Masjid Former Church

On a cold night this winter, a small town that is very isolated in the interior of England agreed to allow the switching function of a former Christian church into a mosque.

Limited voting, which is held by these local governments, marked the end of the fierce struggle of the small community of Muslims to get a place of worship. By changing a Methodist church into a mosque. The church was formerly been turned into a factory function, since the congregation left to run 40 years ago.

This battle marked the British anxieties of Muslim minorities, especially about going to the entry of terrorist groups. Adherence to the religion of Muslims has triggered increasing secular attitude of the British people.

England may continue to claim as a Christian country. But in reality, the number of Muslims who are religious Christians surpassed the number of people who want to come to church. Thus a survey conducted Chirstian Research, a special institution that documents the Christians in the UK.

The number of Muslims in the UK around 1.6 million inhabitants, or about 2.7 percent of the total population. Population was 14,500 inhabitants in Clitheroe.

In Clitheroe, a small town north of Manchester, this struggle involves the offspring of young professionals passionate Pakistan facing strict tradition of local residents. In this city Norman castle and the Anglican church has stood since 1122.

"We have 30 years of trying to get a place of worship," said Sheraz Arshad (31), leader of the local Muslim community. Arshad is a citizen of Pakistani descent. His father named Muhammad Arshad, Rawalpndi immigrants from coming in 1965 to work in a cement factory on the outskirts of town. Arshad himself working as a project in manejer British Aerospace.

The people here think of themselves as the last obstacle to the establishment of mosques in the city of its own phenomenon is industry. Arshad's determination to build a mosque in Clitheroe certainly not smooth.

Her father, who died in 2000, inherited the struggle to build a mosque for the approximately 300 Muslims there, and Arshad ready to continue the struggle.

"I thought, why I was treated unfairly. A quarter of my salary to pay taxes. From here I moved to strive to establish a mosque," said Arshad.

Until now, Arshad and his father had eight times requesting the establishment of mosques, and even had plans to buy a house in the suburbs to become a mosque. In fact he said he had tried to buy the land from the city council, but rejected outright.

Arshad often find scorn on the city council meeting. "Go home you, Paki!," Arshad recalls sadly.

Local government reasoned, the establishment of this mosque is feared will attract the newcomers - particularly Muslims - to move to Clitheroe. A reader's letter in the local newspaper, The Clitheroe Advertiser and Times said, the increasing population of Muslims in two neighboring town of Blackburn and Preston will also occur in Clitheroe.

Responding to this, Arshad driven to prove himself a moderate Muslim, who are willing to take part in every activity of the city. He formed the group inter scout, named Beaver Scouts, who appreciate the various religious events, including the Taoist and Jewish new year.

Arshad also established Madina Islamic Education Center, an interfaith group for adults.

He also did persuasion to the local government to establish a committee, and held a series of lectures on global conflict that attracted important academics figures.

On the night of December 21 ballot and, building 150 people packed the council. Police on alert outside the building. Mosque superior sound for 7 vs. 5, and no violence.

"I think going to resign, if in fact we would lose," said Arshad. "But the end result is very moving".

According to town planning, the church can only function as a place of worship. That's why the city council to transfer the function menginzinkan old church into a mosque. Thus said Geoffrey Jackson, Chief Executive of Trinity Parnership NGOs, a Methodist who contribute to the struggle Arshad.

Jackson also praised the attitude / behavior Arshad. "He's an excellent man, a Lancashire accent (British accent thick interior-red), born and raised here, and educated at Clitheroe," said Jackson.

But the struggle has not ended. Behind this agreement, is still stored resentment among those who con. The proof of this, is the destruction of several glass windows of the church (mosque) is.

Clitheroe on the main road, although the local government allowed the establishment of mosques, Islamic influence is still concerned about the development of local residents.

"There is so much resistance," said Robert Kay, a paid driver. But Kay said, the people who fought on the mosque is a persistent person, who did not give up.

In the 1960s, Mount Zion Methodist Church turned into a factory function (carving / wood crafts) are exported to the middle east. The period began declining number of Christians who go to church.

"Verily Allah mosque that prosperity is the people who believe in Him, and days later, and (still) establish prayer, give to charity, and is not afraid (to anyone), except to God. So, hopefully they include those who receive guidance. "(Sura Attaubah [9]: 18).

Jazak Allah khairan.