Muslims in Kingston started meeting in each others’ homes in the 1960s, but it took a struggle through the planning system in the 1980s to find a proper place of worship.
At the end of the first week of the mosque attack trial several witnesses were excused and the case halted, to allow them to attend the funeral of the founder of the mosque, Hajee Mubarik Ali, who died on the first day of the trial.
With the help of fundraisers including his son-in-law Yusuf Islam, formerly known as Cat Stevens, he and others created the mosque in the 1970s out of a British Legion building.
It was converted in 1985, with the dome added in 1999, and the minaret added in 2000.
Members now fill the building twice over on Friday prayers and there are plans for an extension at the back.
An Islamic resource centre is located next door.
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