Anti-mosque slogan removed

obmar · Site Admin Joined: 14 Apr 2006 Posts: 5697

Anti-mosque slogan removed
12:25 - 11-July-2008

http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/h...rticle-216634-detail/article.html

A sheet daubed with an anti-mosque slogan has been hung from a bridge over a main road.
Police removed the sheet from a bridge over the A39 which read: "No mosques wanted here".

The sign was placed on a bridge near Carnon Downs in West Cornwall. The sign is thought to be in response to plans to convert a nearby derelict Methodist chapel into an Asian community centre.

Last month we reported how a pig's head attached to a cross was nailed to the door of the chapel in Quenchwell Road and racist graffiti were scrawled on walls.

Police said yesterday that displaying a sign was not an offence in itself but they are examining the sheet for any links to the attacks on the chapel.

Tipu Choudhury is the head of the group of businessman of different faiths that has bought the chapel. He said: "I can categorically say that this will not be a mosque. It's a community centre to be run by ethnic minorities in Cornwall."

When asked if yesterday's graffiti or previous attacks might cause the group to reconsider regarding plans for the former chapel, Mr Choudhury said: "People who are putting posters up or graffiti about mosques are misinformed.

"This will be similar to other village halls but rather than renting them for cultural occasions as we do now we would have access whenever we want."
Mr Choudhury, a Muslim originally from Bangladesh who has lived in England for 23 years, has been trying to set up an Asian community centre in Cornwall for many years.

Sgt Chris Manuell, the neighbourhood beat manager for the area, said that the aggressive activity aimed at the centre was based on false rumours.
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