Birmingham Central has become Britain’s first mosque to have a cash withdrawal machine.
The machine has been provided by Birmingham-based Islamic Bank of Britain (IBB), the UK’s only wholly Sharia compliant retail bank.
The machine has been installed as a pilot with more planned across the country over the coming months.
Birmingham Central Mosque opened in 1975 as the largest in Western Europe.
The number of worshippers attending the mosque ranges from 4,000, when the Friday afternoon prayer service is held, to 15 to 20,000, when it holds five prayer services on the days Muslims celebrate Eid.
Mosque treasurer Chaudry Abdul Rashid said: “Birmingham Central Mosque has been a pioneer for the local Muslim community, offering faith-based community services since 1975.
“IBB is also considered a pioneer of Sharia compliant retail banking in the UK.
“Together, through the cash machine facility, we are bringing something unique to the Muslim community.”
Sultan Choudhury, managing director of Islamic Bank of Britain added: The machine will also help the Mosque to generate donations so that it can continue with its important work.”
As a Sharia compliant retail bank, IBB operates without the use of interest. Instead, it is founded on Islamic finance principles derived from trade and entrepreneurship.
The Bank is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority and is a member of Financial Services Compensation Scheme.