SIR – I have no problem with Karl Dallas’s celebration of multi-faith Manningham (Letters, September 15).

However the planning meeting which turned down the application for a new building on derelict land in West Bowling was concerned about more than prayers.

I said quite explicitly that the problem was not late night prayers, which can have a much lower attendance than other prayer sessions in the life of most mosques or prayer venues.

The issue was the “education and community centre” itself operating throughout the evening. The group behind the proposal demonstrated a reservoir of energy and community spirit which went beyond the local Muslim community.

I hope this can be channelled into a continued campaign for better community facilities, taking on board the strengths and weaknesses of existing community centre provision in the area and the future needs of a densely populated part of West Bowling.

Councillor Geoff Reid, (Liberal Democrat, Eccleshill), Woodfield Close, Bradford