London's oldest mosque marks 100 years since opening

London's oldest mosque, the Fazl Mosque in Wandsworth, is marking its centenary this year, one hundred years after it first opened its doors in the heart of south London.

The mosque was described at the time of its opening as "a thing of beauty," set within an elegant white building surrounded by carefully maintained gardens. Around 600 guests attended the original opening ceremony, which included the symbolic unlocking of the building's large black doors with a silver key.

Beyond its religious significance, the mosque holds a notable place in London's wartime history, having been used as an air raid shelter during the Second World War, offering protection to local residents during a pivotal period in the city's past.

Over the past century, the Fazl Mosque has remained an active place of worship and community life in south London, serving successive generations of the local Muslim community while also standing as one of the capital's architectural landmarks.

The centenary is being marked as a moment to reflect on the mosque's long-standing role in the city, both as a religious institution and as a site tied to a significant chapter of London's history during the war.