London Islamic Cultural Society

The London Islamic Cultural Society, also known as the Wightman Road Mosque, stands in Hornsey, a district in the London Borough of Haringey. It is Haringey’s first purpose-built mosque, completed in 2013 after years of growth from a small gathering in a private home. The mosque began in 1983 when a group of Muslims from Guyana formed the society to support their community both culturally and religiously. Early meetings took place in the home of its first president, Abdool Alli, before moving to larger spaces like school halls as numbers increased. The mosque is worth the journey for its role in uniting diverse groups through interfaith events and school visits. It became the first in Haringey to host a pop-up vaccine centre, encouraging vaccination among hesitant residents. The building itself reflects careful planning, with sand-yellow brickwork, green mosaic tiles around the windows, and a golden dome crowning the structure. A minaret rises above the site, marking its presence in the local skyline. The mosque’s history includes the purchase of land and buildings, fundraising through donations and interest-free loans, and gradual expansion to meet growing needs. Visitors find two main prayer halls, one for men and one for women, with the female hall offering an Ottoman-style view over the prayer space below. A secondary hall hosts events, Friday prayers, and occasional funerals, while a banqueting hall on the second floor can seat 300. Classrooms provide religious education for all ages, from children to adults, covering subjects like Quranic recitation and Arabic. A small bookshop sells Islamic literature and related items, and a library holds texts on Islam, other faiths, and Dawah materials. The mosque also offers Nikah ceremonies and guest facilities for visiting imams. Nearby Hornsey railway station and Turnpike Lane tube station make it easily accessible.