Controversial plans to convert Bowling Club to Islamic School

United Wholesale Scotland has come under fire over plans to convert a Southside bowling club into an Islamic school.
The company bought the Pollokshields Bowling Club in December 2009. An application has been submitted to Glasgow City Council for a change of usage for the premises to be used as a religious and educational facility by the Islamic Academy of Scotland, currently based at 41 Keir Street in Pollokshields.
Local people claim that there has been a lack of consultation over the issue and question whether there is a need for another Islamic school in the area.
Bill Lawns from the nearby Nan McKay Memorial Hall said: ‘We have heard very little about these plans, no one asked for our opinion. We have members here from all sections of the community.’
Pollokshields Bowling Club was bought by Asim Sarwar, son of MP Mohammed Sarwar, in April 2009 for £225,000. It was then sold to United Wholesale Ltd for £235,000 in December 2009. Both Asim Sarwar and his father are directors of United Wholesale Scotland, though Mohammed Sarwar does not take an active role in running the company.
The planning application for the change of usage was submitted by Jones Lang Lasalle, a property management company, and contains a supporting letter from local Labour councillor Irfan Rabbani.
The application also states that the Islamic Academy of Scotland is a registered charity, when in fact the organisation lost its charitable status in 2007. Conservative councillor David Meikle said: ‘I have some concerns about this application, in particular the lack of any pre-application discussion with me or any local groups.
‘The only person consulted was the local Labour councillor which smacks of politics when the applicant is a business owned by the local Labour MP. I have also received a lot of correspondence from constituents who are concerned about this proposal.
‘People are unclear as to the need for another Islamic school in the area and how it will create a ‘community hub’. It would be better if the application was withdrawn and proper discussion was had.’
Mohammed Sarwar is due to give up the Glasgow Central seat at the forthcoming election. His other son Anas, a former NHS dentist, is standing for election in the constituency for the Labour Party.