Set up on the site of a carpet factory the Jamia Masjid Ghousia Mosque, known as the Waltham Forest Islamic Association (WFIA) serves the large Sunni community on the Lea Bridge Road. President Abdul Majid, Treasurer Ali Akbar and Senior Teacher Allamah Mohammed Islam Qadiri and their team work hard to serve the community, offering space for prayers, funerals, weddings, learning and education. They also support local community initiatives such as The Brothers Project. Visits from local non-Muslim schools is encouraged so others can learn about Islamic teachings and worship. Over the years the presence of the mosque, halfway along the Lea Bridge Road, has shaped the local community bringing in businesses who serve the growing Muslim population. The mosque has one of the largest prayer halls dedicated for the use of several hundred women, is a registered charity and is reliant on donations.
Worshippers Abdullah, Zahid Mehmood and Imti Khan outside the Jamia Masjid Ghousia Mosque on Lea Bridge Road May 18, 2024. Imti said he liked the area as everything he needed was local, but added what he least liked are the bike lanes as he thought they were dangerous and had witnessed several accidents.
Mohammad Hanif outside the Jamia Masjid Ghousia Mosque after Friday prayers July 7, 2024. When asked what he most likes about the road he replied that it is beautiful for the whole two and half miles.
A worshipper sets up his shop in gusty wind outside the Jamia Masjid Ghousia Mosque on Lea Bridge Road prior to Friday prayers.
A man waits to greet worshippers into one of the prayer rooms prior to Friday prayers in the Jamia Masjid Ghousia Mosque on Lea Bridge Road November 1, 2024.
A worshipper checks his phone before the start of Friday prayers in Jamia Masjid Ghousia Mosque on Lea Bridge Road, London, November 1, 2024.
Shoes are stacked on a rack as worshippers attend Friday prayers at the Jamia Masjid Ghousia Mosque on Lea Bridge Road, November 1, 2024.
Shoes are taken off by worshippers before entering the prayer rooms of the Jamia Masjid Ghousia Mosque, October 25, 2024. This is done throughout the world as a mark of respect, cleanliness and to prevent damage or dirt spoiling the beautiful carpets.
Zahra Shaikh and her father Jafar wait as worshippers gather in Jamia Masjid Ghousia Mosque on Lea Bridge Road for Friday prayers to start during Ramadan, March 21, 2025.
Announcements are made to worshippers by the Imam just prior to Friday prayers at the Jamia Masjid Ghousia Mosque on Lea Bridge Road.
Worshippers kneel during Friday 13.30 prayers at Jamia Masjid Ghousia Mosque on Lea Bridge Road.
Worshippers at Friday prayers during Ramadan at Jamia Masjid Ghousia Mosque, March 7, 2025.
Treasurer of the Jamia Masjid Ghousia Mosque Ali Akbar collects donations from worshippers at Friday prayers during Ramadan, March 7, 2025.
President of the Jamia Masjid Ghousia Mosque Abdul Majid worships at Friday prayers during Ramadan, March 7, 2025.
A worshipper reads the Quran during Friday prayers at the Jamia Masjid Mosque on Lea Bridge Road, March 21, 2025.
A worshipper listens to Friday prayers during Ramadan at Jamia Masjid Ghousia Mosque on Lea Bridge Road, March 7, 2025.
A lone worshipper prays in Jamia Masjid Ghousia Mosque.

Worshippers gather around to listen to Imam Bilal Hassan after Friday prayers at the Jamia Masjid Ghousia Mosque on Lea Bridge Road.
Abdul Majid, President of Jamia Masjid Ghousia Mosque on Lea Bridge Road talks with members of the security team as they collate donations after Friday prayers.

President of Jamia Masjid Ghousia Mosque Abdul Majid stands with Imam Bilal Hassan and Treasurer Ali Akbar and two others after Friday prayers.
Studying to Understand the Scriptures of the Quran

Under the tutorage of Senior Teacher Sheikh Allamah Mohammed Islam Qadiri boys are offered the opportunity to study in Jamia Masjid Ghousia Mosque. Allamah is the head of Darsi Nizami syllabus which is the study of the 14 sciences to understand the scriptures of the Holy Quran. Many students hope to go on to become Imams and this study is often a life’s work.

 

Childrens drawings are displayed outside the classroom pinned to the walls in the Jamia Masjid Ghousia Mosque June 25, 2025.

A student arrives for classes at the Jamia Masjid Ghousia Mosque on Lea Bridge Road, July 2, 2025.
Senior Teacher Sheikh Allamah Mohammed Islam Qadiri talks to students as they study the Holy Quran at Jamia Masjid Ghousia Mosque on Lea Bridge Road, June 25, 2025.
A student studies the Holy Quran in the early evening heat of a summers’s day at the Jamia Masjid Ghousia Mosque on Lea Bridge Road, June 25, 2025.
Student Molana Mohammad Subhan studies his notes as he answers questions posed by Senior Teacher Sheikh Allamah Mohammed Islam Qadiri as he attends claases to study the Quran at Jamia Masjid Ghousia Mosque on Lea Bridge Road, June 25, 2025.
Former Secretary General of WFIA Haji Liaqt, who is one of the founders of the Jamia Masjid Ghousia Mosque, waits for the start of the graduation ceremony for students who are studying the Darsi Nizami syllabus. This is the study of the 14 sciences to understand the scriptures of the Holy Quran, in the Jamia Masjid Mosque, May 1, 2025.
Student Sahibzada Mohammed Jamjahm Ali Qadri delivers a recital from theQuran as Senior Teacher Sheikh Allamah Mohammed Islam Qadiri listens prior to an award ceremony in Jamia Masjid Mosque, May 1, 2025.
Molana Mohammad Azaan, who is studying to become an Imam, holds his certificate awards for detailed translation of the Holy Quran as Senior Teacher Sheikh Allamah Mohammed Islam Qadiri ties his turban, a mark of achievement, during an award ceremony in Jamia Masjid Mosque, May 1, 2025. Helping with the ceremony are Treasurer Ali Akbar, President of the mosque Abdul Majid and Imam Allamah Khuram Rafiq.
Boys listen during the closing speeches by Senior Teacher Sheikh Allamah Mohammed Islam Qadiri after an award ceremony for the students in Jamia Masjid Mosque, May 1, 2025.
Boys listen during the closing speeches by Senior Teacher Sheikh Allamah Mohammed Islam Qadiri after an award ceremony for the students studying to become Imams in Jamia Masjid Mosque, May 1, 2025.
 
 
 
 

All Rights Russell Boyce