Fazl Mosque marks centenary with 100 London bus adverts

A historic London mosque is taking its message of integration and service across the capital, with a new campaign appearing on 100 buses.The Fazl Mosque in Southfields, London’s first purpose-built mosque, has marked 100 years since it opened in 1926.

As part of its centenary celebrations, posters highlighting the mosque’s history are being carried on 100 London buses during October.The campaign, under the theme “A Century of Integration, Loyalty, and Service”, aims to share the story of the mosque and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s presence in Britain with Londoners.

The adverts feature an historic photograph from the mosque’s inauguration alongside an image showing the building today, under the banner: “The Fazl Mosque Centenary – A Beacon of Peace: A Century of Integration, Loyalty, and Service.”

The Fazl Mosque officially opened on October 3, 1926, and around 600 dignitaries, including MPs, and foreign diplomats attended its inauguration.The mosque was largely funded by donations from members of the Ahmadiyya community in India, with women selling jewellery and other valuables to help fund its construction.

Over the century that followed, the mosque developed into a centre for worship, interfaith activity and community work.

It has hosted charity walks and blood drives, distributed food to people in need and served as a Covid-19 vaccination centre in 2021.

Among those to have visited the mosque over its history are Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Professor Abdus Salam, and Saudi princes Faisal and Saud, both of whom later became kings.The building was granted listed status by Historic England in 2018 and received a green heritage plaque from Wandsworth Borough Council in March this year.Rafiq Hayat, national president of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK, said the bus campaign extended the mosque’s centenary beyond the building itself.He said: “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.”

He added: “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 centenary is also being marked through community service, including a year-long programme aiming to provide 10,000 meals for homeless and vulnerable people and dedicate 10,000 volunteering hours across Britain.

Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the Fifth Caliph and worldwide head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, said the mosque had sought to promote peace throughout its history.

He said: “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.”

He added that the Fazl Mosque had sought to demonstrate “peace and compassion” during its first century.

The celebrations continue throughout this month, with an exhibition exploring the mosque’s history running until October 31.

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