ISLAMIC leaders have accused authorities of ignoring their efforts to find a suitable place to build a new mosque.

The 1,500-strong Muslim community in Chesham have had to make do with a makeshift mosque, in two converted houses in Bellingdon Road, for the past 20 years, but are now pressing to find a half-acre site suitable for a place of worship.

On Sunday a further £40,600 was added to the total of £70,000 raised during the holy month of Ramadan. At least £350,000 is needed to build a new mosque.

Mohammed Saleem, president of the Chesham mosque, said the Muslim community in Chesham were made to feel like second-class citizens because of the lack of help from the town and district council and the Chesham Partnership.

Mr Saleem, 37, of Sunnyside Road, said: "During Ramadan there was no room for women to worship, and we all feel that leaders in the community could do a lot more to help us find somewhere to worship.

"The Chesham Partnership has fulfilled only part of its objectives. They have helped build a new town hall, the new Elgiva, and Sainsbury's, but the mosque has just been ignored."

He added: "I just wish people would give us a helping hand to find somewhere to put our new mosque."

A spokesman for Chiltern District Council said: "Mr Saleem has lost out to property developers who have sneaked in at the last minute after Mr Saleem has found a suitable site to put a mosque on. We can't stop developers if they have the money for the site."

Peter Cleminson, chairman of the Chesham Partnership set up in October 1998, said: "I wanted to build bridges with Mr Saleem and help him try to find a place for a mosque, but he cancelled a meeting with the chief executive of Chiltern District Council, Alan Goodrum, and I on Tuesday."

Chesham town councillor Nancy Downs said: "I have known Mohammed for a long time and I really hope he finds somewhere to put his mosque soon."

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