Blackburn Mosque's Extension Welcomes Dedicated Prayer Space for Muslim Women
Darwen Council recently approved the plan, granting planning permission in January. The new worship area is intended to accommodate approximately 20 female worshippers, according to the Lancashire Telegraph.
Initially, concerns raised by planning officers from Blackburn with Darwen Council prompted the withdrawal of the original proposal, which was then replaced with a smaller alternative. Planning officer Martin Kenny recommended approval of the revised plan in his report, highlighting the existing status of Darwen Madina Masjid as an established place of worship.
The mosque offers various services, including madrassah instruction, marriage ceremonies, funerals, and community engagement initiatives.
In the context of Muslim worship practices, Muslims perform five daily prayers, each consisting of specific postures and movements known as rak‘ah. These prayers are spread throughout the day, commencing with the Fajr prayer at dawn. While men generally gather at mosques for congregational prayers, women are not obligated to pray collectively. Nonetheless, many Muslim women seek a designated space within mosques to maintain a sense of connection to the community.
Earlier this year, Easton Jamia Mosque in Bristol responded to numerous requests by establishing a new area for women to pray within the mosque premises, a move that was unveiled during the Eid celebrations. This initiative underscores the growing demand for inclusive spaces for women's worship within the mosque setting.
Source: Agencies
