LONDON, (KUNA): UK Defense chiefs say giant mosque poses security threat. Plans to build a mosque with two 100-foot minarets next to Sandhurst, the renowned British military academy was facing oppositions here, it was reported Monday.
The three-million-pound building would have a clear view over the military academy and is just 400 yards from its parade ground, the Daily Mail newspaper said. Senior officers oppose the project claiming it could pose a security threat to cadets.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD), backed by a petition signed by 7,000 local residents, is fighting plans to build the giant mosque overlooking Sandhurst. An Army source told the paper: "This has gone right to the top of the chain of command. "There is very real concern that if this thing gets built then soldiers could be put at risk. "It is outrageous to even think that the officers of the future would have to watch their backs while they are still in training". Hundreds of newly-commissioned Army officers take to the parade ground each year for the academy's passing out ceremony. The event attracts senior members of the Royal Family, including Queen Elizabeth.
The gigantic mosque is the idea of the Bengali Welfare Association, which worships at the al-Kharafi Islamic Centre in Camberley, Surrey, outside London, the newspaper said. The group wants to demolish a listed Victorian school building in use as a mosque at the centre and replace it with a sprawling Saudi Arabian-style building.
Planning papers reveal that the massive structure would tower over local buildings. As well as the two minarets, it would feature a large central dome, five smaller outlying domes, a morgue, a library and a separate worship area for women. The first attempt at securing planning approval led to objections from 1,000 locals. Planning officers were also opposed but opposition Conservative-dominated Surrey council gave the mosque the go-ahead last month. However, a procedural error means the application now needs to go to a full council meeting for approval. (
