Glasgow Central Mosque has cancelled Friday lunches widely seen as a symbol of openness under its former liberal leaders.

New Mosque officials have put up signs saying that £2.50 meals - designed for both members of the congregation and visitors - will no longer be served for Friday prayers "until further notice".

The move comes six months after a reformist committee opened up the main hall at the Clydeside complex to all-comers.

The Herald:

Reformists resigned last month citing threats to their families.

Their places on the Mosque's ruling committee have since been taken by associates of more conservative elders.

These appointments are currently subject to complaints to Scotland's charity watchdog, OSCR.

Friday lunches were seen as one of the big successes of the previous reformist committee, helping to underline their view that the Mosque should reach out of women and non-Pakistanis, including Somalis, Syrians and Kosovans.

One Mosque insider said: "This is hugely disappointing. The lunches were very popular, not least for refugees and people from the local community in the Gorbals who could get a good dinner for not very much money."

The Herald: Lawyer Aamer Anwar photographed at the top of the Mackintosh Tower, at the Lighthouse looking out over Glasgow. Mitchell Lane, Glasgow.
Aamer is writing a piece for the Sunday Herald about radicalisation from a scottish perspective.
13/3/15
(Photo by Kirs

Aamer Anwar, pictured above, a solicitor who advised the former committee, said: "This was a popular initiative set up by the reformers to open the doors of the mosque to the poor, the homeless and local community.

"If the present committee is not even able to keep a such a valuable contribution to the community going what hope is there for other issues such as diversity or equality.

"It's very sad and doesn't bode well for the future."

Pervaz Aslam, one of the new members of the committee appointed last month, said he was unaware that the lunches had been stopped.

He said: "I don't know anything about this.

"We are trying to outsource the lunches so that a kitchen company comes in and does them.

"Volunteers will still be there to serve the food.

"But rather than the mosque use its own kitchens to make the lunches - and be responsible for them- we want somebody else to do it.

"So that if there are any complaints it doesn't come back to the Mosque.

"We want to get a few tenders in. We hope to keep the prices the same."

Analysis: How lunches symbolised liberal approach of former Mosque rulers

Mr Aslam added: "The Herald should concentrate on more important things than silly little things like lunches at the Mosque."

The Herald: Friday prayers at the Central Mosque in Glasgow

Glasgow Central Mosque is the biggest single place of worship in Scotland and can cater for thousands on a Friday.

A typical meal on offer on Fridays would be a £2.50 chicken curry and rice with a £1 sticky rice pudding.

The lunches attracted hundreds every Friday, including substantial numbers of women and groups of Somalis and Kosovans and some locals with no connection to Islam.

Sikhs at their Gudwara in Glasgow continue to offer free curry to visitors as part of their faith.

And Edinburgh's main mosque also continues to offer cheap food to visitors and worshippers.

Mr Aslam was unable to say if and when the lunches would resume.