Mosques across Lancashire are to open their doors to the wider public as part of ‘Visit My Mosque Day’ this weekend.

A variety of events have been arranged this weekend (September 3 and 4) for anyone wanting to find out more about the Islamic faith and the role mosques play in the lives of people on a day-to-day basis.

Led by the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), Visit My Mosque aims to promote better outreach and engagement work between mosques and local communities.

The MCB hopes that through the initiative ‘long-term relationships grow and flourish for years to come at a grassroots level’.

In 2018 a YouGov poll found that 70 per cent of Britons had never visited a place of worship other than their own. 

A number of mosques in Blackburn, Burnley, Preston and Nelson have announced they will join more than 200 mosques across the UK by hosting the open day events.

Molana Rafiq Sufi, Chair of Lancashire Council of Mosques (LCM) said: “We support the Visit My Mosque initiative each year as it helps people from across our communities can get more understanding of Islam and their Muslim neighbours.

“I would really encourage anyone who has never been to a mosque before to take some time out and visit a mosque.

"There is a lot written and said but it makes a huge difference when you walk into a mosque for the first time.

"It helps to eradicate a lot of misconceptions anyone may have and you may also learn something new.”

Three mosques and a multi-faith prayer room in Blackburn are taking part in the initiative this year and include:

  • The Darussalam Education Centre in Whalley New Road,
  • The Holy and Noble Quran Society in Thompson Street, off Redlam,
  • The Masjid e Saliheen in Didsbury Street (Open day is on September 18),
  • Royal Blackburn Hospital prayer room.

In Burnley people can visit the Ibrahim Masjid, off Elm Street, and the UKIM Madina Masjid, in Manchester Road, Nelson is also taking part.

In Preston, Masjide Saliheen in Grafton Street and the City Mosque, North Road, are hosting events this weekend.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, Zara Mohammed, said: “Now in its seventh year, Visit My Mosque continues to see Mosques across the UK open their doors to local communities, providing a space in which conversation, understanding and friendship can develop, whilst also helping challenge misconceptions around Islam and Muslims.  

“With such a diverse range of Mosques taking part, each with their own unique story, and history, I am confident this weekend will provide guests of all faiths and none with a fantastic opportunity to connect with local Muslim communities, and gain a deeper sense of who Muslims are, what their sacred spaces mean to them and the positive contributions of Muslim communities to British society.”