Idea Transcript
East London Mosque & London Muslim Centre
Annual Report 2008 / 09
Our mission provide a range “ofToholistic, culturally sensitive services for the communities of London with a view to improving quality of life and enhancing community cohesion
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Contents
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Chairman’s Foreword
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Executive Summary
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Religious Services
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Education and Training
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Social Welfare
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Community Cohesion
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Economic Development
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Premises
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History and Archives
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Conclusion
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Timeline
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Comments from the Public
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Accounts
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ELM Phase 2 Expansion
East London Mosque & London Muslim Centre
Annual Report 2008 / 09
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01 Chairman’s Foreword
In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. It is remarkable how a year has passed so quickly! The East London Mosque and London Muslim Centre continue to attract increasing numbers of users and visitors every day, the services we offer to help our communities are bursting at the seams to cope with demand, waiting lists are growing and pressure is mounting to create additional capacity.
Despite all our successes, Muslim communities continue to face pressure from inaccurate portrayal in some sections of the media. Our doors are open to those who wish to see firsthand the work that is being done here to integrate our communities and to address the socio-economic challenges facing our society.
Our new development of an 8-storey building on the site of our car park and funeral service is already underway, bringing the promise of even more community services with a particular focus on the needs of women.
The year ahead has many challenges and will require us to work even harder. The immense energy of our volunteers, staff and members is something that inspires me, and I am proud to be associated with people and an institution that strive to make their communities better – I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
Much effort has been placed in balancing the operations of service delivery with strategic development and quality. I am delighted to report that we were accorded the following awards and recognition in the past year:
May the peace and blessings of Allah be with you.
• Super Model Mosque 2008 voted by viewers of Islam Channel • Mosques for Humanity Award by Islamic Relief • Excellence in Overall Project Performance by LBTH Third Sector Awards • Community of the Year Award by London Citizens
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East London Mosque & London Muslim Centre
Annual Report 2008 / 09
Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari Chairman
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02 Executive Summary 03
04 In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. Alhamdulillah, it is now over five years since the opening of the London Muslim Centre. All our projects and services have continued to grow, benefitting thousands of people. The number of people attending the daily and Friday prayers has increased. It is estimated that around 23,000 people pass through our doors every week, increasing to over 47,000 in Ramadan! The replacement of all the carpets in the Mosque was very much welcomed by users. Weekly talks on Islamic subjects were delivered in Arabic, English, Bengali and Somali by our Imams and guest speakers. More coordinated support was provided to new Muslims through our volunteers. However, there are demands to provide more resources in this area, particularly for the women. In Ramadan we provided iftar (breaking of the fast) to around 300 people every day. We received hundreds applications for the 110 I’tikaf places in last 10 days of Ramadan. Our schools performed well. Another 5 boys (around 20 in total to date) have completed the memorization of the Holy Qur’an by heart, at the same time doing well in their National Curriculum subjects. The first cohort has graduated from the London East Academy with all pupils gaining at least 5 A* to C GCSE’s. Around 700 children who go to mainstream schools attend our evening and weekend educational provisions. Several hundred children are on the waiting lists; this shows the high level of demand for these services.
The part-time language courses provided through Al-Baseera are improving, but much more planning and effort is needed to take it to the desired level. Our Improving School Attendance in Partnership (ISAP) project has continued to deliver its programme to 18 primary and 2 secondary schools achieving great results, engaging with over 200 families, providing support and assistance to ensure their children get the best out of school. We have increased the opening hours for the Library by another 12 hours every week after receiving a grant from a local developer. The Islamic Classes for deaf children continued to improve; the circle is held every Saturday at the LMC, with support from parents. Deaf Muslims are now accommodated in the Friday prayer with sign language translation. The demand on our Imams for advice and counselling increases every day, a reflection of increasing social problems and the desire of people to turn to the mosque for help. Imams also deal with queries from the media, statutory and voluntary organisations on many issues. Faith in Health continued to work in partnership with NHS Tower Hamlets to raise awareness of the lack of access to health services in Tower Hamlets. Pro Bono in the LMC provided legal advice to around 400 people over the past year, in areas such as housing, immigration, family and debt. Pro Bono jointly organised a high profile lecture ‘Equality before the Law’ by the former Lord Chief Justice, Lord Phillips.
