Shah Jahan Mosque Woking 1889 Interior Ceiling with Script
Considered the first purpose built mosque in the UK. Built by the orientalist Dr Gottlieb Leitner born on Hungary of Jewish parents. Following his fathers death his mother remarried a Jew who had converted to Christianity & working as a Protestant missionary in Istanbul. Leitner attended madrassah schools there. A child prodigee who could speak 15 languages he rose to the equivalent rank of Colonel in the British civil service. His ambition of establishing an Oriental Institute led him to Woking. WIth financial support from the Begum Shah Jahan the Nawab Begum of Bhopal he constructed England's (& Europe's apart from Muslim Spains) first purpose built mosque in 1889. (The Liverpool Mosque is not purpose built). Awarded Grade I protected status in 2018.
Size: 4907px × 3263px
Location: Woking England UK
Photo credit: © wyrdlight / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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