Community leaders joined Muslims from across Crawley for a special service and meal on Friday (June 26) as plans made over three years for the £500,000 extension came to fruition.

MP Laura Moffatt, Crawley police's Chief Inspector Steve Curry, and county council leader Henry Smith were among those who came along.

On what Mosque chairman Arif Syed described as a 'once in a lifetime' day, the foundations were laid for new classrooms, a library, washrooms and funeral and wedding facilities at the mosque on Fennel Crescent.

There to conduct a special service was Mohamed Jihan of Streatham Mosque, who said afterwards: "We're so happy today to see this being established. It's a great day for the children and the community and the town as a whole."

For the full story see Wednesday's (July 1) Crawley Observer.