Leading figures from Maidstone Community and Islamic Centre met with their local MP this week to brief her on progress with plans for a new multi-purpose community building in Central Maidstone.
Imam Dr Muhammad Usmani welcomed Helen Grant with the news that well over £500,000 has been raised so far, much of it from individual families who have donated £1000 each in return for a plaque on the fundraising ‘board of honour’.
Whilst the building will be used as Mosque by some 300 worshippers every week, it will also be open to other groups in Maidstone for a multitude of community uses, as is the case with the current building.
Helen said ‘I will be doing what I can to help the fundraising for this important new centre in Maidstone and I am also calling for offers of alternative places for worship whilst building works are ongoing. The existing Mosque location will be out of commission during the building process, which I understand is expected to commence in July this year and last for around 10 months. If anyone knows of a building and some nearby parking that can cater for around 300 people, or even two sessions of 150, please contact me and I will pass on the details’.
Mrs Grant’s visit was also to help promote #VisitMyMosque day which is taking place on 18 February 2018. Over 200 mosques across the country are opening their doors to their neighbours of all faiths (and none) under the theme ‘Open Doors, Open Mosques, Open Communities!’
Dr Usmani said, “Maidstone Mosque Imam Dr Muhammad Usmani said ‘It was our pleasure to welcome Helen to the community centre and to provide her with an update on our improvement plans. We are delighted with the progress that has been made and very grateful for the generosity of our supporters. We are also enormously excited about the potential the updated facility will hold both for our worshippers and for the wider community and can’t wait to welcome Helen back to see the completed project, hopefully early next year.”
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