A defunct London landmark could soon become a mosque after getting the final approval from local city authorities, the UK media reported over the weekend.
Well-known businessman Asif Aziz, who was born in Malawi, seeks to turn The Trocadero into an Islamic prayer facility, potentially infuriating anti-Muslim circles and right-wing groups. The area where this is located, the City of Westminster, is considered to be the capital's entertainment borough, replete with alcohol-serving bars and clubs, as well as gay venues and strip clubs – all of which are considered by many Muslims to be against Islam.
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A Westminster Council spokesperson confirmed to The Mail on Sunday that "a planning application by the Aziz Foundation to convert a part of the London Trocadero was approved by the council's planning committee in May 2023."
The Trocadero, which lies in the heart of the British capital, has a rich history going back to 1896, and in its various iterations, it was a place where people would go to shop watch movies or eat fast food. It closed down in 2014, and now Aziz envisions a new purpose for the iconic building, hoping this would serve the large community of Muslims in the city and the many tourists that teem the area.
Video: Queen Elizabeth II laid to rest. Credit: Ram Liran
Upon completion, the mosque, named the "Piccadilly Prayer Space," will have three floors and a capacity of approximately 390 people.
Aziz's charitable arm, the Aziz Foundation, has been leading the effort to repurpose the place. Under Islamic tradition, prayers are to be held five times a day, although they don't have to be carried out in a mosque.
The plans for a larger mosque – which would have the size to accommodate 1,000 worshippers – were dropped after this triggered opposition from local residents and far-Right organizations. Under the current plan, the modifications and repair works are likely to span several months.
Asif Aziz, also known as Mr West End, bought the Trocadero in 2005 for over £220 million ($363 million). His property portfolio is believed to be worth over £2 billion ($2.6 billion).
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