Over 150 people crammed into Blackhall Mosque recently to hear plans for the upgrade of the building. Local residents were assured that mosque leaders will work with their neighbours to address their concerns but some believe the plans will bring more traffic misery to a quiet residential area.
Blackhall Mosque opened in September 2009 and has quickly grown to become the most popular mosque in the city. As well as being a place of worship, the former church is the base for over 200 students who regularly attend classes there and the Mosque also provides a variety of educational and social activities for groups, families, women and young people.
The popularity of the Mosque has brought problems for both Muslims who use the building and for their neighbours, however. For worshippers, the current layout of the building is inadequate to meet their needs while the local community has voiced concerns about traffic levels and inconsiderate parking around the Mosque.
Mosque leaders organised the public meeting to talk about their plans for the refurbishment of their building and to give local residents an opportunity to ask questions and raise concerns over the proposals. Local councillors and Western MSP Colin Keir joined Muslim worshippers, students and local residents to participate in the discussion.
Architect Thom Pollock outlined plans for the upgrading of the building. He said: “The plan is not to provide for a greater number of people, simply to provide much better facilities and improve what is not the most beautiful building in the world. Hopefully, create a more fitting quality of building for the area”.
He said that a tower or minaret proposed for the building is not essential. “I’m not hell-bent on the tower – it’s a symbol. If there is a huge counter-feeling against the tower I would not be particularly bothered. We are not trying to create a pastiche mosque here – the building will be of the same bricks as it currently is and will fir in with the surrounding area”. Mr, Pollock stressed that extensions to the building would be minimal. Internal alterations would introduce another level within the existing building, allowing additional space for a womens’ balcony, classrooms and storage facilities. Better use of existing ground floor space would see improvements to lavatories and washing areas and the addition of a mortuary and a new kitchen. Improved security measures are also included in the proposals, along with lift access to the upper floor and improvements to entrances.
Muslim students gave testimony to the importance of the building in their own personal development. One young man explained: “We need the Mosque to develop if we are to develop as people and as students – not only as Muslims but as active members of our communities”
Following the presentations the meeting was thrown open to questions and discussion of the proposals. Concerns were raised over the likely increase in numbers using the refurbished building – with resultant increase in car parking problems – and the size of the new building. One woman asked whether costs associated with the upgrade would impact on funds for other local services, while another sought assurances that local residents will be kept informed about activities at the Mosque.
A local resident received the biggest round of applause of the evening when he said: “Car parking is having a major impact on our lives, seven days a week. As this place is so unfit for purpose, have you not considered moving to somewhere else more suitable? There must be many disused school buildings available. While we are delighted to see the church building being used, this is a residential area and most of the former congregation walked to the church. This is most definitely not a religious argument – the parking and traffic problems are affecting the way we live our lives”.
Imam Sohail Asfhaq (pictured below) said: “This building cost £550,000 to buy and we raised this money ourselves. It is our obligation and duty to raise funds for our place of worship and this would be the case with our refurbishment. We have been working hard to address parking issues and we will continue to work with the authorities and the local community to resolve problems. We have no plans to expand – we simply don’t have the capacity to do that – and what we want is to provide the best possible educational facilities for our existing students by making our building fit for pupose”.
Councillor Lesley Hinds, who chaired the meeting, summed up: “It’s clear that people recognise the work that goes on here, but legitimate questions have been asked and it’s about getting a balance. Traffic and parking issues are still a concern and need to be addressed, and questions have been raised over the outside appearance of the building – will it look out of place? Questions remain over the tower, and residents want clarification on the actual size of the new building and more information about the mortuary. It’s also clear that the local community would also like more information about the range of activities that take place in the Mosque”.
She concluded: “Communications is the key. This has been a genuinely listening meeting and it’s important to keep that dialogue going and continue to treat each others’ views with respect”.
The local EH4 Residents Group has since detailed their concerns in a letter to local politicians and officials. Mosque leaders are expected to respond later this month.
