Extremist leaders ousted from north London mosque (Guardian)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1407878,00.html

Extremist leaders ousted from north London mosque

Vikram Dodd
Tuesday February 8, 2005
The Guardian

Muslim hardliners who took control of the Finsbury Park mosque in north London were deposed at the weekend after allegations that opponents had been beaten and intimidated, the Guardian has learned.

The mosque, closed in 2003 because of concern that those in control were too extreme, was reopened last August with new trustees.

But the Guardian has learned that in December hardliners retook control. They are alleged to have enforced their will by violence and intimidation and to have preached sermons which some at the mosque regarded as extreme.

On Saturday trustees appointed last week changed the locks and took physical control of the building.

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