More evidence that muslims are quickly increasing in numbers throughout the UK. Will every English town and city soon have a "pavilion in the park" replete with minaret for the 5 times a day - screech to prayer?
Let's remember that just two months ago a long planned and awaited show of English pride - the St George's Day Parade was cancelled in Oldham due to highly questionable and subjective "health and safety" concerns.
Perhaps instead of spending money on a showy, palatial mosque the local muslim leaders would be better off using the money to oppose forced marriage - suspected as the reason that 36 young "Asian" students have gone missing and is considered to be a "crisis". Or, to help with community cohesion to combat muslim gang violence. Or, to educate against and prevent young muslim Pakistani men from sexually abusing vulnerable young British girls (some of the girls being as young as 12). Or, to stop the escalating muslim against white British violence - the most recent attack occurring only a few days ago.
There appears to be many ways the Oldham muslims could better "serve the local community" the least of which is a larger mosque.
by Ruhubia Akbor
11/ 6/2008
THIS is how Werneth’s proposed mosque and Islamic centre could look.
A series of artist’s impressions were unveiled when an amended plans for the building were submitted to Oldham Council.
Werneth Jamia Masjid, part of the Ummah Welfare Trust, says it has outgrown its current premises on Manchester Road and wants to expand into a new building on adjoining land.
Previous plans were deferred for further discussions as the building was deemed to be too big. The new proposals take into consideration planning officer’s concerns.
Altaf Raja, vice president at the mosque, said: "The old mosque has been there since 1977/78 and we have never had any problems with our neighbours.
"We serve the local community as a whole and have outgrown our current building. We’re hoping to get approval as we’ve consulted with planning officers and they've agreed to our plans in principle. After two or three meetings with planners, the size of the building is now smaller and the design has completely changed. The location has also moved slightly as we wanted some more open space."
The design and access statement submitted to the council describes the building as "a contemporary, refined and elegant building, set well back from the road – as a pavilion in a park. The external language draws inspiration from Islamic geometrical principles but set within a contemporary style while being respectful of its context."
The traditional minaret has been incorporated into a sculptural feature wall and the dome is only over the front portion of the building. The capacity of the main prayer hall has been reduced from 1,000 worshippers to 650 and a number of community facilities will be provided.
Mr Raja said: "It’s far more than just a mosque. The building will be multi-purpose providing facilities for men, women, children and non-muslims. What’s the point in leaving this open space which is not utilised and is in a mess? A few people use this land to cut through but we’re going to include open space within the design. The main intention behind it is that everyone will suffer if the youth go bad. This will keep them off the streets in a nice facility under the supervision of responsible people. In the old building we had weight lifting gear and pool table, now there will be room for a lounge, reading rooms, meeting rooms, teaching rooms, prayer facilities, internet access and library."
The plans can be viewed at www.oldham.gov.uk
Wow. Just wow.
It seems in England we are expected to be "multicultural" and celebrate everyone elses "culture" aside from our own, as if we celebrate our own (ie St George's Day) we are being racist. So Oldham cannot celebrate English culture but can (or will be forced to anyway) celebrate Arab culture and religious belief?
There really is a storm brewing.
Posted by: VampireJack | June 13, 2008 at 05:12 AM