Southall Mosque Hosts Community Open Day
Event aimed to promote dialogue in wake of Manchester Synagogue attack
From left to right: President AMA Southall - Mr Sayeed Abdus, Ealing Synagogue Chair – Mr Gary Barak, Council Member - Alison Shindler, Vice Chair - Dr Jonathan Glass, Imam at Darus Salaam Mosque Southall - Mr Mujeeb Ahmad Mirza, Secretary External Affair & outreach – Mr Shaikh Latif ur Rahman and Regional President of AMA Middlesex – Mr Zaheer Khan
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October 8, 2025
On Sunday 5 October, the Darus Salaam Mosque in Boyd Avenue, Southall, welcomed visitors from across the community as part of a local “Visit My Mosque” initiative. Organised by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association (AMA) Southall, the event aimed to promote understanding, dialogue, and friendship between people of different faiths and backgrounds.
The open day included guided tours of the mosque, an exhibition on Islamic teachings, and opportunities for informal conversation over refreshments. Attendees included members of the public from various faiths and none, as well as a delegation from Ealing Synagogue comprising Chair Gary Barak, Vice Chair Dr Jonathan Glass, and Council Member Alison Shindler.
The event took place just days after a terrorist attack at Heaton Park Synagogue in Manchester on 2 October. Although planned in advance, the mosque’s open day became a moment of reflection and solidarity in response to the incident.
In a letter to Ealing Synagogue, AMA Southall President Sayeed Abdus expressed condolences and condemned the attack, stating:
“An attack on a synagogue, a church, or a mosque is an attack on the very conscience of our society.”
The national president of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK, Rafiq Hayat, also issued a statement condemning the violence and calling for unity among faith communities. The AMA welcomed the swift response by police and urged political and religious leaders to strengthen efforts to counter extremism and protect places of worship.
A neighbour of the Mosque is told about how the building was constructed
Imam Mujeeb Ahmad Mirza of Darus Salaam Mosque said he was “especially touched” by the attendance of guests from Ealing Synagogue, describing it as a testament to shared values and mutual respect.
The Holy Qur’an was cited during the event, with references to verses that condemn violence and emphasise the protection of all places of worship, including churches and synagogues.
The Darus Salaam Mosque, established in 1980 and rebuilt in its current form in 2020, is part of the global Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, which promotes the motto “Love for All, Hatred for None.” The community, founded in 1889, is active in over 200 countries and emphasises peaceful engagement and service.
Darus Salaam Mosque
The AMA Southall has indicated plans to host further events aimed at fostering unity and understanding within the borough and beyond.
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