OXFORD’s oldest mosque will reopen within a matter of weeks, its new chairman says.

The news comes as it emerged the Charity Commission is looking into claims that managing trustees of the Bath Street mosque had broken the terms of its charitable constitution by closing it for prayer.

The commission also confirmed it was looking at suggestions about irregularities in the appointment of trustees.

The mosque was opened in 1968 but has not been used as a place of worship for five years following the opening of the Central Oxford Mosque in Manzil Way.

However, Fazal Hussain, chairman of both mosques, told the Oxford Mail painting and refurbishment of the Bath Street mosque in East Oxford had begun within the last two weeks and it would reopen again shortly.

Mr Hussain, who was elected chairman of both the Bath Street mosque and Central Oxford Mosque six weeks ago, said: “The mosque needs a complete clean-up, repainting, and the windows are rotten so we will replace them as well.”

He said it could cost about £12,000 to get the mosque into shape before it reopens as a place of worship for up to 300 Muslims and as a women’s education centre.

However, a relative of one of the founders of the Bath Street mosque is sceptical about whether it will actually reopen.

Ali Akkas, 46, who two weeks ago called for the mosque to be reopened, said: “I’ll believe it when I see it.

“This is what they’ve been saying for the last few years.

“They have to convince the Charity Commission they are sincere and I don’t have any confidence in these people.”

Mr Akkas father, Ali Taher, was one of the founders of the Bath Street mosque and donated £1,700 to a fund as the community spent 14 years trying to raise cash for it before it opened in 1968.

He added: “I’m delighted the commission is looking at these matters. This building was opened by our elders and it should remain open – it is a resource which is being wasted.

“It’s their duty to put things right again.”

A spokesman for the Charity Commission said: “Concerns have been raised with us regarding the governance of the Oxford Mosque Society and the Central Oxford Mosque Society.

“The commission will remain in contact with the charities’ representatives and is currently considering whether the recent appointment of charity trustees was in accordance with the documents governing the charities.”

Emma Cardwell, an intelligence analyst at the commission, said in a letter seen by the Oxford Mail: “I have assessed the issues above and I agree that there are concerns regarding the charity the Oxford Mosque Society.

“In particular, it would appear that the charity is not operating. There is, therefore, an issue relating to the use of charity assets.”

Mr Hussain said he had been contacted by the commission a month ago and had replied to them, giving details of the charity’s accounts and what they proposed to do with the mosque.

He said: “We don’t have anything to hide so if they want to come and investigate us, by all means they can do so. We hope it will be fairly done.

“I’m confident everything has been sorted out. As far as I’m concerned there’s nothing wrong with the running of the mosque.”

Mr Hussain added he was currently reviewing the charity’s constitution to make it more open and transparent.