Central Mosque Rochdale (CMR) formerly known as Idara Taleem-ul-Islam was set up in 1974 by the local Muslim Community to address the growing religious, social, cultural and recreational needs of the newly settled Muslims in and around the Borough of Rochdale. An old church building on William Street was purchased for £20,000. With the help of donations from the local community the building was adapted to function as a mosque. The new mosque held congregational prayer five times a day as well as Jumma (Friday prayers) and Eid prayers. The mosque also provided after school classes in Holy Qur’an, Arabic and Urdu.