One of the oldest mosques in Blackburn has launched a Ramadan campaign to help raise £800,000 to help with major renovations.

The Masjid-e-Rizwan located on Newton Street was first established in the 1970s. Before the onset of major wedding venues, the function hall adjoining the building hosted hundreds of weddings and special events.

In 2019 trustees of the Kokni Muslim Association were given planning permission to rebuild and extend the mosque. The extensions aim to ‘provide ladies and men’s worshipping floorspace, as well as better washing facilities, funeral preparation facilities, a library, IT room, storage space and an office’.

The mosque is near to Furthergate which has seen major developments in recent years with the building of a new Lidl.

All mosques are funded with private donations from members of the public and worshippers.

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A spokesperson for the mosque said: “As the blessed month of Ramadan approaches, Alhumdulillah this is a great opportunity to invest all your efforts towards Allah’s house.

“Covid has taken loved ones from us, we turn to the almighty and seek his forgiveness and blessings. Despite the challenges we continue to walk in Allah’s path. Please donate to this cause as rewards will be innumerable and set the foundations for our next generation.

“The estimated build is £800,000, the masjid will accommodate 450 people. We are very close to begin construction work, with your help we can start the foundations of which the house of Allah will be built.”

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According to plans the community hall element of the development will remain unchanged. There are no changes proposed in terms of the operating hours and nor are there any changes proposed to the number of staff members being employed at the premises.

See more about the project at https://www.facebook.com/Masjid-E-Rizwan-103703934599161/