Liverpool Mosque Faces Space Shortage Amid Growing Demand for Funerals
Al-Rahma Mosque, situated on Hatherley Street in Toxteth, is widely regarded as the central hub for Liverpool’s Muslim population. It has become the primary location for Islamic funerals in the area, including for families traveling from nearby cities such as Rochdale, Wirral, St Helens, and Sefton.
Despite serving a community estimated at over 40,000 Muslims, the mosque currently has only one washroom and one refrigeration unit for deceased bodies, prompting concerns about its capacity to meet the religious and logistical needs of mourners.
The ritual of Ghusl Mayyit, the ceremonial washing of a body before burial, is a fundamental practice in Islam. This act, which includes washing the body with soap and water and wrapping it in a white shroud, is typically carried out within 24 hours of death and is seen as a communal religious duty.
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As of April 2023, Al-Rahma has conducted 138 Islamic funerals but the existing facilities are described as overcrowded, lacking privacy, and not well-suited to support the emotional needs of grieving families.
“We only have one washroom and one refrigerator where we store the bodies. That’s all we have. It’s not a lot at all for the number of Muslims in the area,” Abdulwase Sufian, a funeral director at the mosque, told Liverpool Echo.
The lack of a dedicated funeral space means mosque staff often need to repurpose existing rooms for grieving families. This can disrupt other religious activities and place additional strain on the limited infrastructure, says Sufian.
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Plans are now underway to upgrade the mosque’s facilities. The proposed project, estimated to cost over £100,000, aims to create a purpose-built Ghusl room with space for up to five bodies, a family viewing room, and a Janazah support office.
The upgrades will be funded through Sadaqah Jariyah, or ongoing charitable donations.
Source: Agencies
