Madina Mosque Cardiff is in a rebuilding process as a new building after an arson attack by
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"There have been some tensions within the mosque which have been reported recently. "But nothing as serious that would ever have led us to believed this would happen." Central Cardiff MP Jenny Willott on Madina Mosque Cardiff Fire on 14-11-2006 (BBC Wales News) |
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Watchdog called into mosque row
The Charity Commission has been asked to investigate a dispute at Wales' biggest mosque over aid money collected
after the 2005 Pakistan earthquake.
About £56,000 was collected at Cardiff's Madina mosque for victims of the quake in which 75,000 people died.
The mosque's management committee says all money is accounted for, but there are calls for greater transparency.
The Charity Commission is carrying out a preliminary inquiry before deciding whether to launch a full investigation.
Last weekend was the first anniversary of the south Asia earthquake, which caused devastation in northern Pakistan and India.
Mosques across Wales acted as the centre-points for fund-raising with items of clothing collected and large amounts of cash donations were handed over.
At the Madina Mosque in Cathays in Cardiff, a total of £56,000 was collected.
| The commission takes allegations of this nature very seriously Charity Commission statement |
The members of the mosque's management committee said £33,000 was used to buy medical equipment - including a ventilator - at two hospitals in Pakistan.
They also said £14,000 was used for buying jackets, while £9,000 was sent to the Pakistan High Commission in London to be used for the relief effort.
The members of the committee claim to have all the evidence and receipts to prove the transactions were above board.
They are now putting together an internal audit, which they have said will be presented to the trustees and added that the evidence will be scrutinised by an external company.
But some members of the mosque have claimed the committee has not been forthcoming enough with evidence of where the money was spent and have called in regulatory body the Charity Commission to investigate.
The complainants have said that a year after the earthquake, they are only now getting to the bottom of how the money was spent and have said it is essential the dispute is cleared up or people will be reluctant to give them charitable money in the future.
They have called for independent auditors to be brought in as soon as possible.
Mohammed Humayun Nasser said he wanted to see a "full formal inquiry".
"We would like the charity commission to investigate to see how the organisation is running, to see where the funds are being used," he said.
But mosque chairman Asghar Javed Ali, a Cardiff councillor, said he was "absolutely satisfied" the money had been spent correctly.
"They've got every penny accounted for," he said.
"Some people within our community think that we don't have proof on what we've spent it, but we've got proof - we've got a receipt of every penny we've spent."
The Charity Commission confirmed it had been asked to launch an investigation.
A statement read: "The Charity Commission is aware of a dispute between members of the Madina mosque in Cardiff and that allegations of financial irregularities have been made.
"The commission is currently looking into the circumstances of these claims and will then decide whether the evidence warrants the opening of a formal inquiry and any exercise of its regulatory powers.
No-confidence vote
"The commission takes allegations of this nature very seriously.
"However, as the regulator of charities in England and Wales, we must ensure that we use our legal powers on the basis of evidence."
The row over the £56,000 is the latest episode in a serious dispute at the mosque.
Last month, a meeting was arranged to call for a vote of no-confidence in the elected committee running the mosque.
In turn, the management committee say they have the support of the majority of members of the mosque and say the allegations have only been made by a minority.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/wales/6035719.stm
Published: 2006/10/10 05:50:55 GMT
© BBC MMVIII
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Police investigate mosque blaze
South Wales Police have confirmed that they are treating a fire which broke out at a Cardiff mosque as suspicious.
Fire crews and police were alerted just before 0830 GMT to the blaze at the Madina Mosque in Cathays. The fire on the second floor spread to the roof.
Central Cardiff MP Jenny Willott, who was at the scene, described the fire as "really shocking".
Police are appealing for information about a man said to be of Middle Eastern appearance seen in the area.
He is described as being in his 20s and of medium build. He was wearing a dark hat and a dark coat.
The road with the mosque has been cordoned off and a police sniffer dog team brought in and investigators are now at the scene to determine a cause.
A command room has also been set up at Cardiff Central police station.
Superintendent Bob Tooby said it appeared there was more than one seat of fire and that was being investigated by both police forensic scientists and the fire service.
"There's every possibility accelerants were involved but it's too early to say. All the tests need to be carried out forensically," he said.
A spokeswoman for South Wales Fire Service said at least a quarter of the building has been severely damaged by the fire.
| There have been some tensions within the mosque which have been reported recently Central Cardiff MP Jenny Willott |
Officers said it was too early to tell if the suspected arson was racially motivated.
Mosque spokesman Javed Javed said they were waiting for the police and fire brigade reports on the blaze.
He said: "As to who the culprits are, we are keeping an open mind and we cannot point fingers to any groups or person.
"The community has been very saddened by the fire. The way it looks, it has been deliberately started and that makes it more sad."
She said: "The mosque is a big part of the local community.
'Some tensions'
Ms Willott said it was upsetting for the local community to feel they were being targeted.
She said: "There have been some tensions within the mosque which have been reported recently.
"But nothing as serious that would ever have led us to believed this would happen."
South Wales Fire Service have four pumps and a hydraulic appliance at the scene and relief firefighters have also been called to help tackle the blaze.
The Welsh Ambulance Service said they were also there although no casualties were reported.
Network Rail has been informed as smoke from the fire is affecting the line at Queen Street station in the direction of Caerphilly and Llanishen.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/wales/6146276.stm
Published: 2006/11/14 12:46:24 GMT
© BBC MMVIII
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