THE EAST London Mosque has condemned the attempt to blow up a packed airline on Christmas Day after reports that the alleged terrorist may have attended the mosque in Whitechapel. It has been reported that 23-year-old Umar Abdulmutallab may have joined

THE EAST London Mosque has condemned the attempt to blow up a packed airline on Christmas Day after reports that the alleged terrorist may have attended the mosque in Whitechapel.

It has been reported that 23-year-old Umar Abdulmutallab may have joined worshippers at the mosque in Whitechapel Road, which attracts 5,000 people a week to Friday prayers.

Nigerian born Abdulmutallab studied for an engineering degree with business at University College London until 2008 when he left the UK. He has been charged with attempting to blow up an American airliner over the city of Detroit.

In a statement on its website the mosque said: "It goes without saying that the East London Mosque condemns in the strongest possible terms the alleged attempt to blow up a transatlantic airliner in the USA. The Mosque has consistently spoken out against such acts, and will continue to do so."

"Given its community service to people of all faiths, the East London Mosque is appalled that it should be associated with such heinous acts. The Mosque cannot comment as to whether this individual attended the mosque. Over 20,000 people, of Muslim and other faiths, visit the Mosque every week. They use the Mosque for many different purposes including worship, weddings, and to use any of the 30 different projects and services that are based at our institution."

Mosque secretary Ayub Khan said: "The mosque is open for the public to use on a daily basis. We have no membership like a church and therefore cannot comment on whether this individual came to East London Mosque. Our institution is a place where people are inspired to do good works for all people, of all faiths and none. We therefore are appalled by the alleged actions of this individual.