Planning permission has been granted to construct the Midland's first permanent Mosque. Rumi Foundation Ireland had applied to construct the Mosque at units in the Inish Carraig Business Centre at Golden Island in Athlone. Plans called for the change of use from an existing fitness clinic to use as a place of worship and religious instruction. Documents submitted to Westmeath County Council state that prayer services would be held five times a day starting at 5am and finishing after 10pm.
According to the project website, existing prayer halls for those of the Muslim faith are currently struggling to accommodate the increase in the population locally. A fundraising effort to support the construction of the Athlone Islamic Centre has collected over €117,000 out of a target of €300,000. The plans were approved with four conditions attached, including a ruling that no goods, sandwich boards or similar structures shall be displayed outside the premises.
