Colchester Islamic Community Centre
PRESS RELEASE
LANDMARK MOMENT FOR COLCHESTER ISLAMIC COMMUNITY CENTRE
Today is a landmark day for one of Colchester’s local charities. After two years of fundraising and searching for a suitable home for their community centre, Colchester Islamic Community Centre (CICC) are delighted by the Council’s decision to approve their “change of use” planning application allowing them to convert the Beehive Pub into a community centre and place of worship.
The Colchester Islamic Community Centre (CICC) will be the first community centre that will serve as a social hub for local Muslims and they are proud to share this space with the wider community. CICC already offers monthly coffee mornings, conferences, dish parties and sports events, as well as supporting local organisations like the Colchester Food Bank.
Local Muslims have been actively engaged in bringing their community together, using local facilities such as Firstsite and Acorn Hall for community get togethers and activities. One member of the community said: “a community centre is desperately needed for the Muslims of Colchester as at the moment we have to use various venues. I have been attending the various groups and found them to be beneficial. It is nice to be able to meet up with others”.
CICC would like to take the opportunity to thank all the people, from across different communities, who have offered them their private and public support and solidarity. They are delighted to have handed in a 1,400 signatory petition – in support of their new community centre – to the Council during Wednesday’s Planning Meeting.
Some bright and exciting opportunities lay ahead for this young, energetic charity, who hope to reach out to the local community and work closely with them to foster excellent relationships.
CICC is particularly keen to build relationships with the group that opposed their application. CICC Trustees said “We recognise the passions and disappointment that Save Our Beehive group feel in losing the Beehive pub. We hope that CICC can be a space where they feel welcome and can meet a diverse group of people. In the words of the late Jo Cox MP: “we are far more united and have far more in common than that which divides us”. We are hopeful and enthusiastic about what we can accomplish together.”
Going forward, members of CICC are looking forward to a much needed break before they resume with plans to convert the property. Mr Sohail Choksy, Chair of CICC has said, “we hope to invite the local community over for some tea and cake in the new year to celebrate and make lifelong friends”. Follow them on Twitter @CICCentre to stay updated and find out more about them on their website at www.ciccentre.org.
Contact information: Info@ciccentre.org