England: New Mosque Planned in Watford to Serve Growing Muslim Community

IQNA – A £3.5 million purchase of a former church in Watford has paved the way for a new mosque, aimed at meeting the needs of the area’s expanding Muslim population.

The St Thomas’ United Reformed Church on Langley Road, Nascot, which closed in 2015 due to structural issues, will be transformed into Masjid Al-Ummah, a multifunctional Islamic center offering a range of community services, Watford Observer reported on Thursday.

The Ar-Rahmah Trust, which acquired the property in January, plans to raise an additional £1.5 million for renovations, with the goal of opening the mosque by 2026.

The project, described as a “welcoming, non-sectarian, and non-partisan environment,” will provide facilities for worship, education, and community engagement. 

Planned amenities include prayer spaces, a women’s gym, a nursery, a food bank, Quranic and Islamic education classes, youth and senior social spaces, a sports hall, study hubs, and mortuary services.

The initiative aims to address the growing demand for space, particularly during key Islamic observances such as Friday prayers and Ramadan. 

The Watford Muslim community, now numbering around 15,000, has outgrown existing mosques and prayer spaces. “Masjid Al-Ummah will address the community’s spiritual, educational, social, and well-being needs,” the project’s website states, emphasizing the mosque’s role as a hub for community cohesion. 

The trustees have engaged with the Nascot Residents Association to ensure transparency and community involvement as the project progresses. Unlike earlier plans to demolish the church, the current proposal involves renovating the existing structure with modifications. 

A Launchgood fundraising campaign aims to raise £500,000 by the end of February to repay initial financing. So far, £340,000 has been contributed by 412 supporters.

Source: Agencies