More outrage! Does it ever end for these people?
Mosque outrage at police search
hackneygazette.co.uk
MUSLIM leaders are to seek advice from Islamic scholars after police dogs were used to hunt out burglars at a Hackney mosque.
The dogs were brought in to sweep the North London Mosque in Cazenove Road, Stoke Newington, after neighbours reported they had seen two men breaking into the building.
While the members of the mosque denied that the use of the dogs had caused uproar among the community, they said they would need to discuss their use in the future.
A statement from the mosque said: "Both Muslims and the police recognise the sanctity of places of worship and the need to show respect when entering such places.
"We will have further discussions with the police on the use of police dogs in future instances and we have asked for advice, on this issue, from Islamic scholars."
Under Islamic law, a mosque, as a place of worship, must be kept clean.
Muslims wash themselves and remove their shoes before praying.
A spokesman for Hackney police explained that the dogs were used because it had been necessary.
"The fact that it was the early hours of the morning, so close to the morning prayers, it was felt that an entry was required for the safety of the users of the mosque," he said.
"As the mosque comprises several floors, the officers entered the premises and carried out a search for the suspects with a dog."
He added that members of the mosque committee were contacted and some were present at the time.
They kept a continual watch on the dogs.
Police were called to the mosque after two men in dark clothing and carrying torches were spotted breaking through a window around 4am on Monday, September 11.
A helicopter was also used to check the roof for burglars.
No suspects were found and nothing was reported stolen. |
