AN OLDHAM mosque devastated by Storm Eunice has launched an £100,000 appeal to fund repairs.
One of two minarets at Greengate Jamia Masjid was partially toppled by strong winds on Friday, before falling the following day and causing further destruction.
Approximately £400 has so far been raised on fundraising site Givebrite to repair the mosque, which also sustained water damage from a hole made in the roof by the falling minaret.
The second minaret is also now unstable due to the storm and repairs are needed for the dome.
On Facebook on Monday, the mosque posted: “We are meeting with experts over the next few days to try and plan the repairs and estimate costs.
“Many people have already pledged to contribute towards the cost of repairs, and we are putting out an urgent appeal for donations.
“Every donation will make a considerable difference. May Allah (swt) reward you immensely.”
It added repairs had been estimated at £100,000 and any donations which exceed costs would go towards running the mosque.
Police and fire services set up a cordon around the Greengate Street mosque on Friday after severe winds dislodged one of the mosque’s minarets, while Oldham was subject to an amber weather warning during Storm Eunice.
The mosque had arranged to have the damaged minaret repaired the next day – but it fell, damaging the roof of the prayer hall and the mosque’s dome mere hours before workers could arrive to start repairs.
The mosque’s second minaret has also become unstable.
A drone was used to help assess the damage.
Progressively worse winds and rain on Sunday caused by Storm Franklin meant that attempts to repair some of the damage to the roof were unsuccessful, meaning tarpaulins and water pumps had to be brought in to battle the elements.
Donations can also be sent by direct bank transfer or at the masjid.
On donation website Givebrite, Imran Rafiq wrote: “May Allah make this a speedy renovation for the community of Oldham.”
Aqeel Saddiq added: “May Allah make it easy for the community. It's just bricks and mortar. Alhamdulillah no one was hurt or seriously injured.”
Minarets are tall towers connected to mosques, surrounded by one or more balconies from which a muezzin calls worshippers to prayer.
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