our children and female members can get together and invite the community for a cup of tea and to share our views."

The Muslim society has members in Oswestry and Welshpool, St Martins, Llanymynech and Chirk.

Shropshire Council planners hope to determine the bid for the new centre by January 11.

Shropshire Star, 3 December 2012

On its Shropshire Patriot website the BNP urges its supporters to bombard Shropshire Council's planning department with objections to the Oswestry Muslim Society proposal. While stating that the point of its campaign is to resist "the gradual colonisation of Oswestry", the BNP advises that there is "absolutely no point on commenting on religious or ethnic grounds per se" and that "valid comments might include concerns over parking or noise".

Update:   See also "Dismay over BNP's White Tigers defence group plan for Shropshire", Shropshire Star, 3 December 2012

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A pig's head was found on Friday at the PalaSharp Arena in Milan where the local Islamic community holds weekly prayers. The head was found by delegates of the civil protection agency in an area close to where ceremonies are held every Friday.

PalaSharp is an indoor arena, located in the northern Italian city of Milan. It has a seating capacity of almost 9,000 and is also used for concerts and sporting events.

Local authorities have vigorously condemned the incident. Vice-Mayor Maria Grazia Guida called it "intolerable". "It is light years away from this city of dialogue, of tolerance we are building," she said. The matter is being closely followed by police.

ANSA, 23 November 2012

See also La Repubblica, 23 November 2012

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Residents revealed they were too frightened to go into Rotherham town centre when hundreds of marchers took to the streets.

The town came to a standstill as around 300 English Defence League supporters from across the country descended on the town on Saturday.

They were heavily marshalled by police on foot and horseback as they marched through the streets chanting anti-Islam songs.

Around 200 people also took part in a peaceful Unite Against Fascism rally and march – staged to celebrate multiculturalism – in the town centre.

South Yorkshire Police deployed 800 officers amid fears there could be clashes. Three men were arrested – one on suspicion of public order including making threats towards a police officer, another on suspicion of affray and a third on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon.

Residents said the EDL march was unlike anything they had witnessed in their home town before and said many people had stayed away.

A 32-year-old woman, from Rawmarsh, who did not wish to be named, said: "I've lived in Rotherham all my life and we've never had anything like this. I find it very frightening. I walked into down and didn't know it was happening but when I saw I contacted friends who have kids to tell them to avoid it."

And a 62-year-old woman said: "This should not be happening in Rotherham. It is a lovely town. I know a lot of people have avoided coming into town today because they were scared of what might happen."

Police boarded trains, were stationed at bus and rail stations and lined the streets of the town centre. The force helicopter was also deployed.

The EDL march was organised after the revelation Asian men had been grooming young girls for sex in Rotherham.

Around 200 people joined the Unite Against Fascism counter demonstration in All Saints Square, where crowds engaged in a peaceful protest against the EDL.

Fred Thomson, aged 26, who travelled from Ecclesall, Sheffield, to show his opposition to the march, said: "I wanted to show that people in South Yorkshire oppose the EDL. We cannot just let people march through our towns and city centres spreading hatred."

Rotherham Coun Brian Steele said: "We have got to stand up to fascists in this country. They are not welcome in Rotherham. We want the EDL out of our town."

Steve Parkin, from Rotherham UAF, said: "By speaking out in public unity today, we show that fascist groups like the EDL will not succeed in their attempts to use racism to divide our towns and cities."

The Rev Eve Rose added: "The EDL cannot speak for Christians. Their politics of hate have no place here."

On the EDL march, a 34-year-old, from Thybergh, who refused to be named, said: "The important thing is keeping hold of our identity. I am proud to be English and proud to be EDL. I am a Christian and I go to church. We get violence directed at us at marches. I can't understand why they let them have the Unite Against Facism on the same day."

His friend, a 27-year-old from Clifton said: "I don't want values in our country to be changed by people coming into it."

