Photos show former pub transformed into beautiful mosque

Plans to redevelop the former Horse and Farrier on King’s Road into The IQRA Centre were approved in July last year. 

It received an outpouring of support from worshippers - leading to the creation of a grand prayer hall, community space and rooms for educational programmes.

The team’s vision was brought to life in around seven to eight months after donations hit the £800,000 mark. 

Domed ceiling at The IQRA Centre (Image: Newsquest, Mike Simmonds)

Now the mosque has offered an invite to people of all faiths and backgrounds ahead of a long-awaited open day.

Trustees and the centre’s Imam will take guests on a guided tour around the new-look site before a Q&A and chance to build deeper connections over food and drink. 

The open day is part of a national scheme run by the Muslim Council for Britain.

Educational space at The IQRA Centre (Image: Newsquest, Mike Simmonds)

Shahidur Rahman, one of the founding trustees of The IQRA Centre, said the community space is already being used for regular kickboxing lessons and food parcel donations.

Meanwhile plans are already in the works for events such as summer BBQs, fun days, and activities for children or people with dementia.

The final touches are now being made to the building - such as repairs on a dangerous, unusable staircase.

Looking back at the start of the IQRA Centre’s journey, Shahidur said: “There’s been massive objections and stuff like that as you expect from a pub turning into a mosque venue.

Inside The IQRA Centre (Image: Newsquest, Mike Simmonds)

"We’ve done a lot of work so it’s now how we can work together, make activities, understand each other. A lot of people can come in and see what we’ve done. 

“There’s going to be a lot of stuff we want to do. 

“People don’t need to think it’s ‘them and us’.

“There’s going to be a lot of changes that we’re trying to manage like car parking so people can talk to us, we’re trying our best. 

Inside The IQRA Centre - space for children to learn (upper and lower left), Wudu used by worshippers who cleanse before prayer (top right), and outside the building (low right) (Image: Newsquest, Mike Simmonds)

“There’s a lot of opportunities for everybody. Hopefully people come and be part of it.”

In a message to anyone interested in visiting the mosque, Shahidur said: “If people are interested in working with us, different projects and ideas, it would be good to make contact. 

“On the day our Imam will be there, he will be there to answer questions. There’s no silly questions, it doesn’t matter how basic it is.”

The free-to-attend Open Day will take place on Monday, May 8, between 10am and 12pm.