Muslim billionaire succeeds in obtaining permission from the Westminster City Council to convert a historic entertainment complex in London into a mosque.<\/p>\n
According to British media reports, Asif Aziz, a 56-year-old British Muslim, has been granted permission by the Westminster City Council to transform the iconic Trocadero complex in central London into a mosque.<\/p>\n
In 2020, Aziz submitted an application to build a mosque with a capacity of one thousand people. However, his request was initially rejected by the local Westminster City Council following strong opposition from residents and far-right groups. Nevertheless, the City Council has now approved the conversion of a section of the Trocadero into a mosque, which will accommodate 390 worshippers across three floors.<\/p>\n
A spokesperson for the council stated that the planning committee approved the request submitted by Criterion Capital, a company led by Aziz as its CEO, to convert part of the Trocadero into a mosque in May 2023.<\/p>\n
The mosque will be established under the auspices of the Aziz Foundation, a charitable organization that owns the Trocadero building. It is expected to be named "Piccadilly Prayer Square" and could open its doors within a few months.<\/p>\n
The Trocadero, located between Piccadilly Circus and Soho, was originally opened as a restaurant in 1896 but closed in 1965. It was later redeveloped and reopened in 1984 as an entertainment complex.<\/p>\n
Asif Aziz acquired the Trocadero in 2005 for over £220 million ($363 million) and recently opened a hotel within the building in 2020.<\/p>\n
The complex comprises several historical buildings, including a 490-room hotel, a renowned restaurant, and various entertainment and shopping facilities.<\/p>\n
The Trocadero’s name originates from the "Battle of Trocadero," which was a significant confrontation during the French invasion of Spain in 1823. The battle aimed to support Spanish King Ferdinand VII, and the French forces emerged victorious, restoring absolute rule to the monarchy.<\/p>\n
Asif Aziz, born in the Republic of Malawi in 1967, is well-known in the United Kingdom as "Mr. West End" due to his extensive real estate investments in London’s prestigious West End district.<\/p>\n
Sources: Al Jazeera, British press, online platforms.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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