New Mosque Opens in Lancashire to Jubilant Crowds of Hundreds

A new mosque opened in Lancashire. It’s called Al-Buraq masjid, and many people from the North West came to celebrate its opening on Saturday. The mosque sits off Devonport Road. It became real thanks to fundraising. People gathered on Devonport Road around noon, and hundreds soon crowded the entrance as mosque leaders and volunteers opened it.

They raised money for seven years through walks, treks, and donations. Locals gave generously to the cause. The new mosque replaces a center that was on Addison Street’s corner. It is now the main place for prayers, mostly used by people in the area.

The sun shone as visitors arrived, walking through an alley to reach it, as it’s located behind some houses. One visitor called the mosque beautiful, noting that people worked hard for seven years. Another said it felt emotional, and that building it was quite a journey.

Blackburn MP Adnan Hussain attended, along with Council Leader Phil Riley and Deputy Leader Quesir Mahmood. Several local council members joined them. The opening lasted two days in total, with Sunday featuring a women’s event.

The mosque thanks its volunteers, donors, and leaders. Their support helped the fundraising. Volunteers of all ages inspired the project, and the building uses space wonderfully. Sheykh Lokman Efendi came from New York.

He is a spiritual leader and leads Osmanli Naksibendi Hakkani Tarikat. The mosque has a prayer hall, a funeral area, and a zone for women. An Islamic museum displays artifacts.

The museum has Ottoman items, including a Kaaba key from over 100 years ago and a Kiswah cloth from the 1800s. Over twenty items are on display, most of which have never been seen publicly. Hafiz Muhammad Hasan Ayub also spoke.

The museum wants to attract many groups, including schools, locals, and the general public, promoting cultural learning. The mosque plans a food bank called ‘Blackburn Community Fridge.’ It will get food from businesses and hopes to help all faiths.