Manchester mosque is praised by Burnham for 'togetherness' held funeral for Taliban terrorist serving four life sentences

From the Newshound archive · first published 5 October 2026 · last updated 6 October 2026.

Manchester Central Mosque hosted a janazah service on September 30 for Munir Farooqi, 69, who died in prison while serving four life sentences for preparing terrorist acts, soliciting murder and disseminating terror literature. More than 100 people attended, with Farooqi's family reportedly still viewing him as "a martyr who died doing what he loved." Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp demanded Burnham apologise, warning the Labour government lacks "the backbone to confront" Islamist extremism.

Farooqi fought alongside the Taliban after 9/11, then ran a Manchester recruitment ring urging young Brits to "fight, kill and die" in Afghanistan.

Burnham visited the mosque in February during Ramadan, sharing an Iftar meal and praising the congregation's "togetherness," alongside Labour MPs Debbie Abrahams and Afzal Khan.

Philp warned that "Islamist extremism is the biggest threat facing our society" and accused Labour of pandering to those who proliferate it.