"'Weird' may not be too off the mark here," said another local, noting that the Hounslow council has been officially termed as un-neighborly in the past.
Source/Credit: Ahmadiyya Times
By Imran Jattala | December 9, 2013
Cooperating with Bristol Planning Inspectorate, the leaders at a mosque in Feltham have removed a dome and signage that would have created a discord with local authorities.
Baitul Wahid Mosque in Feltham has complied with the local ordinance saying 'it is not the Ahmadiyya way'- to create disharmony in any way.
The mosque in Hanworth Park cooperatively opted to remove its dome and signs after planning appeal was turned down by Inspectorate citing the dome was ‘incongruous.’
According to a local newspaper report, the Hounslow Council said they had refused a Planning consent for a dome structure and signag. “The applicant appealed our decision, but this was dismissed…,” Council was further quoted to have asserted.
Some area locals found the Council’s position absurd.
“It sounds pretty bizarre to begin with,” said one local. “To term a dome as an ‘incongruous‘ part of a mosque structure is nothing short of weird.”
Minarets and domes can be seen on churches, synagogues, Sikh and Hindu temples, and, even, on some old English structures too.
"'Weird' may not be too off the mark here,' said another local, noting that the Hounslow council has been officially termed as un-neighborly in the past.
In 2009, the Council was ordered to pay compensation to local residents in Holloway Street for failing to be a ‘good neighbour,’ it was reported in the local media.
In another example highlighting the Council's un-neighborlinesses in 2011, the Supreme Court had ruled illegal the Hounslow Council's tenant eviction attempts. The court had determined the council fell afoul Article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights, which is to observe respect for someone’s home.
Negative sentiments about mosque domes and minarets continue to thrive among some extremist supremacist factions in the UK.
"It is regrettable that the local authority did not seek to resolve this matter through dialogue," a spokesperson for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community told a local newspaper, GetWestLondon. "However we have immediately implemented the decision of the inspector."
Dr Basharat Nazir, National Spokesperson of the UK's Ahmadiyya Muslim Association says his organization aims to foster community cohesiveness and to serve as law abiding citizens. "We trust that following discussions with the council, any issues and concerns will be resolved.”
The community is famous for its world-popular slogan, 'Love for All, Hatred for None.'
"We fully respect and comply with all laws and regulations, and our community has been part of the fabric of British life for over a century," Dr Nazir said. "We build our mosques as beacons for prayer and sanctuaries for hope and peace, never to cause affront."
"Our mosques are used for local community fundraising efforts and interfaith events in order to serve society and contribute to community engagement," Dr Nazir further added. "More recently our youngsters from this mosque were out collecting funds for the poppy appeal."
All but one signs including the ones over the roof and main entrance were also to to be removed by the decision of the inspectorate.
However, the installation of railings, gates and one sign were permitted.
-- UK: Baitul Wahid Mosque says 'to create disharmony' is 'not the Ahmadiyya way'
-- Ahmadiyya Times
-- By Imran Jattala. Follow on Twitter:@Ijattala
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