Lia :
The connection between Woking Mosque and the Ahmadiyya Movement
The Woking Mosque was built in 1889, before the Fazl Mosque. It was built by Dr Gottlieb Wilhelm Leitner and was largely supported financially by Muslims from India. However, for many years it was rarely used and had fallen into disuse.
Then Khwaja Kamal-ud-Din, a devoted follower of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as), came to England in 1912. He discovered the neglected mosque and became determined to revive it as a centre for the propagation of Islam.
In 1913, with the assistance of prominent Indian Muslims including Sir Abbas Ali Baig and Syed Ameer Ali, arrangements were made for the mosque to be placed under a trust. Khwaja Kamal-ud-Din became its Imam and established the Woking Muslim Mission there. The mosque was then opened for regular Muslim prayers.
So where does Fazl Mosque come in?
The Woking Mission became an important centre for presenting Islam to Britain. Khwaja Kamal-ud-Din’s missionary work was inspired by the teachings and example of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as).
However, the Fazl Mosque was established separately by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community under the Khilafat. It was opened in London in 1926 and became the headquarters of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Britain.
So you could describe the historical relationship like this:
“Woking Mosque was Britain’s first purpose-built mosque. From 1913, it became an important centre for the propagation of Islam through the Woking Muslim Mission, which was established by Khwaja Kamal-ud-Din, a follower of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as). Thirteen years later, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community established the Fazl Mosque in London in 1926. Thus, Woking played an important early role in the history of Islamic missionary work in Britain, while Fazl Mosque became the first purpose-built mosque in London and the headquarters of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.”
One important historical point: the Woking Mission was associated with the Lahore Ahmadiyya movement after the 1914 split, whereas the Fazl Mosque belongs to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community under Khilafat.
2026-10-05 21:55:21