Winchester Muslims Acquire Historical Hall for Use as Mosque
After an 20-year quest for a new space, the Winchester Muslim Cultural Association has finalized the purchase of a historic hall nestled in the heart of the city.
Their intention is to convert this hall into a mosque and community center. The Hyde Parish Hall, previously owned by the Parochial Church Council (PCC) of St Bartholomew’s Church, was recently sold to facilitate the restoration of the church.
“Our vision for the parish hall is that it will be an asset for the whole city. and to have a multi-faith community center,” Miff Kayum, Winchester Muslim Cultural Association secretary, told the Hampshire Chronicle.
“We’ve been using different venues across the city for prayers and other events. Our activities have been spread, so it has been hard to consolidate our work and build on the services we provide.
“It also means we can increase our work across the city such as inviting schools to a working mosque.”
This acquisition is being regarded as a 'significant opportunity' for the Muslim population within the city, as the new mosque is anticipated to accommodate around 500 worshippers.
The estimated cost for the purchase and subsequent renovations amounts to approximately £890,000.
“It’s a really significant opportunity to provide for the whole community. We’re confident we can raise the funds,” Kayum added.
“For the call to prayer, we won’t be having loudspeakers on the side of the building. We’re really grateful for the support from our friends in Winchester.”
According to the 2021 census data, there are 904 Muslims residing within the Winchester City Council district, with an additional 98 located in the St Bartholomew ward.
Mosques function as the vibrant core of Muslim communities, serving as tangible embodiments of the Islamic faith. They facilitate congregational prayers, host events during the sacred month of Ramadan, offer educational and informational resources, and also operate as centers for social welfare.
Source: Agencies
