Whoever does not thank the people has not thanked Allah.

[Prophet Muhammad ﷺ]

The East London Mosque hosted a special Evening of Appreciation and Reflection on 6 May 2025, bringing together trustees, volunteers, and staff to honour their collective efforts in serving the House of Allah. It was an opportunity to celebrate the tireless work carried out not only during Ramadan, but throughout the year.

The evening began with a beautiful recitation of the Qur’an by Shaykh Abdurrahman and welcoming remarks from host Junaid Ahmed, CEO of the East London Mosque.

“This institution thrives because of your sincerity, sacrifice and commitment,” said Ahmed. “You are not just staff or volunteers, you are the pillars that uphold this House of Allah. Together, we are not only maintaining a mosque—we are building a lasting legacy for Muslims in Britain.”

Gratitude and Legacy

Dr Abdul-Hayee Murshad, Chairman of the East London Mosque, reminded attendees of the deep spiritual importance of showing appreciation to one another as a form of gratitude to Allah.

“Gratitude is at the heart of our faith. And the only way we can truly show gratitude to Him is by showing gratitude to one another,” said Dr Murshad. “We are deeply honoured to have you all here, you are the pillars of this institution, each one upholding and supporting the other.”

A presentation followed, highlighting the incredible achievements of the community during Ramadan:

• £984,234 raised in donations and pledges (£351,364 pledges)
• Over 7.6 million views of ELM’s digital content
• Prayer Hall extension for men and women is now fully open
• 20,000+ daily footfall in Ramadan
• 32,000 people prayed Eid at ELM, and 33,000 for Tahajjud
• 10,000 Iftar meals were delivered abroad
• 250+ refugee families supported with necessities
• 40 external charity collections held, raising over £400,000 for emergency causes, including Gaza

Hearts Attached to the Mosque

Attendees also had the chance to share reflections and memories, reinforcing the spirit of unity and shared purpose. Shaykh Rashid Khan, guest speaker, reminded attendees that caring for the mosque is a noble tradition rooted in the legacy of the Prophets.

“The mission of the prophets was to build places of worship, not just physically, but spiritually. Our success isn’t measured by bricks and mortar alone, it’s in whether we’ve prepared hearts that remain attached to the mosque,” said Shaykh Rashid Khan.

Last week’s gathering was more than a celebration. It was a reminder of why our volunteers, staff and supporters do what they do. The East London Mosque is what it is today because of everyone who gives their time, energy, and care for the sake of Allah. May He accept it from all of us and keep our hearts connected to the mosque.