Hebridean island set for first mosque

by 88JM 18 Replies latest members politics

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  88JM

  As someone who used to live not too far from this rural part of Scotland I found this story quite funny. In case you didn't know Stornaway is a town in the far north-west of Scotland on the Isle of Lewis. It's traditionally run (i.e. the local council members etc.) by very staunch Free Church of Scotland members ("the wee free") - strict observance of the sabbath, born again, trinity, etc.

  There has been a small congregation of JW's in Stornaway for many decades now, but their hall is a tiny, old, upstairs space above a shop on the high street, last time I was there. They've been itching to find somewhere new for as long as I can remember, but as many in Stornaway are Free Church members (including most of the council) getting planning permission (example here) has failed every time since for the JWs.

  Fast forward to today and I see the story below pop up - "Hebridean island set for first mosque":

  https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/hebridean-island-set-for-first-mosque-bx5fd7sb8

  Personally I will be rolling on the floor laughing if the planning for a Mosque is approved, considering all the rejections the local congregation of JW's have had. That said, I would not be surprised if it happened - the local muslim population will probably be far more endearing to the community somehow I suspect!
• 

  LoveUniHateExams

  McAllah McAkbar!
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  darkspilver

  Thanks - interesting
  

  They've been itching to find somewhere new for as long as I can remember, but as many in Stornaway are Free Church members (including most of the council) getting planning permission (example here) has failed every time since for the JWs.
  

  Actually it looks like the council actually APPROVED permission for the KH in Perceval Road last year:

  http://www.hebrides-news.com/new-church-12816.html
  

  FYI this is their current KH - above a chinese take-away:

  
  
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  Lancashirelass

  There is a quick build for a new KH going on right now up there. I know some couples that have gone there to do some work on it.
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  88JM

  Interesting darkspliver and Lancashirelass - thanks for the update. Looks like times are changing indeed!
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  steve2

  Interestingly, in the website Religious Organizations in Stornoway, Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) are listed at 20 Seaforth Rd Stornoway, while Jehovah's Witnesses are listed twice but both locations are respectively 96km and 267 km from Stornoway.

  What gives?
  
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  darkspilver

  in the website Religious Organizations in Stornoway

  what's the URL domain name address?
  

  20 Seaforth Rd Stornoway appears to be located in a purely private residential street, and Number 20 looks to to be currently for sale:
  

  http://www.kenmacdonaldproperties.co.uk/properties_detail.php?prop_id=745

  According to https://www.mormon.org.uk/meetinghouse
  

  The Mormon Meeting House is at Newton Street, STORNOWAY, HS1 2RE

  (looks a nice location, opposite the sea/harbour)
  

  https://goo.gl/maps/zbGpWzKURrq
  

  
  
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  steve2

  https://www.britaine.co.uk/stornoway/religious+organizations Religious Organisations in Stornoway.
  
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  slimboyfat

  That was the Kingdom Hall where I learned the truth. A lot of old characters in there. And many hours I spent in meetings up those stairs. The building was built by a brother in the 1920s or thereabouts. The other shops used to pay them rent or something. But I may have got my facts mixed up as I was only young at the time.

  I do remember we used to get Chinese takeaway after the meeting some nights, or else fish and chips just down the road slightly out of the picture. You couldn't do that on a Sunday because not a single shop was open. Not even Enge's the petrol station. The only place you could get a snack was the back door of the County or else from the hospital vending machine.

  I had good fun going to the meetings there and going on the ministry all over the island. The islanders loved a good theological argument. It was a good time.
  

  I think I remember in the 1990s the only Asian family on the island were the owners of the furniture store next to Woolworth. Did they have an influx of Muslims since then?
  
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  cofty

  That was the Kingdom Hall where I learned the truth

  "learned the truth" - Eh?