The Iraqi leaders, for instance, can say one thing to American officials while spreading a different message to a vast network of followers through mosques and militias.

In many cases, especially through mosques, Iran and other foreign powers often provide more institutional support than Baghdad.

Seasoned Qaeda members have begun recruiting a new generation of militants through European mosques and from among local militant Islamic groups, the police say.

Marching orders are disseminating through mosques, Mr. Kadem explained, and ammunition is supplied by central offices.

The Government has tried to channel religious activity through state-supported mosques, overseen by the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

A multi-lingual leaflet highlighting the need for immunisation will be distributed through mosques, travel agents and GP surgeries.

As well as the men who passed through mosques in London, another 10 were radicalised outside the capital, mainly in Birmingham.

Major theological questions were considered by the mufti and the Council of the Ulama, whose decisions were then related to the people through local mosques.

The city has kept its old architecture and lifestyle mostly through mosques, bazaars and houses built in the Qajar era.

Some time later, the word spread through mosques that it was safe to return.