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Child care first
26/ 3/2004
CHILD care worries could soon be a thing of the past for
Ashton's Muslim community thanks to the town's first purpose built
mosque.
The new Madrassa Arbia Taleem-ul-Quran and Mosque under
construction on Katherine Street will offer a full daily childcare
services.
The mosque committee have already hired a trained nursery teacher
and crèche worker to look after children while parents can go to
work or just take a break at home.
Said mosque secretary Tahir Ayoob Jeewa: "In the past many mosques
have only been used as a place for prayers but we want our mosque
to be a focal point for Muslims in Ashton.
"We realise that parents sometimes have problems with childcare. It
can be expensive or they may not trust other people to look after
their children. By offering this service at the mosque parents can
feel reassured that their children are in a safe place.
"We also plan to teach them the basics of Islam so they can get an
early start on learning about their religion."
The mosque, which replaces an old church, will be completed next
year if an extra £500,000 can be raised.
Already £750,000 has been spent on construction and mosque members
are appealing to the Muslim community to donate, or even lend,
money so they can get it completed.
Said Mr Jeewa: "The local community in Ashton has also been
generous but we still need more.
"We can't accept grants because most of it is lottery money which
is generated through gambling and therefore haram.
"I've also had people offering large sums of money if I put their
names on the deeds of the mosque but I'm not willing to do that
because the mosque belongs to everybody not just one person.
"Any money towards the completion will be helpful."
The finished mosque will have a main prayer hall, library and and
washroom on the ground floor. The nursery will be on the first
floor which will also house 12 classrooms for evening tuition.
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