The Fazl Mosque in Wandsworth, also known as London Mosque, is marking its hundredth anniversary this year. The building, located in south London’s Southfields area, was established a century ago as London’s first mosque and has been designated as a listed structure by Historic England. The facility was constructed with financial support largely from Ahmadi Muslims originating from Qadian in India, including women who sold personal jewelry to enable the project despite knowing they would likely never visit the completed building.
Throughout its history, the mosque has served purposes beyond religious worship. During World War II, it functioned as an air raid shelter. In recent years, it has hosted blood donation drives and COVID-19 vaccination clinics. According to Mahmood Rafiq of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK, community integration forms a central aspect of the institution’s identity, with activities including distributing sweets to local children during Eid celebrations, extending Christmas greetings to neighbors, and participating in local environmental care initiatives.
The mosque’s governing philosophy emphasizes what Rafiq describes as “love for all, hatred for none.” While the facility has not experienced widespread Islamophobia, Rafiq noted an increase in low-level harassment incidents in recent times. The organization’s core message centers on connection and peaceful coexistence across faith boundaries.
Historical records indicate the mosque played a significant role in regional politics during the 1930s. Abdur Rahim Dard, the imam at that period, influenced Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s return to India, where Jinnah subsequently became instrumental in processes leading to the partition of British India and the establishment of Pakistan as an independent nation in August 1947.
To commemorate the centenary, the mosque plans to distribute 10,000 free meals to homeless individuals. Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the fifth leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, characterized the mosque as embodying principles of neighborly service, loyalty to the UK, and peacemaking across diverse backgrounds, expressing hope it will continue as “a beacon of peace” for future generations.
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