Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News, 2014-04-04

The city of Nottingham in the United Kingdom is preparing for the inauguration of their city’s first masjid with a minaret, seeing it a symbol of Islam in the old city.

The new Jamia Masjid Sultania in Sneinton Dale will host Zuhr salaah (afternoon prayers) for the first time from 2pm on Sunday, April 13.

The building, costing around £1.2m (R 21,1 million) was granted planning permission by Nottingham City Council in 2011.

The 47ft high (14 metre) glass fibre minaret was added that the end of February as one of the final pieces to be added to the Jamia Masjid Sultania masjid, in Sneinton.

The minaret can be used for Adhan, (call to prayer), only after taking a planning permission.

The minaret masjid is the first to be erected in Nottingham has been welcomed, as over the past 30 years, Muslims used to pray at their homes.

“I'm very proud and anxious that it opens,” said 79 year old Aurangzeb Khan who it the chairman of the masjid.

"We've wanted it for the last four or five years and we're really pleased with it."

Khan assured that people’s reactions to the new minaret have been positive.

"People are coming to see it. Everyone who passes by really praises it," he said.

Imam Moulana Mohammad Aslam Rabbani, who will lead the salaah (prayer) has described the minaret as being a "symbol of Islam in Nottingham".

Britain is home to nearly 2.7 million Muslims

(Twitter: @Faizie143)