Council Leader Praises Blackburn’s New Mosque as ‘Inspiring Community Asset’
Masjid E Vali opened in January 2026 on the former site of Westholme Junior School in Preston New Road, Blackburn.
Around five years in the planning and construction, the new mosque is one of the North West’s most significant and ambitious places of worship developments in recent years.
Funded by the Issa Foundation, a charity established by Blackburn with Darwen born brothers and entrepreneurs Zuber Issa CBE and Mohsin Issa CBE, also founders of EG Group, the new mosque development is named in memory of their father, the late Vali Issa.
Zuber Issa CBE said, “Masjid E Vali stands as a tribute to my father’s values of compassion, humility and service to others. He believed in the power of community, in opening doors rather than closing them, and in bringing people together regardless of faith, ethnicity or background.
“I hope that Masjid E Vali becomes not only a place of prayer, but also a place of unity, learning, understanding and lasting friendships for generations to come.”
Built with a significant investment, Masjid E Vali has been thoughtfully designed to reflect spiritual peace and serenity.
The design and build have been inspired and influenced by similar, beautiful architecture from across the Middle East, as it blends classic, contemporary Islamic design with high-quality local materials, creating a welcoming and uplifting space for the whole community to access and benefit from.
Sustainability has also been an important investment consideration. Solar panels installed on the roof help power the building, and extensive landscaping enhances the surrounding environment, creating an attractive and accessible setting.
Already, Masjid E Vali has welcomed visitors from across the UK and beyond, with many praising both its architectural beauty and its community engagement focus.
During their visit, representatives of Masjid E Vali’s management team guided Council leaders through the building, showcasing its facilities and sharing their vision for the future.
Councillor Phil Riley, Leader of the Council, commented, “Zuber and Mohsin Issa have always been proud of their Blackburn with Darwen roots. Transforming this former school site into such an impressive and welcoming place of worship and education demonstrates a strong commitment to the town and its people.
“What impressed me most during the tour was not only the quality of the architecture and final build, but the clear ambition for Masjid E Vali to be a place that brings people together and be a space that all the residents of Blackburn with Darwen can be proud of.
“I would like to thank Zuber Issa and the Masjid E Vali management team for their hospitality, and for making us all feel so welcome.”
Standing close to St Silas’s Church and Sacred Heart Church in Preston New Road, Masjid E Vali stands as part of a diverse and vibrant spiritual asset for the local community. Visitors enter through marble pillars and pass a tranquil fountain before reaching a welcoming reception area that leads into the main prayer hall, which can accommodate more than 1,000 worshippers.
Masjid E Vali includes dedicated prayer spaces for both men and women, as well as a crèche and children’s play area, the first in Lancashire to offer such facilities.
Read More:
An adjacent community building provides flexible space for events, educational programs, wellbeing activities and wider community use.
Councillor Quesir Mahmood, Deputy Leader of the Council and Executive Member for Growth and Development, added: While the mosque will serve worshippers locally and from further afield, the message from the Issa family and the management team is clear that everyone is welcome at Masjid E Vali.
The facility is designed not only as a place of worship, but as a community hub for people of all faiths and none. It has already hosted events such as women’s health days and community safety initiatives, and it has great potential to play an important role in bringing people together across Blackburn with Darwen.
Source: theshuttle.org.uk
