Let's Make Shifa Mosque a Thriving Social Hub!
We want our mosque to be the centre of the community and not just a "community centre"...
Britain is in a loneliness epidemic – a recent study by the Campaign to End Loneliness found that half of adults in the UK report feeling lonely. We know that social connection is crucial for our health and wellbeing, but modern life tends to pull people apart; it leaves us feeling isolated and disconnected from each other.
We’re building Shifa Mosque to tackle this growing problem in our neighbourhood. It’s clear, after all, that a crucial aspect of any mosque is to bring people together. Everything in Islam points to community. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ had Companions – he established a community of men and women who looked out for each other. We have been running programme of social events in South London for more than a decade now; from Eid parties and womens’ support groups to days out on hikes, bike rides and picnics. With your help, we can reach even more people and make Shifa Mosque the heart of a supportive, caring and connected community.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"Allah Almighty said: "My love is assured for those who love each other for my sake, who sit together for my sake, who visit each other for my sake, and who spend on each other for my sake.""
HELP US DO EVEN MORE IN THE COMMUNITY:
What we already do
Traditional English Eid Fayre
The most popular of our events, attended by around 600 local Muslims, is the Traditional English Eid Fayre, themed like a typical village fete with a bake-off, games on the green and market stalls. This is always a vibrant event where the diversity of the local Muslim community is celebrated, and all are welcome.
Iftar Invites
Another favourite fixture is our community iftar calendar. Each night in Ramadan an invitation is issued by a different host and iftar is served to all who can come. Homes are opened, friends meet families, and we travel the world in our own neighbourhood, discovering one another’s culinary traditions and Ramadan customs.
Norwood Giving Garden
A small-scale version of the gardening projects we intend to run in Shifa Mosque’s own grounds, Norwood Giving Garden is a small plot of land given over to the community as a shared allotment. Families come together to work the land, raise and tend plants and share the harvest.
How we can do even more with you support
With growing numbers of people embracing Islam, our capacity is stretched. We need a permanent space to do more and support more Muslims. Building Shifa mosque will enable us to create a communal space well equipped for gathering for the sake of Allah, and for feeding people. By having this space we will
Increase capacity to accommodate our growing congregations.
Be open, inviting and easy to find, making our community and social events more easily accessible.
Improve our efficiency by reducing the costs and logistics associated with hiring event spaces.
For more information on our social activities visit our NEWS and ACTIVITIES pages.