The first ever purpose-built mosque in Scunthorpe is set to open this weekend. Guests from across the country will attend the official opening of the Baitus Salam (House of Peace) mosque on Cliff Closes Road on Saturday, June 17.These will include MPs, senior representatives from the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force, charity organisations, faith leaders and local neighbours of the mosque. The impressive building was completed in October 2021 after first being acquired by members of Scunthorpe’s Ahmadiyya Muslim community, a branch of Islam, back in 2002 when it stood as a bungalow. The opening was delayed due to Covid-19.Back in December 2021, Dr Adnan Muzaffar, the External Affairs Secretary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association told Scunthorpe Live: “The bungalow we were using for prayers was becoming too small and so we couldn’t fit everybody in.

“There were also some issues with parking so we really needed to increase the space we had. And before this, there wasn’t a purpose built mosque in Scunthorpe. was 12 and there was nowhere we could go to say our prayers unless we went to someone’s house which isn’t the same as going to a mosque. “There was a need to rectify this for so long and now we have which is brilliant. We first acquired the property over 20 years ago – so it’s been a long time coming. “We fully intend to do [the inauguration day] when the time is right so we can welcome all people from the community on the day.” On Saturday, the worldwide head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, is set to inaugurate the mosque, which he believes should benefit everyone in Scunthorpe and not just people in the Muslim community.

He 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.” Members of the group, which was established in 1889, regularly conduct voluntary street cleaning sessions, blood donation campaigns and educational seminars in Scunthorpe. Dr Muzaffar Ahmad, Regional President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in North East England, said: “We hope that our mosque will be the 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 the Mosque from the inside or visit us as their local neighbors, we will be honoured to host them. I sincerely hope and pray that this Mosque allows us to build a strong community together. The Baitus Salam Mosque can accommodate 250 people, and features a community hall and a library. It was built entirely from funds raised by the local members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. Proceedings will begin at 4.30pm on Saturday, June 17.

https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/news/local-news/scunthorpes-first-ever-purpose-built-8518072