Brotherhood, Sisterhood: Building Our Future Together,
We Restore Hujjat Stanmore's Legacy.
Hujjat Stanmore—the Heart of Our Community! For over three decades, this cherished centre has been a cornerstone of our unity and spirituality. As we pledge to restore it to its former glory, your support becomes the key to preserving our shared legacy.
We’re also eagerly awaiting approval for the change of use at Hujjat Harefield (HH), a future space that envisions a vibrant community under one roof. However, financial challenges continue to exist, which includes the £14 million bank loan but InshAllah through the generosity of the community and its support we will succeed in delivering both projects. Ultimately, your support is crucial as we navigate this path to financial independence.
Whilst we navigate the challenges with Hujjat Harefield, let’s focus on restoring Hujjat Stanmore. We need to raise £610k to restore the centre as per the wishes of the community, and enhance our current centre to a modern and future-proof standard—a collective goal for a community as large, visionary, and engaged as Hujjat. Your participation is more than a donation; it’s an investment in the legacy and future of our community.
Come forward, play your part, and let’s build a future we can all be proud of at Hujjat.
Fundraising for Hujjat Stanmore
Ways to Donate
Timeline
Milestone 1 – Strip-out 2020
The entire building, including the roof, was stripped out and made safe following which the insurer carried out detailed surveys to assess: (a) the cause of water leakage; and (b) restoration plans for the building.
Due to working restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the detailed surveys had to be conducted in sequence rather than in parallel. 11 specialist engineering companies conducted surveys over a period of 6 months, concluding in October 2021.
Northwood Carter subsequently reviewed all of the detailed information provided to them in the specialist engineering surveys and compiled a tender specification.
Once the tender specification was completed, the insurer attended the site to review each line item. By way of context, the tender specification was over 200 pages, individually covering each room in the building, and this was a very lengthy process.
Milestone 2 – Insurance Claim Settlement April 2023
Roof works began, with a new state of the art roof installed. This involved a detailed tender specification and contractor appointment, to ensure works comply with current building regulations and adhere to expectations set out by the local council.
After a tedious process with the insurer, and the appointment of a loss adjuster specialist, we finally reached an insurance claim settlement. This enabled us to bring the process out to tender out works for restoration.
Milestone 3 – Restoration July 2023
Internal restoration works began in July 2023, following the rigorous tendering and selection of the principal contractor. In consultation with our engineers, architects, the responses of the Hujjat Needs Assessment (Responses by 670 community members) and the local council we have planned and curated a space that meets the communities needs and future proofs our centre.
The phased approach of restoration works will allow us to continue to keep the centre open. With the necessary adherence to all current Health and Safety regulations, works are being carried out with the utmost care and detail ensuring that the high quality of restoration does not impact the deadlines set out.
Milestone 4 – Completion 2024
Phase 1 of works is expected to complete by Ramadhan 2024. The EC is looking to deliver a modern, upgraded, state of the art centre that adheres and complies with the most current Health and Safety regulations, ensuring an environment that supports the continued united spiritual development of the community. However, the communities wish list exceeds the minimum restoration outlined by the insurer. This level of investment can only be driven by the support of our generous members. Phase 1 and 2 ticket items will only be acquired if sufficient funds have been raised.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The insurer has indicated as follows:
“The survey report confirms that there is a wide area of deterioration of the roof in multiple areas which is indicative of the cause of the rain water ingress being associated with a lack of maintenance of the roof areas.
[…]
the insurer’s position which is that any damage relating to gradual deterioration will not be covered under the policy
[…]
the internal rain water ingress damage below the roof areas will be covered under the insurance policy as subsequent damage arising from the gradual deterioration of the roof areas.”
No. Due to the heritage and listed status of the building, as well as current planning policy, an extension of the building is not practical.
Works on the wall have now been completed. Works were completed by the guidelines of Historic England and have been restored to the highest of standards, in keeping with our responsibilities of the site and its heritage.
We are pleased to announce the settlement of the insurance claim related to the restoration project. We thank the community for their patience during the prolonged period of the claim, and as you will have noted from the General body meetings – the committee, with the aid and advice of external professionals, was doing its utmost to ensure Hujjat received a fair and reasonable settlement.
The settlement amount has been finalised and justified by the independent advisors as acceptable; members are welcome to speak to a committee member to confirm this value for their notes.