“Yesterday I visited Regents Park Mosque London Central Mosque, London, UK. Regents Park Mosque, is
“Yesterday I visited Regents Park Mosque London Central Mosque, London, UK. Regents Park Mosque, is one of London’s flagship mosques and according to Wikipedia can accomodate up to 5000 worshippers. To say I was disappointed at the state of ladies and family facilities is an understatement. We arrived just before Dzuhr prayer, at time when most people have left after Eid prayers. We stayed for Asr prayer, too. I found the toilet area was initially crowded with more than 15 people waiting to use the 4 cubicles. (The mens area has large and recently refurbished toilet and wudu facilities.) The area was stuffy and stinky and looked old - completely unchanged as I remember it from a visit 10 years ago. The water running from all taps was very hot with no way of adjusting the temperature. Many people commented on this and found it difficult to do their wudu. At one point the waste water started to rise up the sinks. I understand that at Eid time the capacity can be overstretched. But the unwelcoming impression didn’t end there. There was a sign saying no buggies allowed in the wudu area yet when I enquired where should I leave the buggy I was just shown outside the mosque with the option of carrying my toddler inside and attempting to do my wudu in the crowded wet area while keeping my baby out of harms way. (I must say all the attending ladies were nice and didn’t mind me taking my buggy inside, however the unwelcoming policy remains.) Then, adjacent to the toilet area is a ‘family room’. This room of a few square metres is carpeted with old grey carpet, walls are peeling with old paint and is fully open into the toilet area which is very humid and stinks. When you enter the nice, yet very small prayer area upstairs there is a sign above the door saying that children are not allowed there. I don’t want to start a debate what kind of kids behavior in a mosque is acceptable, there will be some tolerance needed on both sides. I am just so disappointed that one of the flagship London mosques which represents UK Muslims doesn’t consider it important to create women and child friendly areas that would help to develop love of Islam in the young minds . I just imagined that I would bring a non Muslim friend - I would have been so ashamed.” - Katerina Qabaha Kralova -- source link
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