Madni Jamia Masjid wins European Competition for minarets
The minarets at Madni Jamia
Masjid have been named the most beautiful in Europe.
The distinctive structures at the Madni
Jamia Masjid Mosque in Thornbury,
BD3 beat those at more than 50 other mosques across the continent in a
contest run by COJEP International, a youth charity partnered with the
Council of Europe.
A panel made up of artists, architects, heritage
experts and representatives of different faiths met at the European
Parliament in Strasbourg to determine the winner. They examined
photographs of 53 minarets from 13 countries before selecting those at
the Bradford mosque.
Ishtiaq Ahmed, of Bradford
Council for Mosques, said: “It’s very proud and welcome news
for Bradford . In the last ten to 15 years we have seen an emergence of
some beautiful mosque structures in the city, and this is one of them.
“The fact that it’s recognised not only in the UK but in
Europe is tremendous news for Bradford .”
Minarets at mosques in Stockholm , Rome , Granada and
Oslo were shortlisted in the competition.
The four minarets at Madni Jamia Masjid were added last year during the final
phase of construction of the mosque, which was started ten years ago.
Mohammed Ashfaq, vice-
chairman of the mosque’s management committee, which chose the
design of the minarets, said: “They are beautiful. A lot of work
has gone into them. Winning the competition is a pleasant
surprise.”
The mosque is also home to the Islamic Cultural and
Educational Association. Around 6,000 people are thought to use its
facilities each week. Activities include religious conferences and
community events. In 2007, the mosque beat more than 1,000 others in the
UK in a competition run by Islam Channel to be named Britain ’s Model
Mosque for its community work.
Source: Telegraph and Argus
