The Riverine Centre would have been home to one of Europe's largest mosques if plans had been approved. With an intended capacity for 9,000, and minarets planned to stand 40-feet high, the mosque would have overshadowed Britain's largest cathedral.
The mega-mosque was proposed by Muslim group Tablighi Jamaat, which purchased the necessary land in Abbey Mills, Newham, in 1996, according to the
LES. The group intends to appeal the council's decision.
Conor McAuley of Newham Council's Planning Committee said: "The proposed mosque building is too big and would have an impact on important historic buildings nearby" the
Daily Mail reported. He stressed that the creation of new homes and jobs were the council's main priority.
According to the
Telegraph Tablighi Jamaat, founded in India in the 1920's, has been accused of radicalizing young Muslims, with some of the July 7 bombers associated with the group.
