Mosques turn their backs on freed preacher Choudary
ANJEM CHOUDARY, the Islamist hate preacher, has been told he is not welcome at scores of mosques across London following his release from prison, The Sunday Telegraph can reveal.
The 51-year-old, who was freed from jail on Friday, is permitted to attend only a single place of worship approved by Ministry of Justice officials.
Choudary was asked to submit a list of mosques he wished to visit, but when they were approached by the authorities asking if they objected to him attending, many of the Imams said he would not be welcome. Other mosques in the capital also contacted officials ahead of his release to say they did not want him turning up.
A source said it was clear the Muslim community held Choudary in as much contempt as everyone else.
“As part of his strict licensing conditions, Choudary is only permitted to attend one mosque that has been given prior approval,” the source said. “He was asked to submit a list of his preferred options and then they were asked if they would be willing to accommodate him. However, it was clear that many of the mosques he wanted to visit did not want him mixing with their worshippers.”
Eventually a suitable mosque was found and on Friday the controversial cleric was whisked from his probation hostel. He returned at 9pm.
However, he did not emerge yesterday and was understood to be staying in his room.
Outside the probation hostel in Camden yesterday, one resident emerged explaining how Choudary had not made friends within the unit. “A few of us are really shocked to see him living here,” he said. “They should put him somewhere else. He’s not made any friends yet. He’s keeping himself very much to himself.”
Choudary is understood to be staying in a room with a single bed and television within the six-storey hostel. He has access to a communal television room, kitchen and washing facilities.
A handful of supporters of Tommy Robinson, the far-Right activist, had also gathered at the bail hostel.
Choudary, a father of five, is understood to have applied for legal aid to try to fight the 25 strict rules that limit his movements and actions while serving the rest of his prison term on licence.
They include which mosque he can visit, whom he can associate with and that he should not use the internet or speak to anyone aged under 18.
It is believed that Birnberg Peirce, the human rights lawyers who are acting for him, have written to the Ministry of Justice claiming the restrictions breach his human rights.
If he breaks the conditions, he will be returned to prison to complete the remaining half of his five-and-a-half year sentence for pledging allegiance to Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (Isil).
Despite being accused of radicalising young Muslims, Choudary was only convicted of one terrorism offence, that of inciting support for Isil.