Site work starts for new mosque

Ijaz Butt said the new Islamic centre would include a creche

Building work has begun at the site of a new mosque in Shropshire.

Large parts of the old Territorial Army centre in King Street, Wellington, have been demolished in preparation for the new Islamic centre.

A new planning application has been submitted to Telford and Wrekin Council for a second floor women's prayer room and a multi-purpose teaching area.

Ijaz Butt from the Shropshire Islamic Foundation said the £1.2 million scheme aims to cater for the whole community.

Mr Butt , chairman of the foundation, said the Muslim community in Telford was growing and Tan Bank mosque was too small.

'Great adventure'

Living in a multi-cultural community you have to integrate, you can't isolate yourselves Ijaz Butt

Mr Butt said the group paid about £300,000 for the site in King Street four years ago.

Planning permission to convert it into a mosque was granted two years ago. Work to demolish some of the buildings began three months ago.

Mr Butt said he was excited about the future. People in Telford had been generous with contributions, but raising funds continues to be a difficult process.

He added: "We're trying to get any penny from anywhere."

The new Islamic centre would be much more spacious and could offer better facilities for women, children and the wider community.

A new planning application includes a first-floor extension and a new roof. The extension would be set back, with courtyards on either side of the old facade.

The new buildings would be set back from the old facade

The mosque's Immam, Suleman Bhanji, said the project was a "great adventure" and integrating with the wider community is a priority.

He said: "Living in a multi-cultural community you have to integrate, you can't isolate yourselves.

"Everybody should know what each culture is all about and hopefully that will create a bridge," he added.

Plans for the Islamic centre include a mother and toddler group, a library and a bookshop.

Mr Butt said the centre would also include an area for funerals.

He said the sports hall would be available to all young people and a community area would be created for non-Muslims.