Who speaks for Northampton's Muslims?

I feel duti-bound to write and offer some clarification following the front-page story on Tuesday's Northampton Chronicle & Echo (“Mosque hope for man who secured controversial land”) and the subsequent comments that were posted on the Chronicle website as well as those made to me in person by many people following the breaking of the story.

As someone who has lived in the town for over 20 years, my experiences and that of those who have been here (particularly from the Bangladeshi community who were some of the first contingent of immigrants in the town back in the late 50’s), is that Northampton has been a melting pot of cultures and faiths who have appreciated each others differences whilst sharing common aims and aspirations for the town.

The Muslim population in Northampton had been quite steady up until about 5/6 years ago and made up of largely Bangladeshis’ (5,000), Pakistanis’ (1,500) other (1,000). This changed with the influx of immigrants from Somalia who were predominantly Muslim. Estimates put that community at around 3-4,000.

As the largest and most established immigrant community in the town, the Bangladeshis’ have forged strong links with the town mainly through the “Indian” restaurant trade. As the population grew through the decades, the community organised itself to meet some of the social, cultural and religious needs. The first “Mosque” (none of the 4 Mosques in the town are purpose built, they are converted houses in most cases) in the town (43 Argyle Street) was started primarily by Muslims from Bangladesh by making small modifications to a terraced house. (Capacity 200-250). St. George’s Street, Northampton’s largest Mosque is also a converted terrace founded by Bangladeshi’s has undergone numerous internal modifications and currently accommodates (with a great deal of difficulty) around 1,000 people. Stimpson Avenue is also an end terrace with a capacity of around 200. Abington Avenue, a converted garage, is still undergoing internal modifications 5 years on, can accommodate around 400-500 worshippers. There are a couple of other places in the town used for prayers but are not designated Mosques. This is the current provision for Muslims in the town and we worship with a great deal of difficulty.

Some of the comments posted both on the Chronicle website as well as to me personally have concerned me as to how people view “the potential plan for a Mosque on Kingsthorpe Meadow”.

I’d like to put some myths and doubts to rest. All of the Mosques in Northampton and elsewhere in the country are paid for, bought and modified with money from the very people that worship in them. Other than a handful of Mosques in the UK which are funded by governments in the Mid-East and which comes with many strings attached, Mosques are paid for by the locals people. Mosques DO NOT access or seek PUBLIC FUNDING. Those of us that have been looking into the idea of a purpose built Mosque in the town are made up of Muslims from Asia, Africa and beyond and at meetings with MP’s Councillors and officers we have sought nothing but heir co-operation to help us identify some land in the town so that we could work together to create a landmark that will be in keeping with architectural landscape of the town (as far as is practically possible).There is no question of wanting any “gifts” or access to the public purse. Sadly much of the criticism since yesterday has been about Muslims wanting taxpayers to fund their place of worship. Things couldn’t be further from the truth. At no stage have we mentioned anything about funds or gifts other than to work with the authorities to and find ways to fit our plans with that of theirs for the town. We want to create a building that will be seen as a welcome addition (by most people) to the landscape of the town rather than an “eyesore” as some people are speculating.

Furthermore, we are looking to build a place that will be very different from the traditional mosques you find in many Muslim majority countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh. The proposals by the Northampton Central Mosques Trust is looking to create a building that will be open and accommodating of all people whilst helping to meet the needs of the Muslims. Flexible spaces, a library, mini conference facilities are some of the ideas that have been incorporated within the initial design. One of the key considerations given to the project is how “green” and environmentally friendly it should be, space for parking and future expansion as well as the surrounding area and what impact it will have on the existing local community. This isn’t simply about building a Mosque anywhere because we can buy the land or a disused building. Just like the current Mosques in the town, particular attention is paid to the relationship with the neighbours and whilst there are problems during Friday prayers when we have to accommodate more people than the spec available, they are nothing more tha the usual parking issues.

All of these plans are a pipe dream and have been for some time. At the very least, our plans will cost in excess of £2 million, money the community just does not have at the moment. We have been fundraising for a number of years and in addition to meeting the running costs of the existing places (which is a task in itself) funds are very slow in coming. After all, we are talking about some of the poorer communities in our town having to dig deep to realise a dream. For those who want to argue that we are managing, need to visit any of the Mosques in the town to realise the sacrifices people have to make with simple things like prayers and funerals. It’s easy to roll off figures off the tongue and create plans that are done more in hope than realism. Of course hope is where it starts and we have begun our journey down the long road which we hope will eventually result in the creation of a Mosque, a building in the town that everyone will be proud of but off-the cuff remarks are unhelpful.

What we can’t do and won’t do is simply make statements that cause suspicion and doubt amongst people. We shouldn’t play on people’s emotions because far too much is at stake. We have and continue to live peacefully (for the most part) in Northampton and anything that gives rise to unnecessary tension between us is to be avoided.

I would like to make reference to Kingsthorpe Meadow and want to stress that I am fully aware of the history of the past few years and shared the aspirations of the local people both during my time as a Councillor and continue to do so. From a land prospective, I share the common view that its unsuitable for development and given the energy the local people have invested in wishing to safeguard it in its current form, I see no reason why anything should change.

However, now that the land is under new ownership (and I don’t to go down the road as to whether the process of purchase was wholly above-board) I would be keen to hear just what their proposed purpose will be. The Mosque idea had done down like a lead dome (sorry) both in the wider community as well as the Muslim communities itself. I have no personal axe to grind with anyone who is the rightful owner of the land after all, they have a right to propose and plan what they wish. However, since the idea of a Mosque has been mooted, I am compelled to voice my views along with those of other fellow Muslims in the town because the impact of the owner’s aspirations affects us all.

I have explained the difficulties and the tough choices we hare having to make in our pursuit of a purpose built Mosque in the town. We have canvassed the views of hundreds over the past 2/3 years. Firstly, Kingsthorpe is not a location we have even considered. The reasons against the area are numerous including its geographic location. Secondly, the fact that the whole idea goes express wishes of the local people to preserve it will not be in keeping with the peaceful and accommodating approach of our project. Thirdly and more critically, this land is not fit for development.

Sadly, the story has brought Muslims and the Muslim communities in sharp focus and some people are trying to destabilise the good relations we enjoy with people in the town. I am powerless to stop anyone making a statement that affects 10,000 plus Muslims just as the rest of the population is powerless to stop a handful of ignorant bigots from stirring up tension. For as long as the vast majority of us maintain a sense of perspective, there is no reason why isolated comments should divide us.

We have embarked on what we consider to be a noble cause, that of offering fellow worshippers the chance to pray in a place that adequately meets their needs. We want to create a place for Northampton and a place we can all be proud of. Northampton Central Mosque Trust isn’t there to divide the community, we want everyone to embrace our idea and understand the value it will bring to our town. I am sure everyone will agree that Muslims are unlikely to be going anywhere any time soon and why should they; they are part and parcel of Northampton life. If we are going to have a Mosque in the town, lets have one that is capable of paying for itself, maintained and administered by local people and with local money and with the support of the people of Northampton. It’s not in anyone’s interest for any projects to spring up, funded from an unscrupulous source and managed from afar. That will not serve the interests of Muslims or the wider community.

And let us not confuse the small-minded, Mosques DO NOT use public funds nor has any attempts been made with any authority in Northampton to subsidise our place of worship with taxpayers money. I am happy to pay my taxes and pay for the running and maintenance of the churches in the town as well as paying for a Mosque because I appreciate the value religious buildings bring to our communities and society as a whole.