The last excerpt of PrayerWalk London took us from Park
Crescent, south of the Regent’s Park, through Harley Street to
St. Marylebone Parish Church. This part of the route takes us
clockwise around the park to London’s Central Mosque. London
Central Mosque The idea of building a mosque in London was
originally put forth by Lord Headley, an English convert to
Islam. After several decades of advocacy, a prime building site
on the edge of Regent’s Park was presented to the Muslim
community by the British Government as an “unconditional gift.”
Construction of the mosque began in 1974 and was completed in
1977. The main hall can hold 5,000 men, with women praying
separately on a balcony overlooking the hall. The mosque
includes six important features: - The mirhab, a special room
where the imam (spiritual leader) stands to lead the
congregation in prayer. It also helps indicate the direction of
Mecca in Saudi Arabia. - The minbar, or pulpit, where the imam
stands to deliver sermons on Fridays, the Muslim holy day.