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"Mega" Mosque to hold open days |
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Written by Islamic Times
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Thursday, 06 March 2008 |
The Muslim group that wants to build a 12,000-capacity "mega mosque" in east London will launch a campaign next week to try to overcome heated opposition to its plan.
Tablighi Jamaat, the missionary group founded in India in the 1920s, bought the site nearly 12 years ago, but has struggled to overcome strong local resistance to building what would be Britain's biggest site of worship.
Critics have accused it of having an extremist agenda, but have yet been unable to prove the allegations despite the "anti mega-mosque" Internet petition site last year which attracted nearly 300,000 signatures and drew accusations of being racist and "Islamophobic".
Having previously avoided almost all communication with the press or public, Tablighi Jamaat, has now decided to adopt a more open approach.
In a 10-page booklet to be distributed among the local community, it is inviting people to come and view the site -- close to where the 2012 Olympic Games will be staged -- and understand more about its ambitions.
"We think Londoners as a whole will welcome this mosque -- that's our aim," the booklet says. "We want to ensure local people will benefit as well, and we need your active participation to help us."
Jamaat plans open days for visitors on March 15-16 and will display designs for the mosque at another event in the summer.
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