29 November 2025

The latest ELM Connex event, held on 26 November 2025 at the London Muslim Centre, brought together historians, archivists, researchers and community members. It marked one hundred years since the establishment of the Indigent Moslems* Burial Fund (IMBF), which provided organised support for the burial of destitute Muslims in Britain.

In keeping with the theme of ‘A Century of Support for Muslim Burials’, speakers drew on archival material, historical research and lived experience to reflect on the origins and continuing relevance of the Fund.

The programme opened with remarks from the chair, Sufia Alam, Head of Programmes at ELM and the Maryam Centre. She explained that the evening was designed to “look closely at the people and circumstances that shaped the Fund’s beginnings,” and stressed the importance of preserving early Muslim history in Britain. The IMBF records, she noted, are part of a wider effort to document “what the struggles of early Muslims looked like, the challenges they faced, and the individuals who laid the roots of our community.”

Dr Abdul Hayee Murshad, Chairman of the East London Mosque Trust, welcomed attendees with a reminder of the duty Muslims have always placed on supporting one another. Reflecting on the early pioneers who established core institutions of the British Muslim community long before the ELM had a permanent home, he said: “We don’t just appreciate their work; we continue their work, supporting the next generation of Muslims. Our duty to take care of each other is central to who we are.”

  

Joining online, Islam Khan, Chair of the IMBF Trustees, offered an overview of the Fund’s development. Although formally established in 1927, he noted that the first burial supported by the Fund took place in 1925. He highlighted the generations of donors and volunteers who kept the Fund active, and spoke about present-day challenges including a chronic shortage of burial space and the needs of reverts or those who die alone. Looking ahead, he mentioned future plans such as exploring a Muslim residential care home to strengthen end-of-life support.

Drawing on extensive archival research, Nabil Mohammad traced the origins of the IMBF to cooperation between established Muslim professionals, newly arrived migrants and non-Muslim supporters. He explained that this collaborative beginning “reflects the diversity of early Muslim London,” and showed how the Fund became a practical expression of mutual care at a time when few formal institutions existed.

The broader historical context was set out by Emeritus Professor Humayun Ansari. He explained that in the early 20th century, many Muslims in London “received paupers’ funerals, sometimes without any opportunity for religious rites.” He described the efforts of Justice Ameer Ali, who appealed for a fund that would ensure proper Islamic burial and helped arrange access to the Muslim section at Brookwood Cemetery. This development, Professor Ansari noted, enabled Muslims of different backgrounds, including famous converts such as Marmaduke Pickthall, to be buried “in a place that affirmed their religious identity for future generations.”

 

Professor John Wolffe of the Open University then reflected on the value of the IMBF records, describing them as “a rich source for understanding the social history of the Muslim community”. He commended the East London Mosque for establishing a professionally maintained archive and encouraged ongoing efforts to widen access, especially through initiatives that involve young people.

Ruth MacDonald, representing the Religious Archives Group, drew parallels between the IMBF and the Salvation Army’s long history of supporting vulnerable people. She noted that “the people who set up this fund, and those who carry it on today, recognised that regardless of material wealth, all lives are valuable and deserving of dignity in death.” She also pointed out that many comparable records have been lost elsewhere, making the preservation of the IMBF archive especially significant.

The programme then turned to the wider archive strategy of ELM. Dr Jamil Sherif provided an update on the growing collection, explaining the layers of material held in the archive and the ambition to develop a dedicated Scholars’ Reading Room. An image of the plan was presented at the event. Dr Sherif spoke about the scale of uncatalogued material and the responsibility to preserve it properly. In concluding his remarks, Dr Sherif remembered the late Salahuddeen Haleem, a core member of the Archives Steering Group, noting his deep commitment to the IMBF and the archives project.

Closing the event, Junaid Ahmed, CEO of the Mosque, thanked the speakers and all those involved in developing the archives. He remarked that sharing these histories “is not only about honouring the past, but about laying the foundation for the future.” He emphasised the importance of ensuring that early Muslim initiatives like the IMBF continue to inform the Mosque’s long-term work.

The formal programme concluded with a guided tour of the ELM Archives, where attendees were able to view original IMBF records and other materials that document the development of Muslim communal life in Britain. 

During the Q&A session, Gulam Taslim Ali and Siraj Salekin also shared their memories of a past generation of activists whose dedication continues to inspire.

Documents from the archives on the history of the East London Mosque and the Fund were also on display, offering attendees the opportunity to view original materials that illustrate the development of Muslim communal life in Britain.

* Note: the spelling ‘Moslems’ is used here because this was the common British spelling in the early 20th century, and it reflects the original name of the Indigent Moslems Burial Fund as it appeared in historical records.