It's perfectly correct to criticise the project from an Islamic point of view - it's too expensive, not humble etc.

However, MPACUK has failed to clearly distance itself from the anti-Mosque Islamophobes who seem to think that MPACUK is on their wavelength!!

So criticise TJ, but criticise the Islamophobes at the same time!

Why can’t MPACUK align itself with these other groups, wouldn’t this allow for a more coordinated effort and much needed unity???

Assalaam walaikum and Greetings

As some brothers/sisters have already stated, the objection to the Mega Mosque should be clarified, in case members of the public think (wrongly) that MPAC are aligned with other Islamophobes in this issue.

To this effect, MPAC should explicitly state that they are not against the Physical Building of the Mosque itself (as any Muslim would welcome another Mosque) but rather that they (MPAC) are against the types of certain people who will be running this Mosque.

Let's face it, if we are going to have a mega-Mosque on the scale that has never been seen before, then naturally this Mosque should be exemplary in all forms.

From the standard of the preaching inside, the hospitality of the guests, the cailbre of the individuals running the Mosque, integration with the locals, the nationals and internationals. This Mega-Mosque should speak up for Muslims no matter where they are.

Such a Mosque should be a beacon of hope for all UK Muslims and Muslims Abroad.

This will be a realistic expectation since people will look-up to the Mega-Mosque as an institution with a difference, and one that commands power.

But if this Mega-Mosque is no more than a large, imposing and glorified Mosque run by the same type of illiterate, ignorant committee members who have been running (down) Mosques in all areas, with their village-preaching, applying double standards when it suits them, and have no sense of unity, no accountability, are not willing to help Muslims here or abroad, and are not tolerant of differences and are not willing to help anyone except themselves, then (we) Muslims do not want such people running such an extravagant Mosque.

In this case, the only think 'Mega' about the 'Mega-Mosque' will be that it will be run by 'mega-ignorants' or 'mega-ego' members.

So, MPAC should make it clear that it is not the Mosque itself that is objected to here, but the people who intend to run this Mosque. Here is where the REAL objection to the Mega-Mosque lies.

This is distinct from the Islamophobes who do not wish to see the Mega-Mosque being built owing to their hatred of Islam, or what they perceive as the Islamification of Great Britain.

It is also distinct from the views of the Sufi Council or Ed Hussain, who may have the view that such a Mosque will be led by Extremist Wahabbis, etc.

The views of MPAC and the views of the Islamophobes are fundamentally different, even though it is related to the same issue.

One is against the Mega-Mosque on the grounds of the people who will be running it.

The other is against the Mosque on the grounds that they do not wish to see Islam spread.

The Distinction is clear, even though some do not see it.

Wasalaams and Regards.

I agree MPAC UK should make itclear that a mixed board of Muslims should take control of the Mega Mosque project and not let these small groups who are only interested in their own needs handle the situation.

On Ed Hussain, i would say this, he is an insult to Islam and all groups practising the religion of Islam. A person who has lost all ability to see reality and the who i beleive has no IMAN.

Although MPAC are right to stop the TJ in their ways, you should make a clear disticntion, and nominate or seek out rightful heirs to this project which will benefit many borthers & sisters in the UK.

Regarding Ed Hussain and the Quilliam foundation. I followed the link from the BBC news website. I was actually impressed with the Aims and Objectives and analysis of failures within a historical context. I was warming to the organisation, then read the page which showed their advisors. I was shocked to see all these non-muslims on the panel. I agree Islam and Muslims need unity and sorting out big time - but it should be done by ourselves only. I don't want the likes of Paddy Ashdown telling us what Islam should be.
[By the way: Mr Ashdown as leader of the then Liberal Democrats during the 1st Gulf War in 1991, did not condemn rather openly supported the barbaric attack by Coalitian Forces on Iraqi forces when they were clearly retreating from Kuwait in defeat. This act by the Coalition constituted a war crime].
Okay there are non muslims who have a very good grasp of history and who could advise on how eg. life was like during Islamic Spain. I'm sure that could benefit us. It's not right otherwise to take on a non-Muslim.