Three Open Days were organised and 78 visits from schools, statutory and voluntary organisations were received. Some of our user groups organised several dinners with more than 300 of our non-Muslim neighbours and colleagues. We also hosted an event with the former Bishop of Palestine. We have been running and hosting several projects to improve the economic conditions of people by providing advice and guidance, and employment skills training to help people into employment, supported and funded by the London Development Agency. Our Way to Work project has run many successful employment and training initiatives, resulting in over 60 people moving into employment this year. A further 80 people have achieved qualifications through training with Way to Work.
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Our success has brought increased demands for prayer space, educational projects and community services. We are now embarking on a new phase of development – an exciting new 8-storey extension will further increase our prayer capacity and provide a greater range of services, especially for women and girls.
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The East London Mosque has captured the imagination of the Muslim community, and the success of the London Muslim Centre has been an inspiration for all. Whatever has been achieved is because of the Mercy of Allah, Who caused people to love and support this historic institution. We pray we can continue to build on this success.
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13 Dilowar Hussain Khan Executive Director
East London Mosque & London Muslim Centre
Annual Report 2008 / 09
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03 Religious Services
Imam Kelbany, an Imam of Masjidul Haraam, Makkah
Prayer Facilities
Adhan Radio
Alhamdulillah, more people than ever are attending the Mosque for congregational prayers. Barriers and staff on a rota are used on a daily basis to manage the large numbers attending to ensure worshippers can get in and out after prayer. Nearly 5,000 people attend on Fridays for Jumuah prayer and when space is full in the buildings people have had to pray outside on the pavement. Staff and volunteers ensure the buildings are filled fully and safely.
This valuable service continues to provide access to the adhan, jumuah khutbah, tarawih and selected programmes for those at home. It is estimated there are over 2000 adhan radios in circulation at present.
New Muslims Imam Abdul Qayum, Forced Marriages Seminar
The New Muslim Circle is run by the Islam Awareness Project (IAP) with support from the Imams, providing advice and support for those new to the faith of Islam. Weekly sessions give basic teachings for new Muslims and are well attended. Other regular activities include Eid and Iftar gatherings, residential, social gatherings and Qiyamul-Layl. Religious Teaching There are many weekly sessions running in the Mosque with teaching from the Qur’an and Hadith in English, Bangla and Somali. Two programmes were held before the Hajj season, one in Bengali and one in English, to explain how to perform Hajj; the participation was very good with an estimated 800 people attending both programmes.
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Ramadan More than 4,000 people attended the special tarawih prayers at the Mosque and LMC, filling both the mosque and centre to capacity every evening in Ramadan. Those who attended were fortunate enough to listen to the recitation of the Holy Qur’an by Shaykh Ahmed Amer, Hafiz Abu Tayeb, Shaykh Abu Hashim Abdul Badi and Shaykh Amjad Hussain. In the last ten days of Ramadan tahajjud (late night) prayers attracted large numbers of people, almost rivaling the tarawih. The Mosque hosted more than 300 people every day for Iftar; alhamdulillah, an estimated 40% of costs were covered by donations and food from local businesses. 110 people performed I’tikaf (seclusion) in the Mosque, but the demand for places was many times this. Over £50,000 was collected by other organisations in Ramadan. Cash collections also raised more than £58,000 for ELM Phase 2.
