Maintenance of Regent Park Mosque
When I am in the British capital, London, I pray at Regent Park Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in Britain. It was established in 1942 and renovated between 1974 and 1978, thanks to the efforts of several Islamic countries. Among the most significant donors at that time was Saudi Arabia, which contributed two million Australian pounds for its maintenance.
Its design, particularly the dome, resembles the Dome of the Rock in occupied Jerusalem. However, this copper dome has become dilapidated, detracting from the landmark’s appearance. It would be highly desirable if every Islamic country were to donate funds for its restoration, or alternatively, for removing the existing dome and constructing a new one.
The mosque hosts numerous activities that highlight the cultural and enlightening role of Islam. In addition to serving as a place of worship, it functions as a major cultural center and houses a large library.
Given this, the maintenance and preservation of its heritage character are responsibilities of all Islamic countries, as doing so strengthens the Islamic presence in the United Kingdom.
When one observes the care taken by followers of other religions to maintain their places of worship and preserve heritage sites across various countries, it is disheartening to see the neglect of mosques in European countries and the West more broadly.
Accordingly, Islamic endowments should allocate funds for the maintenance of this mosque. It can accommodate approximately 5,000 worshippers, includes facilities for women, a cultural center, and various other amenities.
While the mosque’s board of trustees makes every effort to preserve the site, such efforts are undermined without the financial resources necessary for maintenance and funding daily activities. Without adequate funding, these great efforts risk being rendered futile.
The history of the Islamic community in the United Kingdom is long and distinguished. Preserving the mosque and educating the community members in their faith requires ensuring all the necessary resources for this cultural center and central mosque. In these lines, I attempt to shed light on the neglect suffered by Regent Park Mosque at the hands of Islamic countries.
