Why move the mosque?Why Mill Road?Who are the Muslims of Cambridge?Will the new building generate any noise?What about parking?Is it only for Muslims?But what will it look like?Can I buy a house or flat on the site?Are there plans for future expansion?Can I make a donation?

Why move the mosque?
The present mosque on Mawson Road was opened in 1984 to accommodate around two hundred people. In 2007, each Friday, it welcomed more than seven hundred. So the building has been expanded into the adjacent house on Tenison Road. But it is still too small, and latecomers have to pray on the street, whatever the weather. Such crowds, and the accompanying pressure on parking space, make the search for a new and more spacious home for the congregation a matter of urgency. Worshippers and local residents agree that a new site must be found.

Why Mill Road?
Mill Road is home to many Cambridge people of Muslim background. Some work in the local restaurant business, drive taxis, run shops, or study at Anglia Ruskin. It makes sense to keep the mosque in this neighbourhood.

Who are the Muslims of Cambridge?
The rainbow of faces at Mawson Road includes Muslims whose roots are British, Malaysian, Nigerian, Arab, Turkish, Albanian, Kurdish, Bangladeshi, Venezuelan, American, Chinese, Azerbaijani, Senegalese, Pakistani, Indonesian, Singaporean, South African, Indian, Kenyan, Zanzibari, Chadian, Iranian, Trinidadian, and others. We are a varied crowd, including Addenbrookes’ consultants, University professors, scientists, hairdressers, kebab van owners, beauticians, former civil servants, accountants … Both men and women attend the Mosque. There are two imams: Sejad Mekic, a Cambridge graduate born in Bosnia; and Abd al-Rahman, born in Bangladesh. Friday sermons are often preached by Abdal Hakim Murad, a regular contributor to Radio 4’s ‘Thought for the Day’. In the new structure, as at present, Muslims of all denominations will attend.

Will the new building generate any noise?
No. There will be no minaret, and no call to prayer broadcast outside the building. Muslim services do not use music, and are conducted in an atmosphere of hushed reverence.

What about parking?
The current structure at Mawson Road has no associated parking. The new building will incorporate parking spaces, subject to advice from the City Council Planners and the Cambridge Local Plan (2006) Appendix C (Car Parking Standards). Adequate bicycle racks will also be provided.

Is it only for Muslims?
The Mawson Road Mosque, despite its limited facilities, welcomes visitors at any time. Its annual Interfaith Dinners unite religious leaders from the city; while visits from schools and community groups are a regular occurrence. The Mosque has also arranged tours for students at various institutions associated with Cambridge University, including the Centre for Jewish-Muslim Relations at Wesley House. The new mosque will continue and build on these bridge-building activities. It will incorporate a cafeteria open to all members of the community, following the highly-successful example of the Dublin Mosque, whose restaurant is justly famous. It will offer a meeting/conference room which local groups can book for their functions. And an important feature will be the Mosque Garden, which seeks inspiration from classical traditions of Muslim garden design in Spain and India, to provide a haven of peace for all comers. The project aims to include an element of affordable housing for families, which will provide ‘natural surveillance’ for the garden area.

But what will it look like?
Concept drawings will only be created when it is clear what is to happen on the larger, adjacent site. It is likely that the mosque will negotiate with the developers of that site to provide a joint access road, opening into a ‘staggered T-junction’. As soon as a planning application for the adjacent site receives approval, a drawing of plans for the 309-313 Mill Road site will be posted on this website, and neighbours and all Cambridge residents are invited to comment. The intention is to create a high-quality landmark structure which, while blending into its environment, will provide a new and distinctive focus to Romsey, attracting visitors and tourists from a wide area. The current small green space fronting Mill Road, and the trees (which are the subject of a preservation order) will be expanded.

Can I buy a house or flat on the site?
Once planning permission is received it will be possible to apply to purchase one of the proposed new family residential units.

Are there plans for future expansion?
No. The structure for which planning permission will be sought will be the final extent of the mosque. Any growth in the Muslim population of Cambridge should be accommodated in a second mosque in another part of the City.

Can I make a donation?
Yes – and tax is deductable! A cheque payable to the ‘Cambridge New Mosque Project’ should be sent to ‘Abu Bakr Siddiq Islamic Centre, Mawson Road, Cambridge CB1 2DZ. Please specify whether the donation is to support the Mosque or the Garden, and enclose an SAE for your receipt.

Bank Details: Cambridge New Mosque Project, Account No.01181450, Sort code 30-00-83, Islamic Bank of Britain

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