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04 Education and Training
Improving School Attendance in Partnership (ISAP)
ISAP school assembly
Students of Evening Madrasah
ISAP continued to deliver its programme to primary and secondary schools, this year achieving great results. Their work in 18 primary schools has allowed ISAP to engage directly with over 200 families. Focusing on the theme of ‘parental engagement’, ISAP staff provided families with support and assistance to ensure their children get the best out of school. Head teachers have been very impressed with achievements of ISAP pupils. ISAP held competitions in which Year 3 & 4 pupils were asked to design a t-shirt promoting school and Year 5 & 6 were tasked with writing a persuasive letter to a friend about the importance of school. Winners were given prizes which included a mountain bike. This year in secondary schools ISAP focused on raising the aspiration of pupils without neglecting the valuable work in empowering the parents. In partnership with Ford Motoring Company, ISAP facilitated sessions where representatives talked to pupils about life after school. ISAP facilitated a parenting course at the London Muslim Centre which was delivered by Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari. London East Academy This was the 5th year of London East Academy’s operation. The secondary provision now has 135 students and 13 members of staff. The first cohort
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Annual Report 2008 / 09
graduated with all pupils achieving at least 5 A* to C in GCSE’s and a CIE (Certificate in Islamic Education). An Ofsted survey of the SMSC (Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural) education found the Academy to be an exemplary school. The primary school, Al Mizan, has 41 boys on roll in two classes, years 3 and 4, following the National Curriculum and memorising the Qur’an. The school has benefited by moving to refurbished premises within the mosque complex. The school has made a concerted effort to enrich the curriculum through outside activities and trips. The LEA 6th Form opened in September 2008 with 15 students taking between them 12 different AS levels along with Islamic Sciences and Arabic. Some of the subjects have been offered in partnership with Tower Hamlets College. This coming academic year 18 students have made applications and 10 have been given conditional offers. Evening Madrasah The Madrasah teaches Islamic subjects to children every day for two hours after school. Currently there are 312 students on roll with another 126 on the waiting list. The Madrasah faces a huge demand and is unable to take on more students because there are no more classrooms available. However, two of the primary classrooms will be used from July 2009. The Madrasah publishes a quarterly bulletin for students and parents.
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04 Saturday Islamic School (SIS) The Saturday Islamic School teaches children about the basics of Islam, history and Arabic. In recent years it has developed a strong partnership with Stepney Green Maths and Computing College. It currently caters for 300 girls and boys aged between 6 and 13 years. The School is looking to expand beyond these years and to increase the number of pupils. Summer Supplementary Course This popular course ran for two weeks in the summer of 2008. The course covered the fundamental teachings of Islam as well as other practical activities including arts and crafts, first aid, etc. Separate classes were run for boys and girls aged 8-14, with approximately 200 attendees. Al Baseera Institute of Arabic & Islamic Studies Al Baseera underwent major reorganisation in this period. Depending on demand, courses for adults are offered in Arabic language, Tajweed , Hadith, Fiqh, Aqeedah, Seerah and Islamic History. For the February to June term Al Baseera had 162 students. Library The library opening hours have been extended, and now there is limited opening every day of the week. About 500 new books in Arabic and English have been bought to expand the library’s collection.
Its consultation room is used extensively by Way to Work, who also use the library to aid job searches and CV preparation for clients. Rainbow House have two sessions every week, using the children’s area. The library is used by the London East Academy, especially the Sixth Form who have been given access outside normal opening hours.
With all our sessions currently running at maximum capacity we see over 100 children and parents benefitting from our services every week. Our recent Ofsted report highlights the quality of the services provided by our staff and the vibrant environment in which children learn and grow.
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Islamic Circles for Deaf Children Food 4 Thought (F4T) – Supplementary Classes F4T has continued its successful work at the LMC on Sundays, running classes for Years 9–11. The sessions incorporate one-to-one tutor support, mentoring and self-development sessions designed to strengthen individuals’ outlook and character, through personal contact with staff and volunteers. We have continued our sessions at the Idea Store, Whitechapel, also on the Wednesday afternoons. F4T focuses on the core curriculum subjects of English, Maths and Science. We hope to expand our services further and continue our work, inspiring young people to achieve more. Rainbow House Children’s Centre Rainbow House Children’s Centre – open seven days a week – is dedicated to quality provisions for under 8-year-olds. We provide morning and afternoon pre-schools sessions, Arabic language club, Evening Madrasah, Qur’an for mums and crèche services on request.
Volunteers of the East London Mosque and Redbridge Islamic Centre joined together to organise a regular Islamic Circle for deaf children, aged 7–16. The circle is held every Saturday at the LMC, with support from parents. The participants are learning a variety of topics including the Seerah, fiqh and Islamic history. We have started a sermon translation service into British Sign Language (BSL) and staff at the mosque attended training sessions in deaf awareness.
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09 Junior Muslim Circle The Junior Muslim Circle uses the youth lounge in the mosque. They have weekend sessions for up to 180 girls and boys, learning about the basics of Islam and taking part in recreational activities. They organise trips, night programmes and a summer holiday scheme. They have continued to organise a scouts group in partnership with The Scout Association, where young people can take part in outdoor activities.
