| `On a national scale, the LMC will be the standard bearer for quality, inclusiveness and innovative ideas. Acting as a resource for Muslims, it will meet their needs and aspirations at a social, economic, cultural and spiritual level.' |
The long-awaited London Muslim Centre is set to open formally on Friday 11th June 2004. The London Muslim Centre (LMC) will be the largest purpose-build dedicated Muslim information and cultural centre in Western Europe. The LMC has a rich history with its parent The East London Mosque (ELM), proudly tracing its roots back to Georgian London. Established in 1910, the East London Mosque is today one of the busiest mosques in the United Kingdom and a familiar landmark in London.
Inaugurated by HRH Prince Charles and HRH Prince Muhammad al-Faisel on 23 November 2001, the LMC is set to deliver a wide range of services, to members of all faith groups, paving the way for greater community cohesion and to help the community to be at one with itself in order to participate pro-actively in enhancing the vibrant, multi-cultural, and multi-ethnic makeup of London. It is this commitment to wider public engagement that continues to be at the heart of the new London Muslim Centre.
It is one of the most significant developments of the Muslim community towards offering operational services and making strategic contributions. On a national scale, the LMC will be the standard bearer for quality, inclusiveness and innovative ideas. Acting as a resource for Muslims to meet their needs and aspirations at a social, economic, cultural and spiritual level, The LMC will also become a valuable resource for voluntary and statutory agencies and the wider community as a whole. It will continue to engage with domestic and international audiences to promote a better understanding between Britain's diverse communities.
The funding of the LMC is a ground-breaking partnership involving the European Development Fund, the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, the Greater London Authority and many other organisations and bodies. It has enjoyed unprecedented support from ordinary Londoners and, indeed, from across the whole of the UK, who donated over £4m of the total cost of £10m.
The six-storey multipurpose centre, which is aesthetically pleasing to the eye, will provide a range of services and provisions that are currently piloted in partnership with the East London Mosque. These services are organised through integrated projects grouped under five key areas:
- Religious
- Education & Training
- Social Welfare
- Culture and Heritage
- Economic Development
The planned facilities will include the following:
- Prayer capacity for up to 10,000 worshippers
- Reference library and media suite
- Research, development and publications centre
- Educational provisions: secondary school, language and Shari'ah (Islamic Law) institute, open learning resource, adult & youth evening & weekend schools, and training. Muslim women's enterprise
- Cultural advice centre and Islam Awareness
- Purpose-build fitness gymnasium for men, women, elderly and the youth
- Healthy living & community health promotion
- Nursery
- Multi-purpose halls for events and conference
- Permanent exhibition concourse and arts & crafts
- Shari'ah advice, counselling and advocacy
- Information computer technology suite and media training
- Ramadan community radio & social programme
- Enterprise and business development
- Capacity building for Muslim organisations.
The Launch
The Imam of the Holy Ka'ba in Mecca, Shaykh Abdur-Rahman al-Sudays, will lead the Friday prayers where 10,000 worshipers are expected. Formal programmes will take place on the same day with local, national and international dignitaries. Celebrations will go on throughout the weekend with women's programmes, community conferences, exhibition and tours, children's street fair and entertainment on Saturday 12 June, and an Open Day for people of other faiths on Sunday 13 June. The three days will be a celebration for everyone!
A full colour glossy A4 brochure to commemorate the launch of the LMC is currently being produced. The brochure will contain editorials, testimonies and storyboards, along with advertisement from sponsors. It will be distributed nationally, free of charge, and we expect a readership of approximately 150,000.
We in the MCBDirect team wish this courageous and visionary project every success!
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