Hundreds flock to Crawley 1m mega-mosque opening

A MOSQUE has officially opened after the completion of a five-year extension project, costing more than 1 million. The Broadfield Mosque, in Broadwood Rise, held its opening ceremony last Saturday (July 7).

The work, which included building new wings onto the existing masjid to create five classrooms, a library, two halls, the Imam's flat and a new kitchen, cost L1.2 million.

The funds were raised through private donations.

Imam Mohammad Huzaisa Bora said: "We had a fantastic turnout. About 750 people visited the mosque throughout the day.

"The extension has allowed us to create a whole new floor for people to use. The first floor used to only have a gallery and office area but it is now much larger in size."

Prior to the construction work, the mosque did not have enough space for worshippers to pray, with people forced to stand outside, exposed to the elements.

The building has been extended to about four times its original size and now has two large prayer halls, with separate facilities for women, and it can accommodate about 1,800 people.

Imam Bora said a desire to provide new educational facilities was another major reason for the work. (...)