After little over a year since first opening, Scotland’s newest mosque is already embarking on expansion plans in order to meet the growing demand.
The opening of the building in Stornoway on Lewis last year – in time for the holy month of Ramadan – was greeted with much fanfare.
But as a large crowd of locals gathered for the open day, those behind the mosque hailed the support they received from across the island, including from some of the religious leaders who welcomed it as a step forward for civil liberties and a freedom for religious expression.
Now the Stornoway Community Mosque Trust has unveiled expansion plans to create a bigger kitchen area and improved mortuary facilities for preparing bodies for funerals.
Muslims have lived on the island since the 1950s and prior to the construction of the mosque prayed in people’s houses, where the bodies of the dead were also prepared.
The 50-strong congregation had reduced in number in recent years due to some families leaving, but now there is more of an incentive to stay and, indeed, it has expanded in the last year with two new families having recently arrived.
An open day last May to mark the end of Ramadan again attracted a large crowd.
Stornoway Community Mosque Trust secretary Mohammed Ahmed said: “We have had a great welcome and support from the local community and the last two open day events were attended by hundreds of local people.
“The planned extension is a small one. We require better facilities with regards to a kitchen and morgue facilities, as currently there are none. We will be raising some money and if anyone wants to donate then they can do so direct to our mosque bank account. It will be much appreciated.”
The extension plans have been lodged with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council) for planning consent and will be considered in the coming weeks.