Baitul Futuh facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Baitul Futuh in London
Baitul Futuh in London
Religion
Affiliation	Islam
Location
Location	Morden, London  United Kingdom
Architecture
Architectural type	Mosque
Architectural style	Modern
Completed	2003
Construction cost	£ 5.5 million
Specifications
Capacity	4,500 (great hall), 10,000 (3 halls)
Dome(s)	1
Dome height (outer)	23
Dome dia. (outer)	16
Minaret(s)	2
Minaret height	35m and 25.5m
Website
www.baitulfutuh.org/

The Baitul Futuh Mosque, which means House of Victories in English, is one of the largest mosques in Europe. Some people say it's the biggest, while others believe it's the second largest after the Mosque of Rome. This huge mosque complex covers an area of 5.2 acres (21,000 m²) and can welcome up to 10,000 people for prayers.

It was built in 2003 and cost about £5.5 million. This money was kindly donated by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. You can find this impressive building in Morden, London. It's very close to the Morden South railway station and the Morden Underground station.

How the Mosque Was Built

Laying the Foundation Stone

The very first step for building the mosque happened on October 19, 1999. A special ceremony was held where the foundation stone was placed by Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad. About 2,000 guests came to watch this important event.

The Grand Opening

The Baitul Futuh Mosque officially opened its doors on October 3, 2003. The current leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, opened the mosque. He usually works from the Fazl Mosque but often gives his weekly Friday sermon (called a Khutbah) from Baitul Futuh.

The opening ceremony was a big event! More than 600 guests attended. These included important people like High Commissioners, Members of European Parliament, Members of Parliament, Mayors from London, and representatives from 17 different countries.

Helping the Community

The Baitul Futuh Mosque does a lot more than just host prayers. It holds many events to help both Muslims and the wider community.

Community Events

Some of the helpful things the mosque does include:

• Holding annual Peace Symposiums. These events talk about how to achieve peace in the world.
• Giving tours to schools so students can learn about Islam and the mosque.
• Hosting other local community events.
• Being the location for the 'Merton Youth Partnership Annual Conference'.
• Hosting the BBC Radio 4 show Any Questions?, where people can ask questions to a panel of guests.
• Being part of Open House London, which lets people explore famous buildings.

Promoting Peace

The mosque is also a center for the 'Loyalty, Freedom and Peace Campaign'. This campaign works to show that Islam is a peaceful religion. It also helps Muslims and non-Muslims get along better and understand each other.

In 2010, the first Ahmadiyya Muslim Peace Prize was given out at the Peace Symposium held at the mosque. This award went to Lord Eric Avebury for his lifelong work in human rights.

Welcoming Visitors

The Baitul Futuh Mosque welcomes over 10,000 visitors every year! These visitors come from schools, different faith groups, public service organizations, charities, and various government groups.

The mosque has also been a place where leaders speak out against intolerance. For example, in 2010, many politicians and religious leaders gathered there to condemn a plan to burn the Quran.

What's Inside the Mosque

The Baitul Futuh Mosque has many useful facilities for its visitors and community members:

• Separate prayer halls for men and women.
• Offices for staff.
• A library where people can read and learn.
• An exhibition area.
• Rooms that can be used for many different purposes.
• Studios for MTA Television.
• A kitchen and dining area.
• A gymnasium for exercise.
• Guest rooms for visitors.
• Easy access for people with disabilities.
• Modern wash-room facilities, including:
  • Toilets
  • Wash basins
  • Footbaths
  • Showers
  • Drinking fountains
  • Baby changing units
  • Toilets for the disabled
  • Smaller toilets and wash basins for young children in the crèche area.

Gallery

Related Pages

• Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
• Islam in the United Kingdom
• Islamic architecture
• Islamic art
• List of mosques
• List of mosques in Great Britain
• Darul Barakaat Mosque
• Al Mahdi Mosque

Images for kids

• 

  Eid at Baitul Futuh Mosque, showing a previous building (office space and function halls) before 2015 fire damage and demolition

• 

  Reconstruction of office space and function halls in the Baitul Futuh Mosque site

• 

  Minaret of Baitul Futuh

• 

  The side of the Mosque seen from the A24 London Road.

See also

In Spanish: Baitul Futuh para niños