City mosque reopens after six-year closure

Lincolnshire's first mosque, which has been shut for six years, has reopened following a refurbishment.

Lincoln City Mosque on Orchard Street was founded in 1981 but closed during the Covid-19 pandemic because it needed "significant" restoration work.

Dr Tanweer Ahmed, chair of the Islamic association of Lincoln, said the mosque had undergone a £350,000 refurbishment and said "it looks very beautiful now".

Ahmed said there was excitement about the reopening among the community, who had raised the funds needed for the work.

"We're hoping to open five times a day and for Friday prayers as well," he said.

"It's a small space, but we will be using it for both daily prayers as well as maybe other activities."

Ahmed said the roof had been replaced, a new floor installed, the walls had been insulated, and an extension had been added with a kitchen and toilets.

"We're very grateful to our community members for very generous donations, as they have been doing for a long, long time," he said.

The Islamic Association of Lincoln said the mosque had served generations of worshippers as a place of prayer, spiritual reflection, Islamic education and community life.

They said the improvements would ensure that the mosque would continue to provide "a safe, welcoming and dignified place of worship and community activity" for generations to come.

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