Post by Focus on Jul 22, 2013 9:52:01 GMT
Reading Borough Council had agreed to sell the land in Green Road to the Jamme Masjid Mosque in April 2011, then reversed its decision in July 2012.
Land in East Reading which had been earmarked for a new mosque is to be taken back
Land in East Reading which had been earmarked for nine years for a mosque is to be taken back by the council.
Reading Borough Council had agreed to sell the land in Green Road to the Jamme Masjid Mosque in April 2011, then reversed its decision in July 2012.
Members of the policy committee considered further representations from Muslim groups at a meeting on Monday and decided to stick with its decision of last year.
The issue has highlighted the differences between the leaders of mosques in the town.
Councillor Tony Page said: “I admit I have learned an enormous amount about different denominations within the Muslim community over the years.
“We, in good faith, believed an inclusive facility for the whole local community should be developed.
“I don’t think that is the case now, which is why I strongly support the recommendation tonight.”
The council originally agreed in July 2004 that the land should be disposed of to the trustees of the Jamme Masjid for use as a mosque.
The Conservative-led coalition agreed to transfer the freehold of the site to Jamme Masjid for £150,000 in April 2011.
Concerns were then raised about the restricted membership of Jamme Masjid and the small numbers entitled to vote in management committee elections.
The council voted to rescind the 2011 deal in July last year, but the council’s legal boss Chris Brooks said further representations since the decision meant the issue should come before councillors again.
He also pointed out Jamme Masjid has recently acquired the old Amdocs building on the A329M roundabout in Earley and it was not clear if they still required a new mosque in Green Road.
Mustafa Choudhary, of Jamme Masjid which uses the Alexandra Road mosque, told the committee on Monday the 2011 agreement had been a “good, honest and honourable” deal and they were shocked the decision was reversed.
But Mohammed Nazir, of Reading Islamic Centre, in South Street, said Jamme Masjid failed to make any progress with the mosque and the land should be offered to his organisation.
Tory councillor Jeanette Skeats said her group had acted in good faith when the freehold offer was made.
She said: “I have to say at the time we felt it was the right decision.
You will always get two sides and you will never please all the people in politics.
“We were assured it would be open to all members of the Muslim community and they didn’t breach that in my opinion so I don’t know why you were hell-bent on rescinding the agreement when you came back to office.”
Council leader Cllr Jo Lovelock
But council leader Cllr Jo Lovelock said: “It’s become clear from members of the Muslim community people are not speaking with one voice, so I believe this is the right thing to do, to confirm the decision we made last year.”
Bloody hell - some common sense at last!! ... Jolly good show - Fx
