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Muslim community looks for home | Muslim community looks for home |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A growing Muslim community is looking for a site for a mosque and cultural centre to replace the small, makeshift building currently used. | A growing Muslim community is looking for a site for a mosque and cultural centre to replace the small, makeshift building currently used. |
At the moment worshippers in Wrexham use a portable building, which is part of the town's Newi college. But it is unsuitable for women and children. | At the moment worshippers in Wrexham use a portable building, which is part of the town's Newi college. But it is unsuitable for women and children. |
The local Muslim association want a site where they could invite other people to learn more about Islam. | The local Muslim association want a site where they could invite other people to learn more about Islam. |
Other faith groups have said it would be an asset for everyone in the town. | Other faith groups have said it would be an asset for everyone in the town. |
The makeshift mosque in a corner of the North East Wales Institute (Newi) can only hold a small number of worshippers, and gets very full during festivals and Friday prayers. | The makeshift mosque in a corner of the North East Wales Institute (Newi) can only hold a small number of worshippers, and gets very full during festivals and Friday prayers. |
Dr Farookh Jishi, secretary of the Wrexham Muslim Association, said: "We started here about 20 years ago with only half a dozen people coming together to pray - then gradually the numbers have grown." | Dr Farookh Jishi, secretary of the Wrexham Muslim Association, said: "We started here about 20 years ago with only half a dozen people coming together to pray - then gradually the numbers have grown." |
For women, the situation is even worse. Their prayer room is only 2m x 1.5m and has no windows or ventilation. | For women, the situation is even worse. Their prayer room is only 2m x 1.5m and has no windows or ventilation. |
One worshipper, Howida Elkhawad, said they wanted to repay the hospitality of others: "People, they invite us for Christmas and we can't invite anyone to come celebrate with us that's because we don't have a proper place." | One worshipper, Howida Elkhawad, said they wanted to repay the hospitality of others: "People, they invite us for Christmas and we can't invite anyone to come celebrate with us that's because we don't have a proper place." |
Other faith organisations in the town are supporting the association. | |
Chris Pilsbury, who is from Together Creating Communities, a broad-based organisation made up different faiths and secular groups said: "Everybody is behind it. | Chris Pilsbury, who is from Together Creating Communities, a broad-based organisation made up different faiths and secular groups said: "Everybody is behind it. |
"The Muslim community here has been tremendously supportive of lots and lots of initiatives in the Wrexham area over the years. | "The Muslim community here has been tremendously supportive of lots and lots of initiatives in the Wrexham area over the years. |
"Everybody recognises the need, and what a valuable asset it would be to Wrexham." | "Everybody recognises the need, and what a valuable asset it would be to Wrexham." |