A Wokingham borough councillor has called for better provision for the borough’s Muslim community during the holy month of Ramadan.
At last week’s full council meeting, councillor Nagi Nagella said many Muslims are ‘struggling’ to find appropriate spaces for rituals during Ramadan, including breaking fast and prayers.
Taking place during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, this year’s Ramadan began on February 28 and will end on March 30.
Cllr Nagella, ward member for Norreys, asked council leaders: “During the holy month of Ramadan, many Muslim residents are struggling to find appropriate spaces for prayers, particularly for Taraweeh and daily congregational prayers.
“Given the limited availability to find spaces, can the Council explore provisions to support the community, such as making public buildings or community centres available for use during this period?”
In response, executive member for residents’ services, inclusion and fighting poverty, Cllr Rachel Bishop-Firth, said the council had ‘explored a number of options’.
She said: “The challenge we found is that council private communal spaces are limited and most evenings are booked up all around the year.”
One council-owned building is ‘already hired regularly by a local muslim prayer group’, but ‘demand for these spaces is much greater than supply’.
The executive member said a discussion on the matter will continue and the council will ‘see if we can find a solution for 2026’.
