Members of the Muslim community turned out in force to welcome one of the faith's most senior religious leaders at the opening of a Bradford mosque.

Dr Abdullah bin Abdul Muhsin At-Turki, adviser to the Royal Court of Saudi Arabia, was the guest of honour at the ceremony for the Muhammadi Masjid and Islamic Centre in Manningham.

Dr At-Turki, formally the Minister for Religious Affairs in Saudi, is also the Imam Kaaba, or high priest, who leads prayers at Islam's most sacred place of worship in Mecca.

The result of ten years work, the new £950,000 mosque was purpose-built to meet growing local demand, and can hold up to 1,500 worshippers.

Dr At-Turki arrived in white ceremonial robes to be greeted by a string of local dignitaries. The personal visit was also a strong hint that the mosque, which still has to cover £90,000 of its building costs, will receive some help from Saudi.

Mosque Secretary Mr Habib ur Rahman said: "This is a rare occasion where we have an adviser to the royal family coming to this city to especially open the mosque.

"It's a great pleasure and a big privilege to welcome such a high dignitary from the kingdom of Saudi Arabia."

Other guests of honour included Lord Nazir Ahmed of Rotherham, Home Office minister Michael O'Brien MP and the Deputy Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Peter Lancaster (Lab Eccleshill).

The Reverend Bob Hill from St Paul's Church in Manningham, also attended. He said: "It's good for me as a relatively new priest to the area to be invited, and I'm honoured and delighted to be here."

Dr At-Turki was shown around the new facility, which includes an Islamic library, and then went on to a seminar in a nearby marquee filled with worshippers, before leading prayers. Today he will open another mosque in Dewsbury.

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