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SALAAM/SHALOM: FIRST MOSQUE IN UK BUILT BY A JEW
The ShahJahan Mosque, which was the first purpose-built mosque in Britain, was established in 1889 by King's college professor Jewish Hungarian Gottlieb Wilhelm Leitner.
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T
he ShahJahan Mosque, was Britain’s first purpose-built mosque, established in 1889 in Woking, Surrey, by the King’s college professor Jewish Hungarian Gottlieb Wilhelm Leitner, so as to provide a place of worship for Muslim students at his Oriental Institute.
In 1881 Jewish Hungarian Professor Leitner came to England to found a centre for the study of oriental languages, culture and history. He found a suitable building and for the benefit of Muslim students he had the mosque built in the grounds.
The mosque was designed by architect William Isaac Chambers, who incorporated elements of Middle Eastern architecture – including a dome, minarets and a courtyard.
It was partly funded by Sultan Shah Jahan, Begum of Bhopal, from whom it is named after.
Written by Owais Aslam
