Protest against Blackburn ‘terrace house mosque’

9:42am Wednesday 19th September 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By Bill Jacobs, Local government reporter

OBJECTIONS The mosque, in Accrington Road, Audley and Jack Straw OBJECTIONS The mosque, in Accrington Road, Audley and Jack Straw

COUNCILLORS are set to tell a mosque in Blackburn to move out of a terrace house after objections from neighbours.

The town’s MP Jack Straw has backed objectors to an application for retrospective planning consent for the place of worship above the Ashrafi Study Centre Madrassah, in Accrington Road, Audley.

He has told Blackburn with Darwen planning committee that using terraced houses as mosques was no longer necessary, or appropriate, to allow Muslims to practise their faith.

Farooq Mohammed has been operating an Islamic school at the premises with planning permission since July 2009 for 75 pupils, between 5pm and 7.30pm.

In August last year he submitted a retrospective application to use the whole building as a mosque, which was withdrawn in January because of noise and highway safety concerns.

In July, he submitted a new retrospective proposal to use just the first floor as a mosque, with an estimated maximum 25 worshippers at lunchtime Friday Prayers, and three to five for other worship occasions, between 4.30am and 11pm.

Following objections from neighbours to its existing use as a mosque, from Mr Straw, and from Father Martin Daniels, of nearby St Jude’s Church, the application will be decided by the committee tomorrow.

Officers have recommended refusal on the grounds of noise and disturbance to neighbours.

Mr Straw wrote to the committee: “In the 1970s the developing Asian community needed to use terraced houses for the early madrassahs and mosques but now, in 2012, surely the community is well developed enough to have got past this?

“There are well-funded and well-established mosques in many parts of the town.”

Mr Mohammed’s agent Vika Lukman, of Compass Architectural Consultants, said: “We have no comment to make.”

Comments (31)

10:25am Wed 19 Sep 12

Excluded again says...

The building doesn't comply with planning regulations, so it is refused.

Just how the system should work.
The building doesn't comply with planning regulations, so it is refused. Just how the system should work. Excluded again

10:35am Wed 19 Sep 12

gutterpress says...

I am so glad that I am an atheist, so can openly despise all religions.
I am so glad that I am an atheist, so can openly despise all religions. gutterpress

10:44am Wed 19 Sep 12

happycyclist says...

Jack doesn't need your votes anymore.
Jack doesn't need your votes anymore. happycyclist

10:57am Wed 19 Sep 12

Keith Myath says...

I love the way they incrust Jack Straw's head into every photo about mosques, islam, etc… What would they do without Photoshop?
I love the way they incrust Jack Straw's head into every photo about mosques, islam, etc… What would they do without Photoshop? Keith Myath

11:19am Wed 19 Sep 12

oldblue says...

The Oxford English Dictionary does not recognise the word "madrassa" . The spelling should be "madrasa" or "madrasah". This is misspelling is perhaps understandable for immigrants with English as a second language, but not for journalists on a local newspaper, particularly in these computerised spell checker days.
The Oxford English Dictionary does not recognise the word "madrassa" . The spelling should be "madrasa" or "madrasah". This is misspelling is perhaps understandable for immigrants with English as a second language, but not for journalists on a local newspaper, particularly in these computerised spell checker days. oldblue

11:19am Wed 19 Sep 12

nearly sane says...

happycyclist wrote:
Jack doesn't need your votes anymore.
Very, very true!!!
[quote][p][bold]happycyclist[/bold] wrote: Jack doesn't need your votes anymore.[/p][/quote]Very, very true!!! nearly sane

11:28am Wed 19 Sep 12

woolywords says...

Come on, put your hand up.
Who gave permission in the first place for this?
For a start off, it should never have been granted permission to be a nursery, let alone madrassa. What about the number of toilets per person, the handwashing facilities or
fire escape, in case fire breaks out in the hallway? You wouldn't get me putting my children in such a place for a second. It's just not safe enough for them to be there. If this were commercial premises, the Health & Safety people would have it closed in an heartbeat.
Consider this.. Bonfire night is coming and some idiot puts a lighted firework through the letterbox. It explodes, causing a fire at the bottom of the stairs. How do the children in the upper rooms get out of the building?
Who wants to vote to have a line-up of crispy kiddies on their conscience?
Come on, hands up!
Come on, put your hand up. Who gave permission in the first place for this? For a start off, it should never have been granted permission to be a nursery, let alone madrassa. What about the number of toilets per person, the handwashing facilities or fire escape, in case fire breaks out in the hallway? You wouldn't get me putting my children in such a place for a second. It's just not safe enough for them to be there. If this were commercial premises, the Health & Safety people would have it closed in an heartbeat. Consider this.. Bonfire night is coming and some idiot puts a lighted firework through the letterbox. It explodes, causing a fire at the bottom of the stairs. How do the children in the upper rooms get out of the building? Who wants to vote to have a line-up of crispy kiddies on their conscience? Come on, hands up! woolywords

11:37am Wed 19 Sep 12

makaveli96 says...

