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Plans have been unveiled for a new £1m mosque in Dundee.
The development at the Al-Maktoum College for Higher Education is part of the institution’s bid to attain university college status.
The three-storey building will include a community hall, prayer and worship areas for students and the wider community.
More than 70 jobs will be created during construction, which is due to start in September with completion expected next summer.
It is ten years since the centre for Islamic and Arabic studies was established in Dundee with the aim of promoting multiculturalism.
A plaque was unveiled at the college to mark the start of the development on Tuesday.
Mr Mirza Al-Sayegh, chairman of the Al-Maktoum Foundation, which is funding the project on land it owns near the existing College building, said: “This is a memorable moment in the life of the Al-Maktoum College in Dundee, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.
“A mosque of the highest possible standard is to be built and the £1m development demonstrates our commitment to Dundee and to our aims to become a university college. The College has made great progress since it opened here and now it proudly enjoys an international reputation as a centre of academic excellence.
“We believe the new building, open to all and for the benefit of all, will prove to be a great addition to the College campus and Dundee as well. We regard this development as a contribution to the city and also to multiculturalism. It is a major undertaking and we thank Dundee City Council for its support, guidance and expertise in making this possible.”
Dundee’s Lord Provost Bob Duncan said: “I am pleased to see the start of this work which will help to boost our economy. We are looking forward to seeing this development progressing.”
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