Harrogate’s first mosque, ‘celebrating’ the city’s history.

Part of a North Yorkshire town’s Second World War history will be “preserved and celebrated” when the site is transformed into the region’s first mosque, those behind the work have promised.

Members of the Harrogate Islamic Association said they knew the former Home Guard Club was of historical interest and wanted to ensure it could still be visited by everyone after the renovation work was completed.

Association committee member Zahed Amanullah said it had taken more than ten years to finally find a permanent place of worship in Harrogate.

Mr Amanullah said: “The exterior will be restored to the original appearance of the structure as much as possible.”

There has been an established Muslim community in Harrogate for several decades and it has developed to the point where it has become necessary to consider new premises for a permanent mosque, Mr Amanullah said.

The money for the redevelopment of the former Home Guard Club in Belford Road had been raised by the community in Harrogate as well as people elsewhere in Yorkshire, he said.

In the meantime, a crowdfunding campaign had also collected further donations from all over Great Britain.

However, Mr Amanullah said that although work at the site was already in its second phase, it had not gone entirely smoothly so far.

“It was in worse condition than we thought when we bought it. Part of the ceiling had collapsed. It was really derelict so we had to review our plans and do some emergency work to protect the building.”

Work to remodel and stabilize the building and replace the rotten wood is currently underway, Mr Amanullah said.

This phase could take a few more months until the final furnishing of the mosque can be completed, he said.

Mr Amanullah said: “One of the things we are really proud of is that the wider Harrogate community has been very welcoming and supportive.”

“The other faith communities in Harrogate have been very supportive over the past year – and during the Troubles in the UK. We would like to thank everyone for this.”

Mr Amanullah said once the mosque was finally completed, the intention was to make it “open to the public”.

“Anyone who wants to visit should have the opportunity to visit — people who want to pray or see the building,” he said.

“We want to make sure we have an open door policy. This is part of the Harrogate community.”

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