A Manchester mosque visited and praised by Andy Burnham earlier this year has held a funeral for a convicted terrorist and former Taliban fighter serving multiple life sentences.
Munir Farooqi, who died in prison at the end of September aged 69, was buried following a janazah, or Muslim funeral, at Manchester Central Mosque on September 30.
More than 100 people are said to have attended the service, including members of Farooqi’s family.
According to Muslim news outlet 5Pillars, his relatives still “considers him a martyr who died doing what he loved”.
Farooqi, who was born in Pakistan, fought alongside the Taliban after the September 11 attacks before returning to Manchester.
He subsequently operated what prosecutors described as a recruitment centre, where he sought to encourage British extremists to “fight, kill and die” in Afghanistan.
In 2011, he was sentenced to four life terms after being convicted of preparing terrorist acts, soliciting murder and disseminating terrorist literature.
The funeral took place months after Mr Burnham, then Mayor of Greater Manchester, visited Manchester Central Mosque during Ramadan.
Manchester Central Mosque held a funeral service for convicted terrorist Munir Farooqi
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Months before the funeral in February, Mr Burnham attended an Iftar, the evening meal marking the breaking of the daily Ramadan fast, with members of the local Muslim community.
Labour MPs Debbie Abrahams and Afzal Khan were also present, alongside newly appointed mayor Bev Craig and Angeliki Stogia, the party’s candidate for the Gorton and Denton by-election, which was subsequently won by the Greens.
During the visit, footage shows Mr Burnham praising the mosque’s “togetherness”.
He said at the time: “We’re not about allowing any room for the politics of division in Greater Manchester and creating a climate where that can advance.”
Munir Farooqi, who was born in Pakistan, fought alongside the Taliban after the September 11 attacks
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The visit came shortly after a security incident at the mosque during Ramadan, where two men entered the building allegedly carrying weapons including an axe, a hammer and a knife.
Both were arrested, with one later charged with possession of an offensive weapon and possession of Class B drugs, while the other faced no further action.
Speaking outside the mosque at the time, Mr Burnham said: “Everybody in our city region, whoever they are, whatever faith they follow, should be free at all times to practice that faith and to worship in their communities.
“We will never accept a city region where people have any fear of being at their place of worship, and that’s why we’re working with Greater Manchester Police to strengthen security at places of worship as much as we possibly can.”
The revelation of Farooqi’s funeral at the mosque prompted criticism from Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp, who called for the Prime Minister to explain his connection to the venue.
Mr Philp said: “The Prime Minister must apologise if it is true he attended a Manchester mosque that disgracefully held a funeral for a convicted terrorist and ex-Taliban fighter.
“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.”
Andy Burnham has been urged to explain his association with the venue
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PAA spokesman for Manchester Central Mosque said: “As an Islamic institution, we undertake the responsibility of performing funerals for all Muslims.
“Our core belief is that every person who has died deserves a respectful and dignified funeral. It is not our position, nor our role, to give judgments on a person’s actions, especially those who are deceased.
“As Muslims, we leave all judgments to God. Ultimately, heaven or hell is based on a person’s actions, and this is a matter for God alone to judge. Our duty is to serve the community and provide the necessary religious rites with dignity.
“Manchester Central Mosque welcomes all, Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Our doors are always open. At this time, the family has requested for peace and privacy.”
GB News approached No10 for comment.