1910 – Notable figures, both Muslim and non-Muslim, decide London needs a mosque, so they establish the London Mosque Fund. Initially, a small room is hired for Friday prayers.

1926 – The Fund has grown to a sizable amount, so a Deed of Declaration of Trust is made.

1940 – Three houses are purchased in Commercial Road, London E1, as permanent place of prayer.

1941 – Official inauguration of the East London Mosque in the houses on Commercial Road. They become the focal point for the religious needs of a small but growing Muslim community. As migrant workers help to rebuild Britain in the post-war years, the function of the mosque evolves to meet the socio-economic needs of the local people.

1975 – The Greater London Council (GLC) buys the house in Commercial Road under a compulsory purchase order, and provides temporary buildings on a new site on Whitechapel Road. The Muslim community sets about raising enough money to erect a purpose-built mosque on this site. Local people save tirelessly from their limited earnings, and are boosted by a donation from the Saudi King.

1982 – Laying of foundations for the new mosque.

1985 – The new mosque opens. The large, purpose-built mosque, complete with dome and minarets, soon becomes a landmark in London’s East End. At first it seems generously spacious, but before long it begins to overflow on Fridays and during Ramadan and Eid. Moreover, there is hardly room for the growing number of projects based at the mosque.

1999 – The East London Mosque, with huge local support, succeeds in its campaign to acquire adjoining land for development.

2001 – HRH Prince Charles and HR Prince Mohamed Al-Faisal launch the project to develop the London Muslim Centre.

2002 – Work begins on the new development.

2004 – The new London Muslim Centre opens, adding over 8300m2 of usable space to the adjacent mosque. HRH Prince Charles returns to see the already thriving development.