Chesham Mosque

Chesham Mosque stands in the town of Chesham, Buckinghamshire. It replaced an earlier mosque that operated from two converted houses on Bellingdon Road. The first mosque opened in 1970, and the second moved there in 1979 with space for 200 worshippers. By the late 1990s the Muslim population had grown to 1500, so plans began for a larger building. Fundraising started in December 1998 during Ramadan and continued until the new mosque opened in August 2005. The mosque is organised by Muslims in Britain and follows the Sufi-Bareilvi tradition. It cost £1.6 million, entirely funded by donations and door-to-door collections. The old building on Bellingdon Road now serves as a meeting and function facility. The main prayer hall holds 500 people, and a separate hall provides space for 200 women. There are also wudu facilities and a room for Quran study. Visitors find a modern brick building set in a quiet part of Chesham. Inside, the main prayer hall has a simple design with carpeted floors and clear lighting. The women’s prayer hall is reached by a staircase near the entrance. The wudu area has rows of taps and mirrors for ritual washing. The Quran study room holds shelves of books and a few desks for classes. Outside, a small car park serves worshippers and visitors.