Muslim World Leader to Inaugurate Scunthorpe’s First Purpose-Built Mosque

Scunthorpe is set to welcome a global Muslim leader to mark the official opening of the town’s first purpose-built mosque.

On Saturday 17 June, the Baitus Salam (House of Peace) Mosque will be inaugurated by His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the worldwide head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community who will be making a special visit. The ceremony will be attended by more than 200 guests from across the country. Members of Parliament, faiths leaders, senior representatives of Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, members from civic society, charity organisations and local neighbours of the mosque will also be in attendance at this historic event.

Speaking about the role of mosques, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“Mosques are places of prayer and beacons of peace. By strengthening one’s link with God one is drawn to serve God’s creation with love and compassion. This is how the true purpose of a mosque is fulfilled and how it serves to spread harmony to the whole of society – to Muslims and non-Muslims alike.”

Since its inception in Qadian, India, in 1889, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has been leading a peaceful revival of Islam. The UK chapter was established in 1913, and it built London’s first mosque in 1926, as well as the landmark Baitul Futuh Mosque in 2003 in south London, which is the largest mosque in western Europe. Throughout the past century the community has worked tirelessly to promote the values of loyalty, freedom and peace. It raises millions of pounds each year for charitable causes and actively engages in initiatives to help those in need, protect the environment and strengthen community ties. In Scunthorpe the community members regularly conduct voluntary street cleaning sessions, blood donation campaigns and educational seminars to promote community cohesion and understanding.

Rafiq Hayat, National President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK said,

“This is a historic day for us and the Baitus Salam Mosque is a tribute to the prayers, hard work and sacrifice made by members to build this house of peace. It is also a great honour that His Holiness will be inaugurating this mosque. May God make it a true source of peace for all. Ameen.”

Dr Muzaffar Ahmad, Regional President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, North East England , said:

“We hope that our mosque will be a centre of learning and peace in Scunthorpe. This is a place for all people, irrespective of your background or whether you belong to a particular faith or not, we welcome everyone.  Even if someone just wants to see a mosque from the inside or visit us as local neighbours, we will be honoured to welcome them. I sincerely hope and pray that this mosque allows us to build a strong community in Scunthorpe and beyond.” The Baitus Salam Mosque has a floor space of 520 m² and can accommodate 250 worshipers including men and women. It also features a community hall and a library. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is entirely self-funding and this mosque was built entirely with funds raised by the local members.