Reflecting Islamic heritage, the East London Mosque stands tall. It anchors the Muslim community in London’s East End. This iconic Whitechapel Road institution started small. It grew into one of Europe’s largest, most influential mosques.
The East London Mosque Trust has a rich history. It spans over a century. It is London’s oldest mosque. It serves communities in the heart of the East End and beyond. Notable Muslim figures established the London Mosque Fund in 1910. They wanted to create a London mosque. By 1926, the Fund had grown. A Deed of Declaration of Trust was made.
For three decades, the community hired rooms. They used them for Friday prayers and special occasions. In 1940, they purchased three houses on Commercial Road. They converted them into a mosque. It opened Friday, August 1, 1941. Sir Hussain Suhrawardy welcomed worshippers. He chaired the London Mosque Fund’s Executive Committee. The Saudi Arabian Ambassador, Shaikh Hafiz Wahab, led the first prayer.
Many distinguished personalities were associated with the London Mosque Fund. Syed Ameer Ali was the first Indian Privy Counsellor. He chaired the London Mosque Fund Executive Committee. He remained there until his death in 1928. His Royal Highness the Aga Khan served as life President. Abdullah Yusuf Ali and Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall were trustees. They famously translated the Quran. Many non-Muslims supported the need for a Muslim place of worship in London. Lord Lamington became a Vice-Chairman. Historian Professor T. W. Arnold became Honorary Secretary. Sir Ernest Houston later replaced him. Sir John Woodhead became Treasurer. The Earl Winterton was also a trustee.
In 1975, the Greater London Council acquired the Commercial Road premises. It was a compulsory purchase order. Temporary buildings were provided. They stayed there until the present mosque was built on Whitechapel Road. Work on the new East London Mosque began in 1982. It finished in 1985. It opened to the public Friday, July 12, 1985. This purpose-built mosque features a dome and minarets. It soon became an East London landmark. It seemed generously spacious. But it soon began to overflow on Fridays. It also overflowed during Ramadan and Eid. There was hardly room for mosque-based projects.
The East London Mosque ran a long campaign in 1999. It successfully acquired adjoining land. Prince Charles and Prince Mohamed al-Faisal launched the London Muslim Centre project in 2001. It was built next to the Mosque. Building work commenced a year later. The new London Muslim Centre opened in June 2004. The congregation continued to grow. Space for projects quickly filled up.
In 2009, the next development phase commenced. They built the Maryam Centre. It opened to the public in 2013. It had extensive new facilities for women. It had more prayer space. There was also a visitor centre. Improved funeral facilities were added. There was also structural provision for a future prayer hall expansion. Work on the prayer hall extension paused in 2021. They sought a planning application. They wanted to extend the women’s prayer hall on the second floor. The new prayer spaces opened temporarily for Ramadan in 2024. They then closed. This allowed for works to finish before the next Ramadan.
Construction of the three-story East London Mosque started in 1982. It was built on land bombed during World War II. It was completed in 1985. John Gill Associates was the architect. The exterior features a distinctive brick pattern. It uses two colors. The front faces Whitechapel Road. The rear is on Fieldgate Street. The mosque is capped with a golden dome. It is about 8.5m in diameter. The minaret rises to about 28.5m above ground level. The main entrance features two smaller minaret copies. The mosque has two large halls. It also features a gallery, classrooms, offices, and a retail unit.
Combined with the adjoining London Muslim Centre and Maryam Centre, it can accommodate more than 7,000 worshippers. The East London Mosque was one of the first UK mosques. It was allowed to use loudspeakers to broadcast the adhan. This long-standing institution continues to serve, educate, and inspire.