Council leader applauds listing of iconic Mosque

The Fazl Mosque in Southfields has been listed as a Grade II building by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, a move which has been welcomed by Wandsworth Council.

The mosque is the headquarters of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community and was London’s first purpose-built mosque when it opened in 1926 at a cost of £6,223.

It was constructed between 1925-26 with funds raised by the Ahmadiyya Community in India and supported by voluntary labour.

It is described as a fusion of Indian Mughal architectural forms and contemporary British trends, with the spherical dome on the buttressed square base resembling the 1923 twin towers at the Wembley Stadium.

Wandsworth Council leader Ravi Govindia said: ”We very much welcome this decision. The Fazl Mosque is a historic and important local landmark. It is a very unique and striking building, which represents the diversity of the borough, and deserves special protection and recognition.”

Although there are around 1,500 mosques in Britain, fewer than 20 per cent are purpose-built according to Historic England, which compiles the listings.

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