The Fazl Mosque in Wandsworth, also known as London Mosque, is marking its 100th anniversary this year. The historic building in the Southfields area opened a century ago as London’s first mosque and has been recognized by Historic England as a listed building since 2018. The mosque’s distinctive architecture features a white exterior, green dome, and slim vertical windows, largely unchanged since its original construction, surrounded by English rose gardens.
The mosque was established primarily through the efforts of Ahmadi Muslims from Qadian in India, many of whom were women who sold their jewellery to finance the land purchase despite knowing they would likely never visit the completed building. Throughout its history, the mosque has served multiple purposes beyond religious worship, including functioning as an air raid shelter during the second world war and more recently hosting blood donation drives and Covid-19 vaccination clinics.
Community integration has been central to the mosque’s identity, guided by the principle “love for all, hatred for none.” Members distribute sweets to local children during Eid, extend Christmas greetings to neighbours, participate in environmental cleanup efforts, and support other faith communities. The mosque has historically hosted prominent visitors and figures, including Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the future founder of Pakistan, who delivered a significant speech at the mosque that influenced the partition of British India in August 1947.
Current community leaders describe the mosque’s significance as representing a century of connection and peace-building. To commemorate the centenary, organizers plan to provide 10,000 free meals to homeless individuals. Local representatives, including Putney Labour MP Fleur Anderson, have highlighted the mosque’s valued role in the surrounding community. Leadership of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has expressed hope that the mosque will continue serving as a unifying force across different backgrounds and faiths for generations ahead.
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