Didsbury Mosque has responded to criticism it faced at the Manchester Arena bombing public inquiry, claiming 'misleading statements' were 'still an attempt to associate' it with extremism and radicalisation. In a lengthy statement published on its website, the mosque said it was 'disingenuous' to give an impression it has not condemned the atrocity - and 'bizarre' that the Charity Commission 'should be asked to revoke our charitable status on that basis'.
Referencing an arson attack last year the mosque said 'smearing and demonisation by some' at the inquiry has put it 'at risk from extremist elements' - and said it had alerted Greater Manchester Police to subsequent online threats.
Elders said in the statement that 'at no point' had police, counter-terror policing or MI5 'contacted us with concerns' about the Abedi family. It was obvious, they said, that suicide bomber Salman Abedi 'escaped the attention of all'.
