Assalaamo alykom dear supporter,
The executive team at the CMA wanted to bring you up to date with our efforts to purchase a property for a Community Hub and Islamic Centre in Caversham. Since the last communication, the CMA has continued to actively seek suitable premises for a community and Islamic Centre in Caversham. The ambition has always been for it to be situated north of the River Thames. This has been challenging due to the low number of suitable properties coming to market.
Despite this, we have identified, viewed and pursued six different opportunities in Caversham, which include land, buildings and office units.
We made an offer on one property, however the survey undertaken indicated issues with the build, so we withdrew our offer.
With other opportunities, after viewing them, we conducted due diligence by involving solicitors, architects and builders. We uncovered lease complications with existing tenants in one case, excessive costs for refurbishing the properties in a couple of other cases. Another property had legal issues, causing complications to the sale, and the vendor then withdrew the property. We have also contacted landowners directly to inquire about the sale of land. And regarding Gosbrook Road, our original earmarked site, we are having continuing dialogue with the council and have been advised that the land will be returned to the market at some point this year.
We continue to engage with the council and monitor properties being released onto the market. All funds donated since we launched our appeal and any new donations remain ring-fenced and held in a specific account for the purchase of our centre, insha’Allah.
The economic forecast will likely present more opportunities for us as businesses release properties from their portfolios. We are well prepared to react when the right opportunity presents itself, by Allah’s help. So please continue to donate, spread the word about our efforts, keep a lookout for premises that may be suitable and alert the CMA team if you see a suitable site, and most importantly, please continue to make duaa that Allah helps and make it easy for our community to achieve its aim.
Jazakumullah for your continued support, patience and understanding.
Jazākumullāhu Khayran.
CMA Executive Committee