The Making of East London Mosque

Ishtiaq Ahmed

Bradford:  Islamic links to Britain date back to the colonial era, when Muslims began to settle in British cities, establishing mosques and learning centres to preserve their faith and culture.

The first recorded mosque in Britain was founded by Abdullah Quilliam in 1889, a revert to Islam who established a small mosque in a terrace house in Liverpool. While modest, it marked the beginning of Islamic worship on British soil.

The first purpose-built mosque, however, was the Shah Jahan Mosque in Woking, constructed with the financial support of the Begum of Bhopal.

Located just 30 miles southwest of London, this mosque set the stage for the establishment of future Islamic institutions across Britain. Today, the UK is home to over 1,500 mosques, with that number steadily growing each year.

The Birth of the East London Mosque

The journey to establish the East London Mosque began as early as 1910 with the formation of the London Mosque Fund (LMF).

This initiative, led by prominent Indian Muslims like Syed Ameer Ali and the Aga Khan, aimed to provide a central place of worship for the growing Muslim population in London.

The campaign attracted donations from notable figures, including the Ottoman Sultan and the Shah of Persia, underscoring the international significance of the project.

Despite these efforts, it wasn’t until August 1941 that the East London Mosque was officially established in a building on Commercial Road in Tower Hamlets.

As more Muslims settled in East London, particularly during and after World War II, the need for a larger, permanent mosque became increasingly urgent.

Overcoming Racial Hostility

The influx of Muslim migrants from South Asia, particularly during the 1940s and 1960s, faced significant challenges. Many early migrants, often sailors and laborers, encountered racial hostility and discrimination, with little support from authorities.

The police and local institutions were often unsympathetic, leaving the community to rely on its own strength and resilience.

Despite these obstacles, the Muslim population continued to grow and thrive, forging alliances with local organizations, including the Church, to address common concerns.

A New Vision for the Mosque

By the 1980s, as Muslim families began settling more permanently in East London, there was a renewed sense of urgency to create a larger, more functional space for worship and community activities.

The community mobilized around the vision of a new mosque, and local organizations such as the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin, Pakistan Welfare Association, and Bangladesh Welfare Association played a key role in fundraising.

Together, they raised a significant portion of the funds required to make the new mosque a reality.

While local donations were critical, the project received a major boost from international contributions, particularly from King Fahad of Saudi Arabia, whose donation of £1.1 million helped the community reach its goal of £2 million for the construction of a new building.

The Modern East London Mosque

In July 1985, the new East London Mosque was inaugurated, becoming a vital religious and cultural hub for the growing Muslim population.

Initially built to accommodate around 2,000 worshippers, its capacity has since expanded to over 7,000, reflecting the rapid growth of the community and the mosque’s evolving role as a centre for education, social services, and interfaith dialogue.

Today, the East London Mosque is not just a place of worship—it is a beacon of faith, resilience, and community.