Longford Muslims to get new Mosque
Muslims living in the greater Longford area look set to get their very own place of worship after leading figures clinched a deal to secure a premises on the outskirts of the midlands town.
Community leader and director of the newly set up Longford Islamic Centre, Dr Syed Ali struggled to hide his delight when revealing the news earlier this week.
The well-known medic said the agreement would see his community hand over €200,000 for the site at the Townspark Industrial Estate, bringing a seven year campaign to find a suitable location to an end. Dr Ali said he was especially proud because all of the monies needed to broker the deal had been raised through donations and various fundraising channels.
"The problem all along was funding, but now we have a centre where we can go and pray," he smiled, adding that previously Muslims were forced to rent a premises before more recently staging prayer sessions at a private residential house in the town. "At that time we there were about 20 to 25 people praying and of course the population has increased to around 70 people."
According to Dr Ali, a lack of space and adequate resources prevented younger members of the community from attending weekly prayer sessions and services.
"It's (new centre) about 3,500 sq ft and can fit about 300 to 400 people together. It's quite safe and there is no residential areas so we are very happy. We raised €200,000 and some people gave very generously. Muslims believe that even if they give a penny towards the centre that will in fact give them reward and blessings for them and their families forever," he said.
The deal would have been rubber-stamped a lot sooner but for planning permission and a number of other related issues. For now, local Muslims are delighted with the news that comes towards the end of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting.
"I am very thankful that God listened to our prayers," he explained. "Last week we received the key for the Longford Islamic Centre and I would like to thank the local community, TDs, councillors and Cllr Peggy Nolan in particular who took a personal interest to help us out.
"As chairman and director of the Islamic centre, I would like to thank all of these people on behalf of my community. I am also very grateful to my patients who also helped us and to the Longford Leader who stood beside us in our journey."
On a more sombre note, Dr Ali reserved a special mention for the mass floods which have engulfed his native Pakistan, leaving millions of people homeless and bereft of help. This he said was the worst catastophe to hit his homeland "in centuries".
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Weather for Longford, Ireland
Tuesday 22 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 11 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South
