East London Mosque: A Center for the Muslim Community
The story of the East London Mosque stretches back to 1910, when the London Mosque Fund was established to create a mosque in the city. The first dedicated mosque building opened in 1941, and the current, larger mosque was completed in 1985.
The East London Mosque is one of the largest mosques in Western Europe, located in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets between Whitechapel and Aldgate East. Combined with the adjoining London Muslim Centre and Maryam Centre, it can accommodate more than 7,000 muslims for congregational prayers.
The mosque was one of the first in the UK to be allowed to use loudspeakers to broadcast the adhan, the Islamic call to prayer.
Construction of the three-storey East London Mosque began in 1982 on land left empty after bombing during World War II, and was completed in 1985. The architect was John Gill Associates. The exterior is a distinctive brick pattern in two colours, with the front facing Whitechapel Road and the rear on Fieldgate Street. The mosque is capped with a golden dome of about 8.5m diameter. The minaret rises to about 28.5m above ground level, and the main entrance is finished with two smaller copies of the minaret. The mosque has two large halls, a gallery, classrooms, offices and a retail unit.
The East London Mosque plays a significant role in the wider London community. The mosque offers educational programs and outreach initiatives that promote interfaith dialogue and understanding. It also provides social services to those in need, such as food banks and support groups.
In conclusion, the East London Mosque is a central pillar for the Muslim community in London. It serves as a place of worship, education, and social connection, and fosters interfaith understanding and community engagement.
