Linwood Islamic Centre

Linwood Islamic Centre
Linwood Islamic Centre in 2020, prior to its demolition
Religion
Affiliation	Sunni Islam (former)
Ecclesiastical or organisational status	Mosque (2018–2023)
Ownership	Linwood Islamic Charitable Trust
Status	Demolished
Location
Location	223A Linwood Avenue, Linwood, Christchurch
Country	New Zealand
Location of the former mosque in Christchurch
Geographic coordinates	43°31′57″S172°40′21″E / 43.53250°S 172.67250°E / -43.53250; 172.67250
Architecture
Date established	2018
Demolished	2023

The Linwood Islamic Centre was a Sunni Islamic mosque in Linwood, Christchurch, New Zealand. ^{[1] [2]} Opened in 2018, targeted in the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings, the mosque was demolished in 2023, with plans to establish a new mosque on the site.

History

The mosque opened in early 2018 on the grounds of the former Christchurch Baháʼí Centre and the building had most recently been the Linwood Community Centre. ^[3] The building was formerly a Sunday School Hall in Highstead Road and was moved to Linwood in the late 1980s. It was the second mosque to open in Christchurch. It is owned by the Linwood Islamic Charitable Trust, which was founded in 2017. ^[2]

On 15 March 2019, the Linwood Islamic Centre and the Al Noor Mosque were targeted in the Christchurch mosque shootings. Of the 51 people killed and the 40 people injured in the attack, seven people were killed and five others injured here. ^{[4] [5] [6]} It reopened on 23 March, the same day as Al Noor. ^[7]

In November 2023, the Linwood Islamic Centre was demolished. With sponsorship from an Emirati fund, a NZ$20 million new mosque and multipurpose hall will be built, to accommodate approximately 650 worshippers. ^{[8] [9]}

References

1. "Linwood Masjid in Christchurch, Canterbury". Salatomatic. Halalfire. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
2. Sharma, Gaurav (8 March 2018). "Christchurch gets its second mosque". The Indian Weekender. Onehunga: KMG Interactive. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
3. Akerman, Tessa (16 March 2019). "Linwood mosque reflects a growing Muslim community". Maclean's. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
4. "Deadly Christchurch mosque shootings: 49 dead after 'well-planned' attack". Radio New Zealand . 15 March 2019.
5. Rawlinson, Kevin; Hunt, Elle; Weaver, Matthew; Zhou, Naaman; Lyons, Kate; Martin, Lisa (15 March 2019). "New Zealand shooting: suspect due in court after 49 killed – latest updates". The Guardian .
6. Bayer, Kurt; Leasl, Anna (24 August 2020). "Christchurch mosque terror attack sentencing: Gunman Brenton Tarrant planned to attack three mosques". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
7. Davison, Isaac (23 March 2019). "Al Noor and Linwood mosques re-open a week after massacre". NZ Herald. news.com.au. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
8. O'Callaghan, Jody (20 November 2023). "Tears and prayers as Linwood mosque gets demolished". Stuff. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
9. "Christchurch's Linwood Mosque demolished after 2019 attacks". 1News. 20 November 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2024.