Within Stratford’s vibrant landscape stands Masjid Ilyas. It is also known as Abbey Mills Mosque or the London Markaz. This house of worship is more than just a building. It is a place filled with history and stories.
Masjid Ilyas is a temporary mosque. It can accommodate around 2500 people. There were plans to expand it. It would have become the largest religious building in Britain. It would have been three times the size of St Paul’s Cathedral. It would have been one of the largest mosques in Western Europe. People called it the mega-mosque.
Tablighi Jamaat planned this expansion near the 2012 Olympic Park. Anjuman-e-Islahul Muslimeen. It is Tablighi Jamaat’s charitable trust. They have owned the site since 1996. The Tablighi Jamaat website stated a maximum capacity of 12000 worshippers.
The expansion plan stirred controversy. Its size and potential chemical contamination raised concerns. The site was once a chemical works. Mosque officials worked to resolve these issues. They also tried to counter the mega-mosque perception. Public response included petitions, talks, debates, and demonstrations.
Newham Council tried to shut down the existing facility in 2010. But it was overturned. A two-year extension was granted. In 2012, Newham Council refused permission for the plans. Appeals in 2015 and 2018 failed. The council now wants to demolish the site. They plan to develop it for housing and businesses.
Anjuman-e-Islahul Muslimeen bought the Abbey Mills site in 1996. They paid 1.6 million pounds. In 2001, Tablighi Jamaat got a five-year permit for worship. However, the permit expired before building began.
In 2007, the site plan included a mosque for 12000 people. It also had a visitor center and parking. There was to be a school for 500 pupils. Plus guest suites for VIPs and landscaping. Tablighi Jamaat aimed to use natural resources. This would reduce energy consumption and increase recycling.
With the permit expired, the mosque’s future was uncertain. In 2018, the demolition order was upheld. Anjuman-e-Islahul Muslimeen had to pay over 22000 pounds to the council.
Reports about the mosque’s size varied. One proposal suggested accommodating up to 40000 visitors at once. It could potentially expand to 70000. This caused much concern. A Newham Councillor criticized the plans. He said it would change the local area’s character. He wanted a public inquiry.
The mosque’s trustees chose a scaled-down structure. Allies and Morrison were retained to design the mosque. Later, NRAP Architects replaced them. A planning application included a prayer hall for over 9000. There was also a refectory for 2000 and an Islamic library.
A report revealed medium-to-high contamination risk on the land. The site was a chemical works for 100 years. It was decommissioned in the late 1980s. The report found soil and groundwater impacted by various chemicals. Mosque officials said development would decontaminate the site.
Concerns arose about funding for the project. Documentation suggested the need for extra financial support. It was suggested that Saudi Islamist groups would fund the project. Tablighi Jamaat stated they would raise money via small donations. They denied links with the Saudi royal family. They said they were not seeking overseas or public money.
The New York Times quoted an FBI official. He said the same group of militants recruited for Al-Qaeda. Tablighi Jamaat’s website states it refrains from political activities. It stands for democracy and freedom. It rejects links to terrorism. The group cannot take responsibility for actions of individuals who attended their mosques.
An online petition opposed the mosque plans. It got over 250000 signatures. The government said local authorities control development. Ken Livingstone protested against the campaign. He called it vicious and factually untrue.
In 2007, Tablighi Jamaat hired a public relations firm. They set up a website and YouTube videos. These discussed various concerns. A public discussion took place in Stratford. It covered concerns about the mosque and Tablighi Jamaat’s views.
An obituary video threatened Alan Craig, an opponent of the mosque. Nick Kilby, speaking for Tablighi Jamaat, said the video was removed. They would deal with the person seriously if they were a member.
Ghayasuddin Siddiqui, co-founder of the Muslim Parliament of Great Britain, opposed the mosque. He said there were too many mosques. He wanted more integration.
Masjid Ilyas stands as a testament to faith. It shows resilience amidst controversy. Its story reflects community aspirations. It shows the challenges of building a place of worship in a diverse city.