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05 Social Welfare
Health seminars and training
Help, Advice and Counselling
Marriage Attestations
The Mosque is the first point of contact for advice, guidance and support on religious and personal matters for people of all ages and backgrounds. Enquiries are received in person, by letter, email and phone. The sheer number of enquiries places a huge workload on the Imams, especially the Chief Imam – most people ask to speak to him when they contact the Mosque because of his knowledge and experience.
Our imams are regularly called upon to provide attestations and references for people, such as providing proof that someone belongs to a religious community. Performing Nikah (marriage blessing) is one of the functions of the Imams.
Jamiat-ul-Muslimin
Health Connex events with NHS Tower Hamlets
Jamiat-ul-Muslimin is a long established support organisation of the Mosque made up of volunteers. Up to 50 members help with stewarding and collecting donations every Friday. Regular meetings are held with volunteers to discuss its work and also to train its members. Some of the highlights of last year include: collecting for Eid, Ramadan and other occasions, helping with I’tikaf arrangements, and pledging £145,000 towards the development of ELM Phase 2. Working in Partnership The Mosque has continued to work in partnership with many organisations and bodies to further our work and maximise the potential of the community. The following are some of the organisations we have worked with: • Council of Mosques - Tower Hamlets • LBTH Social Services • LBTH Education Department • Tower Hamlets Primary Care Trust • National Health Service • Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education • London Citizens and TELCO
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Annual Report 2008 / 09
Charity Collections External organisations collected more than £81,000 (excluding Ramadan – see above) for worthy causes in many countries. Types of organisations include mosques and Islamic centres throughout the UK and abroad as well as charities raising funds for other parts of the worlds such as Palestine and Bangladesh. Faith in Health Faith in Health has continued to work in partnership with NHS Tower Hamlets to raise awareness of health services in Tower Hamlets. The project organised two of its showpiece events ‘Health Connex’, in which NHS Tower Hamlets showcased the free services available to the community. The project also conducted an outreach programme through most of the mosques in Tower Hamlets, building relationships and gathering information from worshippers about their health issues. Training sessions were held to help Imams understand the local health services and how they can help our community reduce health inequalities.
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ELM Women’s Link
Robin Knowles QC and Imam Kelbany
Women's Islamic Classes
ELM Women’s Link provides an advice and support drop-in service during the week and legal advice sessions in partnership with ‘Pro Bono in the LMC’, alongside other services such as domestic violence support through advice, support and referral. The project has provided activities, trips and skills & training workshops through their new project called ‘Inspire’ which caters for the needs of women and empowers them to gain knowledge and skills, providing them with access to opportunities. Al-Ihsan Marriage & Family Advice Service This marriage introduction and family support service now has around 500 men and women on its list who are being helped to find suitable spouses. AIMFAS plans to hold seminars and programmes on marriage in Islam, how to lead a happy married life and provide advice and counselling services to married couples who are facing difficulties in their marital relationship. Pro Bono in the LMC Operating legal surgeries to allow the community to access advice and support, PBLMC holds drop-in sessions in the Business Wing of the LMC, a women-only session at Women’s Link, and sessions at the Ideas Store in Whitechapel. Approximately 400 people have been supported over the past year in areas such as housing, immigration, family and debt. PBLMC organised the high profile visit of the former Lord Chief Justice, Lord Phillips Worth of Matravers, where he
East London Mosque & London Muslim Centre
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gave a keynote address ‘Equality before the Law’; the event received international attention. PBLMC also organised a seminar on forced marriage, ‘Law, Religion and Practice’; speakers were Sir Mark Potter (President of the Family Division and Head of Family Justice for England and Wales), Mr Justice Munby (High Court Judge), Ms Ann-Marie Hutchinson (Solicitor), and Shaykh Abdul Qayum (Chief Imam, East London Mosque).
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Somali Development Association The Somali Development Association is a culturally sensitive project working with people primarily from the Somali community, in and around the surrounding boroughs of Tower Hamlets, working with families and children, helping primarily to increase education standards. In the last year the organisation has tried to develop its work in key value areas around education and parental engagement. Activities included a family engagement programme, after school supplementary classes, mother tongue and Arabic language classes, a community diversionary and education programme, and charity events. North African Community Association (NACA
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NACA has continued to provide weekend classes for children of North African origin. There are approximately 70 children attending classes on Friday in the evenings and during the day on Saturdays. The subjects taught include Arabic as a mother tongue, Qur’an, Hadith and Islamic Studies.
