Assalamu’alaikum,  - peace and blessings of God be with you.

When the East London Mosque opened the ground-breaking London Muslim Centre in 2004, its aspirations were high: to create a dynamic institution, founded on the principles of Islam, to benefit not just the Muslim community, but all the communities of London.

The past 10 years have surpassed all expectations. With over 1.5 million people passing through its doors each year, its contribution to society has been in the fields of education, health, interfaith dialogue, social enterprise, economic development and counselling. It has even pioneered sign language interpretation of the Friday sermon for the deaf community, and urban beekeeping from its roof!

Although the biggest and busiest Islamic complex in Europe, we have not rested on our laurels. We have built a significant new expansion projection: our new centre of excellence, the Maryam Centre. This development brings two key benefits: significant new facilities for women, and a permanent visitor centre for non-Muslims.

We already offer probably the highest levels of engagement for Muslim women in the UK; the Maryam Centre will take this to a new level, offering far more project office space, substantial education facilities, a health and fitness centre, and enhanced prayer space.

The visitor centre will make it even easier for non-Muslims to see Muslims at prayer and learn about Islam and Muslims. Offering access seven days a week with a dedicated viewing gallery, exhibition and hospitality rooms, the hundreds of non-Muslims we already welcome each year will find our centre informative and accessible.

We believe our ambitious, modern vision echoes the needs of our communities. Our own progress has been supported by tens of thousands of ordinary Muslims contributing to a cause they truly feel proud of. Yet for us to reach our goal, and bridge the gap that will allow us to complete this wonderful project, we need further support, and so we turn to you for your kind help.

We have completed the Maryam Centre solely with the help from our community and its generous donations. A majority of the building was paid for with Qard Hasanah (interest free loan) which will inevitably have to be returned to donors. We wish to make this house of Allah debt free, insha’Allah. It is only with the support and commitment from the community we have been able to progress thus far, providing essential projects and services for the community.

The Maryam Centre is the first of its kind, providing an essential faith based space and building exclusively for the service of women.

For more details visit the mosques website: http://www.eastlondonmosque.org.uk/phase2/details

The fully operational Maryam Centre includes:
• More prayer space for men and women, which people are already benefitting from
• A permanent visitors exhibition centre
• Educational facilities for girls
• Expansion of projects and services dedicated for women
• Health and fitness exclusively for women
• An improved funeral service