Members of the Muslim community in Acton, west London, gathered this afternoon for the opening of a new _1.5m mosque. Acton Mosque in Oldham Terrace was being used as a place of worship for the past 20 years. The Acton Muslim welfare association bought the building for _250,000 but still needed funding for the works to be carried out. Through donations from worshippers and local residents _1.5m was gathered and two years later the new mosque was finally opened today. Riazul Haq Bhatti, 70, treasurer of the association, said: “If it wasn’t for the hard work and dedication from the local community, we wouldn’t be here today. “It was being used for worship, but now we have ladies and mens’ areas for prayer, the dome at the top of the building and an area for the imam to sit. “We knew it would cost alot but it is fantastic for it to be completed.” Mr Bhatti told how plaques mounted on the walls of the mosque with words from the Quran, the Muslim holy book, were imported from Turkey. Councillor Julian Bell, leader of the Labour group at Ealing Council was at the opening. Cllr Bell, said: “I am delighted that the mosque has been completed. I helped during the planning process and worked closely with the welfare association.http://themuslimweekly.com/newsdetails/fullstoryview.aspx?NewsID=044F9253D044631004C1424C&MENUID=HOMENEWS&DESCRIPTION=UK%20News
