Baitul Futuh Mosque
| Baitul Futuh in London | |
|---|---|
 Baitul Futuh in London | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Ahmadiyya |
| Location | |
| Location | Morden, London Borough of Merton United Kingdom |
| Administration | Ahmadiyya Muslim Community |
| Geographic coordinates | 51°23′46″N 0°11′56″W / 51.39611°N 0.19889°W |
| Architecture | |
| Type | Mosque |
| Style | Modern |
| Completed | 2003 |
| Construction cost | £ 5.5 million |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 4,500 (great hall), 10,000 (3 halls) |
| Dome(s) | 1 |
| Dome height (outer) | 23 |
| Dome dia. (outer) | 16 |
| Minaret(s) | 2 |
| Minaret height | 35m and 25.5m |
| Website | |
| www.baitulfutuh.org/ | |
The Baitul Futuh Mosque (English: House of Victories) has been deemed the largest mosque complex in Western Europe[1][2][3][4] though according to some sources the Mosque of Rome is regarded the largest in Western Europe.[citation needed]. Completed in 2003 at a cost of approximately £5.5 million, entirely from donations of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the mosque covers an area of 5.2 acres (21,000 m2) and the full complex can accommodate up to 10,000 worshippers. It is located in the south-west London suburb of Morden, London Borough of Merton, next to Morden South railway station, approximately 700 yards from Morden Underground station.
Inauguration
The foundation stone was placed by Mirza Tahir Ahmad, the then head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community on 19 October 1999, in a ceremony attended by 2000 guests, and inaugurated by the current head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Mirza Masroor Ahmad, on 3 October 2003. Although based at Fazl Mosque, Mirza Masroor Ahmad delivers his weekly Friday Sermon from this mosque. The opening ceremony was attended by over 600 guests; those present included High Commissioners, Deputy High Commissioners, Members of European Parliament, Members of Parliament, Mayors of London boroughs, councillors, university lecturers, and representatives of 17 countries.
Services to the Community
Several events are held at the Bait'ul Futuh Mosque to serve both the Muslim and greater community. In addition to regular prayers, its services include annual Peace Symposiums, school tours, other local community events, as well as the 'Merton Youth Partnership Annual Conference'[5], hosting the BBC Radio 4 Programme Any Questions?[6], and is included in Open House London.[7]
The Baitul Futuh Mosque has acted as the centre for the 'Loyalty, Freedom and Peace Campaign'[8][9], which seeks to promote Islam as a peaceful religion, and to improve the integration of Muslims and non-Muslims.[10]
Peace Symposium 2010 saw the first historic Ahmadiyya Muslim Peace Prize awarded to Lord Eric Avebury at the Mosque[clarification needed].[11]
The Mosque receives over 10,000 visitors a year from schools, faith groups, public service organisations, charities, local and central government, and other groups.[12]
The plan to burn the Qur'an by the Dove World Outreach Center on the 9th anniversary of 9/11 attacks was strongly condemned at the Baitul Futuh mosque by several politicians and religious leaders, representing various faiths, such as Church of England, Catholic Church, Judaism, Bahá'í Faith and other Islamic sects.[13][14]
Facilities
- Prayer halls for Men and Women
- Offices
- Library
- Exhibition
- Multi-functional rooms
- MTA Television Studios
- Kitchen & Dine
- Gymnasium
- Guest rooms
- Disabled access.
- Wash-room Facilities:
- WC's
- Wash Basins
- Footbaths
- Showers
- Drinking Fountains
- Baby Changing Units
- Toilets for the Disabled
- WC's and Wash Basins for Crèche
Gallery
See also
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- Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
- Islam in the United Kingdom
- Islamic architecture
- Islamic art
- List of mosques
- List of mosques in Great Britain
- Darul Barakaat Mosque
- Al Mahdi Mosque
References
- ^ "Western Europe's Largest Mosque opens in Morden". The Guradian. London. 2 October 2003.
- ^ "Baitul Futuh". salatomatic.com. Retrieved 24 June 2011.
- ^ "Muslime en Europa und ihre Herkunftsgesellschaften in Asien und Afrika" (PDF). centre for modern oriental studies. Retrieved 24 June 2011.
- ^ Ed Harris (2 October 2003). "A £5.5m mosque opens". Evening Standard. London. Retrieved 24 June 2011.
- ^ "Merton youth Partnership Conference". mertonconnected.com.
- ^ "Any Questions? – hosted at Baitul Futuh Mosque". wimbledonguardian.
- ^ Merton Site
- ^ "Loyalty, Freedom and Peace Campaign". ekklesia.co.uk.
- ^ "Love for All Hatred for None downloads". loveforallhatrednone.org.
- ^ "Love for All Hatred for None Homepage". loveforallhatredfoenone.org.
- ^ "Peace Symposium 2010 Prize". itnews.it.
- ^ "Love for All Hatred for None Contact". loveforallhatredfornone.org.
- ^ "Koran-burning plan condemned at London mosque". BBC News. 10 September 2010. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
- ^ "UK religious leaders condemn Koran burning". Channel 4 News. 10 September 2010. Retrieved 12 September 2010.