ONE of the biggest mosques in Lancashire has been transformed in recent years.

Founded in the seventies the mosque was built to cater for the growing population and worshippers attending the Raza Masjid based on Randal Street.

The Jamia Madina Masjid is based in the Bastwell area of the town and it allowed people to attend the mosque closer to their homes.

Much of this need came about after some worshippers were targeted by extreme right-wing groups when travelling from one side the town to the other.

The Raza mosque committee alongside the late Haji Fazaldad looked to purchase two terraced houses on Oak Street.

Since that time the area and in particular Oak Street itself has been completely transformed. What was once a densely populated area is now more open part of the town with newly built homes surrounding the mosque.

But back in the seventies it was certainly a different picture.

The Madina masjid was used for to facilitate daily prayers but Friday and Eid prayers were still held at the mosque on Randal Street.

In due course the council decided to compulsory purchase all the old poorly built stock of back to back houses. These masjids were within that process.

More funds were collected and a site at the top of Oak St was offered as compensation. Here a larger mosque was built.

The Madina Masjid subsequently developed and renovated to make it into one of the largest capacity mosques in Blackburn. The capacity is said to close to 2000 and this makes it alongside the Jamia Ghosia Masjid on Chester Street and the Makki Masjid (known as the markaz) based on London Road as one of only three mosques in the town with such a huge capacity.

Over the past few years it has had considerable investment with extensions and new purpose built classrooms on the second floor.

The new Madina Mosque also features a stunning dome which features thousands of small mirrors in the design.

The process of the renovations has been made possible with the support of donations and the hard work of the volunteers.

Like many mosque renovations a lot of work goes on behind the scenes many people are not aware of. What is quite easy is to ignore is the fact that many mosque workers look to work tirelessly for the betterment of their neighbourhoods and their communities.

This particular mosque owes to the efforts of many individuals from both the Madina Mosque and the Raza Mosque.

There are also plans to build a small outdoor garden designed with an Islamic philosophy.

The mosque has also featured in some of the biggest religious events taking place in the town.

The Eid Milaad Ul Nabi or the Prophets (PBUH) birthday procession is held every year and begins at the mosque.

Worshippers gather in their thousands to make the journey on foot between the two mosques.

It has become a kind of event that is unique in all of the Muslim populated towns as its the only one between two mosques.

The route travels from Oak St to Whalley Range alongside Earl Street and across London Road before making its way down Shear Brow.

It culminates in gathering at the Raza Masjid where attendees are served food.

The march has become one of the largest in the North of England and there is particular focus during the build-up to the event in helping to portray a peaceful image of Islam to non-Muslims.

The Oak Street mosque is named the Madinah Masjid which was built after the Prophets (PBUH) famous journey.

It is ironic that this Madina Masjid is built in response to those who would try to target worshippers from travelling from one area to the next.

@asianimage