The Star, 15 October 2012

See also "Rotherham sends the EDL packing", Morning Star, 14 October 2012

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Police are investigating racist comments made over the internet in response to plans for a Muslim place of worship in Hereford. Comments were made via social networking sites after plans for a community centre for Muslims were revealed.

One comment posted on the Hereford Masjid Fundraising Campaign's Facebook page, which has since shut down, threatened to contaminate any land identified as a potential site and referred to the group as vermin.

Supt Charlie Hill, the policing commander for Herefordshire, said everyone has a right to feel safe in the county. He said: "I'm keen to point out all minority groups should be able to live, work and play in Herefordshire in a peaceful environment and we are rigorously investigating the inappropriate comments made by people in electronic format.

"We vigorously support the fact that the Muslim community should have a community centre. The police in Herefordshire have really good relations with minority groups and if you find yourself under attack for being part of a minority group then get in touch with the police."

Anyone with information regarding the inappropriate comments can contact DC Dave Bentley on 0300 3333000.

Hereford Times, 20 September 2012

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Up to 2,000 people rallied in a Moscow neighborhood after local authorities announced the building of a Muslim cultural center and mosque in the area. The protest ended with officials being forced to cancel the planned construction.

The impromptu demonstration on Wednesday evening was gathered through social networks. Residents of the Mitino district came to voice their fears over the plans to build a Muslim cultural center and mosque in the neighborhood, which would be able to accommodate up to 60,000 believers during a service.

The would-be Muslim prayer house is subject to much speculation, even though construction project is far from being finalized. The rumor mill describes it as "a 13-story mega mosque," which would broadcast calls to a morning prayer all over the neighborhood.

The protesters living in the residential area were concerned that its infrastructure would not be able to deal with increased traffic after the mosque is finished. This would result in terrible traffic jams during Friday prayers and large Muslim holidays, they said.

There are also fears that the inflow of worshipers, many of whom would be guest workers from Central Asia seeking their fortune in Moscow, would drive up crime rates. Disaffection towards Muslims was evidenced in some online comments on the event.

"I am firmly against it! We are flooded with those aliens, and now they want to have this insult standing virtually under my window... Let them build it outside of Moscow. There is plenty space there, so they all shove off there," one of the comments read.

The rally lasted for about two hours. People, who came in their hundreds, signed a petition against the construction project and voiced their concerns to municipal officials, who came to try and alleviate fears.

Despite attempts by the prefect of Moscow's North-Western administrative area, where Mitino is located, to curb the public outcry, the crowed remained adamant. 

"There are quite a lot of Muslims living in our area. They too need a spiritual place, a mosque. We cannot deny them," Vladimir Gorovetsky said, as he answered questions from readers of the Moskovsky Komsomolets newspaper.

However, on Thursday, it was announced that the Muslim cultural center will not be built there.

The demonstration was not sanctioned, but some 100 police officers present turned a blind eye on the fact and did not try to disperse the crowd. Four people were briefly detained for disturbing behavior. According to blog accounts, three of them were activists of nationalist movements who picked up the news and came to the rally from other Moscow districts.

Russia Today, 20 September 2012

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An Islamic charity which plans to turn a former scout hut into a community centre has been told the city council is looking at "alternative premises".

Leicester City Council said if no site could be found for the As-salaam Trust then negotiations on the sale of the lease would resume.

About 200 people attended a demonstration at Thurnby Lodge last week to oppose the group's plans.

The As-salaam Trust said it was sad the community could not work together. It said its community centre aimed to provide food sharing services, drug and alcohol advice and education to make community life better for everyone.

Mohammed Lockhat, from the As-salaam Trust, said: "We are in discussions with the council. We are sad that we cannot work together as a community. We would love to, we've been trying to, and we are continuing to do so within our limits at the moment.

"The protests are supposed to be directed at the council, but on many occasions they haven't been. It has been quite intimidating for many of our members."

A spokesman for the council said the it was trying to resolve the situation as best it could taking into account all local concerns.

