The capital’s oldest mosque, the Fazl Mosque in Southfields, London, welcomed hundreds of guests on Saturday evening to mark a century since its foundation stone was first laid.
Guests including MPs, academics and religious leaders came together to view a special exhibition and hear a keynote address from the worldwide Head and Fifth Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad.
The evening, themed “Islamic Light in the West: A Century of Spiritual Revival,” honoured the legacy of the journey of the Second Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community from India to the UK – a journey that marked the dawn of a new era for Islam in Britain.
Speaking about the history of the mosque, His Holiness said:
“From 1920 onwards, Ahmadi Muslims diligently raised funds through personal sacrifices and contributions. Their collective efforts culminated in the purchase of the plot of land in Southfields, where you have gathered, for the sum of £2,230. It would serve as the location for the first Mosque in London.”
“Exactly a century ago, the Second Caliph graced the land in Southfields where you are sitting and laid the foundation stone for the Fazl Mosque, which proved to be a landmark moment in the history of Islam in the UK.”
The Fazl Mosque was granted heritage status by Historic England in 2018 and has served as the global headquarters of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. It remains a focal point for the community’s religious and humanitarian activities.
His Holiness, Mirza Masroor Ahmad, also highlighted the urgent need to end conflicts taking place around the world.
“Across the globe, wars are raging, lives are being tragically lost in unimaginable numbers, and we are witnessing a blatant disregard for the rights of Allah the Almighty and the rights of humanity.”
“It is my heartfelt prayer that may the love of God Almighty and His Creation enter the hearts of all mankind. Certainly, it was to achieve this objective that the Fazl Mosque was constructed, and it is for the sake of reiterating this message and recognising the immense blessings of God Almighty that we have held this event.”