A History of Mosques in Tower Hamlets
From early sailor prayer rooms to a vibrant borough-wide network — and how the Council of Mosques app helps you find nearby Jama‘ah times in seconds.
From Sailors’ Lodgings to Sacred Spaces
The story of Islam in Tower Hamlets stretches back over a century, shaped by migration, dockside labour, and the diverse communities that built the East End. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Muslim sailors and settlers — especially from Yemen, Somaliland, and Bengal (now Bangladesh) — were living around Whitechapel, Shadwell, and Stepney. Informal prayers in homes and boarding houses laid the groundwork for the borough’s mosque landscape that followed.
Local history can be explored at the Tower Hamlets Local History Library & Archives and the East London Mosque Archive, which preserve photos, letters, and community newsletters documenting these early roots.
The East London Mosque: From Vision to Landmark
In 1910, the London Mosque Fund set a vision for a permanent Muslim place of worship in London. During the Second World War, the first East London Mosque (ELM) opened at 446 Commercial Road in 1941. As the community grew, the current purpose-built mosque opened on Whitechapel Road in 1985, later expanding with the London Muslim Centre (2004) and Maryam Centre (2013). Today, ELM is among Europe’s largest and most active mosque complexes, delivering prayer, education, welfare, and interfaith programmes.
Brick Lane Jamme Masjid: A Building of Three Faiths
The Brick Lane Jamme Masjid at 59 Brick Lane embodies the East End’s layered migration story. Built in 1743 as a Huguenot chapel, it later became the Spitalfields Great Synagogue (1897–1976) and, since 1976, a mosque. The building’s Grade II* status recognises its unique role across three communities over nearly three centuries.
Neighbourhood Mosques: Community Growth and Adaptation
From the 1970s onward, the growing Bangladeshi community across Stepney, Shadwell, Poplar, Mile End and beyond established dozens of local mosques and musallas. Many began in converted houses, shops, schools, pubs, and warehouses, later evolving into more permanent spaces. Others — such as larger centres in Poplar, Shadwell and Stepney — were purpose-built to serve prayer, education, and youth outreach.
Today in Numbers
Today: Tower Hamlets is home to more than 50 dedicated mosques and centres offering five-times congregational prayer and educational services, plus scores of additional venues used for the Friday (Jumu‘ah) prayer across the borough. Many occupy converted warehouses, pubs, houses, shops, and former schools, while several are purpose-built landmarks that reflect the community’s growth and permanence.
Council of Mosques – Tower Hamlets (CoMTH)
Founded in 2001, the Council of Mosques – Tower Hamlets brings together imams and mosque leaders to strengthen cooperation, share best practice, and represent the Muslim community in civic life. CoMTH maintains a borough-wide Mosques Directory on comth.org, alongside resources on safety, governance, and youth engagement.
The CoMTH App: Faith Meets Technology
In the digital age, Tower Hamlets’ Muslim community continues to innovate in how people connect with their local mosques. The CoMTH smartphone app, available on both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store, provides real-time congregational (Jama‘ah) prayer times for all five daily prayers. Using your device’s location, it will list the nearest mosques across Tower Hamlets — perfect for residents, workers, and visitors seeking nearby prayer facilities and events.
Research & Further Reading
- Tower Hamlets Local History Library & Archives — community collections, photos, and maps.
- East London Mosque Archives — records of the London Mosque Fund and Muslim life in the East End.
- Historic England — listing descriptions for Brick Lane Jamme Masjid and other historic places of worship.
- CoMTH.org — Mosques Directory, resources, and links to the CoMTH app.
FAQs
How can I find the nearest mosque in Tower Hamlets?
Download the CoMTH app on Google Play or the Apple App Store to see mosques near you and real-time Jama‘ah times.
Does the app show all five daily Jama‘ah times?
Yes. The app provides real-time congregational times for all five daily prayers and Friday (Jumu‘ah) where available.
Is there a directory of mosques online?
Yes. Visit comth.org for the latest Mosques Directory.
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