Hawzah News Agency (New Jersey, US) –  A Grade II listed building which has formerly been a pub, restaurant and hardware store could become Newark's first Islamic community center and mosque.

The site in Appleton Gate - just opposite Newark Northgate railway station - would mainly be used as a community center, but would also have a cafe and a place of worship for congregational prayers.

It was previously the Bowling Green pub and Alishaan restaurant, but has most recently been used as a hardware and ironmongery store, and cafe.

However, Newark Islamic center has been using it on an informal basis since last year, holding prayers and classes about Islam there.

It has now submitted a planning application to Newark and Sherwood District Council to change the use of the building from retail and food/drink to a community center, place of worship, cafe and shop.

Zahoor Iqbal, Newark Islamic Centre welfare officer, said that although having a place for prayer was important, the wider community aspects of the scheme were more so. 

He said: "Prayer is one aspect of it, but there are seven or eight other things which have a higher priority.

"As Muslims we are part of Newark and its part of our faith to help the community. The strategy is to be part of the community, the whole Newark community."

He said there would be a food bank at the site, as well as events for the elderly and other groups.

"We will do seminars and invite members of the public to presentations about what Islam is really about, and invite other faith groups in Newark. Any activity which brings the community together."

The planning application says that the ground floor of the building would be used for a community center, which would have a space to hold community events, a meeting space for clubs and groups, and a base for charitable outreach activities.

It says: "In particular it is proposed to use the community center for after-school educational activities and charitable support for the local homeless.

"The community center will also include space to operate as a place of worship, which will predominantly be used for Friday prayers."

The front of the main building would be a cafe, which would be available both to users of the community center and for members of the public.

The planning application is due to be considered by the end of this month.

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