Plans submitted for new mosque
A mosque will be built on the site of a former church in Lincoln if council officials give the project their approval.
The Muslim Association of Lincoln has applied for permission to build the two-storey structure on the site of the former St Matthew's Church in Boultham Park Road.
-
A model of the proposed mosque
Controversial blueprints had previously been put forward to convert the building into a Muslim place of worship.
These were approved in June last year but just days later the tin tabernacle, which had stood on the site for almost 100 years, was reduced to a pile of ash after a fire ripped through it.
Lincoln's Islamic Association, which has 1,500 Muslim members in the city and surrounding villages, has needed a new place to worship since outgrowing its mosque in Orchard Street.
The former 19th century Baptist church hall holds just 90 people, forcing city Muslims to use the Grandstand, in Carholme Road, for the 300 people who go to worship each Friday.
The new mosque would include a 17-space car park, a domed prayer tower, washing areas and separate entrances would be created for men and women.
The council has got a target date of Wednesday, September 25 to make a decision on the matter and local people have been told to submit their comments by Tuesday, September 1.
For the full story see Saturday's Lincolnshire Echo.
16 Comments
View all
by KAT, Lincoln
Friday, August 21 2009, 7:38AM
“we would rather have a playground or a bigger space for a car park or somthing!!!!! so i disagree”
by J, Lincoln
Tuesday, August 11 2009, 8:12AM
“Just interested in where you are Mick for my own curiosity rather than what it has to do with the debate.
Why can't you elaborate until it is built? Go on let the good people know.”
by Mick, Lincoln
Monday, August 10 2009, 4:17PM
“Hello J Lincoln no back in Lincoln just round the corner from you what s that got to do with this where i am ?
I will elaborate after the new one is built.”
by Chrisitan, Lincoln
Monday, August 10 2009, 2:01PM
“Kevin, I can safely say that when I lived near a rather famous Mosque (Finsbury) I was never once woken up by the call to prayer, because the "adhan" was never broadcast from loudspeakers. If you really are concerned surely the message they carry is of a greater worry. The shehadah ("I bear witness that there is no lord except God and Mohammed is his messenger") goes against being Chrisitian.
This has already been (pardon the pun) sounded out in Oxford with sensible debate. The same could happen here if it ever came to that.”
by kevin, Lincoln
Monday, August 10 2009, 1:24PM
“Another aspect is the likely noise. This is a built up urban area that isn't predominantly Muslim. Has the council considered the mandatory call to prayers under Sharia law? Call to prayers which will take place at all hours, every six hours and every day of the week I understand? Is it fair on the non-Islamic residents or is this psychological warfare going to continue until it drives the non-Muslims into selling up. Before long we will have a ghetto in Lincoln if the council acts in a naive manner. That will not help integration. It will help no one.”