Fazl Mosque London Celebrates 100 Years Anniversary -

The first multi-purpose mosque in London, Fazl Mosque, built by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community outside Indo -Pakistan in 1926 has celebrated its centenary anniversary within the precinct Greesen Hall road, Southwest London, United Kingdom.

100 years ago, the mosque began taking shape in London through the sacrifices of people thousands of miles away in India.

Ahmadi Muslim women giving their jewellery, children giving their pocket money, every contribution helped turn a vision into reality.

On October 3, 2026, a special reception commemorating the centenary of the inauguration of the Fazl Mosque, the first mosque in London was held. The programme was graced by a special address by the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V (may Allah be his helper)

Profound Speeches

Reflecting on the centenary, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“The Fazl Mosque was built through the sacrifice of people who gave what little they had for a place many of them would never themselves see.

“As we mark this historic anniversary, Ahmadi Muslims will express their gratitude to God through prayers for peace and by helping their neighbours and those in need by giving their time for the betterment of society. This is the true spirit of Islam.”

Ahead of the Islamic world leader speech, The Prime Minister, other guests across the political divide and notable British citizens delivered historical speeches on the place of the Fazl Mosque in the annal of the British community engagements.

Rafiq Hayat, Amir, National President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK, said:

“Our members were made welcome here, and that welcome has never been forgotten.

“This centenary belongs to Britain as much as it belongs to us. We are marking it by showing once again that we are here not as guests but as loyal citizens who want to help our country in every way possible to progress and prosper, especially by helping the most in need.”

Mayor of Wandsworth, Councillor Emilline Owens submitted that:

The building is important as people in it , Bridging bridges between faiths, a vaccination center during COVID”.

High Sherrif for Gtreater London Dhruv Patel, OBE appreciated the first purpose mosque in Britan,

“for providing food and companionship to the people of Britan a practical meaning for : Love For All Hatred For None mantra of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community motto .

For Luke Taylor, MP and Liberal Spokesperson for London attested to the centenary celebration of the Fazl Mosque as :

“an opportunity to celebrate the building and people, building community link across Putney and Britan as a whole”

Member of Parliament for Mitchen and Morden, Dame Siobhain Midonagh, a Catholic,

” i appreciates women who donated funds for the construction of the mosque from in the Indo- Pak region 100 years ago”.

Fazl Mosque was a place of worship, meeting center , venue for Covid vaccination in Southfields and Southwest London.

The Fazl Mosque centenary was marked with prayers, community service projects, 10,000 meals for homeless people, and 10,000 volunteer hours dedicated to helping those in need across Britain.

The mosque’s story began more than a century ago in Qadian, a small town in what was then British India.

The Fazl Mosque is pictured during its opening celebrations in October 1926. The building was funded by donations from members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in British India. T

he Fazl Mosque is pictured during its opening celebrations in October 1926. The building was funded by donations from members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in British India. (Image: Ahmadiyya Muslim Community)

The project was funded almost entirely through donations from members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, many of whom would never travel to Britain or see the building their sacrifices helped create.

When the mosque opened, people from different faiths and backgrounds gathered in Southfields to witness a moment that few could have imagined a generation earlier.

Crowds gather outside the newly opened Fazl Mosque in Southfields during its inauguration on 3 October 1926. The mosque became London's first purpose-built mosque.

Crowds gather outside the newly opened Fazl Mosque in Southfields during its inauguration on October 3, 1926. The mosque became London’s first purpose-built mosque.

(Image: Ahmadiyya Muslim Community)

Designed by Lancashire-born architect Thomas Hayton Mawson, the building combined influences from the Indian subcontinent with the character of suburban London.

What began as a single mosque has since grown into a nationwide community with more than 150 chapters across the United Kingdom.

Over the course of the past century, the mosque has played a role in some remarkable moments of history.

In 1933, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who would later become the founder of Pakistan, returned to the mosque and spoke of the influence its imam had on his decision to become involved in the independence movement.

