LAUNCH: The Mosque in the City book was launched earlier this week, pictured (l-r) President of Bradford Council for Mosques, Mohammed Rafiq Sehgal; The Mosque in the City author, George Sheeran; and Director for Community Development at Muslim Hands, Maqsood Ahmed
LAUNCH: The Mosque in the City book was launched earlier this week, pictured (l-r) President of Bradford Council for Mosques, Mohammed Rafiq Sehgal; The Mosque in the City author, George Sheeran; and Director for Community Development at Muslim Hands, Maqsood Ahmed

New book studies impact of ‘The Mosque in the City’

A new book, which takes a fascinating look at the impact of Islamic Mosque architecture on Bradford’s landscape was officially launched earlier this week.

People from all walks of life packed into the Khidmat Centre on Wednesday 9th December to hear Dr George Sheeran talk about his recently published book ‘The Mosque in the City’.

Jointly hosted by the Council for Mosques and the International UK based charity Muslim Hands, the event was warmly welcomed and looked at the changing face of the city,

Over the past 50 years, mosques in Bradford have evolved from small entities in terraced houses to large grand structures with domes and minarets, changing the City’s sky line.

Dr Sheeran’s book studies the impact this change has had on the local area whilst also discussing the cultural effects of Islam. The author also makes a historical comparison with other faith groups that have settled in Bradford.

Speaking about the evening and his motivation for writing the book, Dr Sheeran said: “It was an honour to have been invited by Bradford Council for Mosques and Muslim Hands to speak about the mosques in Bradford to what turned out to be a diverse audience.

“I have to admit, I was overwhelmed by the positive response and the depth of knowledge and interest.”

Dr Sheeran has been a senior lecturer at the University of Bradford where he has taught and researched architectural, urban and landscape history. He is currently an Honorary Visiting Post-Doctoral Fellow.

Mohammed Rafiq Sehgal, President of Bradford Council for Mosques, added his praise for the unique book.

“The book is a celebration of what we as a Muslim community have achieved and more importantly that this has been at the heart our community’s initiative and investment,” he said. “Something that I for one am very proud of.

“We are delighted that Dr Sheeran has kindly documented our legacy in the city”.

Maqsood Ahmed, Director for Community Development at Muslim Hands, added: “I sincerely hope that the likes of Dr Sheeran’s work will bring to the forefront a better understanding of the contribution to the life in the UK by the Muslim community in the form of Mosques.”

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Competition time: For your chance to win a cop of ‘The Mosque in the City’, please answer the following question:

Who wrote The Mosque in the City?

  • George Orwell
  • George Sheeran

Send you answer, plus your name, address, and contact number, to competitons@asianexprss.co.uk

Deadline for entries is Tuesday 22nd December. Terms and Conditions apply.