Overview
Our vision is to provide a range of holistic, culturally sensitive services for the communities of Essex, drawing on our Islamic values and heritage, with a view to improving quality of life and enhancing community cohesion.
Our aims are to:
- Focus on the needs of the diverse Muslim community whilst ensuring services are open to all.
- Provide Muslims and non-Muslims with the opportunity to learn and understand Islam, through dialogue, discussion and social interaction.
- Contribute to the social, cultural, spiritual enhancement of the whole community, through policy and strategy development and service.
EJM History
In the 70’s the local Muslim community pulled together to create Southend Mosque in West Road in Westcliff on sea. By the mid-eighties greater numbers of Muslims were migrating to Southend for business or a step away from the fast life of the City of London. Year on year the numbers have been increasing. It was some years later the Bangladeshi community wished for a new mosque. The vision of the new mosque was to of course promote Islam but at the same time ensure the identity of the Bangladeshi community and that roots were not lost. Leaving Southend Masjid generated a strong feeling to succeed and created a sense of determination spurring on some members to set up a new mosque in Southend.
A concern that always presided in the minds of the Bengali community was the thought ‘is this possible and feasible for such a small Community’. It was apparent and clear to all concerned that such a project could not be done on feelings alone. It came to a point where the only topic being discussed in the Bangladeshi community was the mosque. Any gathering, be it wedding, business, social, birthdays cultural, the only topic on the tongues of the community was a Mosque. Through time, many challenges and barriers were overcome. Patience, perseverance, resilience determination, and the unity of a brotherhood mentality, the impossible was to be made possible. A new Mosque in Southend on Sea.
Between 11th February 1986 to 12th September 1986 £15,000 had been raised. This gave the community an air of confidence that was desperately needed. On 8th May 1986, then Solicitor (Norman Taylor) put together the Articles and Memorandum of Association, and Essex Jamme Masjid Trust was created. 28th May 1988 Essex Jamme Masjid Trust (Company number 2023311) was registered with Companies House. And a few years later 28th March 1988, the mosque was registered as a charity with the charity commission (charity Reg. 298705). The Committee soon after began it search for a suitable property. After many searches and viewings, 53-55 Milton Road (a disused car workshop) was identified as a suitable location and premise for a new mosque. The Committee agreed to purchase the property at a price of £55,000. 12 September 1986 the property was registered to the mosque. From then onwards a dream started to become a reality.
November 1986, the first prayer was held at the Essex Jamme mosque at Milton Road, it was Dhuhor prayer.
The story was not over, Planning permission was still required. The then MP Sir Edward MacMillan Taylor (Sir Teddy Taylor ) helped gain permission for a mosque site. The Mosque committee is forever thankful for the efforts and work of Sir Edward MacMillan Taylor.
In 1987 slowly but surely regular Jamaat for the five daily prayers and Jummah prayers were taking place. Within the confines of the limited space that was accessible facilities were also provided for children to learn and understand Islam/Arabic. Weekend and evening classes begun.
Maulana Sirajul Islam was appointed the first imam in 1987, followed by Maulana Aminul Haque who joined him in 1989. They managed all the mosques provisions and service for the next 18 years and to whom we owe a great gratitude.
With ever increasing Musalli’s attending mosque and space became a premium. Especially during Friday prayers it was becoming very difficult to accommodate all musalli’s. At that point discussions began to expand the size of the mosque. The initial plan was to demolish the property on Milton Road and build a three storey purpose built mosque. A first plan was sent to Southend Borough Council for approval, at the same time committee was looking for new better place to move.
In 2007 two churches were advertised for sale. A few members of the community brought this to the attention of the committee. The Chelmsford road site seemed to be the favoured of the two Churches for its location, size and accompanying four flats, Imams’ residents, and a large hall at the rear of the main building . It was foreseen that the flats would generate revenue and the rear hall could be used for Islamic teaching. It was then agreed to purchase the property and a price was agreed with the United reform church of £850,000 (eight Hundred and fifty Thousand Pounds). 7th November 2007. contracts were exchanged. Immediately after, works began to renovate the four flats and Imam’s residence. The flats were soon rented out. The community Hall was refurbished as an interim measure for prayer and obligatory prayers began.
On 1st August 2008 the first opening ceremony took place to celebrate the move to Chelmsford Avenue. Chief guests were Dr Omar Khatib (Director of welfare affairs – Dubai) , Dr Abul Kalam Azad, Sheikh Abdur Rahman Madani, Barrister Rizwan Hussain, Dr Ataur Rahman Belal , Mayor of Southend, Police Commissioner, MP and Faith Forum Chairman to name but a few. On that day Dr Omar Khatib lead the first Jummah prayer for the Mosque at Chelmsford Avenue. Students of the mosque volunteered their time to help organise the successful event.