Beneath Manchester’s skyline stands Masjid-e-Noor a beacon of faith and community. The Dawoodi Bohra community of Manchester has lived peacefully here since the 1950s. Noor Masjid is their central meeting point. It serves over 150 families.
Small numbers of Bohras started arriving in Manchester in the 1950s. Most came as students. Interestingly the Cotton Exchange has a Bohra name etched as a principal textile trader. This suggests Bohra businessmen visited Manchester as early as the 19th century. By 1976, there were enough Dawoodi Bohras to form a jamaat. Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin visited in 1974 and 1976. He gave the jamaat its first constitution. The community grew mainly from migrating students. They came from Commonwealth countries.
Until the early 1980s, the community met in warehouses. These were owned by Shaikh Abdullah Azad. This space was used for religious occasions. In 1983, the jamaat purchased a center. It became the hub of their activities. In 1989, a larger center was purchased. It was located in Levenshulme. By then, the number of Bohras had reached about 350. Classes for religious education were set up for Bohra children. Most socio-religious functions were now held in the center. The congregation had established itself as a functioning jamaat.
Later, in 2006-2008, the community center was demolished. A purpose-built masjid was constructed in its place. This was a massive undertaking. It required financial commitment, planning, and implementation. It was a significant development for the community. Like all modern Dawoodi Bohra masjids it drew inspiration from Fatimid masjids in Egypt. These masjids were thousand-year-old.
At its opening, Masjid-e-Noor was called an eco-mosque. It generated significant interest in the city. In July 2008, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin visited Manchester. He was the 52nd Dai al-Mutlaq. He inaugurated Noor Masjid. The city honored Syedna with a reception. It took place at Manchester Town Hall. Dignitaries praised the work of the Bohra community. They also honored its head Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin.
Today, the jamaat is about 500 adults strong. It includes distant cities like Glasgow and Aberdeen. The Bohra community mainly comprises businesspeople. Many men and women pursue professional careers. In 2008, the city council remarked on the community. They said the Dawoodi Bohras of Manchester were one of the most active communities. The Masjid-e-Noor stands as a testament to their enduring faith.