The Muslim community across Medway came together on Saturday for the opening of the first purpose-built mosque in Kent.

It has been fully funded by donations from members of the community, including one little boy who was given mention for donating £500 after saving his pocket money for two years.

Hundreds of people gathered at Nasir Mosque, at the bottom of Richmond Road, Gillingham, for the official opening of the revamped building.

The former working men’s club, originally known as Nasir Hall, was home to the Lower Gillingham Liberal and Radical Club until the early 1970s.

It has been used by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association since 1975 and the building now has a minaret and a golden dome on the roof.

Guest of honour was Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad – the supreme head of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

He said mosques should play a major role of promoting peace and should not be the grounds where terrorism and disorder spread.

He has urged world and Muslim leaders to find means of dialogue and avert wars and last year addressed the Houses of Parliament, European Parliament as well as the US Senate in Washington.

He spoke in the prayer hall to those who had gathered and officially unveiled a plaque. Inside there is space for 300 people to pray and anyone of any faith is allowed to visit.

Later in the evening, guests came together for a dinner, including Gillingham and Rainham MP Rehman Chishti, the Mayor of Medway Josie Iles and assistant chief constable of Kent Police Rob Price.

This year commemorates the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Kent branch of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association in the UK.

Sheikh Naseer Ahmad, branch president, said: “We hope this mosque beams out this message of cohesion and peace to all neighbours, visitors and passers-by.”