I used to live on Nottingham Street
I used to live on Nottingham Street makaveli96

11:39am Wed 19 Sep 12

jellybiff says...

Mr Straw wrote to the committee: “In the 1970s the developing Asian community needed to use terraced houses for the early madrassahs and mosques but now, in 2012, surely the community is well developed enough to have got past this?
rubbish straw you were just too soft to refuse them because they would play the race card.
Mr Straw wrote to the committee: “In the 1970s the developing Asian community needed to use terraced houses for the early madrassahs and mosques but now, in 2012, surely the community is well developed enough to have got past this? rubbish straw you were just too soft to refuse them because they would play the race card. jellybiff

12:40pm Wed 19 Sep 12

makaveli96 says...

jellybiff wrote:
Mr Straw wrote to the committee: “In the 1970s the developing Asian community needed to use terraced houses for the early madrassahs and mosques but now, in 2012, surely the community is well developed enough to have got past this? rubbish straw you were just too soft to refuse them because they would play the race card.
There's rumours that Jack Straw isn't actually from the Town!
[quote][p][bold]jellybiff[/bold] wrote: Mr Straw wrote to the committee: “In the 1970s the developing Asian community needed to use terraced houses for the early madrassahs and mosques but now, in 2012, surely the community is well developed enough to have got past this? rubbish straw you were just too soft to refuse them because they would play the race card.[/p][/quote]There's rumours that Jack Straw isn't actually from the Town! makaveli96

12:42pm Wed 19 Sep 12

AnthonyUK says...

They think they can do whatever they like and nobody has a right to object often holding up the race card to make the council recoil in horror! I'm glad this has come about. I think more councils should smash through things like this and mean business ignoring the race card and just getting on with it. Good!
They think they can do whatever they like and nobody has a right to object often holding up the race card to make the council recoil in horror! I'm glad this has come about. I think more councils should smash through things like this and mean business ignoring the race card and just getting on with it. Good! AnthonyUK

1:48pm Wed 19 Sep 12

makaveli96 says...

AnthonyUK wrote:
They think they can do whatever they like and nobody has a right to object often holding up the race card to make the council recoil in horror! I'm glad this has come about. I think more councils should smash through things like this and mean business ignoring the race card and just getting on with it. Good!
It happened years ago in Russia

Moscow

Get it!!
[quote][p][bold]AnthonyUK[/bold] wrote: They think they can do whatever they like and nobody has a right to object often holding up the race card to make the council recoil in horror! I'm glad this has come about. I think more councils should smash through things like this and mean business ignoring the race card and just getting on with it. Good![/p][/quote]It happened years ago in Russia Moscow Get it!! makaveli96

1:55pm Wed 19 Sep 12

emigrator says...

Almost 50 Mosques in Blackburn. A mere 5 in Liverpool. Who is granting permission for so many premises where Concil Tax is exempt ?
Almost 50 Mosques in Blackburn. A mere 5 in Liverpool. Who is granting permission for so many premises where Concil Tax is exempt ? emigrator

4:32pm Wed 19 Sep 12

jeffers69 says...

I agree about the H&S issues. 75 Children in a terraced house. How did they get permission in the first place?

They didn't have Planning permission for the Dome on the one on Didsbury St. (used the be Burnside HFE) but it is still there. Please could someone tell me why?
I agree about the H&S issues. 75 Children in a terraced house. How did they get permission in the first place? They didn't have Planning permission for the Dome on the one on Didsbury St. (used the be Burnside HFE) but it is still there. Please could someone tell me why? jeffers69

4:35pm Wed 19 Sep 12

retired one says...

Don't hold your breath. How many mosques do they need? Enough is enough.
Don't hold your breath. How many mosques do they need? Enough is enough. retired one

6:03pm Wed 19 Sep 12

Benjis mum says...

Just wait and see how many more applications are made once the welfare reforms go through and even the people on benefits have to pay some council tax.

Every muslim will then want their home designated as a mosque so that they can live above it, as mosques would be exempt from paying council tax.
Just wait and see how many more applications are made once the welfare reforms go through and even the people on benefits have to pay some council tax. Every muslim will then want their home designated as a mosque so that they can live above it, as mosques would be exempt from paying council tax. Benjis mum

6:04pm Wed 19 Sep 12

district01 says...

Well done Jack!
Well done Jack! district01

6:27pm Wed 19 Sep 12

district01 says...

