The East London Mosque and London Muslim Centre welcomed over 700 visitors on Sunday 5 Feb 2017 for the national Visit My Mosque Day. The initiative led by the Muslim Council of Britain saw 150 Mosques and Islamic Centres across the country open their doors to the public.

At the Mosque and Centre, visitors were provided guided tours over tea and cakes as they learned more about Islam and how Muslims practise their faith. A short video presentation showed the rich and diverse history of the Mosque, while the Mosque’s Archive Team displayed historical artefacts for guests to see.

Throughout the day there was a steady stream of visitors who were able to see the prayer halls, live prayers, ablution areas and even the Mosque’s beehive. This year’s theme at the Mosque and Centre highlighted efforts to support local causes, with information stalls from MADE (a local NGO), Richard House Children’s Hospice, Providence Row and Eden Care.­­

Visitors asked questions on topics ranging from Muslim prayer to current affairs. The Mosque’s Executive Director, Dilowar Khan, who led several guided tours, said: “Visit My Mosque Day has been a remarkable success. We had guests travel from London and beyond to visit the East London Mosque, and locals also popped in to say hello. Our doors always remain open to the community and we host regular open days throughout the year.”

Visit My Mosque day was seen trending on social media as the day’s events came to an end. Many social media users shared their photos and experiences online. The Mosque aims to improve the experience further for visitors next year, as this annual event continues to grow.