Muslims seek to build mosque

The centre in Truro caters for up to 40 Muslim worshippers

A representative of the Muslim community in Cornwall is hoping to build a mosque to end uncertainty about a place of worship.

The Cornwall Islamic Centre in Truro has been told to stop using a house for weekly prayers.

Carrick District Council found the centre, which is used by up to 40 worshippers, was creating an increase in traffic and noise, though that is disputed by worshippers.

Regional Amir for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association, Rashid Ahmad, said he did not want the mosque to be a nuisance, but there were sound reasons why it should be built.

Adequate premises

"When school children and students learn about Islam, there is no place they can go and have a look at it in action," he said.

"There is nowhere where they can see what a mosque looks like and how people behave when they go into a mosque."

The council has given the Islamic Centre, based at a semi-detached property in Tresawls Road, until October to find adequate premises before taking enforcement action.

It has promised to do all it can to help them find an alternative base.

The council's decision to force the centre to move was upheld by a government planning inspector at the end of November.