Abbey Mills Mosque

The Abbey Mills Mosque, also referred to as the London Markaz or Masjid-e-Ilyas, is a temporary mosque situated in Stratford, East London. Currently, it serves as a place of worship accommodating approximately 2,500 individuals. The site has been owned by Anjuman-e-Islahul Muslimeen, the charitable trust of Tablighi Jamaat, since 1996.

Project and Controversy

Plans were developed for a substantial expansion of the mosque, which, if realized, would have been one of the largest religious buildings in Britain, potentially three times the size of St Paul's Cathedral, and one of the largest mosques in Western Europe. These ambitious proposals, often informally termed the "mega-mosque" in the press, aimed to increase capacity to an estimated 12,000 worshippers. The project, however, ignited significant controversy for several reasons, including its reported scale and concerns regarding potential chemical contamination of the site, which was previously a chemical works.

Regulatory and Public Response

Newham Council has been involved in efforts to manage the site's development. In February 2010, the council attempted to shut down the existing temporary facility, a move that was overturned on appeal, granting a two-year extension for its use. Subsequently, in 2012, Newham Council refused permission for the expansion plans. Despite appeals in 2015 and 2018, the council's stance remains, with an ongoing effort to demolish the current structures to facilitate residential and commercial development.

The controversy surrounding the mosque led to various public responses, including online petitions, debates, and demonstrations. Concerns were raised about the potential impact on the local community's character, environmental risks, and funding sources. Mosque officials have engaged in addressing these controversies and countering perceptions, while also emphasizing their commitment to community benefit and site decontamination as part of their development plans.