Jamaat Information - Peterborough

NAME OF THE CENTRE 
The Khoja Shia Ithnasheri Muslim Community of Peterborough


ADDRESS OF CENTRE 
2 Burton Street, Peterborough PE1 5HD


HISTORY OF THE COMMUNITY

The Muslim Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Community of Peterborough has its origin going back to the early 1970’s when members of our community expelled from Uganda started settling in and around Peterborough. Initially, there were a hand full of families who started forming the very foundation of the community by regular gatherings and meetings for majlis on Thursdays and all-important nights of Wiladat and Wafat. Soon, the number of families started to increase and by 1975, property was purchased which was used as Imambargha. In 1978, the first purpose-built mosque for the Khoja Shia Community in the west was constructed in Peterborough and the community started to expand steadily as a result of cohesive community spirit of the original founder members of the community. As a result of regular Namaaz-e-Jama’at and gatherings as well as the convenience of the location of the centre and tremendous community spirit, more and more families from our Khoja communities originally based in East Africa began to make Peterborough their home. The easier pace of life in Peterborough and the community spirit combined with the regular functions and Madressa proved to be a great attraction.

Growth continued throughout the 1980’s and compared to the original handful of families, soon over one hundred families had settled in Peterborough. The community centre and the premises was proving to be inadequate and the Peterborough Husseini building project commenced in 1989/90 with completion of phase one whereby the Ghusl Khana, gents washroom and extension to the gents Imambargha was completed. In March 1991, phases two and three were commenced and by early 1992 these extensive phases of construction were completed. This included the completion of the mosque, the extension and renovation of the Imambargha and complete first floor extension to accommodate twelve Madressa classrooms, playgroup, library, activity group for youths and overflow for Imambargha. The project cost over half a million pounds and funds were raised from members and sister communities throughout the world with substantial contribution from the World Federation.

ACTIVITIES OF THE CENTRE

1. Regular holding of Namaaz-e-Jama’at for Maghribain and Zohrain with special sessions of tafsir of Qur’an and Massail after Namaaz-e-Maghribain.

2. Madressa for boys and girls on Saturday and Sunday every week. The total number of children attending is approximately one hundred and sixty.

3. Majlis, Dua-e-Kumail and Ziyarat-e-Waritha for both ladies and gents every Thursday night.

4. Namaaz-e-Jum’a every Friday, which is very well attended by all community members.

5. Special gathering of senior ladies group including Masaail classes and English tuition as well as lunch programme.

6. Saturday evening lectures in English with guest speakers and speakers from the community to impart religious education to our youths in the language which they are most familiar with.

7. Youth activity group including indoor sport facilities in the hall above the Imambargha every Friday for boys and every Satuday for girls. The affiliated body includes Shia Sports Club, which organises sports for members including cricket, volleyball, football, badminton, table-tennis and numerous other sports.

8. Other activities include interfaith council meetings, youth camps during holidays and regular playgroup for under fives.

NAME/EMAIL/TELNO WHO CAN BE CONTACTED TO GIVE FURTHER DETAILS
Mahmood Hudda 01733 237705


ACCOMMODATION FOR STUDENTS PROVIDED BY THE JAMAAT 
Not known 


ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION THAT WOULD ASSIST A STUDENT

Accessibility: Peterborough is on the commuter belt where it takes 40 minutes to London Kings Cross on the inter city 125 trains.