Woking has long-established Islamic connections through the Shah Jahan Mosque (Grade Two listed) which was the first purpose-built mosque in the country. Built in 1889 by Dr Gottleib Leitner (1860 to 1899), it was partly funded by the Begum Shah Jahan, the female ruler of the Indian princely state of Bhopal. The Mosque attracted royal visitors and many famous British converts including Lord Headley, who founded the British Muslim Society, and Marmaduke Pickthall who provided one of the most eloquent English translations of the Quran. Woking's Muslim Burial Ground at Horsell Common (now a Peace Garden) was built during the First World War as the only designated place of burial for Muslim soldiers who died at the Indian Army Hospital in Brighton Pavilion.
Through Surrey History Centre's ongoing outreach work with Muslim communities in the county, several important deposits have been placed with the archives. These include papers relating to the life and career of Mohammed Ilyas Raja, a Woking Borough councillor and former mayor (reference Z/454); works published by The Woking Muslim Mission and Literary Trust under the Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement based at The Shah Jahan Mosque spanning over 70 years, including 'The Islamic Review' (references 7831, 8382 and 9946); and material relating to the Woking branch of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (reference 8859).
Few original records for the Shah Jahan Mosque survive but in 2019 the Everyday Muslim project, supported by Surrey Heritage, catalogued the mosque’s own archive. You can discover what the project achieved on our Exploring Surrey’s Past website (see Useful links below) and download two Everyday Muslim Woking Heritage Trails.
Surrey History Centre has another surprising link with Islam: Hugh Edgar, the architect who designed the Centre, was previously commissioned by King Hussein of Jordan to work on the Mausoleum Mosque and Holy Relic Building, purpose-built to house an original 7th Century letter written by the prophet Mohammed to the Emperor of Byzantium.
As the official custodians of Surrey's written history, we want our archive collections to reflect the county’s diversity and represent all communities. We also encourage everyone to explore wider aspects of the county's heritage.
Can you help? If you have material or stories relating to Surrey’s Muslim history we’d be delighted to hear from you, please email us at shs@surreycc.gov.uk.
Useful links
- Shah Jahan Mosque, Woking
- The Papers of Cllr Mohammad Ilyas Raja
- Archiving the Heritage of Britain’s First Purpose Built Mosque
- The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Surrey
- The Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement and Woking Muslim Mission
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Montage of publications of Shah Jahan Mosque, Woking (reference 7831)