The Muslim community anywhere is incomplete without a shared space of worship. That was what prompted the Nigerian Muslim community in the UK to purchase a 1919-built derelict pub at 365 Old Kent Road, London, SE1 5JH, in 1993, refurbished and converted it into a mosque to establish London’s oldest Nigerian Muslim community mosque about 30 years ago.
Over time, the Old Kent Road mosque has transcended the Nigerian Muslim community, becoming a religious and social hub of the Southwark Muslim community consisting of people from diverse backgrounds, where they meet to reconnect, socialize, and worship in a very conducive environment. It has served beyond a mere prayer space, as different events such as Islamic marriages, child-naming ceremonies and funeral services are also conducted there. It has also served as an educational centre for teaching Arabic language and Islamic studies to children, youth and adults in a conducive environment. Dedicated Islamic counselling and other community engagements including interfaith activities are also held at the centre, thereby serving as a bridge across faiths and between the grassroots and local authority. Socially, it also enables the community to keep the typical African communal life alive here in London.
In the past 29 years, the congregation has grown beyond the capacity of the old structure, and with the ever-increasing number of mosque users, the need for a modern and bigger space became imperative. Thus, the Management decided and took the bold step to rebuild the mosque into an ultra-modern 6-storey purpose-built mosque and centre, which will double the prayer space for men and women, expand the Islamic school, provide additional space for more community work and thereby strengthen the community further. The total estimated cost of the rebuilding project is £6.2 million.
For ease of execution, the project has been divided into 4 main phases. The first phase which consists of demolition of the old structure and construction of the basement and the full framework of the new 6-storey building was commenced in August 2021 and is currently progressing. This first phase is estimated to cost £1.6 million out of which £1.1 million has already been raised, leaving a shortfall of £500,000.
To raise the remaining £500,000 to complete the first phase of the project, the community has scheduled an Online Fundraising event for Saturday, 22nd January 2021 from 5.00 pm to 8.00 pm, London Time. The Link for the Online Fundraising event is: www.tiny.cc/okr-online-programmes
This is a meritorious act and a social and communal venture worthy of investing in by everyone. It is a call to the whole world for an opportunity to participate in a laudable act of goodness.
For any questions on how you can help us deliver this project, please contact any of the following:
1. MANUK Secretariat – secretariat@manuk.org
2. Professor Mashood Baderin, Resident Islamic Consultant – baderinuk@gmail.com.
3. Alhaji Ibrahim Adewusi, Project Coordinator – projectscoordinator@manuk.org.
Please also find the Association’s bank account details below, should you wish to donate towards the project:
Account Name: Muslim Association of Nigeria UK
1. UK Sterling Account: Lloyds Bank Plc; Sort Code: 30-91-54; Account No: 02114937.
2. Euro Account: Lloyds Bank Plc; Sort Code: 30-91-54; Account Number: 86688040.
IBAN: GB54LOYD30915486688040; BIC: LOYDGB21281.
3. Dollar Account: Lloyds Bank Plc: Sort Code: 30-91-54; Account No: 11984497
IBAN: GB25LOYD30915411984497; BIC: LOYDGB21281.
4. Nigeria Naira Account: Access Bank Plc; Account: 0001623275.
5. Online Donation: www.manuk.org
6. Launchgood: www.launchgood.com/oldkentroadmosque.
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