The Bristol Jamia Mosque is a

mosque A mosque (; from ar, مَسْجِد, masjid, ; literally "place of ritual prostration"), also called masjid, is a place of prayer for Muslims. Mosques are usually covered buildings, but can be any place where prayers ( sujud) are performed, ...

in the Totterdown area of

Bristol Bristol () is a city, ceremonial county and unitary authority in England. Situated on the River Avon, it is bordered by the ceremonial counties of Gloucestershire to the north and Somerset to the south. Bristol is the most populous city in ...

. It was the first mosque in Bristol and is currently the largest in the south west of England. The building was formerly a disused church that was bought and converted into a mosque in 1968. It has since been embellished with a dome and minaret.

Description

The mosque has one dome and one minaret. Both men and women are allowed to pray at the mosque; it has a main hall (capacity 700) and a separate women's prayer hall (capacity 140). The building also houses classrooms for children and an event hall for religious celebrations and other meetings. The main hall has a wooden Syrian mimbar. The mosque is open to all traditions of Islam and to the non-Muslim community of Bristol. Bristol Jamia Mosque is a registered charity and a member of Council of Bristol Mosques (CBM), a multi-denominational organisation of mosques in the city established in 2009.

History

Bristol Jamia Mosque was originally an Anglican mission room, known as St. Katherine’s church, which was constructed in 1889 and closed in 1964. In 1968, the Bristol Muslim Association purchased the disused church from the parish council for conversion. The dome and minaret were added to the structure in 1980. It was the first mosque in Bristol and is currently the largest mosque in south-west England.

References

Mosques in England Religious buildings and structures in Bristol Organisations based in Bristol Mosques completed in 1968 1968 establishments in England Mosque buildings with domes Barelvi mosques Mosques converted from churches in Europe {{UK-mosque-stub