This western form of Islam is like a live and let live version. However, in the Holy Quran it's mentioned in several occasions: "Command in what's Good and Forbid the Bad." The Quilliam version of Islam basically does not incorporate this.

In my opinion anyone gullible enough to be taken in by HTs is gullible enough to be nobbled by the west, as it appears is the case with Br Ed.

We don't need non-Muslims to tell us how life was like in Islamic Spain, we have ample information from our scholars and history to testify to this.

The main reason that Andalusia became such a great civilisation was not through comprising Islam, which is exactly what the Quilliam outfit is all about, but because an Islamic state was established that applied the deen comprehensively and provided/protected the rights granted to non-Muslims living there.
Its not muslims who need to learn from the history of Islamic Spain, but non-Muslims in how they should treat minorities fairly.

My simple questions are:

1. How do u formulate and decide ur policies?

2. Are u bothered to consult the Muslim community at all before u decide to ally yourselves with hypocrites, Neo-cons and Racists? Or are the views and feelings of the Muslim community not important to u?

3. Why not simply change ur name from Muslim Public Affairs Committee to Ed Hussein Public Affairs Committee?

4. Does simply Asghar Bukhari decide the policies of MPACUK along with his brother (and maybe Ed Hussein) over some Pizza and a can of coke?

5.Are u Shi’ites?


Thankyou.

Reality has busted MPACUK - top work reality.

the only problem is there are more websites from the Zionists attacking MPAC then any other Muslim group including all the Mosques put together.

Is that all a clever plot?

I mean MPACUK always talks about zionists, hardly any other Muslim group does, they get attacked by zionists while no other group does ...

so the logical answer is ......they must be Zionists!

Man your a rocket scientist!

On Alan Craig's website it says that he spoke to Muslim community leaders. Presumably that includes Zulfiqar and Asghar Bukhari, as your names are on his list.

1) Can you please summarise how that conversation went?

2) Did Alan Craig reveal to you, who the other opposers of the mega-mosque were?

3) Do you support his statement that "Tablighi Jamaat is a global and ambitious organisation with a secretive, separatist nature"?

Thank you.

@Barbarossa

I have not accused MPACUK of being Zionists.

If you wish to view the entire issue in primitive simplistic terms and ignore the deeper wider issue – the bigger picture and its complex nature – you are more than welcome and I totally understand as - dear brother that is exactly what I expect from simpleton MPACUK followers.

And you believe everything Alan Craig says on his website? No? So why do you believe what he says about MPACUK?

This strikes me a classic example of the Muslim Establishment using the threat of Islamophobia to try and silence critics from within our community.

I stand corrected. Therefore such an organisation doesn't need any non-Muslims at all. Let us get our house in order ourselves.

Yes, but MPAC has shown its political naievty but allowing itself, even inadvertantly to be represented alongside such 'luminaries' as the Sufi Council of Britain and Ed Hussain, who are engaged in a vicious and Islamophobic campaign, both are strongly linked to pro-zionist neo-cons.

The issue of building the mega-mosque is not the problem, indeed it could be a strong example of an Islamic cultural centre.Rather than attack and henceforth be used by anti-Islamic bigots, surely MPAC should discuss/work with Tablighi Jamaat, which after all is a sincere Islamic organisation , albeit apolitical, to make the mosque a success rather than engaging in the media onslaught, which only plays into the hands of the Zionists that MPAC professes to oppose.

Salaams,

My question is: Many Muslims will feel that calling the Mosque Leaders hypocrites is not fair (although I think they're wrong for thinking that).

My question is: How would you logically explain to a Muslim that these mosque leaders ARE hypocrites?

Keep up the good work.

Ws,
Umar Mustapha
(Location: Yorkshire)