Historic Library's Fate: Abergavenny's Muslim Community Fights for a Home

A Community’s Long Journey to a Place of Worship

In the picturesque town of Abergavenny, a local Muslim community is facing a legal challenge to its dream of establishing a permanent place of worship. The Monmouthshire Muslim Community Association (MMCA) was granted a 30-year lease on the town's historic Carnegie Library, a Grade II listed building that has sat unused for a decade. This decision by the Labour-led council was a beacon of hope for a growing community that has long needed a dedicated space for prayer and gathering, having previously relied on rented halls.

The council’s decision came after a "comprehensive evaluation process" and was seen as a way to bring the cherished building back into “beneficial community use.” The MMCA's proposal was identified as the highest-scoring bid, taking into account not only the £6,000 annual rent but also the association’s commitment to undertake the costly repairs and maintenance of the century-old structure. This a crucial point, as the financial responsibility for a building of this age and status often deters potential tenants.

A Legal Challenge Amidst Accusations of "Religious Hostility"

However, the path to a new mosque has been far from smooth. The former library has been the site of vandalism, including the racist graffiti "no masjid" (no mosque in Arabic), a clear sign of the deep-seated tensions surrounding the project. Now, a legal challenge, supported by the Christian Legal Centre, threatens to halt the project entirely.

The legal action, brought by three councillors and a resident, claims the council violated Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972, which requires councils to get the "best value" for a public asset. Critics argue the building could have fetched up to £25,000 a year in rent. Yet, the focus on the financial aspect appears to overlook the significant social value of the project—providing a home for a faith group and revitalizing a dormant building.

Despite the Christian Legal Centre's involvement, some councillors leading the challenge maintain that the issue is not a religious one, but rather about "transparency" and "fairness." However, their collaboration with an organization known for its focus on Christian legal matters has raised questions about their motives. The challenge's very existence, coupled with the prior acts of vandalism, underscores the religious hostility the Muslim community is facing in its effort to simply establish a place of worship.

Faith and Community Growth

For the Muslim community in Monmouthshire, a mosque is more than just a building; it is the spiritual heart of their faith.  As the Muslim population in the region grows, so does the need for a central space to pray, educate children, and build a cohesive community. Faith is an integral part of life, and having a dedicated place to practice it is a fundamental aspect of religious freedom. The MMCA's vision for the Carnegie Library is not just a place of prayer but a community center that will serve all residents, offering educational, social, and recreational activities. This is a story about a community striving to find its place and fulfill its spiritual needs, only to be met with a legal and social battle over a building that has been neglected for a decade. The council now has until September 19 to formally respond to the legal letter, and the fate of Abergavenny's first mosque hangs in the balance.