Dunfermline’s James Allan Centre sold to Ahmadiyya group
The James Allan Centre is to be bought by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jammat (Scotland) Ltd (AMJ) for £5,000 so they can continue their work to provide a range of services including food pantry services, warm room facility, establishing a library and daily prayers and educational classes for adults and children
A report to members of the City of Dunfermline Area Committee explained that AJM aim to promote equality of opportunity and inclusion through interfaith dialogue, educational programmes and community service and volunteer-led clean-up initiatives.
“The organisation is self-funded and relies on member contributions to undertake its various activities including organising Iftar gatherings, charity drives, and clean-up initiatives, interfaith dialogue, educational and youth programmes and humanitarian efforts,” it said.
“The purchase of James Allan centre for £5,000 would allow the organisation to continue with their grassroots initiatives including youth mentoring, humanitarian projects, and health awareness campaigns thus empowering the local community.”
The application has been assessed by a Community Asset Transfer evaluation panel who looked at the offer price and the hall’s £70,000 market value.
The report to councillors added: “The benefits of the application are that the organisation will be able to have a permanent Fife presence and continue with their initiatives and activities within the local community.“Disbenefits are the loss of circa £65,000 from the disposal at less than market value of £5,000.
“After comparing the benefits and disbenefits of the asset transfer request, the scoring panel has concluded that the benefits outweigh the disbenefits and that the disposal consideration is reasonable.”Cllr Gavin Ellis welcomed the move, saying the Ahmadiyya community was already carrying out good work in Fife.
“We have seen them interact with the community,” he said. “They are quite well embedded in with some of the community councils so it is good to see.”
Cllr Derek Glen was pleased to see the facility being brought back to a fuller use to benefit the local community.
“I think it is a real shame that in part of the city that is not the most affluent, the council has not been able to provide a community base and offering that meets the needs of the community there especially when there are excellent examples of having done that elsewhere in recent years,” he said.
“I absolutely support community groups coming over where that is not possible but we need to recognise that is not an easy challenge.”Cllr Gordon Pryde was keen to ensure current groups would be able to continue using the facility.
“I know CLD (Fife Council’s Community Learning Development) are operating a group there on a Friday morning and it is my understanding that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community are very supportive of that group continuing and doing activities in the premises of the James Allan Centre.
“I am very happy to support this. The area of Headwell is a particularly deprived area.”
Committee convener, Councillor James Calder, was also pleased to see the group secure a permanent Fife base
“This asset transfer is a fantastic example of working with a local group in the community,” he said.“The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at has shown real commitment to supporting local people through inclusive and meaningful services.
“I’m delighted that the James Allan Centre will continue to serve Dunfermline as a place of connection, learning and support.”
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