I’ve been meaning to post these pictures for a while, so if you are wondering why it looks so much warmer and sunnier – that would be because they were taken in August! Nearby to us in Woking, we have the first purpose built mosque in the Uk – Shah Jahan Mosque. It was built in 1889 by Dr Wilheim Leitner. It is interesting to have such a historical mosque nearby to us, and it’s not just a historical place to visit. As well as being the first mosque in the UK, it’s still a fully used mosque for all the daily prayers. You can read about the history of it on Wikipedia if you wanted to know a bit more. It is a Sunni mosque now (we are Sunni like most Muslims in the UK) but had a brief Ahmadiyya period and a few years of being un-used.
Sometimes when we have some relatives over visiting the UK my husband takes them to this mosque since it is the oldest mosque in the UK and it is a lot more beautiful and impressively built than a lot of the mosques we normally go to. The architecture is really nice . The below pictures are from a visit with the kids to the mosque over the summer, and are taken by my husband (catbaba)
Front, and side views of the Mosque. It’s now a grade 2 listed building.
The are some gardens and fountains outside, and here are the kids exploring those:
For ages Mr T had a thing about wearing that builders hat everywhere!
Unfortunately I don’t have any pictures from inside the mosque but I just wanted to share these. It’s quite interesting to find out about the history of Islam in Britain.
Linking up to:
January 13, 2014 @ 9:51 am
I used to live until 18 months ago in Westfield, Woking. I love this building, it’s stunning, makes a lovely change from a lot of the otherwise concrete structures, especially those popping up.
Lovely post, I miss Woking terribly so it’s lovely to read and see pictures 🙂
January 13, 2014 @ 10:24 am
It looks very beautiful.
January 13, 2014 @ 10:25 am
Loving the history to go with this, staggered that it was built so early. Makes for a fun place to go and explore looking at the interest on those little faces. Thanks for joining me for Country Kids.
Coombemill recently posted…Team Honk Relay Has Begun
January 13, 2014 @ 10:40 am
I always think mosques look so beautiful and calming. This one is no exception. Really beautiful.
LauraCYMFT recently posted…What’s the Story? #18
January 13, 2014 @ 10:46 am
Such a magnificent building – so much colour and shape.
Pinkoddy recently posted…Relax Taking Each Day as it comes #MotivationalMonday
January 13, 2014 @ 11:00 am
What a beautiful mosque.
It’s great to introduce them to their culture.
Ninjacat recently posted…Frugal Feet
January 13, 2014 @ 11:09 am
They are so beautiful building!
ET Speaks From Home recently posted…How to make a Chinese New Year Ang Bao/Pow Star #10
January 13, 2014 @ 11:16 am
What a fab post and so interesting. I love reading about history, especially when it’s significant local history. Fab photos too. Popping over from UK Bloggers
January 13, 2014 @ 12:03 pm
What a beautiful building.
Mummy of Two recently posted…Honeymooning in Bath #whatsthestory #magicmoments
January 13, 2014 @ 12:48 pm
Oh, it’s beautiful. I have always loved mosques and that garden and fountain is so lovely x
Keri-Anne recently posted…Let’s have an adventure linkup
January 13, 2014 @ 1:22 pm
What a lovely place. Is it possible for people to go and visit it, even if they’re not Muslim? It would be an interesting place to have a tour of.
Mums do travel recently posted…Japanese cooking class
January 13, 2014 @ 1:47 pm
Looks like a stunning building from the outside, I bet its just as stunning on the inside
amanda walsh recently posted…Making Food Progress
January 13, 2014 @ 2:02 pm
It’s very pretty – much smaller than I expected! There was a really nice looking mosque in Derby – the schoolkids always went on visits but I never managed to go inside!
Jenny @ The Brick Castle recently posted…Robot Slayer ~ Graphic Novel for Kids Review and Giveaway
January 13, 2014 @ 2:52 pm
That really is a beautiful piece of architecture – so ornate! Did your children enjoy it?
January 13, 2014 @ 2:52 pm
That really is a beautiful piece of architecture – so ornate! Did your children enjoy it?
