Jamia Masjid Swafia

Jamia Masjid Swafia is a UK registered nonprofit organisation and mosque located in Wakefield, registered under charity number 1167300. Established by local Muslims in the early 1980s, it was the first purpose-built mosque in Wakefield, serving as a religious and community centre for Muslims in the area.

History

Before Jamia Masjid Swafia was built, local Muslim worshippers used houses, former churches, or old school buildings for prayer and community gatherings. The mosque was constructed to provide a dedicated facility for Islamic worship and community activities. In June 1984, the mosque underwent a significant extension, expanding its internal floor space, adding more toilets and ablution facilities, and including two minarets and a dome, making it a distinctive landmark.

The extension also created additional classroom space for female classes and other functions, as well as a mortuary room for preparing deceased bodies for funeral prayers. This development reflected the growing needs of the Wakefield Muslim community over time.

Mission and Activities

Jamia Masjid Swafia aims to advance the Islamic religion by providing a mosque with the necessary facilities and staff to hold prayers, lectures, religious visits, and celebrations of Islamic festivals. It plays a central role in religious education, offering classes for Muslim children and adults.

Community

The mosque is maintained, funded, and run by the local Wakefield Muslim community. Originally predominantly composed of individuals of Pakistani origin, the community has diversified in recent years to include Muslims from Europe, Africa, and an increasing number of converts and reverts to Islam.

As the Wakefield Muslim community has grown, so have the needs for expanded religious and community services, leading Jamia Masjid Swafia to plan for future development to continue serving the community effectively.

Governance and Charity Status

Jamia Masjid Swafia is officially registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales under charity number 1167300. The charity is committed to transparent governance and up-to-date reporting in compliance with regulatory requirements.

This summary reflects Jamia Masjid Swafia’s role as a religious, educational, and community institution dedicated to serving the diverse Muslim population in Wakefield through its facilities and services.

[1] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1167300&subid=0 [2] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5052674/governance [3] https://ngoexplorer.org/charity/1167300 [4] https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/jamia-masjid-swafia-252236 [5] https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/swafiaexpansionproject