As the newly appointed CEO of the East London Mosque (ELM), I am both honoured and humbled to lead this esteemed institution, which has been a beacon of faith, community service, and unity. Reflecting on my first 100 days, I've been privileged to witness the vibrant dynamics, environment, and the impact of our work from a fresh, internal perspective. 

New Perspective on Familiar Grounds 

Having been a volunteer and a member of the Trust who has observed ELM’s activities for years, it has been a completely different experience to view the organisation from within. 

The uniqueness of each day, the diverse challenges, and the opportunities for growth have given me a newfound appreciation for the Mosque's significant role in our community. In the last 100 days, I have met with hundreds of key stakeholders and the congregation to enhance my understanding of the ELM with a plan to improve and deliver on all facets of the organisational mission.

The Driving Force of the Institution 

One aspect that has impressed me the most is the dedication of our staff members and volunteers. Their passion and commitment to our mission – to Serve, Educate and Inspire – are truly inspiring. They are the driving force behind our extensive range of projects, services, and the successful partnerships we’ve fostered over the years.  

Our institution, beyond its religious services, has become a hub of multifaceted community support and engagement since the opening of the London Muslim Centre almost 20 years ago. The Mosque and Centre services a weekly footfall of over 35,000 people, making it amongst one of the busiest religious institutions in the country.

Strategic Focus and Vision

In my first 100 days, my primary focus has been on stabilising and consolidating our operations, as per our new Strategic Priorities for 2024. This plan involves fortifying our foundations, streamlining processes, and optimising resource allocation, with an emphasis on five strategic priorities encompassing 30 areas of focus. 

Furthermore, on the management side, we want to foster a culture of continuous improvement and excellence, ensuring every staff member feels empowered to contribute their best. In addition, there is a key focus on capacity building, organisational sustainability, and our efforts to complete our major development projects, primarily the extension for both the men and women’s prayer halls this year. 

Amidst our strategic planning, we’ve remained deeply connected to global issues, with the Palestine crisis at the forefront of our community’s concerns. To date, we have raised over £130k and continue to work with our charity partners to ensure our brothers and sisters in Gaza are getting food, lifesaving medicine, and water.

Looking Forward to the Journey

My initial 100 days at the helm of this remarkable institution has not only been a period of profound learning and understanding but also a time of envisioning a transformative future – that really delivers on our organisational mission. I am filled with a sense of profound optimism and determination to deliver through the collective efforts of our amazing team. The path ahead is one of dynamic growth, innovative breakthroughs, and an unwavering commitment to service. Our collective journey is not just about enhancing our current offerings but about redefining what a Mosque can be in the heart of a vibrant Muslim community – by reflecting upon the first Mosque established by our beloved Prophet (pbuh) in Madinah.

Looking forward, I envision the East London Mosque to continue being a pioneering institution – a beacon of Islamic values, educational excellence, and community engagement. Together, we will embark on initiatives that not only serve our immediate community but also resonate on a global scale. We are poised to set new benchmarks in community service, interfaith harmony, and socio-economic development, insha’Allah. 

Our vision for the future is to establish ELM as a centre of excellence. We aim to work closely with all our stakeholders, positively impacting the lives of those we serve and providing leadership and guidance at both local and national levels.

I eagerly anticipate the next phase of our journey, where our strategic priorities will come to life, transforming challenges into opportunities and aspirations into realities. Indeed, Allah (swt) mentions in the Qur’an: “You are the best community ever raised for humanity—you encourage good, forbid evil, and believe in Allah.” (3:110) 

An Invitation to Collaborate

As we embark on this transformative journey, welcoming ideas, suggestions, and collaborative efforts from our community is paramount, as they are our key stakeholders. In light of this, one of the very first initiatives I took was hosting our first ‘Community Conversation’ with members of our congregation, so that we can take their feedback on-board to help improve service delivery and key output. It was also a great opportunity for worshippers to meet with my team members and exchange ideas. 

Your input is always invaluable in shaping the future of ELM. Please feel free to reach out to me at [email protected] with your thoughts and proposals.

 

Junaid Ahmed
CEO of the East London Mosque Trust