‘A beacon of peace’: London’s oldest mosque celebrates centenary

Fazl Mosque was used as an air raid shelter in the war – but that is not its only link to a pivotal moment in world history

Exactly 100 years ago the Guardian wrote about the opening of London’s first mosque, an impressive white building surrounded by immaculate flower gardens in the heart of south London suburbia.

A report described the mosque, in its incongruous surroundings, as “a thing of beauty”. The journalists who attended the opening ceremony witnessed the mosque’s large black doors being opened with a silver key. About 600 eminent guests attended the grand opening.