But be careful Jack not to bite the hand that feeds you too hard!
But be careful Jack not to bite the hand that feeds you too hard! district01

9:22pm Wed 19 Sep 12

timeforcommonsense says...

There may only be officially 50 Mosques registered in Blackburn but I had heard that there were over 1000 'places of worship' registered with Blackburn with Darwen council. If this is true then people need to be made aware of this and something done about these bogus 'places of worship'. I'm sure people have a right to view this register under the freedom of information act.
There may only be officially 50 Mosques registered in Blackburn but I had heard that there were over 1000 'places of worship' registered with Blackburn with Darwen council. If this is true then people need to be made aware of this and something done about these bogus 'places of worship'. I'm sure people have a right to view this register under the freedom of information act. timeforcommonsense

9:41pm Wed 19 Sep 12

Marsdogs says...

gutterpress wrote:
I am so glad that I am an atheist, so can openly despise all religions.
Yawn
[quote][p][bold]gutterpress[/bold] wrote: I am so glad that I am an atheist, so can openly despise all religions.[/p][/quote]Yawn Marsdogs

9:50pm Wed 19 Sep 12

nw realist says...

i wonder exactly what kind of islam is being preached at these little terraced houses come mosques away from prying eyes. ill bet it isnt no peace loving version (if there is such a thing!!) but a radical hate everyone whos not like you version of islam
i wonder exactly what kind of islam is being preached at these little terraced houses come mosques away from prying eyes. ill bet it isnt no peace loving version (if there is such a thing!!) but a radical hate everyone whos not like you version of islam nw realist

11:07pm Wed 19 Sep 12

gazzandste says...

Council tax fiddle.
Council tax fiddle. gazzandste

5:45am Thu 20 Sep 12

sen c ble says...

timeforcommonsense wrote:
There may only be officially 50 Mosques registered in Blackburn but I had heard that there were over 1000 'places of worship' registered with Blackburn with Darwen council. If this is true then people need to be made aware of this and something done about these bogus 'places of worship'. I'm sure people have a right to view this register under the freedom of information act.
That truly does confirm the banana and the rugby ball theory. Eat the banana and pretend to bite a chunck of the rugby ball, and spit out when we have our backs turned to you. You're gonna struggle digesting this 1000 'places of worship', you pathetic witch. There's nothing that comes forward from you that's properly fact based. Why do you alway's resort to such garbage. It's fun is it? Atleast you'll bring smiles to the readers of the LT. I suppose that is what clown's are supposed to do. Anyway 'carry on'. we could do with some amusement!
[quote][p][bold]timeforcommonsense[/bold] wrote: There may only be officially 50 Mosques registered in Blackburn but I had heard that there were over 1000 'places of worship' registered with Blackburn with Darwen council. If this is true then people need to be made aware of this and something done about these bogus 'places of worship'. I'm sure people have a right to view this register under the freedom of information act.[/p][/quote]That truly does confirm the banana and the rugby ball theory. Eat the banana and pretend to bite a chunck of the rugby ball, and spit out when we have our backs turned to you. You're gonna struggle digesting this 1000 'places of worship', you pathetic witch. There's nothing that comes forward from you that's properly fact based. Why do you alway's resort to such garbage. It's fun is it? Atleast you'll bring smiles to the readers of the LT. I suppose that is what clown's are supposed to do. Anyway 'carry on'. we could do with some amusement! sen c ble

10:42am Thu 20 Sep 12

district01 says...

I’ve just seen a billboard outside of my newsagents saying that Jack Straws son is wanting to be MP for Darwen.

It’s not April is it?
I’ve just seen a billboard outside of my newsagents saying that Jack Straws son is wanting to be MP for Darwen. It’s not April is it? district01

12:44pm Thu 20 Sep 12

peely says...

district01 wrote:
I’ve just seen a billboard outside of my newsagents saying that Jack Straws son is wanting to be MP for Darwen.

It’s not April is it?
He,s seen the life his dad has had for the past twenty odd years and the perks so you could hardly blame him! Certainly beats working for a living in any other job!Not to mention the gold plated MP's pension soon to come!
Trebles all round..
[quote][p][bold]district01[/bold] wrote: I’ve just seen a billboard outside of my newsagents saying that Jack Straws son is wanting to be MP for Darwen. It’s not April is it?[/p][/quote]He,s seen the life his dad has had for the past twenty odd years and the perks so you could hardly blame him! Certainly beats working for a living in any other job!Not to mention the gold plated MP's pension soon to come! Trebles all round.. peely

5:46pm Thu 20 Sep 12

Excluded again says...

timeforcommonsense wrote:
There may only be officially 50 Mosques registered in Blackburn but I had heard that there were over 1000 'places of worship' registered with Blackburn with Darwen council. If this is true then people need to be made aware of this and something done about these bogus 'places of worship'. I'm sure people have a right to view this register under the freedom of information act.
Don't know where you heard this, but its not true.