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06 Community Cohesion
Open Days
Exhibition and Open Days
Visits by Dignitaries
Regular open days give the public a better understanding of Islam and help build bridges within our communities. Visitors are offered tours of the mosque, and professional Islamic displays and materials are hired. Gift bags are given to take away after participating in the tours. During the last 3 open days we had on average 150 people attending each day, with 20–30 people per tour.
The former Lord Chief Justice, Lord Phillips delivered a speech at the London Muslim Centre, as did the former Bishop of Jerusalem, Riah Abu El-Assal. One of the Imams of the Ka‘bah, Shaykh Adel Salem Al Kalbani visited us and led the Isha prayer. Sadiq Khan, MP for Tooting and the Communities Minister, visited the London Muslim Centre to officially open our library, and Stephen Timms MP visited our employment project Way to Work.
Visitors & School Visits
Winning LBTH Third Sector Awards
There were 78 organised visits to the Mosque and Centre from local schools, universities and professional bodies. In total approximately 2,100 visitors were received and given a guided tour of our facilities by a member of staff. Muslim Community Radio (MCR) We have continued our partnership with Islamic Forum of Europe (IFE) to run the Muslim Community Radio (MCR) throughout Ramadan. Volunteers created, produced and presented original programming throughout the schedule. Issues tackled included citizenship and political participation to more local issues such as education, housing, drugs and the environment. MCR continued to run a limited weekend service after Ramadan over the internet.
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Media We held an Eid celebration for representatives of the media. Events that have been publicised in the media include the Lord Chief Justice Speech at the London Muslim Centre, Faith in Health – Health Connex events, fundraising during Ramadan and the launch of Khutbah service for Deaf Muslims. Our website now has enhanced provision for the download of audio and other files, especially the weekly Khutbah. We published three newsletters to keep the congregation in touch with events at the mosque. We also printed a Ramadan timetable with support from NHS Tower Hamlets who were promoting their ‘Smoking Cessation’ service to the community.
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Community leaders meet with New Scotland Yard
Islam Awareness Exhibition
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Working with Community Organisations
Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure Service
The Mosque has continued to work many organisations and bodies to protect and further the interests of the Muslim community.
This is a service the Mosque provides to the community and voluntary organisations, mainly the Muslim community. Through this service they are able to carry out Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks to provide greater protection for the vulnerable members of our society and to their customers, staff, volunteers and ultimately their organisations. Currently we are providing the service to 30 organisations based mainly in the east London area.
The following are some of the organisations we have worked with: • Tower Hamlets Interfaith Forum • The East London Communities Organisation (TELCO) • Islamic Forum of Europe • Young Muslim Organisation (YMO) • Muslimaat UK The London Muslim Centre in partnership with the Tower Hamlets Interfaith Forum entered a successful bid to the Preventing Violent Extremism Fund for a multi-faith trip to Bosnia. The objective was to share the multi-faith experiences in Tower Hamlets with colleagues in Bosnia, and similarly learn from Bosnian experiences and relate them to people back here. The trip took place in July 2009.
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The Mosque has continued its positive work with The East London Communities Organisation (TELCO) and St Ethelbura’s Centre for Reconciliation and Peace. We have participated in many campaigns and attended many events such as the residential training for TELCO and an international conference on integration in Helsinki, Finland.
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07 Economic Development
Employment Advice Winning the Community of the Year Award 2008 Faith In Health Event, photograph courtesy of London Ambulance Service
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Way to Work Project
Faith in Work
Way to Work has run many successful employment and training initiatives this year, resulting in over 60 people moving into employment. A further 80 people have achieved qualifications through training with Way to Work in a range of different areas including IT, Health & Safety, Passenger Assistant Training, Community Interpreting, and Computer Hardware Technician Training.
In 2009 Way to Work commenced delivery of the ‘Faith in Work’ programme, an intensive preemployment training course that not only teaches the practical skills required to secure employment – for example, CV writing, interview techniques – but also looks at employment and job-seeking from an Islamic perspective. The course includes training sessions delivered by an Imam, with whom trainees also have the opportunity to discuss their individual situation on a one-to-one basis.
Way to Work has continued to establish a solid presence within the Third Sector in Tower Hamlets, delivering training in partnership with organisations such as the Ocean NDC Jobshop, the Limehouse Project and the Ocean Somali Community Association. We have a continuing relationship with the Jobcentre Plus, and have also provided pre-employment training as part of Toynbee Hall’s Women’s Volunteering & Training Project.
