Britain’s King Charles III has visited Cambridge Central Mosque in England. He expressed admiration for the eco-friendly design that keeps the building cool even in intense heat, its use of renewable energy and the mosque’s role in the local community.
On arriving at the mosque on Mill Road in Cambridge on Monday, July 20, the king was welcomed by religious leaders, members of the mosque trust and local representatives. After touring the garden and the building’s architecture, he removed his shoes and entered the main prayer hall, where he spoke with members of the Muslim community as well as representatives of various local faiths.
Praising the care taken in the mosque’s design and construction, the king said he was particularly impressed by the initiative of attaching a community centre to a full mosque. It was making an important contribution not only to the Muslim community but to the whole city of Cambridge, he said.
During the visit King Charles spoke with several students present. He later unveiled a commemorative plaque marking 75 years since Cambridge was granted city status; King George VI formally granted Cambridge that status in 1951.
According to the mosque authorities, Cambridge Central Mosque is considered Europe’s first eco-friendly mosque because of its reliance on environmentally friendly technology and green energy. Solar panels on the roof generate electricity, and a highly efficient heat pump on the ground floor regulates the building’s temperature in both hot and cold weather. Advanced insulation and natural ventilation keep the interior comparatively cool even during heatwaves.
The mosque, which can hold about a thousand worshippers, began regular prayers in 2019 and was formally inaugurated on December 5 that year. Alongside the prayer space it has separate facilities for women, reading and meeting rooms, a cafe, a community centre and a garden in Islamic design.
After the visit King Charles called for the mosque’s interfaith and social activities to continue, saying Cambridge Central Mosque was setting a notable example in building cooperation among local religious communities.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report