NBCNews: Finsbury Park Mosque Opens Doors to 'New Era' After Expelling Extremists
LONDON — A young man hands out candy to passers-by and Sunday afternoon visitors are welcomed through its open doors with cups of tea and biscuits. It is hard to imagine that a decade ago this place of worship was a hangout for some of the world's most notorious and deadly jihadis.
Finsbury Park Mosque in north London was once the domain of hook-handed imam Abu Hamza, whose extremist sermons inspired attendees including 9/11 co-conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui, failed American Airlines "shoe bomber" Richard Reid and London subway suicide bomber Mohammed Sidique Khan.
The "suicide factory" — as one book called it — was also visited by Djamel Beghal, the Islamist "sorcerer" and jail inmate accused of bringing together those responsible for the Charlie Hebdo massacre and related attacks in Paris last month.
In the wake of those Paris atrocities, the Muslim Council of Britain — the umbrella organization for Islamic institutions in the U.K. — called on member mosques to open their doors, hoping to "demonstrate solidarity during what has been a tense time for faith communities" and ease "tensions around terrorism."
On "Visit My Mosque Day" at Finsbury Park earlier this month, children proudly lined up to perform for guests. A boy dressed in galabiyya [Islamic dress for men] and holding a British flag was joined by girls in headscarves. Together they sang songs, and recited poetry praising their faith.
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