A Conservative frontbench spokesman, Michael Gove, has opposed plans to build a mosque in his constituency after it became the target of an “inflammatory and offensive” online campaign.
The shadow schools secretary, who warned that the west was facing a “total war” from Islamists in his book Celsius 7/7, had initially refused to take sides in the dispute over proposals to build a mosque next to Sandhurst barracks in Camberley, Surrey. But this week he said he had been convinced that the strength of feeling was threatening the area’s “good community relations” and called on local Muslims to withdraw the application.
“The issue has become a flashpoint and people from inside and outside the community were making statements that I did not think would further community relations,” he said.
“It struck me that it was best to ask the Bengali Welfare Association to withdraw the application and to consider how to improve the facilities for worship for the Muslim community in a calmer environment.”
A Facebook group set up to oppose the mosque has 6,834 “fans” and was criticised by one local organisation opposing the mosque as “inflammatory and offensive”. The Facebook group is supported by the far-right English Defence League.
The local Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate, Alan Hiliar, said Gove had “lost all respect” over the issue. “I reject Michael Gove’s decision to ask the community to withdraw their application on the ground that it’s ‘divisive’. To ask the Muslim community to withdraw the application is simply kicking the issue into the long grass; it resolves nothing.”
Gove denied he had pandered to anti-Islamic sentiment, saying he had supported the Muslim community locally and nationally. “We have had an Islamic centre here for more than 10 years, which I have visited as a prospective candidate and MP, and I have appeared on platforms opposing those who have an anti-Islamic agenda. My aim is to ensure that this community has the facilities they need. I just don’t think this is the right way of going about that.”
The existing mosque is housed in a former school in a conservation area. The new mosque would replace that building. Gove said many people also felt that it was important not to demolish the school, which is a locally listed building.
Abdul Wasay Chowdhury, of the Bengali Welfare Association, said the existing mosque was unsuitable and had no washing facilities or toilet. “It is not suitable for us to use as a mosque – there are many different floors so when someone is giving a speech it is difficult to see them."The building also did not face Mecca. “We have designed the plans very carefully so they will enhance the local area and have had lots of compliments on the way it will look,” he said.
The council’s planning committee voted in favour of the development. However, a procedural error means that the matter will go back before the council shortly before a final decision is made.