Residents in a UK seaside town are opposing expansion plans for a mosque, claiming early morning prayers and loudspeakers are disrupting families. Homeowners near the Jamei Mosque in Winton, Bournemouth, say the site already causes significant disruption in the residential area and fear the extension could worsen existing problems.
The mosque, housed in a large detached property, currently has capacity for about 600 people. Under the plans, its roof space would be converted to provide additional accommodation, including a meeting room and an assembly area for women and children.
Residents report sleepless nights and parking woes
Resident Beverley Gilbert, 62, who has lived on the street for 34 years, told GB News she was woken by prayers at around 4.30am. She said: "I was woken at 4.30am today and it seems like there are prayers every day, at all hours of the day."
Ms Gilbert said she had no objection to the mosque itself but believed worshippers should respect the rules applying to the residential area. She said amplified sound from an imam's microphone could be heard inside her home despite double glazing. Her eight-year-old grandchild, she said, "cries because she can't get to sleep".
Another resident, who did not want to be named, said the mosque had originally been "small and trouble-free" when it opened more than two decades ago. But she claimed rising numbers of worshippers meant it had now "outgrown itself for its location". She also raised concerns about privacy, saying the proposed extension would overlook her garden.
Neighbours cite traffic and confrontation issues
Another neighbour, Delia Harris, warned that an increase in the number of worshippers could bring "severe disruption" to the community. Residents have stressed that their objections are about the impact of the development and are not motivated by race or religion.
The noise is not the only source of anger among neighbours. Residents have also complained about cars travelling over the gravel car park late at night, loud conversations as worshippers leave and parking problems on surrounding roads.
One neighbour said Friday prayers were particularly difficult, with vehicles allegedly left on double yellow lines, near junctions and across residents' driveways. The resident warned that cars parked on both sides of narrow roads could obstruct visibility for other motorists.
Tensions have reportedly spilled over into confrontations, with Ms Gilbert saying her own vehicles have been blocked in and that she has been shouted at when asking people to move.
Mosque notice urges worshippers to respect neighbours
The mosque itself appears to recognise the tensions with its neighbours. A notice displayed on the building asks worshippers to "respect our neighbours when leaving" and to depart "swiftly and quietly". It also tells them not to park on double yellow lines and to keep residents' driveways clear.
Express.co.uk has approached Jamei Mosque for comment.
