A MUSLIM educational charity undertaking a massive renovation and conversion project in a former Keighley church has revealed the scale of the work involved.

Abu Zahra Foundation has invested more than half a million pounds in what was Devonshire Street New Church, since starting work on the Highfield property in early 2013.

And the foundation, which was set up 16 years ago to teach the essentials of Islam to children and adults, expects to spend roughly another £250,000 on the next phase of the programme.

Work on the ground floor has finished, and it features four classrooms, an office, washrooms and a kitchen.

This floor includes illuminated panels decorated with geometric patterns inspired by designs from Morocco.

And the innovative flexible walls of the classrooms can be quickly shifted to create one big space for large gatherings.

Upstairs, the pulpit and organ from when the property was used as a church are still in place, with the foundation intending to continue using the wooden pulpit for its own sermons and other talks.

Abu Zahra spokesman Khalid Hussain said: “We bought the building in 2011 and have spent £50,000 on the outside of the property alone.

“The money has come from donations, or from people who’ve provided interest free loans. We also fundraise by publishing Islamic books.

“About 42 tons of steel has gone into the building as we needed a new structure to replace old pillars we’d taken out and to support a bigger mezzanine floor.

“Progress has been slow but consistent. A lot of thought and hard work has gone into this and we’re really happy with the outcome so far.

“We’d liked to have done things a bit more quickly, but that’s the nature of the beast when you’re a charity.

“The new classrooms have touchscreen Smart Boards. It’s very modern, in order to smooth the transition for the kids from their schools to the madrassa environment.

“They have the same standards here as they would at school, with well qualified, English speaking teachers.”

Mr Hussain said about 200 children attend classes at Abu Zahra Foundation each week, adding that the charity also hosts large meetings and visits from high profile international Islamic scholars.

Phase two of the conversion will involve the property’s first floor, which will become a prayer hall with additional classrooms and a gallery for women on an expanded mezzanine level.