Madina MaSJid: an outstanding place of prayer for nelson

i n T H E n a M E O F a L L a H T H E M O S T G R a C i O U S T H E M O S T M E R C i F U L

Remember, those who spend their wealth (in Allah’s cause) by night and by day, in secret and public, they shall have their reward with their Lord.The Holy Qu’ran Surah Al-Baqarah: 274

The masjid is a place of worship and prayer

The masjid is a source of information and culture

The masjid is a centre for learning and teaching

The masjid is a place for celebrations and meeting other people

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The sTruggle so far...

Madina Masjid, Forest Street, Nelson in 1979

Madina Masjid, at present

This is an appeal to Muslim brothers and sisters all over the world to give generously in the way of Allah. It is well known that the Masjid is the most important institution within a Muslim community.

Madina Masjid is one such organisation and has been serving the people of Nelson from three terraced properties for over 30 years.

The current premises we operate from are now unsuitable and to consolidate and expand our services we have embarked on a project to construct a purpose built Masjid and convert an adjacent building to create a much needed centre for the local community. Inshallah, the building of this new Islamic Cultural Centre will maintain and sustain Islamic values and create an environment that encourages worship, learning and tolerance.

fund raising efforts are well under way and £750,000 of £850,000 needed to acquire the site has been raised. a further £1.1 million is required to deliver phase 1 of the project and the only way we can reach this is through your help and generous donations.

Please read on and find out more about this unique project and our aspirations for the future.

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The sITe

Above right: the site in the 1950s

Right: the hotel as it is today

Whoever builds a Masjid for the sake of gaining Allah’s pleasure,

Allah will build a house for him/her in ParadiseBukhari Muslim

The large size of the site allows for ample car parking to meet expected demand at the busiest of times. Not only that, it saves the scheme from the shortcomings that has befallen other new Masjid projects. exotic Masjids, some of exquisite beauty, have been built in the most unlikely inner-town and city sites, hemmed into small spaces and surrounded by terraced housing which to a large extent do not do the quality of the building justice. Mature gardens, trees and quality landscaping will ensure an environment to match the quality of the build. Finally the former Groves Hotel site gives the Masjid an opportunity to improve the quality of the wider environment by restoring a derelict fire damaged building.

Madina Masjid had been searching for a new site fro a number of years and had considered a variety of potential sites. Firstly, location and secondly, size were the main determinants in the selection of Spring Bank Cottage (formerly the Groves Hotel) as it is located in the heart of Whitefield ward, with the largest Muslim population in Pendle and yet also located on the main thoroughfare into and through Nelson making it readily accessible to all others within Nelson, Brierfield and beyond the M65.

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Above : aerial shot of the site today

Left: Location and history of NelsonMadina Masjid is located in the town of Nelson which has a total population of around 30,000, 30% of which are Muslims. The town itself is in the North West of England and is located within a 1 hour’s drive of the City Of Manchester.

Nelson developed as a mill town in the industrial revolution and many of the mills and the terraced houses which housed the workers are still here today.

Spring Cottage (Former Groves Hotel) is a landmark building which is very much part of this history and important to the people of Nelson.

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The VIsIoN

Above right and right: 3D visualisations of the new

restoration of the old hotel into the new community centre

Restoration

This project will involve the restoration of a key building which has been at the heart of the community from its original inception as the residence of a local mill owner providing employment for the local population and then as a hotel. Now, as new communities have settled into the area over the last 50 years, this project aims to bring this grade II listed building back to the centre of the population by redeveloping and renovating it into an open community centre.

The Nelson New Masjid project will develop a place for everyone, whether you are Muslim or non-Muslim, male or female, young or old; an asset not just to be used by the local Muslim community but the wider population of Nelson and Pendle.

The vision for the Nelson New Masjid project is modelled upon the archetype of the Prophet’s mosque in Medina - the Prophet’s mosque was not just a place for Muslims to pray but it also acted as a social hub for the entire community including men, women and children.

It is in this inclusive and progressive spirit that we hope this project will redevelop and renew an existing local landmark whilst also building for the future.

