Haverfordwest is the market town of Pembrokeshire, a county located in South West Wales. According to the 2011 census, Haverfordwest has the highest number of Muslim residents in Pembrokeshire. It is a popular holiday destination for Muslim families as it is very close to the Pembrokeshire coastline. Withybush hospital attracts many Muslim medical professionals and there are many halal eateries established in the town.
Our current Masjid consists of a flat above the Taj Mahal Restaurant on Albert St, Haverfordwest. This current venue was originally used forty years ago, as a prayer room for restaurant workers. However, it now functions as a mosque, catering for the growing population of Muslims in Pembrokeshire. The closest neighbouring mosques are located in Milford haven (8 miles away) and Carmarthen (31 miles away).
The prayer room is used to its full capacity on Fridays, during the night prayers in Ramadan and for Eid prayers. However, it does not have the capacity to cater for women, children and other community or civic related activities. There is only one door providing access to the mosque, which is shared by the restaurant deliveries downstairs. There is a very busy junction outside of the Masjid with a narrow pavement leading to it, which poses a safety hazard.
In short, the Haverfordwest prayer room has proved to be of great benefit to the community. It has provided a place for salah for the last forty years. May Allah bless those who established it.
Our community has since grown exponentially and continues to grow with an influx of migrant Muslims from abroad and other parts of the United Kingdom. We are now seeking a larger venue that can serve as a hub for the community. A Masjid that is able to accommodate all member of our community and their needs.
Our search for an alternative location for a Masjid has led us to Temperance Hall. A Victorian hall built in 1888 to aid those who suffered from the misuse and abuse of alcohol. It has since served as a theatre, a Former Masonic Hall and as the Royal Bingo Hall.
The property comprises a mid terrace former bingo hall arrangedon lower ground, ground and first floors. The building benefits from frontage to St Mary’s Street and Dark Street. There is a lift to all floors.
The Royal Theatre, St. Mary’s Street, Haverfordwest
Temperance Hall is a historic building that has been largely abandoned in its recent history. It is visited often by school children, college students and local history enthusiasts. It would be very symbolic if the local Muslim community were to adopt such an iconic building as the Masjid. In doing so, we can maintain a piece of local history that would otherwise have fallen into disrepair.
The current vendor has rejected our offer of £75,000 and proposed a buying price of £100,000 (March 2019). We are currently seeking donors that can assist us in the purchase of this building.
For any further information please contact
Br. Mustafa 07595998350,
31 March 2019
Mustafax@me.com
References
https://mr1.homeflowassets.co.uk/files/property_asset/image/3517/9926/openuri20180406-11276-1q2g2d9-0.pdf