First mosque in Western Isles opens its doors
Cakes, donations and wellwishers mark landmark island opening
With vanilla sponges courtesy of the Hebridean Biscuit Company, and warm wishes and donations from curious islanders, the first mosque in the Western Isles threw open its doors yesterday.
The landmark opening ahead of the beginning of Ramadan marks the first time the archipelago’s small Muslim community has had a dedicated place to gather and pray.
Until now, families have worshipped in their own homes and booked community halls to hold celebrations during religious festivals.
But after a fast-paced renovation programme bankrolled by wellwishers, the new place of worship has been created out of a semi-derelict property in Stornoway.
The mosque will play a key role during the Islamic month of Ramadan, which begins on 15 May.
The project was spearheaded by Aihtsham Rashid, a mosque builder from Leeds. He supported fundraising efforts which accrued more than £59,000 towards the cost of the mosque.
The conversion was completed in just under four weeks, with the carpets fitted in the last 48 hours.
Mohamed Ahmed, one of the campaigners behind the initiative, was among those helping with last-minute preparations yesterday.
He said: “It’s been hectic. People should forget wanting to become footballers, they should build mosques – you get more attention, and you raise money for good people as well.
“This what we want to do – build bridges here in Stornoway and all over the world.”
He added: “It’s a historic moment, we’re not going to see this ever again. Unless they build a mosque in the Shetland Islands, which I might think of doing next.”
The mosque’s grand opening took place at 2pm, with everyone on the Western Isles invited to attend, given the desire to help people learn more about Islam, as well as provide a place of worship.
The Hebridean Biscuit Company donated vanilla sponges and lemon and blueberry loaves, while some members of the community turned up to offer donations to the mosque.
The Muslim community on the Western Isles, which dates back to 1945, currently consists of more than 50 people. The community once numbered around 80 people in the 1980s, but fell away to around a third of that. It has since grown again after families fleeing the conflict in Syria were resettled in the islands.
The plans for the mosque have not escaped criticism. After planning permission was approved, the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) said it was a “most unwelcome development”.
mmclaughlin@scotsman.com