Ex-Army chief's security fears over plan for mosque next to Sandhurst

Controversial: This map shows the site of the mosque, which Lord Guthrie says could compromise the Academy's security

But 'Islam means peace!!'

We are like lemmings off the side of a cliff with Islam.

A former head of the Armed Forces has warned that plans for a mosque overlooking Sandhurst could lead to attacks on the Royal Military Academy.

In a letter, Lord Guthrie says he is worried about the ‘security’ of the two 100ft minarets which will tower over the mosque, 300 yards from the Sandhurst parade ground.

And he is unconvinced by promises from the mosque leaders that
it will not fall into the hands of extremists who support a ‘doctrine of hate’.

The letter by Lord Guthrie – who was Chief of the Defence Staff under Tony Blair – was written to the planning inspector chairing an inquiry into the proposed mosque.

The Mail on Sunday, which has obtained the letter, understands that it reflects fears among senior military figures that the minarets could be used by snipers or other terrorists.

Supporters of the mosque say the claim is irresponsible and untrue.

A listed Victorian school building is set to be demolished to make way for the £3 million building. More than 6,500 people have signed a petition to oppose it.

Hundreds of newly commissioned Army officers take to Sandhurst’s parade ground each year for the academy’s passing-out ceremony.


The event attracts senior members of the Royal Family, including the Queen, who was there when her grandson Prince Harry was commissioned in 2006.

'Grave concern': Lord Guthrie questions the wisdom of building the mosque near Sandhurst

Lord Guthrie writes: ‘As a former Sandhurst cadet I must express my grave concern about the wisdom of allowing such a structure to proceed.’ He refers to ‘specific security concern about access to the proposed minarets’ and warns of the danger of the mosque ceasing to be run by ‘responsible individuals’, adding: ‘As has happened in many houses of worship, the nature of mosque management can change over time as moderates are replaced by more extreme elements.’ He says that there would need to be ‘guarantees that the mosque and the worshippers would not advocate a doctrine of hate against our Armed Forces or our country’.

He adds: ‘Past experience suggests that to give such assurances about the nature of the doctrines preached there would be very difficult, if not impossible.

‘For this reason, common sense alone suggests that planning permission should be refused.’

The row over the mosque first flared up last year after the Surrey Bengali Welfare Association requested permission to demolish the disused school they have been using since 1996. In its place, they proposed the new development.

The council rejected the plan, but the mosque supporters took the issue to the public inquiry.

Locals who oppose the project have complained that they feel intimidated by ‘extremist’ elements within the mosque. And the former chairman of the mosque, Luth Ful Karim, is said to have requested police protection after falling out with more hardline worshippers.

The Mail on Sunday has learned that Mr Karim is one of 11 worshippers who last year referred the Bengali Welfare Association to the Charity Commission because of the activities of hardliners. The commission has declined to give a ruling, saying it is an ‘internal matter’ for the association.

A report in 2007 by the Policy Exchange think tank found literature at the existing mosque which advocated Sharia law, polygamy and the repression of women.

The local MP, Education Secretary Michael Gove, has called on mosque supporters to withdraw their plans, saying they were threatening the area’s ‘good community relations’.

Daily Mail