As Britain Debates Community Cohesion, London's First Mosque Marks a Century of Integration on 100 Buses

The Fazl Mosque turned 100 on 3 October and launches a year of national service

LONDON – At a time when community cohesion, trust and neighbourhood identity are increasingly part of the national conversation, London’s first purpose-built mosque has launched one of its largest public awareness campaigns, taking a message of integration, loyalty and service onto 100 buses across the capital. The campaign coincides with the centenary of the Fazl Mosque in Southfields, that opened on 3 October 1926, and celebrates a century of contribution to British society under the theme “A Century of Integration, Loyalty and Service.”

One hundred buses carrying centenary posters are running across London from 5 October to 19 October and it seeks to bring the story of one of Britain’s oldest established Muslim communities directly to Londoners in their everyday lives.

Operating from nine depots across the capital and serving 47 routes, the buses are expected to be seen by hundreds of thousands of passengers and pedestrians with the advert featuring feature a historic photograph from the mosque’s inauguration in 1926 alongside a contemporary image of the mosque today under the banner:

The Fazl Mosque Centenary – A Beacon of Peace: A Century of Integration, Loyalty and Service

The campaign also highlights the mosque’s place in British history as London’s first purpose-built mosque that was built by the

Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. It was granted heritage status in 2018 by Historic England. The centenary event held at the mosque last week received messages of support received from HM King Charles III as well as Prime Minister Andy Burnham MP.

His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the Caliph and Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community stated during his adress at the centenary event:

“No true mosque can ever be a source of harm or disorder. Any mosque used to spread extremism or fuel intolerance directly violates Islam’s teachings and is to be condemned in the strongest possible terms…With the grace of God, for the past century, the Fazl Mosque has always manifested peace and compassion and, God willing, shall forever continue to reflect these noble values.”

Rafiq Hayat, National President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK, said:

“Much is said today about the importance of bringing communities together, strengthening trust and building a shared sense of belonging. For a hundred years, the Fazl Mosque – also known as The London Mosque – has sought to do exactly that.

“This campaign is not simply about marking an anniversary. It is about sharing a story of how a faith community has integrated into British society, served local communities and remained loyal to this country through times of change.

“We are taking the amazing story of this historic mosque to Londoners wherever they already are – at the bus stop, on the school run or on the way to work. The values that guided this community a century ago remain just as relevant today: service to humanity, respect for others and a commitment to contributing positively to society. We would like our fellow Londoners to know that story.”

For a century, the Fazl Mosque has served not only as a place of worship but as a centre for community engagement, charitable work, interfaith dialogue and public service. Its history spans major chapters of modern British life, from the interwar years through to the present day.

The centenary campaign comes at a time when many policymakers, community organisations and civic leaders are discussing how stronger local connections and greater civic participation can help build more cohesive communities across Britain.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK hopes the campaign will encourage Londoners to reflect on the positive role that faith communities can play in strengthening neighbourhoods, supporting local causes and fostering mutual understanding.

Additional centenary awareness campaigns are planned in other cities across the United Kingdom later this year. ENDS

Notes to Editors

The campaign. 100 buses carry centenary posters from Monday 5 October 2026 for two weeks. The base depots and number of routes are: Elephant & Castle (11 routes), Brixton station (7), Battersea Park and Power Station (6), Vauxhall station (6), Camberwell Road (4), Hammersmith bus station (4), Ladbroke Grove (3), London Bridge (3) and Liverpool Street station (3). Routes carrying the posters include the 42, 133, 156, 176 and 344.
The Fazl Mosque, also known as The London Mosque, 16 Gressenhall Road, London SW18 5QL. Opened 3 October 1926, it was the first purpose-built mosque in London and accommodates around 150 worshippers. It was granted listed status in 2018 and a green heritage plaque by Wandsworth Borough Council in March 2026.
The centenary. The mosque marked one hundred years on Saturday 3 October 2026 with a reception attended by parliamentarians, civic leaders and diplomats, a street party attended by more than 2,000 people, and the opening of a permanent exhibition on the mosque’s history. Regional events were held the same day in nine regions across the United Kingdom.
How it was built. The foundation stone was laid on 19 October 1924 by the Second Caliph, Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad, during the first visit any Caliph made to Britain. The mosque was funded entirely by ordinary members of the community, the greater part of the cost contributed by Ahmadi Muslim women, particularly in India and also in Africa and the United States, whose names are displayed in the centenary exhibition.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was founded in 1889 and is established in 213 countries. It is entirely self-funded, has been in the UK since 1913 and has more than 150 branches. Its motto is ‘Love for All, Hatred for None’. Further information at www.ahmadiy y auk.org/1926Centenary
Images. High-resolution images of the poster design and of the buses in service are available on request.

For all press enquiries please contact:

Mahmood Rafiq

Head of External Relations Department of External Affairs

Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK Mahmood.Rafiq@ahmadiyyauk.org

Mahmoodrafiq2@gmail.com (personal) Mobile: +44 (0) 7971060962