A MOSQUE could be on its way to Chipping Norton.
Tahirul Hasan, a Conservative member of Chipping Norton Town Council, hopes to convert a former shop in Hitchmans Mews, off West Street, into a mosque.
The town’s 30-strong Muslim community currently worships in the Town Hall on Fridays, but Mr Hasan said it was not a sacred enough place for prayer.
The father-of-three said: “We need a permanent place and we need a place where there is no drinking or dancing, only peaceful prayer.
“We hope the new mosque will be a more sacred place.”
If planning permission is granted, the new mosque would open between sunrise and one hour after sunset for prayers five times a day.
Mr Hasan said he did not plan to hold religious teaching and said the mosque would only be open for about 10 minutes at a time for the prayers.
The 46-year-old added: “I have lived in Chipping Norton for 24 years and our group of Muslims had to go to Banbury for their prayer.
“So one day, seven years ago, I decided to start Friday prayer and, after looking at every venue in the town, I found a place in the Town Hall.”
The group now welcomes Muslims from Moreton-in-Marsh, Woodstock and Witney, and has up to 50 worshippers at a time.
Two years ago, Mr Hasan also started a Friday prayer group at Chipping Norton School for its eight Muslim students.
He said it was important Chipping Norton had a mosque so the next generation did not lose their identity.
He said: “Our children do not know what a mosque is because they have never seen one.”
The Rev Canon Steve Weston, team rector of the Chipping Norton Benefice, said: “I think a mosque will fit in with Chipping Norton. We have a very tolerant community.”
The district council will decide on the change of use planning application on a date yet to be set.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article