Green Plaque Awarded to London’s First Mosque
A century after it first opened its doors, the historic Fazl Mosque in Southfields has received formal recognition from Wandsworth Council with the unveiling of a Green Plaque. The ceremony held on Tuesday 24 March celebrated the mosque’s unique place in British history as London’s first purpose-built mosque, opened in 1926 and still serving as a centre of worship, dialogue and community life.
This is an initiative of Wandsworth Council to recognise buildings of historical significance in the borough, and it was the last of 12 such heritage plaques installed in Wandsworth in the past year. Around 100 people attended the event including councillors, neighbours and members of the community.
Founded more than a decade before the mosque was built, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK has played a longstanding role in the borough and across the country. The Fazl Mosque itself has become a landmark of British Muslim heritage, known for its Grade II listed status and its century-long commitment to interfaith engagement, charitable work and public service.
Rafiq Hayat, National President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK, said the plaque recognises not only the mosque’s architectural and historical importance but also its enduring values.
“The Fazl Mosque is not only a place of worship but a symbol of peace, unity, and service to humanity,” he said, noting that its legacy is rooted in “compassion, justice, and community engagement.”
The event reflected on the mosque’s role in welcoming visitors from all backgrounds and fostering understanding between communities over the past 100 years. It also marked a renewed commitment to the community’s motto, “Love for All, Hatred for None,” which has shaped its humanitarian and interfaith work in the UK and beyond.
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The plaque was formally unveiled by the Mayor of Wandsworth, Councillor Jeremy Ambache and Imam Ataul Mujeeb Rashed, alongside the Leader of Wandsworth Council, Councillor Simon Hogg and Vice President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK Nasser Khan.
This was followed by a formal programme that commenced with the recitation of the Holy Qur’an, followed by remarks by:
- Mayor of Wandsworth, Councillor Jeremy Ambache
- Leader of Wandsworth Council, Simon Hogg,
- Nasser Khan, Vice President of The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK
- Raheel Ahmad, Head of UK History Department
- Munir Dean, member of the community
- Ataul Mujeeb Rashed, Imam of the Fazl Mosque.
