The Mubarak Mosque in Tilford, Surrey has planned to raise funds for saving the All Saints Church in the village. The church was declared unsafe in October 2021 after sections of its ceiling caved in and it was estimated that the restoration work would cost £110,000. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association (AMYA), which represents the Mubarak Mosque, has hosted a charity run with the goal to accumulate funding for the church’s restoration. The interfaith event took place on Sunday where churchgoers and residents were asked to participate in a 5-kilometer/10-kilometer run as part of expressing support for the cause. Over £70,000 has already been raised by the church for the restoration work and it is hoped that the event will help achieve the final goal.
BBC News reports:
A mosque is aiming to raise thousands of pounds and “put smiles on faces” by helping to save a village church.
All Saints Church in Tilford was deemed unsafe when parts of its ceiling collapsed in October 2021. It needed £110,000 for restoration work.
A charity run, hosted by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association (AMYA) representing the Mubarak Mosque, is aiming to help reach the target.
Imam Sabah Ahmedi, 28, said projects like this could “help build bridges”.
The interfaith event on Sunday invited residents and churchgoers to take part in a 5k or 10k run on Tilford Village Green.
Mr Ahmedi, one of Britain’s youngest Imams, said: “It’s a fundamental obligation on all Muslims to help their neighbours, regardless of their background.
“Initiatives like this help to build bridges and put smiles on faces, especially in the challenging circumstances.”
Work on the 150-year-old Grade II listed church has to be completed by a heritage expert able to work with traditional lime plaster.
To date, the church has raised more than £70,000 and restoration work is nearing completion, but it is hoped Sunday’s event will help reach the final target.
Church treasurer Charlotte Mathias said raising the funds had been a “daunting” task.
She added: “I hope this occasion will give us the opportunity to shine a light on how religious harmony can bring people together.”
AMYA helped organise the event as part of its Mercy 4 Mankind initiative.
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Photo by Levi Meir Clancy on Unsplash
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