On Friday 24 April 2026, the East London Mosque & London Muslim Centre welcomed guests to the official launch of the Discover One New Muslim Hub, a permanent home within the Mosque for those who have embraced Islam and those continuing to explore the faith.

Picture: Dr Nathan Musa Gubbins welcomes guests.

The evening opened with a recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah and Surah An-Nasr by Br Antonello, a member of the Mosque’s new Muslim community. Engagement Officer Dr Nathan Musa Gubbins introduced the significance of An-Nasr, the chapter revealed to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ upon his return to Makkah, when he witnessed people entering Allah’s faith in crowds after years of rejection and hardship.

“Those who used to oppress him, and those who had been oppressed for their faith, had entered into this faith together,” Dr Nathan Musa told attendees. “Insha’Allah, all who come seeking that same path will find a home here at the New Muslim Hub.”

Picture: Br Antonello recites from the Qur'an.

A vision long in the making

CEO Junaid Ahmed described the launch as a moment he had been “looking forward to since we announced the date,” and the culmination of a listening exercise he undertook with new Muslims shortly after joining the institution, in which a permanent, dedicated space emerged as a consistent request.

Picture: Br Junaid Ahmed, CEO of East London Mosque.

The Hub sits at the heart of the Mosque’s Discover One programme, which supports those embracing Islam through structured learning, one-to-one mentoring, social gatherings, and pastoral care. Junaid paid tribute to the team behind the work, led by Sufia Alam, Head of Programmes and the Maryam Centre, alongside Dr Nathan Musa, Shalima, and Sharmina.

“Their passion for this work is unmatched,” he said. “They make demands without any scope for compromise, and that is exactly the positive engagement we need.”

He was clear, however, that this is only a first step. A fuller, multi-tiered vision for supporting new Muslims is already taking shape.

We want to expand this service. The support our brothers and sisters need when they accept the faith is vast, and our provision must grow to match it.

Junaid Ahmed, CEO

Trust, belonging, and the bond of faith

Reflecting on what a space of this kind means to those who have newly embraced Islam, Dr Nathan Musa spoke candidly about the journey of becoming part of a new community.

“For us as reverts, the concept of trust is really key,” he said. “Making that decision, to enter into this beautiful faith, is so rewarding, but can also be so difficult with family and with friends. What we need is a community that mirrors the love and compassion we read about in the Seerah. That is what this Hub is here to offer.”

Junaid echoed the theme, drawing on the transformative nature of the Shahadah itself.

Catalyst for Discover One

Sufia Alam, Head of Programmes and the Maryam Centre, spoke of a piece of research she had taken part in around five years ago that, she said, “really broke my heart” – a study examining how some who had embraced Islam went on to leave the faith, often because the support around them simply wasn’t there.

“It dawned on us, as Muslims and as institutions, what are we really doing to keep these brothers and sisters in Islam?” she asked. “Taking the Shahadah is itself a great sacrifice. To walk away because nobody put their arms around them; that is something we are responsible for.”

That moment, she said, set the direction for what would eventually become the Discover One programme and the New Muslim Hub.

We don’t want to see you only in the Hub. We want to see you in the prayer halls as every other Muslim, as pioneers and as leaders.

Sufia Alam, Head of Programmes and the Maryam Centre

Picture: Sr Sufia Alam (L) listens in with Sr Shalima (R).

A reflection from the Chairman

Dr Abdul-Hayee Murshad, Chairman of the East London Mosque, addressed guests not in his official capacity but, as he put it, “as a user of the Mosque” who first walked through its doors as a child in the late 1970s.

He spoke of the unique position of those who embrace Islam in Britain, and of the responsibility the institution carries towards them.

“I stand here a little envious,” he said. “This is the sort of gathering the Prophet ﷺ would have had. People from different walks of life, coming together not because they were made to, but because they chose to. You have been blessed with the best of rewards: the gift of faith itself.”

You have the power, and the potential, to carry this message.

Dr Abdul-Hayee Murshad, Chairman

Picture: Dr Abdul-Hayee Murshad, Chairman of East London Mosque.

The Chairman closed by framing the Hub not as a service for reverts alone, but as a shared responsibility for the entire Muslim community in the United Kingdom.

“This is at the heart of our survival as Muslims in this country,” he said. “We must keep building. What we have achieved so far is a drop in the ocean compared with what is needed.”

Voices from the community

The evening closed with heartfelt testimonials from Brother Alex and Sister Reena, who shared their personal reflections on finding faith, belonging, and family at the Mosque. Guests were invited to tour the Hub over refreshments before Maghrib, each leaving with a welcome gift bag to mark the occasion.

Supporting the work ahead

The Discover One New Muslim Hub is the latest expression of a long-standing commitment at the East London Mosque to serve those who have embraced Islam with care, consistency, and the highest standards of pastoral support.

Picture: The Discover One New Muslim Hub

Sustaining and expanding this work, its dedicated team, its tailored programmes, and the wider vision of a future Ibrahim Centre will depend on the continued du‘as, generosity, and backing of the wider community. Every contribution strengthens the Mosque’s ability to walk alongside reverts in their journey of faith.

To learn more about the Discover One programme or to support this vital area of the Mosque’s work, please visit www.eastlondonmosque.org.uk/discover-one

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