Mosque ‘for good of whole community’

Aug 27 2008 by Joanne Douglas, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Mosque ‘for good of whole community’

LEADERS of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association have responded to critics of their proposed move to The Pavilion at Fartown.

The Muslim organisation bought the site in April and hopes to have its plans approved by councillors tomorrow.

But 200 people have signed a petition against the plans to transform the historic building into a place of worship.

Others have formed a Facebook site and left comments on the Examiner forum against the planning application.

AMA leaders say they want to restore The Pavilion off Spaines Road for the good of the whole community. It will be more than a place of worship for its 500 members, they argue.

Munir Ahmed, president of the Huddersfield branch, said: “We are well aware this site is very important. It is the heart of Fartown and the heart of where a lot of our own members live as well.

“Muslim organisations have a stereotype of being separate, on their own and doing their own thing behind closed doors but we have never done that.

“We have always opened our doors at Lower Fitzwilliam Street and we make a real contribution to society.”