Plans have been lodged for a new Muslim community centre in Kendal.
Westmorland and Furness Council has received the application to transform 158 Highgate, a vacant shop, into a safe space for prayers, religious education and small social gatherings.
The agent Mr H Burrows on behalf of the Muslim Community in Kendal has put the plans forward. The premises has been selected due to its central and accessible nature in the town.
If approved, the building will be used by a maximum of 40 people for five prayer gatherings a day from approximately 2.30am to midnight – depending on the time of year and religious festivals.
In summer, prayers will take place at Fajr (dawn), 2.34am, Duhur (noon), 1.17pm, Asr (mid afternoon), 5.41pm, Maghrib (sunset), 9.52pm and Ishah (night time), 11.09pm.
In winter, prayers will go ahead at Fajr (dawn), 2.34am, Duhur (noon), 12.19pm, Asr (mid afternoon), 1.42pm, Maghrib (sunset), 4pm and Ishah (night time), 5.35pm.
Prayers will last an hour and there will be no external call to prayer.
Most services or social gatherings are not expected to exceed over 25 people and where numbers are expected to be greater, a second service or gathering will be introduced.
Classes for religious education will take place for the community’s children lasting a maximum of two hours daily from 4pm to 6pm, excluding Fridays and the whole month of Ramadhan.
Irregular classes around an hour in length for children from local schools will also take place for the purpose of curriculum input and development.
Meetings for Sisters for social engagement in a private setting will also take place around once or twice a month for a maximum of two hours.
The application also highlights local need for the centre and says there are no dedicated communal or religious facilities for Muslim people in the South Lakeland area.
It adds that it is common for Muslims who work in the area to travel to and from towns and cities in the North of England including North Lancashire and West Yorkshire where Muslim communities are better catered for.
The centre also plans to be a community hub and safe space that is an asset to the town, adding to diversity and understanding.
No major building changes will take place to create the centre, and only the removal of an internal stud wall, like for like replacement of the guarding to the external steps to the rear yard and internal decoration will be required.