City Mayor Peter Soulsby said the attendance of the British National Party at last Friday's demonstration "was very unwelcome indeed". He said: "They have no part in our local community... we don't need them to cause trouble.

Mr Soulsby said he met with local residents and members of the trust and told them officers would look at all of the options available before any agreements were made.

He said he would meet them again towards the end of September when officers have completed that work.

BBC News, 18 August 2012

See also "Protests spark rethink on Islamic prayer room plan", Leicester Mercury, 18 August 2012

For the background to the dispute see here and here.

View the Original article

It's an unlikely setting for an ongoing night-after-night street protest.

However, hundreds of people have been gathering in Thurncourt Road, on Leicester's Thurnby Lodge estate, for some weeks now to protest against an Islamic charity's plan to turn a disused Scout hut into a community centre and prayer room.

On Friday, the number of people taking part swelled towards the 400 mark – with about 50 police officers there to oversee it.

BNP leader Nick Griffin made an impromptu appearance on Friday evening and, reportedly, again yesterday morning. According to eyewitnesses he was greeted with indifference.

Another issue which has arisen is that unfounded rumours have begun circulating through the internet. These include a claim that the neighbouring Anglican Christ Church had been asked to cover its cross for fear of offending Muslims.

Canon David Monteith, Acting Archdeacon of Leicester, said: "There is no truth at all in the malicious rumour that the church was asked to cover the cross. The information is totally unfounded."

Leicester Mercury, 14 August 2012

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Vandals have attacked an Islamic centre in Horley. The centre on the corner of High Street and Yattendon Road was vandalised in the early hours of Sunday. Alcohol and eggs were thrown at the building and graffiti was sprayed across its main door.

A police spokesman said the graffiti was later removed by people at the centre.

Specialist Neighbourhood Sergeant for Horley Simon Ward, said the attack had "deeply upset" the town's Islamic community. He said:

"Specialist Neighbourhood Officers from the Reigate and Banstead Safer Neighbourhood Team are assisting detectives from CID with a thorough investigation into finding those responsible. This incident has deeply upset the Islamic community in Horley who have an excellent relationship with their neighbours and others in the town."

Investigating officer Detective Constable Dave Every of Reigate CID, said: "I would appeal to anyone who has information on this incident, or who saw anything suspicious in the area around the time the damage was caused, to contact officers as we need to catch those responsible."

The vandalism took place  between midnight and 1.30am on Sunday. Anyone who was in the area around the time of the incident and who saw anything suspicious, or who has any other information which may assist officers with their investigation, is urged to contact Surrey Police on 101, quoting reference RB/12/6354.

Redhill & Reigate Life, 7 August 2012

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A community centre alleged to have links with Islamist extremist groups has been left ruined by the 'false accusations', one of its leaders has claimed.

Rita Gibbins, treasurer of Burton Women's Centre in Dallow Street, Horninglow, spoke out six months after Staffordshire Police, East Staffordshire Borough Council and Staffordshire County Council first made the accusations.

"Since the accusation was made and it went on the front page of the Burton Mail, we have heard nothing," she said. "No-one from the police or councils has visited us since. It has become really difficult to get new members and get funding."

The three organisations cut funding and staff support to the centre, which has a predominantly Asian membership, after it was alleged people associated with it had 'links to groups that promote Islamist extremism'.

Although no offences were committed, the police force and two councils decided it would be wrong to continue supporting the centre, which has 200 members.

Mrs Gibbins said: "No-one has been interviewed or arrested. In my opinion this is a case of people being stigmatised because they wear headscarves. We were dumbstruck when the accusations were made. We could not believe it. No-one here would get involved in anything like that."

The treasurer said attracting funding and new members had become more difficult in the wake of the revelation.

Centre secretary Kosur Parveen added: "This has been made into an Islamic issue. We are just a service for women and children in the area. We are not here on religious grounds and just because we wear headscarves, it doesn't mean we are here on religious grounds. What they said about us was, in my opinion, slander and completely untrue."

