Aljazeera claims "London mosque thwarts Bush party"

[emad]

From Aljazeera.net:

On the eve of the US president's controversial state visit to the UK, George Bush faces fresh embarrassment after being forced to cancel a party near London's main mosque.Aljazeera.net has learned that Bush planned to throw a party for US embassy staff and guests at a venue near London Central Mosque in Regent's Park, one of the UK's largest and most prominent mosques.But members of the mosque and other Islamic groups complained to the police and London authorities that they did not want Bush near the mosque during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.Massud Shadjareh, chair of the Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) based in London, told Aljazeera.net Muslims were opposed to the likely disruption."We were told that Bush had planned to fly over in a helicopter to the party venue, which is very near the mosque. During the last ten days of Ramadan, the mosque will be full of worshippers offering special prayers. "We were unwilling to have Bush in the area as this would have lead to a massive security operation and severe disruption to those who wanted to come to the mosque."

Aljazeera.net contacted the White House press office, but it was unwilling to comment on the visit for security reasons.Metropolitan police headquarters, Scotland Yard, in London, was also unwilling to comment. A police spokesperson told Aljazeera.net: ''We have nothing to do with Bush's visit and we can't comment on his plans for operational purposes.''


http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/BF19C78A-C913-42B6-AB9F-C8BE7948F206.htm

I expect they mean the gig at the ambassador's residence Winfield House which is across the road from the Regents Park Mosque at Hanover Gate. Plenty of extra heavies there this morning. Doesn't look like anything's been cancelled but the cops weren't saying much either...