The Friends of Broughton Mosque are calling for respect in the debate surrounding the planning application for the potential new place of worship.

The planned mosque has proved a divisive topic among locals.

Read more: Woman looking to move to Preston ‘put off’ after seeing graffiti and bacon left outside Broughton mosque site

Hundreds of people have written to Preston City Council and the Planning Inspectorate both in favour and against the proposal.

While it was approved by Preston City Council in early February, the government subsequently called-in the planning application for the building, which would be called Brick Veil Mosque.

A planning inquiry is due to begin on Tuesday (2 August).

In their statement, The Friends of Broughton Mosque say: “We are calling urgently on all those involved in the debate surrounding the Brick Veil Mosque proposal in North Preston to conduct discussions in a respectful and transparent way.”

Read more: Preston residents receive Brick Veil Mosque factsheet ahead of planning inquiry

They claim an anonymous website that criticises the planned mosque has been launched, and that it contains ‘false and potentially defamatory content’.

The statement continues: “We completely understand that there are many legitimate views about the proposal.

“However, in the interests of good community relations, we urge everyone involved in discussions to refrain from anonymous attacks and make their case in a professional and respectful way.

“We believe some of the content on the anonymous website falls far short of those values.”

Opinion: Why Broughton Parish Council opposes new mosque plans

One local resident objecting to the anonymous website site is consultant urologist Ahsanul Haq.

Ahsanul said: “I have spoken publicly in support of the mosque – I think it is a great project which will benefit the whole community. This offensive website seems to imply that I do not live in the area, and what I have to say about the proposal is not relevant.

“I can assure you I live close to the site, and having spent much of my career providing medical treatment to local people, there is nothing wrong with me expressing my honest opinion about this development and the benefits I believe it will bring.”

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