Leaks damage Hamilton mosque, prompting unexpected $350,000 repair bill

Sunday, 29 September 2019

Leaks have damaged the Jamia Masjid in Claudelands.

A Hamilton mosque is facing unexpected costs of about $350,000 after renovations uncovered leaky building issues.

The Jamia Masjid in Claudelands is looking at replacing three exterior walls, and seeking donations to help cover the bill.

'When we looked around we found about three quarters of the mosque, to a degree, is suffering,' Waikato Muslim Association spokesman Dr Anwar Ghani said.

Renovations revealed the extent of moisture damage at Hamilton's Jamia Masjid, Waikato Muslim Association spokesman Dr Anwar Ghani said.

'You would expect a 20-year-old building will have some wear and tear but you don't expect that the walls are going to give you problems.'

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As well as being a place of prayer, Hamilton's Jamia Masjid Mosque is a social hub. Pictured is an open day and Eid party for Islam Awareness Week (file photo).

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Framing is rotting at floor level in some places.

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The Claudelands mosque is a religious and social hub which welcomes about 400 faithfuls for the large Friday prayer session.

The bill for repairs - and the planned upgrade - will be about $350,000.

About 120 people frequent other sessions, Ghani said, and part of the mosque will still be useable while building work is done.

But first, the association needs to raise between $350,000 and $400,000 to help reclad and reframe affected areas.

The total also covers an estimated $75,000 planned upgrade of the area where people clean themselves before prayer, Ghani said.

While some moisture had been noted over the past three or four years, preparations for the ablutions upgrade revealed the size of the problem.

When the walls were opened up they noticed that framing was rotting at ground level in some spots.

One of the walls affected is the one the congregation faces to pray.

A structural engineer was called in and the committee was shaken when results arrived about three weeks ago.

'We thank god the mosque is built on a steel frame … so it's a pretty stable building,' he said.

'The mosque is not only a place for prayers but it's also a place for social gatherings. The sooner we can get our mosque in order, the better it will be for the community's wellbeing.'

So far, $60,000 has been raised for the project and the association will be approaching Muslim communities in Hamilton and beyond for support.

Anyone who wishes to donate can do so to Waikato Muslim Association, 02-0320-0143860-06, with the reference Refurbishing Masjid.

Meanwhile, across the river, construction continues on the Hamilton West Mosque, due to open in 2020.

It will cost about $2.5 million and is expected to help with Hamilton's growing Muslim population.

The man behind the vision, Mohammed Hassan, has previously said he wants it to be a landmark for the city.

The mosque is on a Bandon St site in Frankton and is funded by donations and support from the Waikato and Auckland Muslim communities.

It will be run under the banner of New Zealand Muslim League Inc Hamilton.