Chap Construction, which was been selected as the main contractor following a tendering process for the structural and external aspects of the scheme, have commenced demolition works which will continue for 4 weeks from the 22 week phase 1 construction programme.

The £750,000 package of work is the first stage of the transformation of the site on Nelson Street in Aberdeen to create Masjid Alhikmah, a three-storey venue with community and youth facilities as well as prayer halls.

A second tender will be produced for internal work, estimated in the region of £600,000, as the project progresses. The Nelson Street property has been donated to the foundation.

The first phase will cover the extension to the building and the creation of specially commissioned façade.

A spokesman for the Alhikmah Foundation said they are pleased to be moving forward.

He added: “The work over the coming months is important, but Masjid Alhikmah is about far more than bricks and mortar. Our aim for the long term is to support a real sense of harmony within our community and to be integral to life in Aberdeen and the north-east.”

Douglas Thompson, joint managing director of CHAP, said: “We are delighted to have been selected to lead the construction programme for the Alhikmah Foundation and look forward to delivering a first class community facility. We are working closely with the project team to realise their vision for the centre.”

Masjid Alhikmah will feature space for worship, funeral preparations, dedicated women’s facilities and a family community centre. There is an active Muslim community living in and around the city of Aberdeen and the facility is designed to help create unity and foster a sense of harmony between Muslims and fellow north-east residents. The name chosen for the new Aberdeen centre stems from Arabic. Masjid translates as “a place of congregational worship” and Alhikmah as “wisdom”.

A variety of fundraising events and initiatives have taken place throughout 2014. The programme will continue in 2015 with the second phase scheduled for completion in the third quarter of the year.

The Alhikmah Foundation spokesman added: “There has been a real community effort in fundraising, with everything from a very well supported family day at Mile End School which raised £5,000 to a Ben Nevis Challenge which added £15,000 to the total. We’re keen to encourage similar events in 2015 as the project enters an exciting phase.”