£20m reconstruction of Morden mosque complete after devastating fire
On September 26 2015, the Baitul Futuh Mosque Complex in Morden experienced a tragic fire which caused £12m worth of damage to the building. The UK’s largest mosque and monumental site of worship for Ahmadi Muslims is set for a grand reopening following a devastating fire back in 2015. On September 26 2015, the Baitul Futuh Mosque Complex in Morden experienced a tragic fire which caused £12m worth of damage to the building. The ground floor and the administration block were the most heavily affected sections of the mosque. Now following a £20m redevelopment, a new five story complex has been completed which includes two large multipurpose halls, offices and guest rooms. Newly developed Baitul Futuh Mosque Complex in Morden.
The space will be used to allow community members and locals to take part in religious, sports and community events. A special inauguration ceremony will take place at the National Peace Symposium on Saturday March 4. It will be attended by the worldwide Head and Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad. The Baitul Futuh Mosque was built in 2003 and can accommodate over 10,000 worshippers. It also holds the location where the MTA (Muslim Television Ahmadiyya) station is situated, which is a Sky programme broadcasted in the UK 24/7.
During the pandemic the mosque hosted Merton’s first pop-up vaccination clinic. It also hosted a HGV pilot scheme during the UK’s HGV shortage issues. Damage caused to the administration building Baitul Futuh Mosque in Morden after a fire in 2015. Imam Adeel Shah an Imam for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community shared his delight that the mosque is now “back at its full capacity” and is open to every member of the public. “We’ve had schools taking exams in this mosque, we’ve had career fairs, we’ve hosted an international volleyball tournament here recently.
“The mosque and the halls and the facilities are a hub for the communities to come and utilise and everyone is welcome.” The iconic, new structure now covers over 5,950 square metres, is appreciably larger than before and its design consists of a beautiful Islamic mosaic. World famous architects such as Fanos Panayides from John McAslan & Partners – an award-winning architecture firm, were responsible for the “major redevelopment”, as well as architects who have designed award-winning projects such as the roof of the Kings Cross Station and the Belfast Transport Hub. A 16-year-old boy was accused of intentionally starting the fire, but cleared of arson at a trial in 2017.
https://www.londonworld.com/news/ps20m-reconstruction-morden-mosque-fire-4050589
