NASFAT Manchester is an Islamic organization registered in 2011 under the Charity Commission, England and Wales with its headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria. The society’s objective as set out in the charity’s trust deed is to provide a variety of culturally sensitive services to its members and surrounding neighbourhood while also promoting and preserving its Islamic value and heritage.
The aim of the society is to create opportunities for both Muslims and non- Muslims to learn and understand Islam through practice, lectures, workshops, dialogues, social interactions and engagements. The society aims at promoting religious tolerance and oppose extremism by working and collaborating with authority and government agencies, British Council of Masjids and other inter- faith institutions locally and across the United Kingdom.
The society, prior to 2013 when it purchased and converted a Methodist church into its own masjid-(Nasfat Manchester Islamic Centre ) experienced harrowing and agonizing nine (9) years of struggling and a nomadic live, moving from one venue to another. This came with its consequences of loss of its members due to frequent relocation and change of venues and addresses for asalat. The period were characterised by uncertainties of where our next asalat, daily and Jum’ah prayers, Arabic and Islamic classes for our children would be held.
Alhamdulillah, the branch (society) in 2013 was able to acquire its own property (A Methodist Church was bought and converted into a Mosque). This feat was achieved through the support and member’s financial contribution and the support of the entire Muslim Ummah across the United Kingdom and Nigeria. The purchase of the mosque does not only show the beauty of Islam but also demonstrated the principle of brotherhood and oneness in Islam.
Alhamdulillah!! The purchase of our masjid witnessed a new dawn in the history of the branch (society) as it was first of its kind among all branches and groups of Nasfat in diaspora. It was also the first masjid bought by any Nigerian and African Islamic organisation in Manchester and the only masjid (till date) in the whole of East Manchester.
The presence of Nasfat Islamic Centre in East of Manchester became a magnet that draws and attracts Muslims (regardless of colour) to converge to worship and interact with one another. The area has now witnessed influx of more Muslims.
It also off ers Muslims and non-muslims the forum for gathering where they hold symposium,programmes, Nilkah,workshops and empowerment programs for it’s members and non-members alike, it’s neighbors inclusive.
In addition, it also off ers opportunity for stable and model Arabic and Islamic classes for children and adults.
Prior to the arson incident, the mosque just went through structural improvement with the construction of an ultra-modern ablution centre at a cost of £44,000. This was the first phase of the mosque development project. Work on the second phase was envisaged to commence in 2018 but that has been short-lived/set back by the arson att ack.
The feat of having the first and only masjid in Reagent street Drolysden Newthon Heat of East Manchester came with its attendant consequences. The masjid between 2013 and 2017 witnessed more than thirteen (13 ) hate, anti-social and islamophobic attacks. The masjid Surveillance (CCTV) cameras were vandalized and stolen more than 5 times. A petrol bomb was thrown into the building in 2014 in one of several attempts to burn the property. In one of several attempts, our newly acquired 17 seater van/commuter bus was torched/burnt. The roof of the masjid was vandalized in December 2015 while pig head was dropped at the entrance of the masjid in 2015. The climax was the incidence of July 17, 2017 when the masjid was set ablaze by unknown arsonist. The masjid was extensively damaged and could no longer be used as shown in below images;
The incidence of July 2017 has now brought our branch back to 2012/2013 era characterized by uncertainties as to where to observe our daily, Jumah prayers and our weekly programs, frequent changes to our weekly activities and lack of facilities for Arabic and Islamic education for the students.
As Muslim, we put our trust in Almighty Allah in our efforts to rebuild the burnt masjid. We have seen the incidences as price of been Muslim in contemporary world we live in. The society has taken inspiration from the fact that the mosque was and still the only one in this part of Greater Manchester. The easy option for us is to sell or abandon the property and move on. If we do, what becomes of those Muslims that moved into the area because of the presence of masjid? What becomes of Muslims living in the area? What about the thought that any other masjid may not spring up in this area in future if we run away.
‘How do we (As an individual and organisation) want to support’.The incidence of July 2017 has now brought our branch back to 2012/2013 era characterized by uncertainties as to where to observe our daily, Jumah prayers and our weekly programs, frequent changes to our weekly activities and lack of facilities for Arabic and Islamic education for the students.