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Help ye one another in righteousness and piety The Holy Qu’ran Surah Al-Maida: 3

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The VIsIoN

Above right: the site in the 1950s

Right: the hotel as it is today

Above right and right: 3D visualisations of the new Masjid

Charity does not in any way decrease ones wealth Muslim

New Beginning

This ambitious proposal involves the construction of a new purpose built Masjid in Pendle. The design of the new Masjid will fuse both Western and Islamic architectural influences to contribute a unique and attractive new building to the area. Masjids are often seen as places just for prayer and supplementary Islamic education and whilst these undoubtedly remain important deliverables to the project, there is increasing demand from British Muslim youth for spaces that can provide a range recreational and social facilities previously provided elsewhere. Here are just some examples of the activities that will take place within the new building:

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acTIVITIes & facIlITIes

Prayer facility

A contemporary Masjid catering for the spiritual and religious needs of all Muslims. Prayer facilities for up to 1000 worshippers and dedicated space for sisters.

Interfaith Dialogue

Facilitating mutual understanding between those of different faiths and none through open days and seminars

Social Welfare

Raising funds for charitable causes in the UK and abroad, helping resolve local issues.

Children’s Education

After school supplementary classes to give children a broad based understanding of Islam

Youth Work

A range of activities designed to develop the next generation of young people who can contribute and be positive role models to wider society

Women’s Activity Centre

A range activities specifically targeted to cater for and give opportunities to women

Enterprise and Business

The former stables will be brought back to life as self-contained business units and will be used to nurture and develop entrepreneurship and talent of the community. By developing links with business support agencies, a range of support services will be provided.

Knowledge

The new site will continue to provide an excellent service in books and other items to follow an Islamic way of life. It will support the dissemination of knowledge taking place within the Centre through study circles, classes and exhibitions.

Tranquil Gardens

Gardens have always been prized as places in the Islamic world. They are places which make you feel at peace, refreshed and in harmony. Spring Cottage, which contains sunken gardens screened from the urban surroundings, will be restored and mixed with a blend of the tranquil Islamic gardens – those that contain lots of water, enclosure and beautiful geometric shapes.

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hoW caN You helP?

The struggle so far has not been easy, in fact it has been extremely difficult and challenging. Despite that, numerous hurdles have been overcome. Planning permission for the project was granted after 12 months of discussion with the local Council.

The biggest obstacle however is funding. It was clear from the moment this project was conceived that fund raising would require a lot of hard work. Numerous events and techniques have been used from Charity Dinners and TV/Radio appeals through to door to door collections. Promotional leaflets and posters in addition to a sophisticated and informative website have all been utilised to good effect. In total, over £750,000 has been raised thus far. May Allah reward all those who have donated and worked tirelessly in achieving this.

There is still a long way to go and we desperately require another £1.1 million to complete the first phase of the project.

You are therefore encouraged to make donations according to what Allah (SWT) has given you and Allah (SWT) alone knows your condition. We are confident that Allah (SWT) will reward you for your sincere donations.

To achieve success we need the help and support of both our local community and the wider Muslim community throughout the UK and the world.

Allah (SWT) in his infinite wisdom puts everyone in different conditions to see which of us are best in action, and He will reward us for our intentions. The lesson from this is not how much we donate in monetary terms, but how much personal sacrifice we make from what Allah (SWT) has given us.

How you can donate

By Credit or Debit Card:

You can make a secure donation online at www.newmosque.co.uk or by calling +44 (0)7968 130067

Madina Masjid 4-8 Forest Street Nelson. Lancashire United Kingdom BB9 7NB T & F: +44 (0)1282 694471

Please make all cheques payable to: Madina Masjid

Madina Masjid Lloyds TSB Bank Sort Code: 30-90-87 Account No: 00117403

IBAN No: GB58LOYD30908700117403

Fundraising so far

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Prayer facility

A contemporary Masjid catering for the spiritual and religious needs of all Muslims. Prayer facilities for up to 1000 worshippers and dedicated space for sisters. VISUAL

Interfaith Dialogue

Facilitating mutual understanding between those of different faiths and none through open days and seminars

Social Welfare

Raising funds for charitable causes in the UK and abroad, helping resolve local issues.

Children’s Education

After school supplementary classes to give children a broad based understanding of Islam

Youth Work

A range of activities designed to develop the next generation of young people who can contribute and be positive role models to wider society

The masjid is a place for consultation and the exchanging of views

The masjid is a place where people in need can ask for help

The masjid is a place where the pleasure of Allah is sought

The masjid is a home and refuge for the poor, the needy and the traveller

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Madina Masjid4/8 Forest Street · Nelson

Lancashire · BB9 7NB · UK.

Tel: +44 (0)1282 694471Web: www.newmosque.co.uk