DUNFERMLINE Central Mosque and Islamic Centre picked up a trio of awards at this year's British Beacon Mosque Awards.

The awards recognise and celebrate the best mosques in the UK with Dunfermline being awarded for 'Best Outreach Programme', 'Most Impactful Imam' and 'Best Run Mosque'.

Imam Habib, who has now left Dunfermline to pursue studies in Egypt, said: "From the very first day I was welcomed by the wonderful Dunfermline community, and it only took me one meeting with the chairman and trustees of the mosque to work out that this is exactly where I wanted to be.

"No-one could imagine the things that we would achieve during my two years there, from completing my Master's degree to speaking at the Scottish Parliament, to winning awards, to meeting the Queen in her own back yard.

"These achievements were only possible with the immense love and support I received from both the Muslim and wider community.

"The strong community spirit in Dunfermline has always amazed me, even to this day despite me having lived there, and I will fondly remember how they welcomed me with open arms, accepted me for who I was, trusted me with the ideas I had and, more importantly, joined in with my quest to revive positive practice and contribute to the community of Dunfermline, and society at large.

"I feel that I have grown as a person and feel honoured to have had the chance to serve in Dunfermline and Scotland."

Councillor Garry Haldane said: "I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to Dunfermline Central Mosque, and especially Imam Habibur Rahman and his predecessor, for their nomination for the Beacon Mosque Award for work to build community cohesion and ongoing integration.

"Our Muslim friends and brothers are showing that understanding and acceptance of all communities and religions can only be a way forward towards community engagement and understanding.

"Ignorance of other people's beliefs can lead to mistrust and misconceptions and misunderstanding.

"Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Judaism are all religions that are widely followed.

"Just because some do not believe in the other does not mean they are wrong or evil.

"God teaches us to be tolerant so why do we hate? Ignorance is the route of all evil.

"As the mosque is showing, let us all engage and understand each other to enable us to be better neighbours and better friends."