by A. Abdul Aziz, Sri Lankan Correspondent, Al Hakam – London.

Head of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (Fifth Khalifa) Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (,ay Allah be his Helper) in one of Friday Sermon , delivered at Masjid Mubarak, Islamabad, Tilford, UK, said that the Fazl Mosque in London, is significant because it was the first mosque of the Ahmadiyya Community built in a predominantly Christian nation. The opponents of Ahmadiyyat say that Ahmadiyyat was established by the British; however, it is strange because, in that case, this Community which was supposedly established by them, came to their country and highlighted the weaknesses of their faith and promoted the beautiful teachings of Islam. Those who raise this allegation themselves have not been able to carry out such efforts in propagation.

The First Mosque in the UK

Ahmadiyya Khalifa said that before the Fazl Mosque, there was a mosque in Woking which was built by a renowned academic, G.W. Leitner, who used to be the principal of the Oriental College in Lahore. He returned to the UK after retirement and built the mosque in 1889. Interestingly, this was the same year in which Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, peace be on him, established the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. G.W. Leitner also established an academic institute beside the mosque as well. The professor passed away in 1899, and there was no one to look after the mosque properly after him.

The Distinction and Significance of the Fazl Mosque

The first mosque formally established by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was the Fazl Mosque. Today, in London and elsewhere in the world, the Ahmadiyya Community has established many mosques. However, the Fazl Mosque has the distinction of being the first mosque in London, Ahmadiyya Khalifa remarked.

Ahmadiyya Head said that other mosques in London do not spread the true message of Islam, of peace, love and harmony, as is spread from the mosques of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. Furthermore, these other non-Ahmadi mosques will be funded by other foreign bodies or governments. However, the Ahmadiyya Community does not receive any foreign funds; instead, these mosques are built as a result of the financial contributions and sacrifices made by Ahmadi Muslims. Due to these financial sacrifices, many other mosques have also been built in England and many other western nations.

The Sun Shall Rise From the West”

His HolinessAhmadiyya Khalifa said that the Promised Messiah– Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, peace be on him said a great deal about the spread of Islam Ahmadiyyat in the West, which serves as the basis for our efforts in propagation. Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaát Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad – The Promised Messiah, peace be on him, said with reference to, The Sun shall rise from the West” that it was revealed to him that those Western nations which are engulfed by the darkness of disbelief will be enlightened by the light of Islam. The Promised Messiah made another prophecy, in which he said that he saw a vision in which he was standing at a pulpit in London and was delivering a speech in English filled with rational arguments in favour of the truthfulness of Islam. He then saw in a vision that he was catching white birds resembling partridges from small trees. He understood this to mean that his writings would spread to the West and many pure-natured Englishmen would accept Islam.

Ahmadiyya Khalifa said that this was the desire and hope of the Promised Messiah, peace be on him.  In light of this, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in London, and indeed around the world, including the West, strives to fulfil this vision of the Promised Messiah, peace be on him, through its efforts to propagate the true message of Islam. It was for this very purpose that the Fazl Mosque was established.

Establishment of the Mission House & the Wembley Conference

Under the guidance of the Second Caliph of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, a property to serve as a mission house was acquired in Putney. When the Second Caliph was informed of this acquisition, he was in Dalhousie where he held a large function and also named the mosque the Fazl Mosque. He also made an appeal for financial contributions for this property.

Ahmadiyya Khalifa said that this piece of land was acquired from a Jewish man. Though it has developed since then, at the time, the land comprised a house and was about an acre in total.

Ahmadiyya Second Khalifa Arrives in England

Ahmadiyya Khalifa said that a consultation was held in which it was suggested that on this auspicious occasion, it would be apt for the Second Caliph Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmad himself to attend the Wembley Conference in 1924. This suggestion was accepted, and after visiting Egypt, Damascus, Switzerland and France, the Second Caliph made his way to England on 22 August 1924. Interestingly, the Second Caliph had seen a vision prior to his arrival in which he saw that he was stepping onto the shores of England like a victorious general and heard a voice saying, ‘William the Conqueror.’

Ahmadiyya Khalifa said that newspapers covered the arrival of the Second Caliph in England quite extensively. The Second Caliphand those who travelled with him visited St Paul’s Cathedral, outside of which he prayed for Islam’s victory, after which he entered the city. During the course of the Second Caliph’sstay in London, word about the Ahmadiyya Community spread a great deal.

Ahmadiyya Supreme Head said that after attending the various functions, it came time to lay the foundation stone of the Fazl Mosque. The Second Caliphhad decided that rather than renting various homes as mission houses which naturally would impact the efforts of propagation, a central headquarters should be established. Until 1919, due to a lack of funds and land, this task seemed too difficult. However, God furnished the required means. First came the funds; after the war, the value of the British Pound dropped. When this happened, the Second Caliphthought to take advantage. On 6 January 1920, he instructed that 14 to 15 thousand rupees should be sent to England. Later, when putting this instruction into writing, the Second Caliphwrote 30,000 rupees instead, and rather than sending it as a loan, he wrote that it would be sent as a financial contribution. Initially, on the first day, 6,000 rupees were collected. By 11 January, the Ahmadiyya Community in Qadian (Punjab, India) made great sacrifices and collected 12,000 rupees. Then, an appeal was also made outside of Qadian and in order to give people more opportunities for sacrifices, the amount was increased to 100,000 rupees. Then, through the Bank of India, this amount was sent to England.

