The Ministry of Defence apologised yesterday after a Muslim group complained that structures used on an Army firing range resembled mosques.
Bradford Council for Mosques said the structures at Bellerby firing range at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire should be taken down immediately.
The Army said it was vital soldiers trained in an environment which replicated where they were deployed.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said the structures were ”generic Eastern buildings” and were not used as target practice.
The spokesman added: ”We apologise for any offence that we may have caused. It was never our intention for these generic structures to look like or replicate mosques, only to provide a setting similar to operational environments in which our personnel could train.
”We are seeking a meeting with representatives from the Muslim community to hear their concerns in order to discuss the way forward.”
Mohammed Saleem Khan, chief executive of the Bradford Council for Mosques, said the shape and colour of the structures – a green dome – symbolised an Islamic place of worship.
”It is so obvious. Even a non-Muslim recognised the significance. The first person who raised the issue with us was a non-Muslim,” he said.
”We are trying to achieve unity and cohesion and encourage British Muslims to participate in the Army and we accommodate visits from the Army.
”It is clearly very offensive. We feel there should be an apology and they should be removed straight away. If it was a mistake it should be removed straight away.”
The Telegraph
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