Manchester Mosque Where PM Shared Iftar Hosted Funeral for Convicted Terrorist

The Manchester Central Mosque, which Prime Minister Andy Burnham visited in February while he was mayor of the city, recently hosted a funeral for Munir Farooqi, a convicted terrorist and former Taliban fighter. Farooqi died in prison at the end of September at the age of 69.

In 2011, Farooqi received four life sentences for preparing terrorist acts, soliciting murder, and disseminating terrorist literature. He had reportedly run a recruitment center aimed at persuading British extremists to fight in Afghanistan. Footage indicates that the Manchester Central Mosque held his janazah, or Muslim funeral, on September 30. Over 100 people reportedly attended, with his family continuing to view him as a martyr, according to the outlet 5Pillars.

Burnham, accompanied by Labour MPs Debbie Abrahams and Afzal Khan, along with the current Mayor of Greater Manchester Bev Craig and a Labour candidate, participated in an Iftar meal at the mosque during Ramadan. During his visit, Burnham praised the mosque for its sense of "togetherness" and stated, "We're not about allowing any room for the politics of division in Greater Manchester and creating a climate where that can advance." He also emphasized the importance of freedom of worship and security at places of worship.

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp criticized the situation, stating, "The Prime Minister must apologize if it is true he attended a Manchester mosque that disgracefully held a funeral for a convicted terrorist and ex-Taliban fighter." He added, "Islamist extremism is the biggest threat facing our society, and we must do everything in our power to combat it rather than pander to those proliferating it. It is deeply concerning the Labour Government does not have the backbone to confront this reality."

Burnham's February visit occurred shortly after a security incident at the mosque where two men allegedly entered carrying weapons, including an axe, hammer, and knife. Both men were arrested; one was charged with possession of an offensive weapon and drugs, while the second faced no further action.

Downing Street and the mosque have been approached for comment.