Insha Allah, the Grand opening of the new Masjid will take place on the Friday 9th July 2010, programme as follows:
Photo Gallery of the completed New Masjide Noorul Islam
We still have landscaping and renewal of perimeter wall to complete, but alhumdolillah, the Masjid is complete. May Allah accept all our efforts, donations and duas for this successful project, and may it be a means of our salvation.
Well, after a good three years , we are on the final straight, and clearing the last few hurdles.
With just 6 weeks to go, the internal works is nearly complete, and work on the external cladding (granite tiling on entrances and between windows) has started, which should take approx 4 weeks, so should be complete before opening. The carpet laying will start 7th June, and completed by 2th July I.A.
So, (in case you cannot see the poster clearly) the first Juma prayers will be performed on Friday 9th July (1.00 bayan, 1.30 khutba and salaat) by Hazrat Sheikh Moulana Yusuf Motala Saheb, Sheikhul Hadith and Principal of Darul Uloom Bury.
On Saturday 10th, after Zohar Salaat at 1.30, there will be a jalsa with talks by eminent scholars Hz Sheikh Moulana Saleem Dhorat (IDA Leicester) and Sheikh Zaheer Mahmood of Birmingham, with other Naats, qiraats etc culminating in a hifz completion ceremony of 6 pupils from the Madressa Noorul Islam, and Dua by Hz Sheikh Mou. Yusuf Motala Sb. Then there will be food.
On Sunday, 11th, there will be food served to ladies from 12 noon to 2pm in the old Masjid, then (whilst the men watch the world cup finals), a jalsa from 2.15pm to approx 5.30 (in the new Masjid) with a chance to view the new masjid up to 6.30.
Apologies once again for lack of updates. I though I had posted something after Ramadan last year, but ......................
Anyway, the situation since the last blog is as follows:
1. unfortunately, due to various delays, (water connection, central heating etc) it was decided to not rush the opening during Ramadan, and soldier on and try to complete the full masjid before having a grand opening.
2. A lot of work was carried out during the last quarter of 2009, and early 2010. Again, delays due to central heating not completed, added to the severe cold weather has been a great factor in the lack of progress.
3. End of March 2010..........
the internal works are 95% complete, all that remains is the Mehrab interior (you will see below work in progress on the ground floor mehrab, same to be done on first floor mehrab), carpets, final electrical work, suspended ceilings to be completed near first floor mehrab, tiling in the two lobbies, and some painting of the corniches in the main prayer hall.
Here are the latest pictures....
Ground Floor:
Corridor leading to main Prayer Hall
Main Prayer Hall
Another View of Main Prayer Hall Mehrab (work in progress) Pattern inlay of Plaster of Paris.
Main Entrance Lobby (Audley Range)
Walter Street Lobby (Fire Exit)
First Floor:
First Floor Prayer Hall
Another View of 1st Floor Prayer Hall Entrance to 1st Floor Prayer Hall
We have been very busy trying to open for Ramadan, so apologies once again for a late posting, but we thought you would appreciate the latest news before the holy month of Ramadan. Unfortunately, progress has not been as expected, and the start of Ramadan looks highly unlikely in the New Masjid, but we are hoping for a mid Ramadan start (approx Friday 15th Ramadan) insha Allah. Please make duas.
So here is the latest gallery...........................
Two views of the Main Prayer Hall, The Mehrab and central chandelier
99 Names of Allah (these granite plaques, 99 off around the top of the main Prayer Hall, have each name of Allah engraved and gold foiled, also not pictured these are preceded with a hadith of the virtues of memorising these names, 'Bismillah....' and ayat of Surah Hashr 'Huwallahul ladhi....)
(Above from top left) Corridor, Lift, Wudhu Khana (ablution area), Entrance (off car park), Main Entrance (Audley Range), Walter St elevation - note paving around the Masjid.
The concrete blocks between the windows and the entrances will be clad with granite tiles etc, this has been delayed due to waiting for Council approval of the design, and will now be sourced (from India) then imported. Most likely this will be completed early 2010.
The first floor still has alot of work remaining, and likely date for completion of the whole project will spring 2010 insha Allah.
Please continue to make duas for this project in the coming Holy month of Ramadan.
Please also visit our main website www.masjidnoorulislam.com for further information.
What a transformation............... Alhumdolillah, the minarets have added a very spectacular dimension to the new Masjid, and transformed the skyline of Audley Range, Blackburn. The two 10 metre (32 feet) minarets are visible as soon as you come onto Audley Range from the town centre direction, and from North Road junction from the Accrington direction.
The entrances and panels between the windows will be clad in granite tiles (forming a geometric pattern), and creating an arched design feature on the entrances. This is currently awaiting council approval.
In the meantime, the scaffolding has been removed and site clear up, and landscaping the surrounding areas and car park will commence.
As you can see from above, internally alot of work is taking place.
The picture shows the main prayer hall on the ground floor. The ceiling is 95% complete, the 'missing square' will incorporate a domed feature to accomodate a chandelier. The corner directly in the foreground (to the left of the workmen) is where the Mehrab will be.
Work on the electrics, sound system, security (CCTV, alarms etc) is progressing well. Work on the heating system has started. Electrical and gas supply has also been connected.
We are still hopeful that with the help of Allah through your duas, we will commence prayers before Ramadan (mid August) this year.
Please continue to make duas for the project.
May Allah accept all our efforts, donations and prayers.
Many apologies to you all for no blogs since July. Work has been so busy to keep the project ticking over, have found little time to update.
However, here is the latest news, sorry not too many pictures as having a few technical probs with imaging.
The dome, as you will see is in place, on the anniversary of the first dig of the foundation.
The walls are complete. However, we still need to cover the main entrance porticos and the panels between the windows, with granite tiles.
During February, the windows will be installed, and work on the plumbing, heating will commence. Minarets should be completed as well Insha Allah.
Work on the electrics has commenced. This is being done by local volunteers (labour work only)under the supervision of qualified electricians at no cost to the project. May Allah reward all these volunteers for their efforts, especially in the cold weather we have had recently.
We have had a fantastic response to our appeal to date, with hitting the £1 million mark during last Ramadan. However, we still need to raise approx £200,000 to complete the project.
We are hoping to commence prayers in the new Masjid before Ramadan (early August) this year, insha Allah so are asking you all to make special duas That Allah helps us in being able to meet this target.
Alhumdolillah, work is progressing well. On the 15th July a trial fit of the window arch former (steel support to shape the arch) was carried out (see image), this was to check the first former for dimensions, using the actual window arch stones. The trial was successful, and the manufacture of the arch formers will now take place.
The walls are well into the first floor level, and we anticipate another 4 - 6 weeks to complete. Negotiations are ongoing with windows and door manufacturers, and an order for the windows should be placed shortly. (I.A.)
We still await some quotations for the heating and hot water system.
Please continue to make duas for the project, and we pray the Almighty will rewards all those who have contributed to the project in any way.
