A RELIGIOUS leader arrested as part of an anti-terror operation was back at home with his family in Bolton last night after being released without charge.

Asif Farooqui was arrested in an early morning raid on his house in Willows Lane, Deane, last Monday, November 16.

He was released on Sunday night.

But four other men, from across the North West, who were arrested at the same time as Mr Farooqui appeared in court in London yesterday on terrorism charges.

Last night the 62-year-old, also known as Shaykh Asif Hussain Farooqui, praised his treatment at the hands of police and thanked officers for respecting his religious beliefs. He said: “I would like to thank the police custody staff, and in particular Detective Sergeant John Maguire, for the respect they have shown towards my practice of my religion, for instance accommodating my regular prayers, as well as taking the utmost care for my health and personal dietary requirements.”

Mr Farooqui also thanked his spiritual followers, known as Mureeds, some of whom fasted while their leader was being held by police.

He said: “I fully appreciate and acknowledge people who have prayed as well as fasted for my speedy release.

“My Mureeds, I understand, have shown great strength and calm throughout the past seven days which I am sure have been very difficult for everybody.”

Mr Farooqui thanked his legal team, as well as the thousands of people who signed petitions and wrote letters calling for his release.

He said he had maintained his innocence throughout his detention but said he understood that police had a duty to “protect us all”.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Manchester on Sunday to call for the release of Mr Farooqui.

There were about 300 people outside Greater Manchester Police headquarters at the height of the protest.

An online petition demanding Mr Farooqui’s release gathered more than 20,000 signatures in the seven days he was in custody.

Bolton Council of Mosques (BCOM) yesterday launched an attack on police calling the arrest “ill-advised”.

A spokesman said: “Bolton’s Muslims are deeply frustrated and disappointed in a system where innocent people, in this case a 62-year-old, elderly, frail and faithful leader in the community, can be arrested and detained without even any provision of bail.

“Shaykh Farooqui has always advocated peace, tolerance, harmony and respect for the law of this country.”

BCOM said it condemned any act of terror and respected the need for the police to conduct inquires and investigations into any acts, or potential acts of terrorism.

Mr Farooqui’s solicitor, Nasir Hafezi, of Stephen Lickrish and Associates, said his client was a man of immaculate good character. He said Mr Farooqui was relieved to be released from police custody.

Police said they could not comment on Mr Farooqui, other than to say a 62-year-old had been released without charge.

Four men appeared in court in London yesterday on terrorism charges and were remanded in custody.

They were Munir Ahmed Farooqi, aged 52, of Victoria Terrace, Longsight; Haris Farooqi, aged 26, of Stockport Road, Levenshulme; Matthew Ronald Newton, aged 27, of Rydal Walk, Stalybridge; and Israr Hussain Malik, aged 21, of Bowdon Avenue, Fallowfield.

steven.thompson@ theboltonnews.co.uk