You can check for yourself. To get exemption from Council Tax, places of worship have to register as charities. The Charity Commission helpfully keeps a list on its website. Even more helpfully, the list is seachable by town.

No need for a Freedom of Information request. Just go on the Charity commission's website and check out the listing of charities in Blackburn.
[quote][p][bold]timeforcommonsense[/bold] wrote: There may only be officially 50 Mosques registered in Blackburn but I had heard that there were over 1000 'places of worship' registered with Blackburn with Darwen council. If this is true then people need to be made aware of this and something done about these bogus 'places of worship'. I'm sure people have a right to view this register under the freedom of information act.[/p][/quote]Don't know where you heard this, but its not true. You can check for yourself. To get exemption from Council Tax, places of worship have to register as charities. The Charity Commission helpfully keeps a list on its website. Even more helpfully, the list is seachable by town. No need for a Freedom of Information request. Just go on the Charity commission's website and check out the listing of charities in Blackburn. Excluded again

6:27pm Thu 20 Sep 12

sen c ble says...

Excluded again wrote:
timeforcommonsense wrote:
There may only be officially 50 Mosques registered in Blackburn but I had heard that there were over 1000 'places of worship' registered with Blackburn with Darwen council. If this is true then people need to be made aware of this and something done about these bogus 'places of worship'. I'm sure people have a right to view this register under the freedom of information act.
Don't know where you heard this, but its not true.

You can check for yourself. To get exemption from Council Tax, places of worship have to register as charities. The Charity Commission helpfully keeps a list on its website. Even more helpfully, the list is seachable by town.

No need for a Freedom of Information request. Just go on the Charity commission's website and check out the listing of charities in Blackburn.
She hasn't.

The witch is always posting ridiculous comments just to satisfy her unfouded demented views!
[quote][p][bold]Excluded again[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]timeforcommonsense[/bold] wrote: There may only be officially 50 Mosques registered in Blackburn but I had heard that there were over 1000 'places of worship' registered with Blackburn with Darwen council. If this is true then people need to be made aware of this and something done about these bogus 'places of worship'. I'm sure people have a right to view this register under the freedom of information act.[/p][/quote]Don't know where you heard this, but its not true. You can check for yourself. To get exemption from Council Tax, places of worship have to register as charities. The Charity Commission helpfully keeps a list on its website. Even more helpfully, the list is seachable by town. No need for a Freedom of Information request. Just go on the Charity commission's website and check out the listing of charities in Blackburn.[/p][/quote]She hasn't. The witch is always posting ridiculous comments just to satisfy her unfouded demented views! sen c ble

8:48am Fri 21 Sep 12

mark007 says...

What's that strange looking building above jacks head in the background? :)
What's that strange looking building above jacks head in the background? :) mark007

3:23pm Fri 21 Sep 12

kenbro says...

What happened to the article on Sacred Heart school being converted to a Muslim school ? It has totally disappeared. Censorship ?
What happened to the article on Sacred Heart school being converted to a Muslim school ? It has totally disappeared. Censorship ? kenbro

10:34pm Fri 21 Sep 12

turd moor says...

apparently you don't need planning permission for religious buildings,i,on this basis of this don't think it will be refused because of the race card
apparently you don't need planning permission for religious buildings,i,on this basis of this don't think it will be refused because of the race card turd moor

12:22pm Thu 27 Sep 12

Iftikhar says...

A civilisation is measured not by the rights it grants its majority but the privileges it allows its minorities.



Muslim community not only needs Mosques but also state funded Muslim schools for their bilingual children. They need to learn and be well versed in standard English to follow the national Curriculum and go for higher studies and research to serve humanity. They also need to learn and be well versed in Arabic, Urdu and other community languages to keep in touch with their cultural heritage and enjoy the beauty of their literature and poetry. A Muslim is a citizen of this tiny global village. He/she does not want to become notoriously monolingual Brit.

A good school is not just a knowledge factory or a conveyor belt for churning out exam passes - it is a community, a family. A community is held together by common values and principles.
A civilisation is measured not by the rights it grants its majority but the privileges it allows its minorities. Muslim community not only needs Mosques but also state funded Muslim schools for their bilingual children. They need to learn and be well versed in standard English to follow the national Curriculum and go for higher studies and research to serve humanity. They also need to learn and be well versed in Arabic, Urdu and other community languages to keep in touch with their cultural heritage and enjoy the beauty of their literature and poetry. A Muslim is a citizen of this tiny global village. He/she does not want to become notoriously monolingual Brit. A good school is not just a knowledge factory or a conveyor belt for churning out exam passes - it is a community, a family. A community is held together by common values and principles. Iftikhar

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