Group walk 30 miles and raise £31k for new Blackburn mosque

Members of Team Buraq have been taking part in a series of sponsored events to raise money for the new Islamic Education Centre just off Devonport Road.

All the money towards the cause has been donated by people across the community.

On Sunday, the team of 15 set off at around 11am and headed to Preston.

They arrived in the city centre at around 3pm and then made the return journey back to Blackburn, arriving back in Blackburn at 7pm.

The fundraisers were welcomed by flares and garlands as they made their way along Devonport Road and into the mosque building.

They raised more than £31,000 to go towards the completion of the funeral area at the site.

Tabassam Zabier, said: “It has been a tough tough day and gruelling journey but we made it.

“It would not have been possible without all the support, the messages and the donations we have received so far.

“If anyone still wants to donate they can still do so.”

He added: “I would like to thank all the volunteers who took part in the walk and did it whilst fasting.

“A huge thank to everyone who came out to welcome us back. It meant a lot.”

The new building is set to replace the Islamic Education Centre based on the corner of Addison Street as the main focal point for prayers and religious activities. 

Over the course of five years, volunteers have been raising money for the new build.

The exterior of the building is complete and work is ongoing on the interior.

Once complete the mosque will cater for people across the local area but the majority of the attendees live around the mosque itself.