British government commendable step for Muslims and Mosques in UK
Shares
LONDON- The British government has taken a commendable step for the mosques and Muslim community of the country.
Britain has decided that it is important to architecturally protect mosques in 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 par with Buckingham Palace, Queen Elizabeth’s home in the capital, Al Arabia has reported.
Two London mosques – the London Central Mosque and Islamic Cultural Centre in Regent’s Park and the Fazl Mosque in Southfields – have found a place for the first time on the list and will be given Grade II status.
The Abdullah Quilliam Mosque in Liverpool in west England, which is believed to be the first fully-functioning mosque in the country has also now got a Grade II status.
The Howard Street Mosque in Bradford in north England, a town with a large Muslim population from the Indian sub-continent, has had its entry on the heritage list upgraded.
While the Shah Jahan Mosque in Woking, 23 km southwest of London and believed to be the first purpose-built mosque in the country has had its listing upgraded to Grade I, the highest protection any building can get. The NHLE is the official register of all nationally protected historic buildings and sites in England.
