Bishop of Dudley speaks out over mosque saga

In a letter Bishop Graham Usher joins other leading members of the community to say Dudley had become the 'focal point of protest' in light of the issue.

They say the issue over the location of the new mosque in the town has 'undoubtedly' contributed to the number of far-right protests coming to the town.

The letter comes in the wake of a group called All Football Fans/Firms March Against Islamisation (AFFFMAI) announcing plans for a protest march in the town on June 13.

These types of protest, though a democratic right when held peacefully, have cost hundreds of thousands of pounds to the public purse. They have also meant the loss of much needed income for the town's hard pressed traders, had a negative impact on community cohesion, and had an emotional impact upon many different people in our diverse community.

We urge people not to come and demonstrate, disrupting the town, tarnishing its image and dividing its communities again. The ongoing issue between the Dudley Muslim Association and the Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council about the location of the new mosque is undoubtedly a contributory factor to the far-right's continued interest in our town. We believe it is now time to renew efforts at finding a speedy and amicable solution to this issue and would encourage all parties to find a positive way forward.

We are keen that a positive outcome is achieved for all. In this way Dudley can continue to live out its motto of 'unity and progress', holding at its heart all of the richness of being a diverse community living together with the values of respect, harmony and mutual flourishing.

It would be the third far-right march in Dudley this year - with protests previously held by the Britain First and the English Defence League, which also held two demonstrations in 2010.

Dudley Council chiefs and the Dudley Muslim Association have been locked in legal wrangles over the proposed site, a former factory in Hall Street.

Planning approval for the scheme was granted last year but has been held up further awaiting another court hearing over the council's attempts to exercise a buyback clause over the site.

The case was due to be heard earlier this year but was adjourned and no new date has been finalised.

The letter, also signed by the MPs for Dudley North and South, Ian Austin and Mike Wood, and Dudley College principal Lowell Williams, said the protests have led to the loss of 'much needed income' for traders and businesses who have closed through fear of violence during marches.

They added: "The on-going issue between the Dudley Muslim Association and the Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council about the location of the new mosque is undoubtedly a contributory factor to the far-right's continued interest in our town.

"We believe it is now time to renew efforts at finding a speedy and amicable solution to this issue and would encourage all parties to find a positive way forward in a spirit of reconciliation.

"We are keen that a positive outcome is achieved for all."

AFFFMAI event organiser Kevin Smith, in a statement on the group's website, said: "We are not coming to Dudley to cause trouble or distress, we are coming to have our say against the slow but steady Islamisation of the country that's happening in front of our very eyes."

He added: "I would strongly stress to the local traders that they need not close up while the march takes place. Remain open because we could even increase their custom for the day. It's not them we have a problem with, so they should not fear us."