Assalamu aleikum! After several months of planning and additional fundraising, we’re pleased to announce that, inshallah, our next phase of renovation on the building at 4 Belford Road is due to begin in July 2023, continuing for approximately 12-15 weeks.

Here’s what we have planned:

Before we got to this point, we made sure that emergency repairs to the roof were complete and that all necessary surveys were taken of the building, including checks for rot and asbestos. It’s difficult to convey how deteriorated the building interior is, but we’re determined to make it right.

This phase of renovation will focus on stripping the interior and commencing with structural works. We’ve worked with our builder to ensure that this can take place within the confines of the property. This means no disruption of traffic on Belford Road or Tower Street.

We’re also working closely with North Yorkshire council to make sure all works are conducted according to established building regulations and in a way to cause minimal disruption to our neighbours. There will be no scaffolding or other exterior works during this phase.

This phase will see a removal and replacement of both the ground and first floors, each of which have suffered extensive rot and degradation. The floors will be replaced with steel framing and timber infrastructure to match the existing levels. The steel infrastructure will also help brace the existing masonry walls.

The purpose of this phase will be to ensure the building is structurally sound and safe for its intended use. We will need to raise additional funds to proceed with our final phase, which will involve installation of electrical, heating, security, and plumbing systems, along with interior walls, doors, and amenities. We may reach out with another Launchgood campaign when the final phase begins.

Our intent is for this process to be a model that other communities can follow in terms of outreach, management, safety, and engagement with the wider community. Thank you for contributing to this effort!

Until we can open our doors to everyone, our digital inboxes are open either on our social media (Twitter: @harrogateIA, Facebook: @harrogatemuslims) messaging us here or emailing us at info@harrogatemuslims.org.

Harrogate Islamic Association

We have the keys!

​Alhamdulillah, we have been able to secure the property on Friday April 1st, just before the start of Ramadan. We were able to do this based on your generous contributions and a last minute loan (interest free) from a local community member to cover the shortfall. Therefore, we'll still need your contributions to pay this loan back and will be collecting until the end of Ramadan, inshallah.

After we pay back the loan, we'll still be collecting for emergency repairs, so we appreciate you spreading the word. But we have at least secured the property and are grateful to all who supported us. This has been a 12 year journey, raising money in small amounts and making offers on properties over the years. We are so proud of our growing and loyal community and hope to establish the vision of an inclusive and welcoming facility that the city of Harrogate can be proud of.

More updates soon, inshallah.

Assalamu aleikum everyone! Here's an update on our current fund-raising status:

• We have had some success in accepting pledges from community members and others dependent upon planning permission. These have helped us move closer to our goal, even though the current tally shows us behind our goal. We will try to include these contributions in the total shown on Launchgood.
  

Of the £200,000 goal, about half of it (£100k) is required to meet our obligations to purchase the building. We need to have this full amount by early April and are making arrangements for temporary (interest-free) loans from community members in case we come up short. But we would still like to raise these funds as soon as possible to repay these loans. 

The other half (£100k) is needed for emergency repairs and minor modifications to the building interior. We will take what we can get for the duration of the crowdfunding campaign and are also seeking in-kind support for these repairs (builders, materials, etc.)

To meet these goals, we are extending the campaign through the month of Ramadan so we can provide the opportunity for others to give during this holy month (to April 30th).  

Thank you again for your support and please do feel free to share our campaign with anyone you think might be interested in supporting us!

The Harrogate Islamic Association

Assalamu aleikum everyone! Alhamduliillah, we are very pleased to announce that our planning application has been accepted. This is the result of years of hard work and we are grateful to everyone in the community who helped on the application and spread the word. Please thank your non-Muslim friends and neighbours who supported us… this made a big impact!

Our next step is to raise the balance of funds necessary for us to purchase the property outright. Although we have raised most of what we need, we had a number of pledges that were dependent upon planning permission being granted. So for the next 30 days, we will be collecting these pledges through the campaign here at Launchgood. Please share with your wider community networks.

This is just the first part of a long process. Once the building is purchased, we will need to make immediate repairs to prevent further damage to the building and then assess the renovation needs and further expenses. Our priority is to make the building useable enough for daily and/or Friday prayers. This may take some time, so please be patient with us. 

Jazakallahkhair for all your support! 

Assalamu aleikum. We wanted to let everyone know that this crowdfunding campaign has been set up in preparation to be publicised once planning permission has been granted. We have received many pledges of support once that moment occurs, inshallah. We are still hopeful that moment will come soon.

Once permission is granted, we will have 30 days to raise the necessary funds. Inshallah, when that occurs, we will revise the end date of this campaign accordingly and begin our direct outreach. If you have contributed so far, jazakallah khair. We appreciate your early support. 

Wasalaam,

Harrogate Islamic Association