A new £2million mosque opened its doors for the first time in Aberdeen yesterday.
The three-storey facility was built by charity The Alhikmah Foundation and includes a prayer hall and crèche.
The Masjid Alhikmah building on Nelson Street also has the capacity for burial preparation, funeral services, baby blessings and marriage ceremonies.
It was built after years of planning and fundraising.
The charity is continuing to press forward with further plans for expansion, which include a sports pavilion and playing fields.
Alhikmah Foundation chairman Sarfraz Ali said: “Masjid Alhikmah is a place of worship for the active Muslim community in the north-east. It’s also a welcoming hub for the whole community.
“It’s a much-needed place where people can come together, to pray, to learn, to meet, to reflect.
“Throughout the planning and construction phase, the latter starting in 2015, we have truly been taken aback by the support we’ve seen right across the community.
“And for that, we must say a huge thank you to all our neighbours.”
He added: “What is particularly humbling is that although times are hard for many in and around the city, our loyal supporters — from all backgrounds — have generously donated and raised over £2million through a broad range of
fundraising events, and those efforts are ongoing.”
The mosque’s name stems from Arabic, as “masjid” means “a place of congregational worship” while “alhikmah” means “wisdom”.
Mr Ali said: “We are incredibly proud of this masjid and excited about the role it will play in Aberdeen for years to come.
“Importantly, it’s just the beginning of our urban regeneration aspirations for the city.”
The charity is pressing ahead with a plan called Urban Fields, which will bring the neighbouring disused Nelson Street playing fields back into use.
A community area, three five-a-side football pitches and five cricket net practice strips are among the improvements planned for the site which were backed by city councillors last year.
Mr Ali said the scheme will “transform the nearby derelict Nelson Street playing fields and pavilion into a modern, vibrant and multi-purpose space in the heart of the city that can be enjoyed by everyone”.
“We look forward to working with the authority on moving this forward,” he added.
