20 Aug 2007

Police in Fiji investigate legality of mosque demolition

10:59 am on 20 August 2007

Police in Fiji are investigating whether a prominent resort's attempts to demolish a mosque is within the law.

Demolition work on the Natadola Mosque began on Saturday, sparking the anger of the mosque's patrons.

Shangri La Fijian Resort's general manager, David Hopcroft, said they were within their rights because they were merely following a High Court order.

The Fiji Times says the destruction has shocked the small Muslim community at Natadola.

But the Fiji Muslim League denies the mosque belongs to their fold.

League president, Hafiz Khan, said the only mosque they have in Natadola was on the main road