WATCH London’s oldest mosque celebrates 100 years since its foundation

The Fazl Mosque, in Southfields, has reached a historic milestone. It is celebrating 100 years since its foundation stone was laid on October 19, 1924.

The mosque is the oldest in the capital and serves as a key centre for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, one of the most recent branches of Islam, founded in 1889.In 1920, the community acquired a one-acre site in South West London, envisioning it as the home of the city’s first mosque. Four years later, the Second Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (their spiritual leader) laid the foundation stone.Raheel Ahmad, a 30-year-old Imam, reflected on the mosque’s humble beginnings. He said: “It’s such a small place when you walk inside, but for the early community, it was everything. It may not be as big as the Baitul Futuh Mosque, but it reminds us of how and why everything began.”

According to Raheel, the mosque’s centennial celebration is not just a reflection on its past but a continuation of its mission to promote Islam’s message of peace. He added: “It is also a reminder that we must continue for another 100 years to dispel misconceptions about Islam and promote its true teachings.”The Fazl Mosque was established in London due to its significance as the heart of the British Empire, which held great influence over India at the time. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community chose London as a base to spread their message globally, and since then, the mosque has welcomed people from all backgrounds.

Raheel quoted the Caliph when he laid the foundation stone 100 years ago, saying: “We want to demonstrate that differences are not detrimental. The essence of tolerance is understanding those differences, and that’s something the world desperately needs right now.”A special event took place last Saturday, featuring an exhibition showcasing the mosque’s history, guided tours, keynote speeches, and a special dinner, all serving as a testament to a century of peace and community work.