Work begins at new mosque in Worcester

Major work to build a new mosque in the city has started to take shape.

The multi-million-pound proposal will see a huge new mosque built in Worcester’s Stanley Road.

The mosque’s foundations have now been laid as work continues to build the landmark facility which will eventually include a sports centre, education complex and apartments.

The first phase of the work could cost as much as £4 million with the rest of the planned facilities costing at least £2.2 million.

Mohammed Iqbal, general secretary of Worcester Muslim Welfare Association, said the mosque would ‘blend’ with the character of the surrounding Victorian homes and was inspired by the classic mosques of Samarkand in Uzbekistan.

“One of the features we have added and not seen in other mosques, the minaret in our mosque will function as a lift to all the floors,” he said.

“The space inside the mosque will be magnificent, light and airy, with classic geometrical designs embedded within the internal facade.

“The mosque will be used by the wider community. The idea is the mosque will not just be a place of worship but a place of communal gathering and place of belonging.

“The garden was inspired and will be named after the great Sufi saint, a 13th century poet Jalaluddin Rumi. He was a poet of love and inspiration.

The garden will be a place of peace and tranquillity, we hope to inspire the minds of people to enjoy the architecture, nature and the surrounding environment.

“This project will be great asset to Worcester once completed and the area will be regenerated adding great value to the area.

Initial work started at the end of last year with a hope the first phase is finished by the end of July.

Mr Iqbal said the work will be carried out in three phrases “over the next few years” but is dependent on fundraising.

“This project is solely funded by the local community who have worked tirelessly over the last few years and have raised nearly £900,000,” he said.

“We are absolutely grateful to the generous and wonderful community who have supported us especially in the tough economic climate we are all experiencing.”