Muslims get fresh hopes of mosque

A Muslim group is hoping to build the only mosque in Cornwall.

The mosque could be built with hundreds of new homes and community facilities on the edge of Newquay.

Since the closure of a mosque in the city of Truro last year there has been no place of sufficient size for Muslims in the county to collectively worship.

The Ahmadiyya Muslims hope a mosque will promote better understanding of their faith and say they would welcome visitors of all faiths.

It will be a turning point for Muslims Rashid Ahmad

Ahmadiyya Muslims are followers of Mirza Ghulam Ahm.

Their views, including their beliefs about their own founder, whom they regard as the Messiah, have placed them at odds with the rest of the Muslim world.

Rashid Ahmad, an Ahmadiyya emir in Newquay, said the plans would include a dome and possibly minarets while the inside would be very simple.

He said: "I am extremely excited because before this we have always been told it was not possible to build a mosque.

"It will be a turning point for Muslims."

He added: "It will help to break down barriers and create a society where we have respect for each other."

A mosque has been designated in the Newquay Growth Area proposals, although there is more work to do on the proposals before a master plan emerges in about 18 months.

Annette Egerton, cabinet member for strategic services on Restormel Council, said: "I would see it going forward.

"In Cornwall we have to look at the diverse community we are and provide facilities for all our needs.

"We have provided burial grounds for the Jewish commuinity at Newquay and St Austell and I would hope we can fulfil other people's needs should that be necessary."