The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
NEW DOME ON MOSQUE
Milestone reached in £2.8 million expansion of Burton Street Mosque
A new dome on top of a city mosque will be seen across the neighbourhood as a multi-million project continues.
The £2.8 million extension at the Burton Street Mosque saw a major landmark this week, as the large green dome was placed on the roof.
There were a few hiccups as workers struggled to get the outer green dome to fit over the inner white domebut eventually the alterations were made and the dome fitted.
Shahnawaz Mahdawi, Imam at the mosque said: “The dome installation stage of the Al-Qaaem project was one of extreme significance, not only because it signified a major milestone in the construction phase of the project, but also due to the fact that the installation of the dome meant that the structure would, for the first time, be seen to exhibit the edifice’s Islamic character.
“The dome, like the cres- cent, has always been synonymous with, and a manifestation of, an Islamic character. And what makes this dome very special for the Peterborough Shia Muslim Community is the fact that it has been made as a replica of the dome atop a mosque that is intricately linked to our living Imam (saint), Imam Mahdi.”
Invited guests and dignitries were invited to a ceremony to mark the completion of the dome stage of the project, and the Imam said: “The ceremony that was organised to honour this event saw a large attendance that comprised of members of the Shia Muslim Community, representatives from the Peterborough City Council, the Peterborough Inter Faith Council and other invited guests. The participation of individuals belonging to such diverse and varied faith groups such as the Shia, Sunni, Sikh, Hindu and the Christian communities was a clear testimony to what the Husaini Islamic Centre (Burton Street Mosque) and its values stand for – Peace, Harmony, Brotherhood and Cooperation within the society that it exists in.”