Today marks the 20th anniversary of the opening of the London Muslim Centre (LMC) on 11 June 2004, a monumental milestone for the Muslim community in East London. The LMC, an integral part of the East London Mosque complex, is one of the largest mosques in Western Europe, accommodating almost 10,000 worshippers on a Friday.

The journey to establish the LMC began in 1997, after a hard-fought battle between the community and the local authority to sell the land adjacent to the Mosque to establish the London Muslim Centre instead of being sold to luxury property developers. The community won the campaign and was able to purchase the land.

In 2001, Prince Charles launched the project to build a new community centre adjacent to the East London Mosque. Construction started in 2002 and was completed in June 2004 for £10.4 million. This was made possible by donations from our generous communities and funding from various sources, including the London Development Agency, the European Development Fund, and Tower Hamlets Council. 

On the opening day, over 15,000 people attended prayers led by the Imam of the Grand Mosque in Makkah. The entire community celebrated that day, and the vision became a reality to see a purpose-built centre that would go on to serve the needs of Muslims and the wider community.

Over the past two decades, the ELM and LMC have hosted numerous notable events with keynote speeches from distinguished individuals and achieved significant fundraising milestones for humanitarian causes worldwide. 

The ELM and LMC have significantly expanded the services and facilities available to the London Muslim community with over 33 discrete projects, including a nursery, schools, and a business wing, catering to the community's diverse needs. Our London East Academy and Al-Mizan Primary Schools based at the LMC have produced over 100 Huffaz, significantly benefiting our communities.

The success of the LMC helped pave the way to fulfil further the community’s ambition for a dedicated centre for women, which was realised in the development of the Maryam Centre. 

As the London Muslim community grows, the East London Mosque is committed to meeting the increasing service demand. The ongoing Phase 3 extension project is a crucial part of this effort, aiming to expand the Mosque's capacity further. We humbly request the continued support of our community to help us complete ‘Phase 3’ expansion and ensure that the East London Mosque and London Muslim Centre can continue to serve our community's needs for generations to come. Together, we can build upon the legacy of the past 20 years and create a brighter future for Muslims in London and the wider communities we serve, fostering greater understanding, cooperation, and harmony in our city and beyond.

As we celebrate two decades of the LMC, we recognise the vision and efforts of the community and our leaders that made this remarkable institution a reality. We want to thank the entire community and our supporters who have helped us grow. Without you, none of it would be possible. Jazakumullah Khair.