During the Second World War, the mosque provided shelter and refuge during the Blitz as London came under sustained bombardment.

The Home of Khalifah

In 1984, following religious persecution in Pakistan, the fourth caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad, migrated to Britain and established the mosque as the international headquarters of the worldwide community.

From Southfields, he launched Muslim Television Ahmadiyya International, the world’s first global Muslim television channel, and founded the humanitarian organisation Humanity First during the Bosnian conflict.

The fifth caliph and current worldwide head of the community, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, was elected at the mosque in 2003.

Today, the mosque remains both a place of worship and a centre of international activity, hosting visits from politicians, faith leaders, diplomats and community representatives from around the world.

In 2018, the building received listed status from Historic England, recognising its significance to Britain’s cultural and religious history.

The adjacent building within the precinct houses the MTA International broadcasting studios at inception.

Centenary Awards

High Sheriff for Greater London, Dhruv Patel OBE, presented a centenary award to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association in the UK for service to the wider community in London. Rafiq Ayat, Amir Ahmadiyya Muslim Association, received the award.

Earlier this year, Wandsworth Council awarded the mosque a green heritage plaque.

Representatives gather beside the new heritage plaque awarded to the Fazl Mosque by Wandsworth Borough Council in 2026, marking its significance as London’s first purpose-built mosque.

The centenary celebrations come under the theme:

Fazl Mosque: Beacon of Peace – A Century of Integration, Loyalty, and Service.

The community will also launch a nationwide awareness campaign, including advertising on 100 buses across London, highlighting the mosque’s century-long contribution to British society.

A hundred years after people first gathered outside the newly opened London Mosque, its message remains much the same.

At a time when questions about integration and belonging continue to be debated, the community says the mosque stands as a reminder that people from different faiths, cultures, and backgrounds can live together with mutual respect and service to others.

The Ambassadors / High Commissioners from Tanzania, Gambia, Guinea,Tubulu, Democratic Republic of Congo, Preu, Andora, Malaysia, Ghana and Malawi attended the centenary celebrations.

A personal Experience

Alhamdulillah robil alamain. Fazl Mosque-first mosque of the Ahmadiyya community in Europe celebrated 100 years anniversary. i have had the opportunity of praying in the mosque first in 2002 as a post graduate student from the Nottingham University Nottingham.

I prayed behind the beloved late Huzur, Hazrat Tahir Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih 4th in 2002 and the current Huzur Masroor Ahmad, May Allah be His Helper in 2009.

The main building directly in front of the mosque is the official residence of Khalifah and the headquarters of the Jamaat in the UK FOR SEVERAL YEARS after the movement of the Khalifatul Masih the 4th to London FROM PAKISTAN in 1984.

One of the adjacent guest houses was my abode for one week before i proceeded to Nottingham to resume my post graduate studies.

Three days to my final return to Nigeria on completion of a Master’s Degree in Online Journalism from the Nottingham Trent University Center for Broadcasting and Journalism, in 2003, i prayed within the mosque for Allah’s guidance and sound health to use my knowledge for my CAREER ADVANCEMENT, SERVICE TO VOICE OF NIGERIA, VON, NIGERIA AND THE JAMAAT in general.

Those prayers have come to pass.

To the glory of Allah i have risen in the Journalism Career in leaps and bounds, i was appointed Coordinator for MTA Nigeria Studios since 2016. Served as member of the AAMILA -Executive Council of the Jamaat in charge of Publications for 13 years during the Imarat of Professor Moshuud Fashola, and currently the MEDIA LEAD for Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat of Nigeria under Alhaji Alatoye Folorunso Azeez. Coincidentally, i had promotion examinations and interview for the position of a Director Digital Media during the week.

It was a resounding success. What a Special Grace from Allah.

What a Nostalgia!!!!!! Ilaliamam Insha Allah

Sources: MTA International/ Asian Image