A FUNDRAISING drive is now officially under way to buy land in the next two years to build a women-led mosque in the heart of Bradford.

The announcement was made at the Daughters of Eve Conference, one year after plans for the mosque, which would be the first of its kind in Britain, were first revealed by the city’s Muslim Women’s Council which is leading the initiative.

More than 200 women from across the UK, including speakers from as far afield as the US, Germany and Denmark were at the conference at the Mercure Bradford Hotel in Bingley to hear about the project and progress made on it in the last 12 months, securing the backing of academics and scholars.

Bana Gora, chief executive officer of the Muslim Women’s Council said: “We are really pleased to announce the official launch of the Women-led mosque.

“Our aim is to secure enough donations over the next two years to purchase land within close proximity to the city centre.”

“When it comes to mosques and their facilities, women do not have equal access.

“We have some excellent mosques in Bradford with good access; however they are few and far between.

“It is for this reason that Muslim Women’s Council aim to ensure that Muslim women have the space to discuss issues that affect them and their families in their daily lives in an environment that is open to everyone.”

In February this year, the first women-led mosque in Denmark opened in Copenhagen.

Ms Gora told the Telegraph & Argus: “We have a few possible sites for the mosque in mind but don’t want to identify them yet. We are just saying the site will be close to the city centre so it will be easy for women to travel to.

“We are pretty confident from the conversations we are having and the partnerships that we have in place that we will raise the money needed in the next two years.”

The fundraising drive aims to raise £500,000. To find out more information and how to make a donation go to womenledmosque.co.uk.