Local Muslims oppose planned 'mega-mosque'

The first-ever survey of local opinion about a proposed mega-mosque proposed close to the site of the 2012 Olympics stadium has found that more people would prefer a mixed use of the site.

Nearly 7 in 10 residents (68%) in the East London borough of Newham said they would prefer a mixed-use development of houses, shops and community facilities to the 12,000-capacity complex proposed by Islamic sect Tablighi Jamaat.

In the survey undertaken by ComRes, nearly 6 in 10 of Muslim residents in Newham (58%) also said they would prefer a mixed-use development for the site.

Tablighi Jamaat have indicated publicly over the past 15 months that
their proposals for the site will include a Muslim conference centre, an Islamic school for 500 boys and 12,000-capacity prayer halls. Yet around 8 in 10 of all residents say they have not been given enough information about the proposals (75%) and that they need more as the proposals are likely to have a significant impact on the local community (81%).

"These first results are provisional as far as we are concerned and must be treated with caution," said Cllr Alan Craig, leader of the Christian Peoples Alliance opposition group on Newham Council, who commissioned the survey.

"But they are helpful as Newham people have not previously been consulted - they have been kept in the dark by Newham Council and Tablighi Jamaat. We need to know what local people - including Muslims - think about this massive project on our doorstep. And they are saying they need more information.

"But what is clear is that a significant majority of local people would prefer a mixed-use development instead of the mega-mosque proposals," continued Alan Craig. "This is not surprising. However we plan to undertake further polling to give people a voice as our campaign against the project grows."

Last week Newham Council confirmed they have been in dialogue with the mega-mosque site owners and are currently engaged with them in the pre-planning application process.