Reject the Olympics Mega Mosque

Londoners are right to be proud of our diverse and multi-ethnic capital where openness and tolerance are vital for our thriving world-class city. For this reason Alan Craig is taking a firm stance against plans to build a 12,000 capacity mega-mosque in West Ham. Put forward by the secretive and separatist Tablighi Jamaat Islamic sect, it will not only be Europe's largest mosque, it will also foster fundamentalism. Alan is committed to integration and has the backing of leading muslim figures and local muslims who share his opposition to the mosque.

The Christian Choice does not favour privileges for churches over any other religious community. It is firmly committed to the UK's history of cultural freedom, diversity and tolerance. In the UK Muslims have the right to worship, as do Christians, Hindus and those of other faiths. However, the proposed national landmark mosque stands for separateness and secrecy and against social cohesion. It will also be bad for harmony between local muslims and the rest of the community.

Tablighi Jamaat is a global and ambitious organisation with a secretive, separatist nature. Its narrow medieval form of Deobandi Islam is hostile to the modern and open democratic societies of the West. In South Asia where it originated, it is closely associated with the Pakistan Taleban. Its frequent claims to be non-political and non-violent are at best a partial truth that hides a deeper agenda. Known adherents to the sect include Glasgow airport bomber Kafeel Ahmed, shoe bomber Richard Reid and the July 7 London bombers Mohammad Sidique Khan and Shehzad Tanweer.

Ken Livingstone has tried to shut down democratic debate by smearing legitimate opponents and condemning the campaign against the mosque. Yet the same Ken Livingstone has publicly hugged and welcomed an intolerant gay-stoning, wife-beating fundamentalist, Sheikh al-Qaradawi, to City Hall on Londoners' behalf. By contrast, the aim of Alan Craig's campaign is to unite Londoners around a more optimistic and positive approach, rooted in the Christian ethic of love for our neighbour.