Mosque Web site offends moderates and Jews

TORONTO, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- A moderate Muslim group in Canada is calling on the government to strip the owner of a Toronto mosque of its charitable status.

The Muslim Canadian Congress says the Khalid Bin Al-Walid mosque has posted statements on its Web site that are "in contravention of what a moderate Muslim should stand for," the Toronto Star reported Monday.

Congress President Farzana Hassan says the postings indicate the mosque favors female circumcision and objects to women laughing and wearing high heels.

The mosque, owned by the Somali Islamic Society of Canada, serves more than 10,000 worshipers, the Star says.

The Ontario director of the Canadian Jewish Congress has also complained about the mosque's Web site.

Len Rudner says he was drawn to one particular section where it talks of "the ongoing historical efforts of Jews to destroy Muslim society."

An e-mail message signed by the acting chairman of the mosque's board of directors says all writings considered offensive have been or will be removed.