A Staffordshire Police spokesman said the force would not be commenting on the two women's claims, other than to say it stood by its statement published in the Mail in January. The spokesman stressed no offences had been committed by the group.

Burton Mail, 14 July 2012

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DWB leader Ole NydahlThe biggest Tibetan Buddhist meditation centre in London will be created following planning approval – despite protests from Muslim and Christian groups.

On Tuesday evening, Lambeth council's planning committee approved the plans for the former Beaufoy Institute, in Black Prince Road, Kennington, to become the Diamond Way Buddhism (DWB) organisation.

However, more than 40 protesters from the Lambeth Muslim Forum and the Lambeth Interfaith Network protested outside Lambeth Town Hall, in Brixton Hill amid claims the organisation is anti-Muslim and anti-Christian.

The meeting room was so packed that the protesters were denied entry and left to protest outside.

Objections to the new use of the Grade II listed building also came from the Lambeth Against Racism and Islamophobia group and Vauxhall MP Kate Hoey.

DWB is a the world's largest lay Buddhist organisation, following the western Karma Kagyu lineage, under the Lama Ole Nydahl.

The controversy has arisen from comments made by Lama Nydahl during interviews and online, on "radical Islam" and scandals in Christian churches.

Toaha Qureshi, a member of the Lambeth Muslim Forum and trustee of the Stockwell Mosque, in Stockwell Green, believed Lama Nydahl's comments amounted to "hate speech".

He said: "We are not against Buddhists because it is a peaceful religion. We are protesting against this particular faction of Diamond Way because we believe their leader preaches hate.

"We were not allowed into the meeting. We don't feel that the council has consulted with community leaders. If they had done that, we would not be here today."

South London Press, 10 July 2012

Via ENGAGE

DWB trustee Steve James is quoted as saying: "While Diamond Way Buddhism is not political, one of our teachers, Lama Ole Nydahl, has made personal statements on world affairs in press interviews. The occasional comments he has made about radical Islam have been grouped together and circulated in order to cause offence."

But Ole Nydahl is the founder and leader of Diamond Way Buddhism – an organisation that functions as a classic cult around Nydahl's personality, if allegations by disillusioned former members are to be believed. So the DWB spokesperson's description of Nydahl as merely "one of our teachers" who has happened to make some "personal statements" on political issues is disingenuous to say the least.

Nor have Nydahl's statements been directed solely against "radical Islam", as the DWB spokesperson claims. In a 2008 interview, asked about his attitude to the Abrahamic faiths, Nydahl replied:

"The Abrahamic religions, the ones that follow our constitution, treat women well, don't blow up people ... Judaism and Christianity are fine. Islam, I warn against. I know the Koran, I know the life story of Mohammad and I think we cannot use that in our society today. People like the Sufis and Bahá'ís are different, right. They are usually being killed as soon as the mainline Muslims come in, they start killing the other guys."

In a 2007 interview with Danish Islamophobe Lars Hedegaard, Nydahl described Islam as "a totalitarian and fascist system" and compared the Prophet Muhammad to Hitler and Stalin. In 2009 Nydahl was quoted by Ned May's Gates of Vienna website as stating: "I see a big attack from Islam, a great, great danger from Islam.... Nobody has ruined as much for us as the Muslims."

A Polish correspondent who attended a lecture by Nydahl in Warsaw a couple of years ago sent us the following account:

"I had heard some comments previously that suggested that Nydahl held Islamophobic views, but I was frankly shocked as to the depth of his anger and hatred against Islam and Muslims, and the way he uses his position to preach much misinformation and factual inaccuracies regarding Islam and Muslims and to incite hatred against Islam amongst his followers."

That report was sent in response to an Islamophobic campaign in which followers of Diamond Way Buddhism co-operated with elements of the far right in opposing the construction of a new mosque in Warsaw.

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