6 Febuary 2026

The East London Mosque this week held its Ramadan 2026 Launch Event with staff, volunteers and Members of the Trust, marking the final stage of preparations as the mosque readies itself to welcome hundreds of thousands of worshippers during the blessed month.

The launch brought together staff, trustees, and volunteers who will be supporting the mosque throughout Ramadan, as planning continues to ensure that prayer spaces, additional services and facilities are fully prepared for the scale and intensity of the month ahead.

From daily prayers and iftars, through Tarawih, to late-night worship in the final ten days, Ramadan places exceptional demands on the mosque. Each year, ELM becomes one of the busiest places of worship in Europe – and preparation begins long before the holy month.

Preparing the House of Allah for Worshippers 

“Our responsibility is to prepare the House of Allah so that everyone who walks through the doors in Ramadan can worship with ease, focus, and peace of mind,” said Junaid Ahmed, CEO of the mosque. “That means thinking about everything – from prayer arrangements and cleanliness to safety, access, and the overall flow of the mosque.” 

Dr Abdul-Hayee Murshad, Chairman of the East London Mosque Trust, reflected on the unseen effort that allows worshippers to focus on their ‘ibadah.

“Behind every prayer there is effort no one sees. Behind every clean space there is hard work. Behind every service delivered by the mosque, the staff and volunteers, there is patience and dedication in the service of the community.”

A Ramadan Experience Built Around Worshippers

Preparations across the mosque are focused on making sure prayer spaces, facilities, and services are ready for Ramadan — from the first day of fasting through to the final ten nights and Eid.

Alongside the logistical preparations, the mosque will host a rich and diverse religious programme throughout Ramadan, including daily Qur’an recitation, halaqas, and night prayers, supporting worshippers in their spiritual growth, connection to Allah, and strengthening their faith and understanding. These programmes will be available both in person and via live streaming for those unable to attend.

Full details of all programmes will be published on our website, with further updates and announcements shared after congregational prayers throughout the month.

A Collective Effort in Service of the House of Allah

The Ramadan experience at the ELM is made possible by the generosity of the congregation. Without your support we would not be able to serve the community in this blessed month. This year’s Ramadan campaign theme, Closer to Allah, is about supporting the mosque and the Ramadan services we all rely on – from iftar and Tarawih to Itikaf and Tahajjud – as a way of drawing closer to Allah.

We encourage members of the congregation to take part in at least one of the many initiatives that have been introduced to support the mosque during Ramadan.

Why not take part this Ramadan by joining the Be a Khadim (Guardian) of the Mosque initiative, alongside Donor Wall and Regular Giving – including supporting daily iftars, responding to appeals during Tarawih and the final ten nights, and contributing towards the ongoing upkeep of the mosque.

Full details of all Ramadan fundraising initiatives will be available both on the East London Mosque website and within the mosque throughout the month.

Key Ramadan 2026 Announcements

Iftar

The mosque will be providing daily iftar for over 1,000 people, continuing a long-standing Ramadan tradition at the ELM. Worshippers are encouraged to support the iftar programme as part of their Ramadan giving.

Tarawih Prayers and Imams

Tarawih prayers this Ramadan will be led by a distinguished lineup of reciters, bringing together both international and UK-based Imams:

• Shaykh Mu‘taz Al-Ghannam (Egypt)
• Shaykh Abdurrahman Atturki (UK / Internal)
• Shaykh Syed Anisul Haque (UK / Internal)
• Shaykh Hazem Seif (Egypt)
• Shaykh Jamal Abdinasir (UK – selected nights)

Itikaf Arrangements

As spaces are limited, places for Itikaf will be allocated through a draw. 

• Applications open: Monday 2 February
• Application deadline: Thursday 19 February
• Draw date: Tuesday 24 February after Tarawih

Tahajjud and Night Arrangements

During the final ten nights of Ramadan, special Tahajjud prayers will be held. On Tahajjud nights, the mosque will close after Tarawih in preparation for Tahajjud and reopen later in the night ahead of prayers.

Operations, Safety, and Cleanliness

To accommodate the large crowds expected throughout Ramadan:

• Additional staff and stewards will be on duty
• Enhanced cleaning will take place, including post-Tarawih cleaning each night
• Additional female security will be in place
• A community Big Clean will take place ahead of Ramadan to prepare prayer spaces
• Unauthorised trading will not be permitted around the mosque, and any unauthorised stalls will be moved on to ensure safety and clear access.

Eid al-Fitr Arrangements

Four Eid al-Fitr jama’ah prayers will take place at the following times:

• 7:00am
• 8:30am
• 9:30am
• 10:30am

Further details on all Ramadan arrangements will be published on the East London Mosque website. Additional announcements will be made throughout the month regarding mosque operations and Ramadan fundraising.

 

We look forward to welcoming everyone and serving you during the blessed month of Ramadan.