WHO WE ARE

As-Salaam Trust is a registered charity set up in 2009 and representing +-150 families and growing in the Thurnby Lodge and Nether Hall areas.

Due to the needs of community members, As-Salaam sought a premises to use as a dedicated community centre and provide services including:

· Supplementary classes for children and adults

· Ladies programmes

· Mother and Toddler groups

· Advice & assistance clinics

. Prayer facilities

. Support clinics for dis-affected children and vulnerable adults.

HISTORY OF OUR SEARCH FOR A PREMISES

As–Salaam have been looking for premises for three years now, having made use of temporary accommodation including:

Initially in August 2009 As- Salaam was operating from rented premises in the Hamilton Community College.

Due to the distance and lack of public transport we were asked by our members to look for premises closer to the Thurnby Lodge area and accordingly, we re-located to Thurnby Lodge Community Centre in September 2009.

In December 2010 we put in a bid for a property on Ocean Road, however, due to Council planning issues and an objection raised by the Conservative Party Councillors the property purchase fell through.

Due to the unprecedented growth in numbers and financial pressure the Council was facing regarding the community centres in the area we were asked to re-locate to an alternative venue, the Ocean Road Centre in Aug 2011. It was the Councils view that as an active community given the organisation and high usage we demonstrated we could potentially take over the responsibility of running the Ocean Road Property for and on behalf of the community.

However, due to objections raised by other users the Council asked us to re-locate back to the Thurnby Lodge Community Centre under precarious circumstances. The objections raised were racist and anti-muslim. Rather than creating a fuss and seeking legal recourse the As- Salaam committee resolved to agree to the re-location against the wishes of our own wider community.

As- Salaam have now been operating from Thurnby Lodge Community Centre with a view to moving on and finding suitable premises that would allow us to grow in line with growth in the community numbers and the evolving demographics of the area.

SCOUTS HUT

Last year, the Council advertised a property being the former Scouts Hut on Nursery Road as being up for lease and invited bids.

We understand over 100 organisations were contacted in relation to the property and As-Salaam were the only organisation able to meet the Council’s strict criteria.

The Council offered As- Salaam the lease to the property which was accepted and matters were set for completion.

However, prior to our being able to complete the lease for the Scouts Hut we started to come under intimidation from various elements in the community. This has included:

1. Daily Protests against our presence in the Thurnby lodge community centre.

2. Incidents of racism both religious and ethnic against our members

3. The Council suspending the process of completing the lease simply on the basis that these objections have been received and despite our fulfilling every criteria set out initially.

If you are a resident of Leicester we would therefore ask that you sign this petition and show your support for our efforts in accordance with the petition letter below. Alternatively, you may choose to print out the letter below and send it to the Council directly.

 

Leicester City Council

Dear Sirs

SCOUTS HUT - THURNBY LODGE

I have signed the following petition addressed to you in support of As-Salaam’s bid to take on the lease of the Scouts Hut on Nursery Road, Thurnby Lodge.

As-Salaam are an organisation that strive to serve the entire community in a manner that only serves to promote harmony and cohesion.

I would therefore urge you to finalise the lease with As- Salaam as a matter of urgency as your delay only serves to increase the tensions within the community.

Yours faithfully,

[Your Name]