Mosque cleared by counter-terror police over controversial 'jihad' speech

A mosque where Manchester Arena suicide bomber Salman Abedi worshipped has been given the all-clear by counter-terrorism cops who investigated an imam's controversial sermon.

A BBC investigation reported that imam Mustafa Graf referenced ‘jihad’ and ‘mujahideen’ during a speech delivered at Didsbury Mosque in south Manchester.

Bosses at the mosque argued that the comments, which were recorded onto a tape, were taken out of context.

The broadcaster aired parts of an audio recording which sparked an investigation by Greater Manchester Police’s Counter Terrorism detectives in August last year.

Senior investigating officers now say they have determined that ‘no offences have been committed’ following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service and after receiving expert advice.

Though people may have been concerned at the ‘tone’ of the speech, mosque trustees are committed to dealing with ‘extreme’ behaviours, they said.

In a joint statement, Manchester City Council and Counter Terrorism Policing North West said: “We recognise that mosques have a very important and valuable role to play within our communities and we will always seek to work with trustees to strengthen those community relationships.

“Although at all times freedom of expression must be respected we understand that people may be concerned by the content of the BBC report, in particular the tone of the speech.

“We have engaged with the Mosque trustees for several months and they have committed themselves to monitoring and dealing with behaviours which could be considered extreme while maintaining their right to freedom of expression.

“We will continue to work with these trustees.”

According to BBC News, Mr Graf delivered the sermon during Friday prayers at Didsbury Mosque on December 16, 2016 - six months before the Manchester Arena bombing.

They reported that the Muslim cleric said: “We ask Allah to grant them mujahideen - our brothers and sisters right now in Aleppo and Syria and Iraq - to grant them victory.”

The broadcasters also claim he said: “Jihad for the sake of Allah is the source of pride and dignity for this nation.”

Speaking last summer, the mosque’s trustees said Mr Graf was highlighting the plight of Syrians after chemical bombings in the country.

They said his use of the words ‘jihad’ and ‘mujahideen’ had been misinterpreted.

A mosque spokesman said at the time: “Jihad is an Arabic word meaning to struggle or strive for good, and it is often used incorrectly.

“This sermon was after the chemical bombings in Syria. There was a big charity campaign in the UK to try to raise funds for the victims.

“The imam was saying that everyone should put their money where their mouths were and give to charity. When speaking in Arabic he used the word jihad, meaning to struggle and strive, or to give.

“The English translation said something like ‘you must all give to charity’. But instead of translating the full sermon they [the BBC] have translated all the Arabic words around jihad, but left that as it is. That’s what’s really frustrating, and it doesn’t make sense.

“We do not tolerate or instigate any form of preaching that breaches both Islamic principles and the laws of England and Wales.”

The BBC previously rejected claims that they had mistranslated the sermon, which they say was spoken in English.

The family of Manchester Arena bomber Salman Abedi worshipped at the mosque, which is also known as the Manchester Islamic Centre.

Abedi killed 22 people and injured hundreds more when he detonated a deadly device at the Arena during an Ariana Grande on May 22, 2017.

The BBC said it was not known if Abedi or members of his family were at the mosque when Mr Graf delivered the speech.

The corporation claimed that Abedi bought a ticket to the Ariana Grande concert just 10 days later.

The mosque previously said Abedi last visited the mosque during Eid ‘seven or eight years ago’ - and said records showed he wasn’t present when Mr Graf delivered the sermon.

They said Mr Graf no longer gives sermons and, at the time of the recording, two preachers were delivering sermons on a rotation basis.

Tthe BBC has been contacted for comment.