Scores of people turned out to the opening of a new mosque in Ipswich town centre.

Ipswich Star: The former Ipswich Civic College annexe building has been turned into a mosque.The former Ipswich Civic College annexe building has been turned into a mosque.

The former Ipswich Civic College annexe building in Argyle Street has been refurbished as a place of worship by charity Shahjalal Islamic Centre & Masjid.

Moshud Ali, charity secretary, said: “The mosque will be open if people want to understand and learn about Islam and to eradicate any misconceptions they may have.

“We will have open days like this annually where people can come together, ask questions and tour the mosque.”

The completion of the mosque marks the end of the first phase of the development, which has cost around £300,000.

This money has been collected through the charity’s fundraising efforts in the community, including an Eid festival last July.

Shahjalal Islamic Centre & Masjid is now looking to raise another £100,000 to finish the work, which will involve a community centre and rentable rooms.

“We want to encourage more school visits for children to learn about our faith,” Mr Ali added.

“It’s a landmark building and it’s known as an education place so we want to keep it for that purpose.”

The charity formed in 1994 and previously operated from a site in St Helen’s Street.

Mr Ali said all the charity’s services would now be relocated to the new centre.

Yesterday’s open day was attended by nearly 200 people, including councillors, school children and members of Suffolk’s fire and police services.