Abdullah Quilliam: The man who established England’s first mosque

His mosque, which became a center for the Muslim community, helped promote Islam in Victorian England

LIVERPOOL, England (MNTV) — England’s very first mosque was founded in Liverpool by Abdullah Quilliam, an English solicitor who converted to Islam during Victorian times. 

Born William Quilliam to a Methodist preacher in 1856, Abdullah was initially devoted to Christianity. 

However, during a trip to Morocco in 1887, he encountered a new path. 

Abdullah was deeply influenced by the Muslim practices he witnessed during his travels, including seeing Moroccans pray on a ferry. 

This encounter led him to embrace Islam, and he adopted the name Abdullah Quilliam after his conversion. 

His new faith resonated with him deeply, as he found it “reasonable and logical,” aligning with his personal beliefs and addressing his concerns about Christianity.

Two years after his conversion, Abdullah founded England’s first mosque on Christmas Day in 1889 at 8-12 Brougham Terrace along West Derby Road. 

Although the mosque closed in 1908, its legacy was revived 106 years later when it reopened in 2014.

According to Liverpool based news outlet Echo, a key factor that drew Abdullah towards Islam was its stance on alcohol. 

Abdullah was already committed to the Temperance Movement, which advocated for the reduction or prohibition of alcohol. 

His theological doubts about Christianity led him to explore Islam further, and he found that the religion aligned with his values and spiritual inquiries.

Abdullah quickly rose to prominence in Britain and beyond, thanks to his numerous writings and lectures on Islam. 

His influence grew, and he even transformed part of his home into a publishing house dedicated to promoting Islamic thought. 

Abdullah also established the Liverpool Muslim Institute, which became both a mosque and a center for the growing Muslim community in the city. 

He contributed to social welfare by opening schools, an orphanage, and providing free legal services for those in need, especially women seeking paternity orders.

Quilliam bridging West and the East

In 1894, Abdullah Quilliam was honored by the Ottoman Empire, receiving the title of Sheikh-ul-Islam, which recognized him as the leader of Muslims in the British Isles. 

He was also appointed Vice Consul of Persia. 

His growing stature was reflected in his involvement with prominent figures, including hosting foreign dignitaries such as maharajas and royalty arriving through Liverpool’s port. 

The British royal family acknowledged his influence, with Queen Victoria reportedly receiving one of Abdullah’s books and ordering copies for her children. 

During the coronation of King Edward VII, Abdullah was greeted by soldiers with the Islamic phrase “Allah Akbar, Allah Akbar”, highlighting his prominence in both the Muslim and British communities.

Abdullah Quilliam’s efforts were instrumental in the promotion of Islam in England during Victorian times. 

He played a key role in converting about 600 people to Islam, including Fatima Cates, England’s second Muslim convert, and Lord Stanley of Alderley, the first Muslim peer in the House of Lords. 

Abdullah Quilliam’s legacy endures in the history of Islam in Britain, not only as a pioneer of the religion’s presence but as a bridge between different faiths and cultures in Victorian England.