Muslim billionaire’s plans for London landmark draw criticism in UK

A Muslim billionaire nicknamed "Mr. West End" was awarded permission to transform part of a famous London landmark into an Islamic community center. British media reported on Monday it would be turned into a three-story mosque with space for 390 worshipers.

Asif Aziz, the founder and managing director of real estate company Criterion Capital, originally applied to build a 1,000-person capacity mosque at the Trocadero complex, but plans were withdrawn due to negative reactions from local residents.

The Trocadero, located between Piccadilly Circus and Soho, was bought by the property magnate for over $287 million in 2005. According to the spokesperson of the Westminster Council, in May of this year the council's planning committee approved a plan by the Aziz Foundation to convert part of the Trocadero. It was reported that permission was granted to turn an area left vacant by a closed down movie theater into a prayer space.

British media were reporting it as the "Piccadilly Prayer Space," and reported it could open its doors in a few months' time. The Aziz Foundation said that the mosque will serve Muslims working in the area, as well as those visiting London as tourists. 

“The factually incorrect and grossly exaggerated headlines have either suggested that the entire Trocadero building is being converted into a mosque or that a three-story mosque is being constructed. Both are false,” the Aziz Foundation responded in a statement to the highly publicized acquisition.

“While the Centre will provide an area for prayer, it is also anticipated that this development will nurture much needed interfaith dialogue and in turn bring faith communities and community groups together utilizing available space,” the statement added.