Old Kent Road Mosque-goers Seek New Home Amid £9m Renovation Delay
Worshippers face uncertainty as a £9m redevelopment project stalls due to funding issues
Old Kent Road, Mosque, Southwark, Community, Renovation, Funding
London: Hundreds of worshippers from the Old Kent Road Mosque are in a tough spot. Their £9 million redevelopment project has hit a snag because of funding issues.
This project, which started back in 2018, was supposed to replace their current site. The new building would have a modern prayer hall, community center, and even some commercial spaces.
Abdul-Jelil O. Oladejo, the mosque’s president, was really excited about it. He said it would be something special. But now, with costs rising from £6.5 million to £9 million, the community is left hanging.
They’re on the lookout for a new place to rent that won’t break the bank. They want to keep serving the community while they figure out their building plans.
The mosque has been a part of Old Kent Road since 1993. For the last five years, they’ve been renting a spot across from Burgess Park. But with rent over £5,000 a month, they had to give it up at the end of December.
“We are currently homeless,” Abdul shared, sounding worried. He mentioned that paying high rent while trying to fund the renovation just wasn’t feasible.
They reached out to the council for help finding a temporary space. Cllr John Batteson acknowledged the struggles local faith communities are facing but said there aren’t any suitable places available right now.
With Ramadan coming up in March, the pressure is on to find a new spot. Abdul stressed how important it is to have a place for prayer and community gatherings. “Being around others really helps,” he said.
All their usual activities have come to a halt while they wait for a solution. The mosque also offered important services like youth programs and support groups, which are now paused.
Despite everything, Abdul is committed to seeing the redevelopment through. The new building is meant to serve not just worshippers but the whole community, with features like a gym and event spaces. “The long-term benefits are worth the wait,” he said, refusing to cut back on the plans.
Right now, they’re asking the public for help in finding an affordable temporary location in Southwark. If anyone knows of a suitable space, they’re encouraged to reach out.