An Oldham mosque congregation has climbed Snowdon, now known by its Welsh name Yr Wyddfa, and raised more than £40,000 as a result.
Bilal Jamia Masjid is looking to buy land to expand its mosque, allowing it to accommodate more people.
Car parking issues currently affect the mosque’s current location, and the mosque says it needs more space to accommodate everyone.
The mosque is looking to raise £300,000 in three months in order to buy the land, which is located on Cook Street.
The Yr Wyddfa climb was organised by Arfan Zar, who is in charge of the fundraising, which is taking place on Greengate mosque’s Givebrite page in order to allow GiftAid to be added to donations.
Arfan’s young son, 10-year-old Abdullah, also successfully made the climb.
The land the mosque is looking to purchase was previously home to St Annes R.C. Church, which has since been demolished.
The fundraising is intended as a Sadaqah Jariyah, or ongoing charity which lasts beyond a person’s death, in memory of three former mosque attendees who sadly passed away, as well as all deceased Muslims: Danyal, who died in a car crash; Luqman, who died in a car crash; and Shahbaz, who died during the pandemic.
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Azad Hussain, a volunteer at Bilal Jamia, was one of around 60 who climbed the mountain, which is the highest point in the British Isles outside the Scottish highlands and the highest mountain in Wales, at 1,085 metres above sea level.
Most congregants were taken to the mountain by coach, with some others arriving by car.
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Azad said: “It was an amazing experience climbing Snowdon, it wasn’t just about climbing a mountain or reaching the top, it was about completing this challenge, which was a charity fundraiser for the three young boys who passed away, and for all the deceased loved ones in the community and the Oldham area.
“The fundraiser we have set up for this new project taking place in the Clarksfield area is going to be very beneficial for the whole community, and the coming new generation.
“I request that we need as many donations as possible and volunteers to join us in the numerous fundraising events that will take place very soon, to achieve our mission and goal.”
Future fundraising events have already been lined up, with a cricket tournament set to take place on August 28 at Glodwick Cricket Club.
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