East London Mosque & London Muslim Centre
Annual Report 2008 / 09
Faith Regen at the LMC Faith Regen Foundation has continued to work in partnership with the LMC to deliver education and training to those hard to engage groups. The following programmes and courses are currently being delivered: Learn Direct accredited courses, ESOL Classes; basic skills for numeracy and literacy, and basic ICT skills.
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08 Premises
Renovation, Redecoration & Outfitting Works
Installation of new carpets
Mayor of LBTH launches Volunteer Fundraiser Initiative
• Carpets were replaced in all the prayer areas. The finest ‘platinum’ quality carpets were custom made for the mosque by Ozkül, a leading manufacturer of mosque carpets in Turkey. The installation was carried out by UK carpet fitters, with help from our support staff – some of the carpet rolls weighed over half a tonne, requiring several people to move them. • All the taps in the LMC ablutions have been replaced by aerated flow taps. These make it easier to wash and use less water, with less water splashing on the floor. • Due to the very high usage of the 2nd and 3rd floors of the LMC, the carpet tiles were replaced, all the corridors were painted, as well as the classrooms. • The mosque is underwent a comprehensive review of all the electrics to ensure that it is safe and properly labeled. Covers were installed on the lights in the basement. ELM – Phase 2 Fully revised plans for Phase 2 were submitted to the Planning Department in January 2009, with a decision expected in the summer. This more substantial development makes better use of the space:
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• Basement: improved funeral facilities, car and bicycle parking, male ablutions. • Ground floor: new prayer hall, joined to existing main hall; large entrance lobby with small reception. • Mezzanine floor: viewing gallery, media room, exhibition and meeting space; first level of substantial two-tier office area dedicated to women’s projects. • First floor: new prayer hall for women, with family rooms; lobby area with buggy parks, complemented by a large women’s ablutions area; large meeting room; second tier of women’s project offices. • Second floor: multipurpose hall; meeting and multipurpose rooms. • Third and fourth floors: education floors, with 10 classrooms and ancillary rooms. • Fifth floor: women’s health and fitness centre; family services. • Sixth floor: caretaker/guest flats. Enabling works began in June 2009, including removing the existing mosque shops to form an essential fire escape, and the demolition of the funeral service (relocated temporarily).
Annual Report 2008 / 09
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Projects and User Groups of ELM-LMC The following projects/user groups are using the rooms and halls of LMC on a regular basis:
Islamic weddings at the LMC
Meeting Room at the LMC
• Al Mizan Tahfizul Madrasah • Al-Baseera Arabic Language Institute • Association of Islamic Teachers UK • Bangladesh Forum Europe (BFE) • Deaf Muslim Project • ELM Evening Madrasah • Faith in Health • Faith Regen Foundation • Food4Thought Supplementary School • Improving School Attendance in Partnership • Islam Awareness Project • Islamic Forum Europe • Junior Muslim Circle • Library • London East Academy • Middle Path Media • Muslimaat UK • North African Community Association • Rainbow House Play Group • Saturday Halaqa • Saturday Islamic School • School/College Link Project • Somali Development Association • Tower Hamlets Council of Mosques • Way to Work • Women’s Link • Young Muslim Organisation UK
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Events Bookings in LMC Many organisations have already discovered that the London Muslim Centre is the ideal venue for conferences, seminars, meetings, launches and exhibitions. Some of the organisations who held their events at the London Muslim Centre in the last year: • Al-Muntada Al-Islami • Amanah Investment Ltd (AIC) • Association of Muslim Governors • Barts & the London Hospital • British Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce (BBCC) • Communities Against Drugs and Alcohol Abuse (CADAA) • The Cordoba Foundation • Ernst & Young • FOSIS • Friends of Al-Aqsa • Friends of the Citizen Foundation • Greater Sylhet Council • Islamic Relief • Jagonari Women’s Centre • London Borough of Hackney • London Borough of Tower Hamlets • Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) • Markfield Institute of Higher Education (MIHE) • Muslim Aid • Muslim Hands • Muslim Safety Forum • NAFAS • NHS Tobacco Project • Pro Bono in the LMC • Queen Mary University • Reed in Partnership • TELCO • ULU ISOC • United Airways • Working Links • YMCA Fitness
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09 History and Archives
Original minutes book of 1910
The East London Mosque and London Muslim Centre are the fruits of a dream that is nearly 100 years old. From the London Mosque Fund Executive Committee (1910), to the first Mosque in London on Commercial Road (1941), the temporary East London Mosque on Fieldgate St (1975), to the East London Mosque (1985) and London Muslim Centre (2004) as they stand today, these edifices to British Islam have sprouted from the collaborative and cooperative efforts of eminent men and women, Muslims and non-Muslims, including three of the great translators of the Qur’an into English.
