Mosque Expansion Sparks Outrage Amid Antisemitic Rhetoric Concerns
A mosque in Barking, East London, has received the green light from the local Labour council to convert a £1 million luxury home into a new place of worship and a community wellbeing facility. The expansive property, complete with a swimming pool, is set to be transformed to accommodate a gym, creche, adult and children’s education classes, and a mental health hub offering health services and volunteering opportunities. The new venue is slated to operate daily from 8 am to 10 pm, with extended hours until 11 pm on select evenings.
This decision has ignited significant anger and concern among local Jewish residents and community leaders, particularly in light of accusations that the Darul Ihsaan mosque has previously hosted clerics who have expressed deeply controversial and allegedly antisemitic views.
Allegations of Incendiary Sermons
A key point of contention is the appearance of cleric Ustadh Mahmood Almadani at the mosque on October 7, 2023 – the same day as the Hamas attacks in southern Israel that resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people. Reports indicate that during his sermon, while Hamas fighters were reportedly still active in Israel, Almadani prayed for the defeat of “usurping Jews” and invoked the triumph of Islamic fighters.
Specifically, Almadani is alleged to have implored God to “shake the ground from underneath the feet of the usurping Jews” and prayed for victory for “our mujahideen brothers in Palestine.” The mosque had advertised this event as a ‘Qunoot Nazilah’, stating the congregation would pray for “peace and success for the Palestinian people in the occupied territories.”
Further fuelling concerns, Darul Ihsaan mosque reportedly hosted another event last year titled ‘Hamas de-proscription and legal strategies against Zionism’. This event featured Fahad Ansari, a lawyer reportedly acting on behalf of Hamas. The mosque’s proximity to three synagogues has amplified the anxiety within the local Jewish community.
Community Reactions and Campaigner Concerns
The Barking and Dagenham Council’s approval of the conversion earlier this month has drawn sharp criticism. A spokesperson for the Campaign Against Antisemitism described the reported rhetoric emanating from the mosque as “outrageous.” They expressed shock that a charity institution could continue to operate seemingly unimpeded and voiced deep concern over the local council’s decision to facilitate its expansion.
“Our polling shows that 91% of British Jews do not think that the authorities are doing enough to tackle religious extremism,” the spokesperson stated. “When it comes to planning permission, the local authority cannot just concern itself with the impact on parking and other mundane matters: it should ask itself who will feel welcome – and who will not – in the community that it is building.”
One local Jewish resident, who wished to remain anonymous, shared their profound dismay. “It is shocking. Words have consequences. We have tragically seen that in the Jewish community with the murder of innocent civilians in Britain and abroad. This mosque needs greater scrutiny. The Jewish community is living in fear.”
During the planning meeting, a councillor reportedly questioned the plans for the property’s swimming pool, to which a mosque representative responded, “You’re more than welcome to come over in the summer.” The mosque is actively promoting the approved planning permission on social media, encouraging supporters to “buy a brick” to fund the conversion work.
Local Objections and Council’s Justification
The plans were not without local opposition. A total of 23 objections were lodged with the council, alongside eight letters of support. The primary concerns raised by residents focused on issues such as:
- Car Parking and Traffic: The location’s suitability for parking and potential for increased traffic congestion.
- Noise and Disturbance: The anticipated impact of increased activity on the residential street.
- Loss of Privacy: Concerns about overlooking neighbouring homes and a general reduction in privacy.
- Hours of Operation: Objections to the extended daily operating hours.
June Smith, 81, a resident on the street, labelled the conversion a “terrible idea,” citing the “awful location for parking” on a “tight corner” as the “worst possible place.” Eli Colucci, 28, expressed a lack of communication regarding the project, noting, “It’s going to be a big project, I would have thought.”
In response to parking concerns, the mosque has been mandated to submit an ‘active travel plan’ to encourage “car free” visits and will provide 22 parking spaces for cyclists.
Details of the property sale to the mosque have not yet been published by the Land Registry. Darul Ihsaan mosque, which describes itself as “community-driven” and “working on real and urgent issues in Barking and east London,” was approached for comment.
The council’s approval was contingent on the implementation of “mitigation” measures, including “sound insulation,” to address neighbour concerns. Planning officials justified the decision by citing an “identified need” for the new mosque and “social infrastructure,” deeming the “principle of the proposed development (as) considered acceptable.”
Almadani, who also co-founds and teaches at the Sama Academy, a religious school in Bow, East London, has defended his remarks. Speaking to the Jewish Chronicle, he asserted Palestinians’ “right to resist” but clarified, “I do not condone violence against innocent civilians, as this is a clear violation of my faith and the Qur’anic principle that upholds the sanctity of life irrespective of religion.”
Darul Ihsaan mosque has stated that the use of terms like ‘mujahideen’ is “rooted in Islamic spiritual language” and “not political endorsements nor incitements to harm.”
