The Islamic Cultural Centre and The London Central Mosque

I had the pleasure last year to visit the Regent Park Mosque with a work colleague, Taz. I was not sure what to expect as I had only every visited and worshipped in Catholics and CofE churches.

The walk through Regents Park is pleasant as you'd expect and approaching the building you cannot but notice the golden dome only overshadowed by the towering minaret. Taz explained to me that the site was gifted to the Muslim people, in return a site in Cairo was given to build an Anglican cathedral - I wish to visit this one day too.

Upon entering the building there was a very different feel to that of a Christian church, to me if felt more communal; a place to gather, rather than hushed whispers and stuffiness experienced in the other places of worship. Of course this is a place of worship and there are point of etiquette to follow but if you approach someone I'm sure that they would assist.

Walking into the main hall you get to see the inside of the vast dome which is decorated in a traditional Islamic design of shaped tiles. looking around again you observe small groups sitting around learning and discussing scriptures. There is very little furniture to speak of in the carpeted hall and of course no pictures or iconography as you'd expect. Overall I found it all very peaceful.

I would recommend going to visit, you may be surprised with the experience.