Islamic Group Blocked From Building “Britain’s Biggest Mosque” in London

An Islamic group is reported to have lost its appeal for building a mega-mosque in a London neighborhood. The court decision could end a 16-year battle that included protests in support and opposition to the plans. “Tablighi Jamaat is an ultra-conservative and separatist group which believes that Muslims should not integrate into non-Muslim society. Its current UK headquarters, in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, includes a school whose pupils are banned from watching televison, playing music or speaking to outsiders,” reports the Telegraph. “The Newham mosque was to have been its new headquarters, with residential facilities, a library, visitor centre and sports centre as well as the mosque.” Opponents expressed concern that a number of terrorism suspects had ties to the fundamentalist group and that a large mosque could become a target for recruitment by extremists. – YaleGlobal