Walsall Council has given the thumbs up for a Muslim tuition centre to open in Walsall.
An application to convert a storage unit in St Johns Road into the ‘Madrasa’ facility and the plans have been granted.
The new centre is not a mosque but will be a place where children and adults will be taught the Islamic ethos and prepare them for integrating into British society.
The plans state that children aged up to 16 will attend classes between 4pm and 8.30pm Monday to Friday and between 10am and 5pm on weekend days.
Adult classes will be held 10am to 3pm and 9pm and 10pm Monday to Friday and between 6pm and 10pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
The application said: “We confirm that this is for an independent and exclusive tuition centre for children under the age of 16 and for adults in the local community and it is not for a public place of worship i.e. Masjid (Mosque).
“Our main objectives of the proposed tuition centre are to promote the advancement of education by the teaching of various languages, theologies, jurisprudence and theories connected to the Islamic ethos and train the young Muslims and develop them into socially, culturally and morally embellished persons, ready to take an active role in British society and integrate into all faiths and backgrounds in the modern world.
“The management committee is made up of a number of local people from various professional backgrounds that are committed to the aims and objectives of the organisation.”
It added: “We have capped the number of students to be no more than 75 to be occupying the premises at any given time to keep it at a manageable size.
“The premises will be strictly closed to the public apart from official visitors and to those who come for enrolment and queries who will only be served at the reception desk.
“This is for the safety and security of the students who will be under the responsibility of the management during their time spent within the institution.
“The proposed tuition centre will only cater to the local community and to residents who are walking distance away and will be encouraged to travel to and from by foot.
“There are local taxi services and individuals who will collect students from homes and drop off and pick up as a paid service just as a school transport service in the locality.”
