Scunthorpe’s newest purpose built mosque opens after 20 year wait
After more than two decades, Scunthorpe will now have its newest purpose built mosque and it looks incredible. The mosque, on Cliff Closes Road, has now been completed and is ready to serve the community of Scunthorpe. It will function as both a place of worship for the Muslim community and as a focal point for all the people in Scunthorpe who wish to use it. The stunning piece of architectural design was completed in October. The property was first acquired by members of Scunthorpe’s Ahmadiyya Muslim community, a branch of Islam, back in 2002 when it stood as a bungalow.Dr Adnan Muzaffar, 34, the External Affairs Secretary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association in Scunthorpe, feels the mosque has been long overdue in Scunthorpe.
He told Scunthorpe Live: “The bungalow we were using for prayers was becoming too small and so we couldn’t fit everybody in.”There was 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. “I moved to Scunthorpe when I 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 – so it’s been a long time coming. “Adnan describes how important a Mosque is to the Ahmadiyya Muslim community.
He said: “A mosque is a central point for Muslims and our community “Without a mosque, you can’t fulfil one of your religious obligations to go and say your five daily prayers. “It helps to unify the community as a focal point for people to meet and discuss our social and religious life. “Members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community were granted planning permission from North Lincolnshire Council to build the mosque despite receiving 37 letters of objection relating to traffic, noise and being out of character with the area. Despite the initial set backs, Adnan wants the mosque to become a central point of contact for people of all walks of life in Scunthorpe. He said: “It’s common for people to have misconceptions about us and our way of life.
“The reason why this mosque is going to be so important is because we really want to meet people. “We want to build bridges with people as well as make new friends by promoting religious understanding and togetherness. “Without that contact, we can’t tell people who we are and all the good we do in the community. “We want to educate and show people that we love Britain and we love our community as we do lots of charitable work in the community. “At the front of the mosque, there are two pillars – one with the Union Jack, and the other has the flag of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community. “There’s a place for everyone to come together in Scunthorpe and that’s something we are eager to promote. “The Ahmadiyya Muslim community are eager to hold an inaugural day to officially open the mosque when the time is right. Adnan said:” We haven’t done the official inauguration yet because of Covid-19.”We are using the mosque at the moment and we had MP Holly Mumby-Croft over to see it last month and she was impressed by the beauty and architecture of the mosque interior. “It’s going to be a wonderful place that the whole community can enjoy.”
https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/news/local-news/scunthorpes-first-purpose-built-mosque-6323096