The Islamic centre at 40 Foxland Road held its first open day on Saturday, with more planned. They invited local residents who had put in objections to their recent planning application for extended hours and Pam and I went along as local councillors too.

We wanted to understand their plans, and also raise the concerns residents have been raising with us.

Our hosts at the centre were very welcoming – laying on food and drink, giving us a full guided tour and answering all their questions. One of my concerns was that, because most of us simply don’t know what goes on there, people may jump to wrong conclusions.

The centre has a large room on the ground floor with washing facilities to the rear – the room’s mostly used for prayers. Upstairs is a small kitchen and office along with two small classrooms, each able to take 9-12 students.

The centre is used for education 3-4 days a week, with classes after the normal school day. Our hosts stressed their belief in Islam as a peaceful religion – that anyone who seeks to harm another, whatever their religion, cannot be a real muslim.

They also use the centre for prayers, which in Islam are five times a day. Most of those times there are no more than five people present, sometimes just one or no-one at all.

The time we’ve had complaints about is the main Friday afternoon prayers. They accepted that there had been an issue with parking, but said they are working to minimise it.

• They are checking how many cars come for Friday afternoon prayers – and it seems to be around six or seven at the moment.
• They are now asking anyone attending not to park in the service road, to avoid taking up spaces that might be needed for people attending the hairdressers.
• The Friday afternoon service lasts from around 1.15 to 1.50pm, a period when the dental surgery is closed. They assured us it was always a short period (we’re aiming to go along on one or two Fridays and see for ourselves).
• Members of the centre are policing the parking (wearing hi-vis jackets, I believe) to make sure that those who do drive to prayers follow the rules.

The aim of the previous planning application was to allow them to hold the first prayer of the day during summer. The first prayer is at sunrise – and for most of the year that’s not a problem. During the summer months, dawn comes early enough that they aren’t currently permitted to use the centre for that first prayer.

We felt the first application had been clumsily worded: it asked for 24 hour opening when what was wanted was earlier opening in the summer months only, and then only for no more than five people to pray.

Our hosts at the centre said they were planning to submit a revised application in time for next summer, but first they wanted to take the time to meet with local residents, understand people’s concerns and resolve any issues.

We haven’t seen a revised planning application yet (and probably won’t for several months) so we can’t comment on that. However, I would suggest that anyone who either has an issue with the Centre or wants to find out more about what goes on there either goes to a future open day or just knocks on the door to say hello: they’re very friendly and very keen to work as a part of our community.

 

 

 

 

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