Minhaj-ul-Quran International London

Minhaj-ul-Quran’s London centre is the oldest Minhaj branch in the UK and serves as a national headquarters for the organisation. It was established on 16 March 1994 in Forest Gate, East London Uniquely, the site of the London centre was once an old cinema on Romford Road – this large building was purchased and carefully converted into an Islamic Centre. The conversion transformed the former theatre space into a beautiful mosque and multi-purpose community facility while retaining the expansive capacity of the original structure. Today, the London centre stands as a prominent landmark on Romford Road, known for its grand façade and its welcoming banner of “Minhaj-ul-Quran International”. It has the distinction of being the first property owned by Minhaj-ul-Quran in the UK, symbolising the roots of the organisation’s UK community.

Facilities and Environment: The London centre is quite expansive. The main hall – once the cinema auditorium – now serves as a prayer hall (Jamia Masjid) that can accommodate a large congregation. This makes it ideal for hosting the busy Jummah prayers every Friday, as well as the overflow crowds during Eid prayers and special events. The prayer area is equipped with separate arrangements for men and women; women have their own gallery section ensuring privacy and comfort while participating in prayers and programmes. Adjacent to the prayer hall, there are several classrooms and meeting rooms which the centre uses for its wide array of activities. There is a Minhaj Bookshop and resource centre on site (visible at the front of the building), offering Islamic books, literature, and multimedia by Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri and other scholars – a valuable resource for attendees and visitors interested in Islamic learning. The centre also houses offices for Minhaj-ul-Quran UK’s administration, since London is the base of many national initiatives. Notably, in recent years the London branch established Minhaj Funeral Services (in 2019) to assist Muslim families with burial arrangements, highlighting how the centre has expanded its services to fulfill community needs from cradle to grave. In addition, the venue has a Madina Hall used for gatherings, conferences, and community functions. This hall hosts anything from lectures and wedding receptions to interfaith dinners and youth workshops.

The London branch offers comprehensive religious programmes. Daily, the five prayers are held in congregation; the centre comes alive particularly during Fajr and Isha when community members join in devotion before and after the workday. Every week, there are structured classes – for example, a Qur’an study circle every Tuesday morning where participants come together to recite and understand the Qur’an’s message. There are evening Tajweed classes for children and teenagers, ensuring the youth learn to read the Qur’an correctly. The weekend Islamic school (Saturday or Sunday school) teaches children basic beliefs, moral values, and seerah (life of Prophet Muhammad). The branch also runs courses in Islamic jurisprudence and theology for adults, sometimes led by visiting scholars or senior students of knowledge, making use of Minhaj-ul-Quran’s educational curriculum. A distinguishing aspect of Minhaj-ul-Quran London is its penchant for organising major spiritual events: annually, it holds a grand Mawlid-un-Nabi conference to celebrate the Prophet’s birthday, which draws attendees from across London and beyond. Additionally, the centre hosts special lectures by Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri when he visits the UK. One historic event was Minhaj-ul-Quran’s first international conference in the UK, held at Wembley Arena in 1986 (even before the centre opened), which set the stage for MQI’s message in Britain. Building on that legacy, the London centre often leads in arranging large gatherings such as peace conferences, anti-extremism seminars, and multi-faith programs to convey the true teachings of Islam.

Community outreach and interfaith work are at the heart of the London branch’s activities. The centre has actively cooperated with local authorities and faith communities to promote harmony. After the tragic 7/7 bombings in London in 2005, the mosque gained recognition for its peace-driven response – the London Police Chief even visited the MQI London centre, addressing the congregation and thanking Minhaj-ul-Quran for its cooperative, moderating role during the crisis. This illustrates the trust and respect the centre has earned as a voice of moderate Islam. Minhaj-ul-Quran London participates in the national “Visit My Mosque” initiative, regularly opening its doors to the public. Neighbours, councillors, and religious leaders are invited to open days where they can tour the mosque, observe prayers, and enjoy refreshments while discussing faith and community issues in an open atmosphere. The branch also observes important national and international commemorations – for instance, it hosted an event to mark Holocaust Memorial Day, holding a one-minute silence in respect of Holocaust victims, to educate the community about the atrocities and stand in solidarity with wider society. Such gestures strengthen bonds between Muslims and others, showing a commitment to shared human values.

The London centre is heavily involved in social welfare initiatives as well. In partnership with Minhaj Welfare Foundation, it runs local charity drives. A notable effort is the annual “Community Fast for Unity” during Ramadan, where the mosque invites people of all backgrounds to break fast together – including non-Muslim friends, which fosters mutual understanding. The centre’s volunteers undertake projects to help the homeless and vulnerable in Newham (the borough where it is located). On New Year’s Eve 2017, for example, Minhaj-ul-Quran London hosted homeless guests at its centre, providing warm meals, drinks, and care packages to those in difficult circumstances. Over 30 volunteers from the mosque and the wider community joined hands in distributing food and essential items, some even going out to nearby streets (like Stratford town centre) to reach rough sleepers. The community development officer at the centre noted that the generosity of local people was “breath-taking” and emphasised that consistent efforts are needed to tackle social issues like homelessness – reflecting Minhaj-ul-Quran’s ethos of not just charity, but seeking long-term solutions. This kind of initiative is not a one-off; the London branch frequently runs soup kitchens, winter blanket drives, and collaborative projects with charities. The Minhaj Welfare Foundation UK office is based in the same building, coordinating relief efforts (such as collecting donations for overseas disaster relief, or organising Qurbani meat distribution for the poor at Eid al-Adha) from this hub. Thus, the centre marries its religious function with a strong humanitarian mission.

Youth programmes and women’s involvement are robust in Minhaj-ul-Quran London. The branch has a youth wing that conducts regular activities under the banner of Minhaj Youth League or projects like Minhaj Muslim Generations. Young people gather for study circles, sports tournaments, and training workshops – one series of workshops titled “Democratic Engagement – Shaping My Future” was held in late 2017 to address issues like gangs and social responsibility among Muslim youth. By providing such platforms, the mosque ensures youth are engaged positively and given leadership opportunities. For women, the Minhaj Sisters UK and Minhaj Women’s League have a strong presence at the London centre. They organise weekly ladies’ Qur’an classes (for example, a Tuesday ladies’ circle), mothers’ support groups, and special events by and for women. In August 2022, the London branch even launched a project called “Companions – Minhaj Seniors Group”, aimed at older members of the community. This seniors’ group meets to ensure elderly Muslims (men and women) have company, spiritual reminders, and recreational activities, demonstrating the inclusive care the branch provides to all age groups. Women volunteers at the centre contribute in every area – from teaching in the weekend school to helping with community meals. Dr Ghazala Qadri, the president of Minhaj Women League International (and wife of Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri), often graces the London centre to lead sisters’ training workshops, which further inspires local women to take initiatives.

In sum, the London Minhaj-ul-Quran Centre in Forest Gate is a dynamic hub of spiritual, educational, and social activity. It reflects the cosmopolitan spirit of London itself – diverse attendees, programs in multiple languages, and a focus on building bridges across communities. Whether it’s through sincere worship, insightful learning, or compassionate service, the centre embodies Minhaj-ul-Quran’s mission of “promoting peace, tolerance, interfaith harmony and education”. Its role in the local Muslim community is pivotal: it provides guidance and a sense of identity to Muslims in East London, and its role in the broader community is equally significant: it stands as a model of how a mosque can contribute to society at large. By consistently advocating moderation, civic engagement, and charity, Minhaj-ul-Quran London has earned respect far beyond its congregation, emerging as a true centre of excellence in community relations and spiritual development.