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Belfast Islamic Centre to move to larger site

An artist's impression of the new Belfast Islamic Centre on University Road
An artist's impression of the new Belfast Islamic Centre on University Road An artist's impression of the new Belfast Islamic Centre on University Road

BELFAST Islamic Centre is to move to new larger premises near Queen's University in Belfast.

The centre has bought Aldersgate House on University Road and is to submit a planning application to convert the building into a community hub and prayer space.

Belfast City councillors were briefed on plans for the new centre at a meeting last night. There are around 4,000 Muslims living in the north, although this figure is not thought to include students, refugees and asylum seekers.

Dr Saleem Tareen, chairman of the Belfast Islamic Centre, said the Muslim community in the north had outgrown its existing premises on Wellington Park.

"We believe that the new location, given its proximity to Queen’s University Belfast, will be beneficial not only to Muslims but to the wider community in general," he said.

"The new centre will also be a more suitable space in which we can welcome visiting business people as they explore possible investment into Northern Ireland.

"Our plan is to move into the new premises by the end of the year."

The centre will include a coffee shop, drop-in centre and educational facilities.

Plans to build the north's first purpose-built mosque in Craigavon, Co Armagh, were shelved more ten years ago.

Dr Tareen said the centre had been working to find new premises "for some time".

"Our ambition is to flourish as a community, alongside our neighbours of all faiths and none and to serve the Muslim community while continuing to play our full role in the cultural and economic life of Northern Ireland."