Britain’s largest mosque – The Baitul Futuh Mosque in Morden leads mosques across UK with nationwide tributes for a unique sovereign

Muslims have gathered in mosques across the country, including Britain’s biggest mosque, in remembrance of HM The Queen.

Thousands of worshippers and neighbours attended the service held simultaneously across more than 23 mosques throughout the United Kingdom, led by the Baitul Futuh Mosque in London, which is the largest mosque in Western Europe. The services included a minute’s silence in honour of the Queen , and attendees signed books of condolence and paid their respects to the late monarch, with personal recollections, and tributes to Her Majesty’s work and 70-year reign.

Banners with an image of Queen Elizabeth II and an Islamic prayer have been displayed in front of mosques – including the Baitul-Futuh mosque in Morden, south London, which has a capacity for 10,000 worshippers. A banner is also at The Fazl Mosque (also known as The London Mosque) in Southfields – which is the capital’s first purpose-built mosque.

Worshippers heard faith leaders, councillors and Members of Parliament speak on the importance of a life of service, dedication, and loyalty to one’s country. Leadersfrom Morden and Merton who paid their respects to the late monarch with personal recollections included:

Cllr Joan Henry, The Worshipful the Mayor of Merton

Rev David Heath-Whyte, Rector, St Lawrence Church, Morden

Siobhain McDonagh MP, MP for Mitcham and Merton

Stephen Hammond MP, MP for Wimbledon

Inspector Jonathan Lloyd, South West Borough Command

The nationwide tribute was organised by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the oldest Muslim community in the UK. They also reached out to friends and neighbours coming together in solidarity to reflect on the remarkable life of HM The Queen.

The community’s annual conventions for its youth, and for its senior members and for ladies, taking place this month, feature special tributes and an exhibition dedicated to HM The Queen to enable attendees to pay their respects.

His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Caliph (Spiritual Leader) of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, said:

“The death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is a truly great loss for the United Kingdom and Commonwealth. Ahmadi Muslims will remain forever grateful for the way Her Majesty served her people with immense dignity, grace, and unwavering dedication throughout her long reign.

“We express our most sincere condolences to His Majesty King Charles III, the members of the Royal family and to the nation.”

The mosques’ interfaith services featured many MPs, faith leaders, mayors, councillors, and representatives of the police and armed forces.

Siobhain McDonagh, Member of Parliament for Mitcham and Merton spoke at the Baitul Futuh Mosque event and said:

“She truly was a leader for all ages, respected and admired by young and old. In recent days we have all reflected on her remarkable dedication and duty, it was this work ethic that I most admired, with her service continuing quite literally until the end..”

Sir Ed Davey, Leader of the Liberal Democrats spoke at the Baitul Futuh Mosque event and said:

“I want to thank His Holiness and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community for bringing us together so we can talk about our late Queen.”

“Being here with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community I reflect on Her Majesty’s character and life, the things she did which actually remind me of this wonderful community. When you say “Love for All Hatred for None” I can imagine her Majesty saying that, that’s how she lived her life, reaching out to people.”