Controversies

6.1 Abbey Mills Mosque

Main article: Abbey Mills Mosque
The new Abbey Mills pumping station, which is adjacent to the proposed site of the Mosque

Tablighi Jamaat gained much media and public attention in Europe, particularly in United Kingdom, when it announced the plans for an 18-acre (73,000 m2) mosque near Olympic Park in east London. This mosque was to have a capacity in excess of 70,000 people making it the largest religious building in United Kingdom and the largest mosque in Europe. The scope of project raised much criticism and concern among the general public.[4] However, the mosque was downsized in its revised project plans for a capacity of 12,000 people.[47]

The plan sparked controversy for various reasons including its initially reported size, the possible chemical contamination risk associated with the site, the uncertainty as to the sources of funding that will be used by Tabligh Jamaat, and alleged links between Tabligh Jamaat and Islamic terrorism.[48][49][50] Mosque officials are engaged in resolving the controversies, as well as countering the perception implied by the term "mega-mosque".[51] Public response to the mosque and associated controversies has included online petitions, various public talks, debates, speeches, and websites, and even apparent threats against people opposing the mosque.[52] With the expiration of the permit to use the site, and neither a current plan permission nor application for a mosque, the building's future remains uncertain