Barking mosque expansion approved despite outrage over cleric’s 7 October sermon
Jewish groups warn decision risks deepening fear after mosque hosted preacher accused of anti-Jewish rhetoric
A mosque in east London has been granted permission to expand into a £1m residential property, prompting concern from Jewish community leaders over its previous hosting of a controversial cleric on 7 October.
Planning approval was given by Barking and Dagenham Council for the Darul Ihsaan Mosque to relocate into a three-storey house, which will be converted into a larger place of worship and community “wellbeing” centre.
The new site is expected to include a gym, creche, educational facilities and a mental health hub, and operate daily from morning until late evening.
However, the decision has sparked alarm among Jewish residents and antisemitism watchdogs, citing the mosque’s past events.
Controversy centres on a sermon delivered on 7 October, 2023, by cleric Ustadh Mahmood Almandani, who reportedly prayed for the defeat of “usurping Jews” and for victory for “our mujahideen brothers in Palestine” while Hamas attacks in southern Israel were still unfolding.
The mosque had promoted the event as a special prayer gathering, or “Qunoot Nazilah”.
Campaign Against Antisemitism described rhetoric linked to the mosque as “outrageous”, warning that the expansion raises serious questions about community safety.
A spokesperson said: “It is shocking enough that the Charity Commission would let an institution like this continue to operate with business as usual. But for the local council to accommodate its ambition to expand is deeply concerning.
“When it comes to planning permission, the local authority cannot just concern itself with the impact on parking and other mundane matters: it should ask itself who will feel welcome – and who will not – in the community that it is building.”
The group added that its polling shows 91 percent of British Jews do not believe authorities are doing enough to tackle religious extremism.
A local Jewish resident, who asked not to be named, told the Daily Mail: “It is shocking. Words have consequences.
“We have tragically seen that in the Jewish community with the murder of innocent civilians in Britain and abroad.
“This mosque needs greater scrutiny. The Jewish community is living in fear.”
The mosque is located within minutes of several synagogues, adding to concerns about its proximity to Jewish communal life.
In addition to the 7 October sermon, the mosque previously hosted an event titled “Hamas de-proscription and legal strategies against Zionism”, which featured lawyer Fahad Ansari.
Planning documents show the council received 23 objections and eight letters of support. Concerns raised by residents included traffic, parking, noise and loss of privacy.
Despite this, council planners concluded there was an “identified need” for additional religious and community infrastructure, approving the development subject to mitigation measures including sound insulation and a requirement to promote car-free travel.
Ustadh Mahmood Almadani, who is also associated with a religious school in east London, has previously defended his remarks, stating he supports Palestinians’ “right to resist” but does not condone violence against civilians.
The mosque has said terms such as “mujahideen” are rooted in Islamic spiritual language and are not intended as incitement.
It has also begun fundraising efforts for the new site, encouraging supporters to contribute towards the conversion.
The Charity Commission has not publicly commented on the case.
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