After a nearly two-month competition based on audience nominations and views, North London Central Mosque won IslamOnline.net’s audience’s award for the Best Islamic Center in Europe.
“It is really good to hear that we have achieved something, thanks be to Allah,” said Ahmed Saad, Imam of North London Central Mosque.
On September 15, IOL’s European Muslims Page asked the audience to nominate their favorite Islamic centers to complete for the Best European Islamic Center.
The criteria for nomination included community-based services, educational and cultural programs, charitable projects as well as facilities, especially for women and youth.
For the next 45 days, a flood of e-mails and comments were received.
A tally for the nominations put the North London Central Mosque at the top, earning it the Best European Islamic Center Certificate.
The London Central Mosque and the East London Mosque come second and third respectively.
The three winners will be featured on IOL’s European Muslims as a model for others.
Saad will be hosted later on Tuesday, November 12, in a Live Dialogue with IOL audience.
Representatives of the two other centers will also be invited to similar Live Dialogues in the coming days.
Community First
Saad believes that his mosque won the top spot in the competition for setting an example in providing community-based services.
“We are catering for everyone, women, youth and elders,” the Egyptian-born imam told IOL.
“People in general like simple and genuine activities, and this is what we tried to deliver.”
Saad said a top priority for his mosque is the youth, adding that they are building a gym and youth club.
“Our youth have carried out programs that interest youth and bring them to the masjid.”
The center, formerly known as the Finsbury Park Mosque, also offers a wide range of educational and cultural programs that cater to different sectors of the community.
“We are trying to cover sectors of the community who nobody else cares about, make the mosque an interesting place for them,” says imam Saad.
“At the moment, we have got activities running in the mosque where Arabic, English, Somali, Kurdish, Albanian, Urdu and Bengali languages are spoken.
“Also, we have got a lot of courses, skills for life programs, family gatherings, circles and educational classes, Qur’an school for men, women and children. All this is happening in various languages.”
The young imam notes they still have more plans in store.
“We are aiming at brining more young people in and asking for more community participation and engagement.
“It is not an easy job but it is an achievable thing as long as there is sincerity and dedication.
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