The Archive, Research & Centenary Committee is working towards the centenary celebration of this story, due to take place in 2010. Our activities include the full digitisation of the minute books of the London Mosque Fund from 1910 to 1985 including a reproduction of the oldest minute book, web resources, lectures, exhibitions, oral history, biographies of personalities involved, and a formal dinner to mark the day of the Centenary.
10 Conclusion I express my gratitude firstly to Allah, then to all our trustees, staff and volunteers, without whom our year of continuous success would not have been possible. I am pleased we have made significant progress in our goals for this year. The professional structures for the new development have seen through revised plans, and together with Bamfords Trust we have begun the preparation and enabling works. Our five-year strategic plan has provided us with the framework to remain steadfast in our organisational strategy; furthermore, we have a specific business plan for the new development. Our projects continue to expand with new staffing and new areas of work. The forthcoming year will be an
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exciting one, and I feel the same passion and anticipation from our stakeholders that I experienced whilst the LMC was being built. The year will not be without its challenges, so I call upon all our helpers and supporters to assist our fundraising initiatives; we have a momentous task to raise more than £8m over the next two years and we cannot do this without you all. May Allah grant us success in all our effort for His sake.
Ayub Khan Secretary
Annual Report 2008 / 09
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11 Timeline
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1905
First 'Eid prayer held at London's Hyde Park by prominent British Muslims in treacherous weather conditions.
1910
First meeting organised to raise funds to establish a Mosque and Islamic Centre in London. Jumu’ah (Friday) Prayers begin at hired halls.
1935
As more and more Muslim sailors settled in East London, Friday prayers and 'Eid Prayers moved to the area.
1938
The Trustees purchase a house for use as a Mosque and hostel for Muslim sailors living in East London.
1940
Three houses purchased for the Mosque and Islamic Cultural Centre.
1941
Official opening of the East London Mosque on Friday 1st August. The Jumu’ah prayer was lead by His Excellency Sheikh Hafiz Wahba, Ambassador of Saudi Arabia.
1975
The Greater London Council (GLC) under compulsory purchase order acquired the three buildings in Commercial Road and in return provided land and temporary buildings on Whitechapel Road, London E1.
1983
The foundation stone of the East London Mosque was laid, this was followed by a generous donation by HRH King Fahd of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
1985
The official opening of the newly built East London Mosque by Sheikh Abdullah bin Subail, Imam of Masjidul Haram, Makkah on Friday 12th July 1985.
1999
As Muslim population in the area grew considerably the need for a larger Mosque and Islamic Centre was ever more imperative. East London Mosque raised £600,000 from the local community to buy the adjacent disused land to develop its extension programme.
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2000
The land was officially purchased and planning began in earnest to build the extension programme to house much needed community facilities.
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2002
ELM acquires full planning permission for the extension programme titled the 'London Muslim Centre' from the Local Council. A very comprehensive fundraising programme begins which amounts to over £6m donated by the public.
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2004
Opening of the London Muslim Centre, 11th June 2004, where over 15,000 people congregated to pray with Sheikh Abdur Rahman Sudais, Imam of Masjidul Haram, Makkah. Establishment of secondary educational facilities and the London East Academy.
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2006
Establishment of employment and training projects.
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2009
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2010
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Planning, Design and Consultation for the proposed new development of the East London Mosque.
Sheikh Abdur Rahman Sudais, Imam of Masjidul Haram, Makkah leads groundbreaking ceremony in August 2009. This marks the expansion of the Mosque and women's facilities.
Centenary Celebrations marking 100 years of the East London Mosque Trust and the opening of the new building.
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East London Mosque & London Muslim Centre
Annual Report 2008 / 09
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12 Comments from the Public
“The East London Mosque is a unique place in my view, with lots of facilities available for me; for example, I use the Way to Work office to find jobs.”
