‘A brighter future for Leeds’ children’
A significant step in the construction of a new mosque in Leeds took place this past week as the foundation stone was laid by an honourable guest scholar from Pakistan.
Hanif Jalandhari, general secretary of the largest federation of Islamic Seminaries, Wafaq ul Madaris Al-Arabia, was joined by representatives in Roundhay as dozens gathered to witness the start of the latest construction phase.
Located on the corner of Hares Avenue and Shepherds Lane, when complete, the new Masjid-e-Quba building will add to current developments which already exist in two separate standing buildings.
On Friday 21st November, Quranic scripture was read out on site before a prayer took place, with the renowned scholar at the centre of the service.
Mr Jalandhari was then joined by founding member of the Masjid-e-Quba, Hafiz Mohammed Hassan and Imam Ubaid-Ullah, to officially lay the first stone in front of a strong crowd of onlookers.
Mohammed Hanif, trustee at the Masjid-e-Quba, said to see the building finally starting to take shape was a big step and he was now excited to officially open the doors in the Spring of 2015.
“We started developments here back in 2001 when this site used to be a garage,” Mr Hanif said.
“It was soon changed into a school for Islamic studies yet when space started to run out we had to expand and that is where this mosque has come in.
“These plans came around about four years ago and once we got the planning and structure in place it was a big achievement as we were on our way to this creation.”
Mr Hanif says he hopes to welcome the first guests into the new mosque in February or March next year and hopes it will prove popular with all the local community, especially the youths.
“This is a very important place for the local Asian community as it is a place of culture,” he added.
“Our education classes have been helping to prepare children for the life ahead of them since we set up and will continue to do so when this mosque is finished.”
Mushtaq Mir, a language teacher and part of the management team at the Masjid-e-Quba, reiterated his colleague’s view.
“With this new site I see a brighter future for Leeds’ children where we can encourage them to come off the streets and benefit from learning inside this new space,” he said.
