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The Islamic Cultural Center
London, UK
The Islamic
Cultural Center which includes the London Central Mosque has been
established since 1944. It was officially opened by His Majesty
King George VI in November 1944.
Construction
work for the Mosque Building Complex comprising the Main Prayer
Halls (both men and ladies), the Library, the old Administrative
Block and the Residential Quarter commenced in early 1974 and was
completed in July 1977. A new Educational and Administrative Wing
was added and completed in 1994.
The London
Central Mosque and the annexed Islamic Cultural Center have become
the focus of Islam and Muslims in the
UK
. In addition to providing facilities for daily worship by Muslims
and Islamic Education for the children in
Central London
and the surrounding areas, the Center is proud to have played a
pivotal role in the establishment of almost every other mosque and
Islamic institutions in the
UK
which are intended to serve their respective local Muslim
community.
The capacity for
praying purposes at the mosque was designed to accommodate about
4500 people, including the basement foyers and extended open wings.
But in practice, the figure may top 6000 worshippers during the
Summer period when up to 1000 or more offer their prayers in the
open forecourt of the mosque. For the two `Eid festivals, up to
50,000 Muslims visit the Mosque and offer their `Eid prayers in
batches (six on an average `Eid day).
The Center has,
since its establishment, acted on behalf of all British Muslims
vis-à-vis the British Government, and Local Authorities and other
official bodies, in matters such as health, education and welfare.
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