One hundred years ago, the Guardian reported on the inauguration of London’s first mosque, a striking white structure set amid beautifully maintained gardens in a south London neighborhood.
The article characterized the mosque, situated in an unexpected location, as “a thing of beauty.” Attendees at the opening ceremony observed as the mosque’s grand black doors were unlocked with a silver key. The event attracted around 600 distinguished guests.
As the Fazl Mosque in Wandsworth, also known as London Mosque, prepares to celebrate its centenary, numerous activities are taking place. Fleur Anderson, the Labour MP for Putney, visited the mosque and expressed the affection the local community holds for this site, which serves the Ahmadiyya Muslim community in the UK. She remarked, “No street party feels complete without the delightful food provided by this mosque.”
Mahmood Rafiq from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK emphasized that engagement with the broader community is fundamental to the mosque’s mission. They distribute sweets to children during Eid, send Christmas greetings to neighbors, work to maintain the cleanliness of the local environment, and stand in solidarity with other religious groups facing discrimination.
In addition to its religious functions, the mosque has served various purposes, including functioning as an air raid shelter during World War II and more recently as a site for blood donations and COVID-19 vaccinations.
The mosque’s guiding principle is “love for all, hatred for none,” a particularly relevant message amid contemporary political and religious tensions.
“Fortunately, we have not faced significant Islamophobia at this mosque,” Rafiq noted. “However, there has been an uptick in minor harassment incidents, such as aggressive honking from passing cars.”
Located in Southfields, the mosque received listed status from Historic England in 2018. Its structure has remained largely unchanged since its inception, characterized by slender vertical windows, a green dome, and a pristine white facade. The gardens continue to showcase vibrant English roses.
The land purchase for the mosque was predominantly funded by a group of Ahmadi Muslim women from Qadian, India, many of whom sold their jewelry to finance the construction, fully aware they might never visit the finished mosque.
Leaders of the mosque are promoting the significance of this centennial celebration as “a century of connection.” To commemorate this milestone, they plan to provide 10,000 free meals to those experiencing homelessness.
Munir Dean, 65, a long-time member of the mosque, has a familial connection to its history, with his grandfather and father both playing essential roles in its establishment. He noted that the founders envisioned a message of faith, peace, and unity in the aftermath of World War I.
In its early days, the mosque welcomed high-profile visitors such as Viscount and Viscountess Allenby and embraced traditional English customs, like serving tea in fine china. Dean remarked, “Guests were far more likely to be offered scones with clotted cream than samosas.”
During a time when the UK’s Muslim population was much smaller, halal meat was scarce, prompting some individuals to travel to Blooms, a well-known kosher salt beef restaurant in Aldgate East, to enjoy meat sandwiches, as kosher meat is considered halal due to similar slaughtering practices.
Bilal Nuttall, who grew up near famed actress Gracie Fields, converted to Islam after serving in the Middle East during World War I and became the mosque’s muezzin, calling worshippers to prayer. Historical records indicate that Abdur Rahim Dard, the mosque’s imam during the 1930s, significantly influenced the events leading to Pakistan’s establishment as a separate nation from India.
At that time, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, a barrister who had studied at Lincoln Inn Fields in London, resided in Hampstead. According to Dean, Jinnah was “a very English gentleman” known for his sharp attire, often seen in Savile Row suits. Jinnah had been advocating for Muslim rights in India, but after becoming disillusioned, he considered remaining in the UK to pursue a legal career. Dard persuaded him to return to India, where he delivered a pivotal speech in the mosque’s gardens, marking a turning point in the history of India’s partition. Jinnah later became Pakistan’s first governor-general following its independence in August 1947.
Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the current leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, remarked that the mosque’s history embodies the values of community service, loyalty to the UK, and peaceful coexistence among diverse faiths. “As we commemorate this centenary, I pray that the mosque continues to be a beacon of peace and a gathering place for people for generations to come,” he stated.
As the community reflects on the past century of the mosque, Dean emphasizes a forward-looking perspective. “Our message is timeless. It has no expiration date. Here’s to the next hundred years,” he concluded.