“I hired the LMC for my sister’s wedding, it’s a perfect venue! I was able to divide the hall to have segregated areas for men and women – a fantastic place!”
Amina Hussain, 19
Kawsar, 28
“I come every year from Islington to pray Tarawih because they have really good recitation and it’s very nice to listen to them.” Asma Khatun, 25
“I like coming to the East London Mosque, especially on Fridays because of the Jumu’ah Khutbah. It’s often about current situations, the Imam relates it to our Prophet’s times, you tend to think about it and go away with something you have learnt and understood.” Ismail, 41
“I really like the East London Mosque because of its opening times, some mosques close their doors straight after prayer and you have to rush, but the ELM is different.”
"My first visit to the mosque on an Open Day dispelled a lot of myths about Islam. I enjoyed the hospitality and generosity extended to me and my friends." Elizabeth Carter
Hussain Ibrahim, 36
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East London Mosque & London Muslim Centre
Annual Report 2008 / 09
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13 Accounts Statement of Financial Activities for the year ended 31st March 2009 Restricted £
Unrestricted £
Total 2009 £
Total 2008 £
70181
677,587 821,781
73,081 1,572,449
747,768 821,781 512,363 573,970 73.081 2,728,963
536,444 564,420 417,132 641,615 153,179 2,312,790
15,459 777,367 269,703
512,830 527,822 847,850 269,703
580,142 462,973 1,003,530 226,637
1,095,676
1,062,529
2,158,205
2,273,282
60, 836
509,920 3,392 10,420,063 10,933,375
570,758 3,392 13,185,025 13,759,175
39,508 13,145,517 13,185,025
£
Total 2009 £
Total 2008 £
Freehold properties at cost
2,851,729
2,576,039
London Muslim Centre
9,766,860
9,766,860
Long Leasehold
658,048
658,048
Fixtures, fittings and equipments
352,679
312,585
13,629,316
13,313,532
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE Incoming Resources Donations Rent and Service Charges Educational Projects ELM – LMC Projects Other Income
512,363 573,970 1,156,514
Resources Expended ELM – LMC Projects: Direct Charitable Educational Projects: Direct Charitable Other Expenses: Direct Charitable Management and Administration Total Resources Expended Net Income / Deficit for the Year Funds as at 1 April 2008 Funds as at 1 April 2008 (Old charity) Funds as at 31 March 2009
512,830 512,363 70,483
2,764,962 2,825,800
Balance Sheet as at 31st March 2009
Fixed Assets
Current Assets Stock of Radio receiver
1,566
392
Debtors & Prepayments
381,245
540,441
Cash at bank & in hand
1,922,339
858,637
2,305,150
1,399,470
1,242,681
848,967
Creditors Amount falling due within one year Net Current Assets/ (Liabilities) Total Assets Less Current Liabilities
1,062,469
550,503
14,691,785
13,864,035
Creditors Amount falling due > one year Total Net Assets
932,610
679,010
13,759,175
13,185,025
2,825,800 10,933,375
2,764,962 10,420,063
13,759,175
13,185,025
Funds Total Fund
Restricted Unrestricted
Approved by the Board of Trustees on 18th July 2009 and signed on his behalf by
Musaddiq Ahmed Trustee & Treasurer
Dr M A Bari Trustee & Chairman
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14 ELM Phase 2 Expansion
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Building a better future.. Despite our success, the needs of our community continue to grow, and it is our responsibility to address them to the best of our abilities. Of all the needs before us, we have identified two which deserve our immediate attention: additional prayer space to accommodate our growing congregation, and resources and services for women.
To make the most of the land we have, we will build on the car park and funeral areas, creating an 8-storey building with over 5000m2 of usable space, with 5 of those floors dedicated to providing prayer space and services for women.
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Below is an artists impression of the proposed building plans, viewed from Fieldgate Street.
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East London Mosque & London Muslim Centre
Annual Report 2008 / 09
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Produced by Medialink Photography by Rehan Jamil
East London Mosque & London Muslim Centre 46–92 Whitechapel Road, London E1 1JQ, United Kingdom Telephone: +44 (0)20 7650 3000 | Facsimile: +44 (0)20 7650 3001 www.eastlondonmosque.org.uk | www.londonmuslimcentre.org.uk