The Bradford branch of Minhaj-ul-Quran has a rich history and a strong presence in the city. Formally launched in 1998, it began when an old dance club was purchased and converted into an Islamic Centre, a transformation that was warmly welcomed by the local community. The centre is situated on Manningham Lane in a large Victorian building, often called the Minhaj-ul-Quran Islamic Cultural Centre. This sizeable facility includes a spacious main prayer hall, capable of accommodating several hundred worshippers at a time, as well as classrooms and office space. The building’s conversion from a place of entertainment to a place of worship symbolises the community’s dedication to peaceful religious teachings and welfare activities.
The facilities at Minhaj-ul-Quran Bradford are well-utilised. The main prayer hall hosts the five daily prayers and the Friday Jummah prayer, drawing a congregation from across the city. Separate prayer space is available for women, ensuring everyone can comfortably participate. There are also classrooms and meeting rooms used for various educational purposes – from evening Qur’an classes for children to weekend seminars for adults. The centre maintains an Islamic library and resource centre where individuals can read and research religious materials. The aim is to provide not just a mosque, but a community centre for learning and personal development.
A range of religious and educational programmes are offered at the Bradford centre. Children attend after-school Qur’an classes and Islamic studies sessions throughout the week. Classes focus on Tajweed (proper Qur’an recitation) and basic Arabic for youth. Adults can benefit from weekly study circles and dars (lectures) covering Islamic teachings and how they apply in modern life. Minhaj-ul-Quran Bradford frequently organises spiritual gatherings, such as Milad-un-Nabi (celebrations of the Prophet’s birthday) and remembrance evenings, which attract community members of all ages. These programmes serve to deepen attendees’ understanding of Islam in a welcoming, multilingual environment (with both English and Urdu used as needed).
The Bradford branch is very active in community outreach and development. It has a reputation for promoting peace, tolerance, and interfaith harmony – values at the core of Minhaj-ul-Quran’s ethos. The centre often participates in interfaith events in Bradford, hosting visitors from churches, synagogues and other faith groups to build bridges of understanding. It is also a supporter of local charitable initiatives: the mosque collects donations for food banks, runs winter clothing drives for the homeless, and encourages young Muslims to volunteer in the wider community. In fact, Minhaj-ul-Quran Bradford is involved in an ambitious community development project known as Madinat al-Zahra. This planned complex, on a 2.2-acre site in the Great Horton area of Bradford, is set to include a new mosque with two 30m minarets, an educational institute (boarding and day school), sports halls, a community centre, a café, shops, and even an Islamic garden. The project aims to establish a hub for not only the local Muslim community but also for Minhaj-ul-Quran’s work across the UK – a testament to the Bradford branch’s growth and vision. Local authorities have shown support for these plans, recognising the organisation's positive contribution.
Youth and women’s programmes are strongly supported at the Bradford centre. A youth group (Minhaj Youth League) engages young people through workshops, sports activities, and annual camps to help them develop leadership skills and a confident Muslim identity. Women are deeply involved through Minhaj Women’s League and Minhaj Sisters circles – they hold weekly gatherings for women to study religious texts, learn skills, and socialise in a supportive environment. These groups also organise family events and mother-and-child programmes, ensuring the centre benefits all segments of the community.
By fulfilling religious needs and actively participating in social welfare and interfaith dialogue, Minhaj-ul-Quran Bradford has become a local community pillar. It is both a sanctuary for spiritual growth and a dynamic community centre for educational empowerment. The branch’s efforts in promoting peace and integration have endeared it to local residents, Muslim and non-Muslim alike, and its forward-looking projects promise to further its role in the years to come.
Bartle Lane, Bradford BD7 4QF
