16 January 2026

The East London Mosque (ELM) welcomed this evening members of its Be a Khadim (Guardian) community to a Donors’ Appreciation Evening ahead of Ramadan, providing an opportunity to reflect on the impact of sustained giving and to look ahead to the months to come.

Be a Khadim is the Mosque’s regular giving initiative, inviting supporters to become guardians of the institution through consistent monthly or annual contributions. The programme is designed to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Mosque’s core religious services, education provision, and community programmes, enabling the Mosque to serve generations to come.

Rooted in the Islamic tradition of stewardship and collective responsibility, the initiative recognises that it is steady, shared support, rather than one-off donations alone, that allows a community institution of this scale to remain resilient, independent, and responsive to the needs of the people it serves.

The evening opened with Qur’an recitation by Shaykh Abdurrahman Atturki, followed by reflections on the Mosque’s history and its responsibility to serve both faith and society.

In his address, Junaid Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer, thanked attendees for their continued support and reminded guests that the East London Mosque exists today because earlier generations planned carefully, gave consistently, and acted collectively. “From its earliest days as a mobile mosque to becoming a permanent institution with a minaret and public adhan, the Mosque has always been sustained by collective effort,” said Ahmed.

Community Impact Enabled by the Khadim Programme

Guests were presented with a snapshot of the impact made possible through regular, committed support:

• 215 people embraced Islam at the East London Mosque over the past year, supported through structured guidance and pastoral care. 
• The Mosque’s Refugee Community Hub supported 378 refugees, helping individuals and families develop skills, confidence, and a sense of belonging.
• 93% of students at London East Academy achieved Grade 4 or above in five GCSE subjects, exceeding national averages and reflecting long-term investment in education.
• The Mosque hosted 199 educational tours, welcoming schools, councils, community organisations, and international visitors. 

The Be a Khadim programme now includes around 300 committed supporters, with a shared ambition to grow to 1,000 guardians as Ramadan approaches.

Reflections from the Chairman and Trustees

Dr Abdul-Hayee Murshad, Chairman, thanked donors, trustees, and staff, reminding attendees that “contribution in Islam takes many forms – through our time, our skills, and our financial support – and each of us is accountable for how we use what we have been given.” He noted that the evening was an opportunity to recognise those who step forward to sustain the Mosque and the services it provides for the community

Dr Abdullah Faliq, Trustee, paid tribute to the Mosque’s staff and those who serve consistently behind the scenes. Referencing a well-known Hadith, he said: “The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught us that whoever does not thank people has not truly thanked Allah. It is important that we recognise those who serve our community, particularly the staff who work consistently behind the scenes. Our hope is that the Mosque continues to grow and develop, and that we are able to witness that progress in our lifetimes. 

Sirajul Islam, Trustee, also thanked supporters of the Khadim programme for safeguarding the Mosque’s work and reaffirmed the importance of sustaining the programme as the community approaches Ramadan.

Looking Ahead

In closing, Junaid Ahmed reflected that much of the Mosque’s impact happens beyond what donors directly see, from supporting someone’s conversion to Islam to sustaining essential services for the wider community. He encouraged continued participation in the Be a Khadim programme, noting that small, consistent contributions, when shared collectively, enable long-term impact.

The evening concluded with a renewed sense of shared responsibility, as the community looks ahead to Ramadan and the work still to come.