January 13, 2014 @ 3:40 pm
What a wonderful building – incredible its so old. Beautiful though. Mr T looks great in his hat! Fabulous photos, thank you so much for sharing with #whatsthestory
Charly Dove recently posted…Forest adventures at Alice Holt
January 13, 2014 @ 4:57 pm
What a beautiful building, I love the architecture of mosques, very simple, but so effective. #whatsthestory
January 13, 2014 @ 6:41 pm
What a beautiful building – i hope you enjoyed it x
[email protected] recently posted…Money Makeover – Dealing with your debt….
January 13, 2014 @ 7:20 pm
Islamic architecture is so beautiful I really don’t understand why some people kick up such a stink about minarets in their skyline *sigh*
Lovely pictures and thanks for a post that finds something positive to say about Islam in Britain.
Aisha from expatlog recently posted…Start The Day With A Good Breakfast
January 13, 2014 @ 7:27 pm
Really beautiful architecture. Stunning.
Mum of One recently posted…Sponsored Post: Four Tips For Organising Family Fun Nights
January 13, 2014 @ 8:30 pm
Such a beautiful building, thanks for sharing x
Lori recently posted…2/52
January 13, 2014 @ 8:46 pm
What a gorgeous building! There is a massive Sikh temple where I grew up in Kent that I’d like to have a look around, that reminds me to find out about the open days 🙂
January 13, 2014 @ 9:30 pm
It’s a beautiful building from the outside. Thanks for the post
mellissa williams recently posted…Oui or Non? Babette Wasserman Jewellery
January 13, 2014 @ 9:38 pm
It’s a beautiful building – the palm trees next to it look a little out of place next to our native species!
TwinsplusTwo recently posted…Independence – the Sequel!
January 13, 2014 @ 9:57 pm
What fantastic pics! I love the architecture of old churches, but have never visited a mosque before – the building is stunning. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Vicky recently posted…Lets talk about pets: update and my manic monday – motivational monday
January 13, 2014 @ 10:15 pm
What a amazing looking building.I’ve never visited a mosque before, I’m not sure where the nearest one is.
Aly recently posted…Point + Shoot Urban Dusk
January 13, 2014 @ 10:16 pm
It’s very interesting to read about this mosque. Its’great that you got the chanc eto visit there.
Astrid recently posted…Teaching Your Autistic Teen About Hygiene
January 13, 2014 @ 10:24 pm
Is that a Bob the Builder hat? Lovely piece of history and photos to match!
Vaidehi recently posted…First Day at Pre-School
January 13, 2014 @ 10:32 pm
It’s a beautiful building. I wasn’t expecting it to have been built so long ago.
Shell Louise recently posted…Photo Challenge – A little late!
January 14, 2014 @ 10:39 am
amazing! It looks so pretty! x
Fritha Strickland recently posted…What Mama Wore
January 14, 2014 @ 10:40 pm
Very beautiful and interesting. Will be showing this to kids – I’m sure they’ll be really interested.
Emily @amummytoo recently posted…200 bloggers, 1 baton, 1 starting line (Lands End), 1 finish line (John O’Groats), £20,000 to raise, 1 cause: Sport Relief
January 15, 2014 @ 9:14 am
Great photos! I love historical buildings. Looks fab.
Sonia Constant recently posted…Command – damage free hanging solutions
January 15, 2014 @ 1:23 pm
I have to be very naive and say I had no clue that a mosque could be that old in the UK. Such a pretty building & grounds. I can totally see why you take visitors there. Thanks so very much for linking up to #SundayTraveler this week, I’ll head over and pin this now too if that’s okay.
Mrs. Chasing the Donkey recently posted…Girl Gone International #SundayTraveler
January 15, 2014 @ 3:45 pm
What a beautiful building
Becky Cowley recently posted…What’s the Story – Honeymoon
January 16, 2014 @ 9:06 pm
It’s always surprising when you find the most interesting things right in your backyard! I really like exploring places of worship – they’re so beautiful and this one is no different. Thanks for linking up to the #SundayTraveler! See you next week 🙂
Adelina @ PackMeTo recently posted…Eating New York City – My Firsthand Experience
January 17, 2014 @ 9:40 pm
That mosque is beautiful! Thanks for linking up to the #SundayTraveler this week. I hope you come back tomorrow and link up! 🙂
A Southern Gypsy recently posted…Photo of the Week: Monte Carlo, France
January 20, 2014 @ 12:26 am
So beautiful!
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