Laying of the Foundation Stone & Address of Ahmadiyya Caliph on the Event.

On 19 October 1924, the Second Caliph laid the foundation stone of the Fazl Mosque. It was raining on that day, and when this was brought to the attention of the Second Caliphwho said that it was no matter, for those who still came to the event would do so out of sincerity and the event would be successful. A small marquee was erected for the event. Invitations were sent out to various people including politicians, dignitaries and diplomats. Despite the short notice, many guests attended the event.

After laying the foundation, the Second Caliphdelivered an address on this occasion, highlighting the importance and significance of the moment. He drew attention to the fact that all of this was being done to build a structure where people could gather and unite in the worship of the Creator of the entire universe, no matter their status, race or any other apparent difference.

The Second Caliph highlighted that a mosque does not belong to any person; rather, it belongs to God. He quoted the following Qur’anic verse:

‘And who is more unjust than he who prohibits the name of Allah being glorified in Allah’s temples’ (The Holy Qur’an, 2:115), the Ahmadiyya Second Caliph quoted at the event. On the occasion of the laying of the foundation stone, the Second Caliphalso unveiled a commemorative plaque which reads:

‘IN THE NAME OF ALLAH THE MOST BENEFICENT AND THE MOST COMPASSIONATE. WE PRAISE AND INVOKE HIS BLESSING ON HIS PROPHET THE EXALTED ONE. WITH THE GRACE AND MERCY OF GOD, HE ALONE IS THE HELPER.

Ahmadiyya Supreme Head said that this event was widely covered by newspapers and various quotes of the Second Caliph’s⁽ speech were also quoted. After two years, in 1926 the Fazl Mosque was inaugurated by Sheikh Abdul Qadir.

The World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Fifth Khalifa (Caliph), His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad delivered the keynote address to commemorate the historic milestone of one hundred years since the foundation stone was laid by the second Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Deen Mahmood Ahmad (may Allah be pleased with him) of the Fazl Mosque in London.

900 people including 300 guests gathered at the mosque in Southfields to celebrate the centenary event of London’s first Mosque, themed, ‘Islamic Light in the West: A Century of Spiritual Revival’.

His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, delivered the keynote address via video link from Islamabad, UK, to attendees at the Fazl Mosque and viewers from all around the world.

His Holiness began by expressing gratitude to Allah the Almighty for this momentous milestone.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad stated:

Today, with profound gratitude to Allah the Almighty in our hearts, we are holding this reception to mark and celebrate the centenary of the foundation stone being laid at the Fazl Mosque in London.”

Speaking about the core purpose of mosques, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad stated:

The reception or events associated with our mosques are entirely unlike worldly functions, as they are free from all material objectives or pursuits. A mosque is a spiritual sanctuary where individuals congregate to worship Allah the Almighty five times a day to foster spiritual growth and moral development.”

Turning to the dangers of the present circumstances of the world His Holiness said that there is a storm of unrest and global conflict” due to the ruthless pursuit of vested interests” that threatens millions of lives and casts a very long and bleak shadow over the future of humanity.”

His Holiness urged for urgent efforts to extinguish the flames of war” and reminded that the consequences of our actions today will reverberate through time and shape the world our children inherit from us.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

As Muslims, we believe that this worldly life is just a fleeting passage on the way to the eternal life that awaits us in the Hereafter. We believe that our deeds in this world will echo into eternity, where our actions will be weighed on the scales of divine justice, and we will be held accountable for our choices. And so, if, God forbid, humanity ever again witnesses the horrors of nuclear warfare, the harrowing consequences will be felt for generations to come.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad continued and stated:

Innocent children will be born with physical or mental disabilities. Generations will be consumed by trauma, rage and hopelessness – all because of our selfishness and failure to uphold peace and justice.  So, as I conclude, it is my heartfelt prayer that may the love of God Almighty and His Creation enter the hearts of all mankind.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad concluded his address and stated:

May Allah the Almighty enable all of us, irrespective of our faith or beliefs, to play our respective roles in the creation of a society where people of all religions, ethnicities and backgrounds live harmoniously and manifest grace and love to one another.”

Prior to the commencement of His Holiness’ keynote address, formal proceedings were held where guest speakers took to the podium.

Chris Cotton DL, His Majesty’s Deputy Lord Lieutenant for Greater London, touched on the importance of the second Caliph’s (may Allah be pleased with him) travel to London in 1924 and shared a passage from the second Caliph’s (may Allah be pleased with him) message to the English press.

Mr. Cotton ended his remarks by reading out the inscription on the foundation stone outside the Fazl Mosque which entailed a number of prayers including for the establishment of the mosque as a ‘sun of spiritual light’. He concluded with the words it can be said that this prayer has been answered and the Ahmadiyya Community thrives today”.

Reverend Jonathan Sedgwick, the Archdeacon of Southwark congratulated the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, noting that it is fitting for London—the most diverse city in the world—to host its first mosque. He concluded by expressing his profound respect and appreciation for the contributions of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

Sir Ed Davey, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, commended the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community for its continued charitable work across the country and its members’ contribution to British society at large. Sir Ed Davey reflected on the persecution Ahmadi Muslims face in Pakistan, stating that it was maybe somewhat misfortunate that you had to be here but it’s our fortune that you are here”. He concluded his remarks by saying that His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad’s leadership on the debate and campaign for peace in our world has been outstanding over many years and has never been needed more.”