Abdullah Quilliam Mosque (AQM) may not look like your typical mosque, but that’s because it’s got a surprising Victorian past
The Islamic celebration of Eid is set to take place this weekend and England's oldest mosque, which sits on the outskirts of the city centre, is remembering its Victorian roots while celebrating. William Quilliam was the Victorian lawyer who converted to Islam from Methodism before founding the mosque in 1856, changing his name to Abdullah after converting.
He offered free law services to disadvantaged people, including women who needed to chase paternity orders from partners who ran off. AQM still do not hesitate to help non-Muslims and operates an open-door policy.
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Mumin Khan, AQM’s CEO said: “He served food to whoever came through the door, whether Muslim or non-Muslim because he knew that every human was the same in the eyes of Allah.”
AQM’s inclusivity can be traced back to its Victorian legacy – and Mumin makes sure his congregation are reminded of Abdullah’s outreach work in the run up to Eid. The mosque mirrors its founder’s selflessness by partnering with North Liverpool Primary Care to provide targeted NHS services such as blood pressure and diabetes checks.
This year, Mumin wants to highlight female role models – particularly Fatima Cates, England’s second Muslim convert. Like Abdullah, she was born into an observant Christian family in Liverpool and was scrutinised by her society for her conversion.
He is honouring her by naming a room in the mosque after her and is hoping this will make the mosque’s converts feel seen.
AQM ensures they give refugees and asylum seekers the same welcome Abdullah gave dock labourers from all over the world. This includes some tweaks to the mosque’s lighting.
Mumin said: “We want to give them a smooth transition from their home country’s Ramadan, so the builders are inserting some spotlights to create a familiar festive atmosphere.”
Mosque members are made up of more than 60 nationalities, so AQM uses dual-language English and Arabic sermons to cater to them.
Mumin added: “On Friday you’ll see all colours and all races. We are a peace-loving congregation and use language that unifies everyone. Lots of asylum seekers are placed in the area by the council. It’s easy to access us as they can walk here and don’t have to worry about paying bus fares.”
They introduced a ladies’ Ramadan tearoom, which offers teas from Pakistan, Yemen and beyond.
The mosque hosts an iftar - a fast-breaking evening meal - in Ramadan, funded by donations from its members. They feed around 400 and 500 people every day, including locals, students, asylum seekers and refugees.
Mumin said: “I invited someone around for iftar (breaking of the fast) and he was keen but told me he didn’t have much money. I replied saying our iftar is free then he came with his family. It’s heartbreaking when someone comes to you in such a state. The city is full of poor and vulnerable people.
“It’s a part of Abdullah’s legacy to help the needy and we try to implement this in AQM today. It’s our Islamic duty.”
The mosque also runs a day care facility all year round to support families with childcare. It has been particularly beneficial for asylum seekers and refugees settling into the city. AQM’s roots are in Sunni Islam, the commonest form, but it opens itself to Muslims of all denominations, unusual given that Islamic minorities face persecution around the world.
They are now in the process of making a Victorian-Moroccan-styled museum to remember Abdullah, including a kitchen with hanging poultry and a partition wall typical of the era.
On Eid, AQM like to hire Victorian style horse-riding carriages to entertain the kids. They also buy confetti, rent out a gazebo and offer food and refreshments for their members, free of charge to accommodate all budgets during the cost-of-living crisis. Everybody is welcome.
The CEO continued: “We want our mosque to be a fun place to socialise as well as a place to praise our lord.
“Interfaith collaboration is important to us like it was to our founder who came from a Christian background. In fact, our mosque was founded on Christmas Day in 1989.
“Abdullah invited non-Muslims to eat hot food with him when the mosque first opened so we replicate this on Eid.”
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