LONDON- The British government has taken a commendable step for the mosquesand Muslim community of the country.

Britain has decided that it is important to architecturally protect mosquesin the UK and recognize their historic and cultural importance.

Five mosques now find themselves on the National Heritage List for England(NHLE) and one of them has had its protection upgraded so that it is on parwith Buckingham Palace, Queen Elizabeth’s home in the capital, Al Arabiahas reported.

Two London mosques – the London Central Mosque and Islamic Cultural Centrein Regent’s Park and the Fazl Mosque in Southfields – have found a placefor the first time on the list and will be given Grade II status.

The Abdullah Quilliam Mosque in Liverpool in west England, which isbelieved to be the first fully-functioning mosque in the country has alsonow got a Grade II status.

The Howard Street Mosque in Bradford in north England, a town with a largeMuslim population from the Indian sub-continent, has had its entry on theheritage list upgraded.

While the Shah Jahan Mosque in Woking, 23 km southwest of London andbelieved to be the first purpose-built mosque in the country has had itslisting upgraded to Grade I, the highest protection any building can get.The NHLE is the official register of all nationally protected historicbuildings and sites in England.