A Meeting of the Executive Committee of the London Mosque Fund was held at the Caxton HallFootnote 1on 13 December 1910Footnote 2
Present:
The Chairman [Syed Ameer Ali*]
Sir Theodore Morison K.C.I.E.*Footnote 3
Khalil Khalid Bey*
Hon A.M. Jeevanjee*
Mr C.A. Latif*
Mr A.S.M. Anik*
Mr M.T. Kaderbhoy*
1. The Chairman proposed that His Excellency the Persian MinisterFootnote 4 be invited to be a Member of the Executive Committee
The Motion was carried unanimously.
2. The Draft of the circular letter proposed to be issued by the Chairman to prominent people in Turkey, Persia, India and British Possessions generally was read and was carried with one amendment proposed by Khalil Khalid Bey, Esq, and seconded by Sir Theodore Morison, to the effect that the words “steps have already been taken to draw attention to the scheme in Constantinople” be inserted in the Draft.
The Chairman was authorized to issue the circular letter under his own signature.
A meeting of the Executive Committee of the London Mosque Fund was held on Monday 20 March 1911, at 17 Hobart Place
Present:
The Rt Hon Syed Ameer Ali (Chairman)
His Excellency the Persian MinisterFootnote 5
Sir William Bull, M.P.*
Mirza Abbas Ali Baig Esq.*
Mundji Fikri Bey*
Major Syed Hassan Bilgrami*
Mr C.A. Latif
Reouf Ahmed Bey
Mr A.S.M. Anik
Mirza Abdul Ghuffar KhanFootnote 6
Md. Ali Chewky Bey
Mr M.T. Kaderbhoy
The Minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.
The Accounts were submitted, examined and passed.
Sir William Bull suggested that an enquiry might be made from the Russian Embassy as to the exact area of the mosque at St. Petersburg. He also suggested inviting Sir Lawrence Gomme* and Sir Edwin Cornwall* to join the General Committee. It was agreed.
The Chairman brought to the notice of the Committee that a site in Westminster was offered to the Committee for purchase but it was considered as rather too early to go into the matter.
The site proposed by Mr Latif was also considered.
Sir William Bull said it would not be a capital site. The site must be in the centre of the Empire.
The County Council would be sympathetic as regards the site near the Kingsway and that a site might be had on the River.
Several other sites were suggested but it was finally resolved that when the Project has made further advance a small Committee should be appointed to go into the question thoroughly as the Mosque was being built for all times and it must be commensurate with the dignity of Islam.
The drafting of the other letters and appeals was left in the hands of the Chairman and Mr Baig.
The letter received from the Bank of England was read by the Chairman.
The Draft rules of procedure for carrying on the work by the Executive Committee were adopted.
The question of the appointment of Trustees was considered – The Chairman said the Ottoman Empire ought to be represented by her Consul-General for the time being. The proposal was unanimously adopted.
His Excellency the Persian Minister proposed His Excellency Sadigh-us-Saltanah* to represent Persia on the Board of Trustees. It was unanimously adopted.
The Chairman proposed Mr Abbas Ali Baig as one of the Trustees for India. It was unanimously adopted.
Mr Abbas Ali Baig proposed The Right Hon Syed Ameer Ali as another Trustee for India. It was unanimously adopted.
The Chairman proposed His Highness the Aga Khan,*Footnote 7 Lord Ampthill* and Lord Rothschild* as the remaining Trustees. The resolution was unanimously adopted.
It was further resolved that should Lord Rothschild not accept the office, Sir Ernest CasselFootnote 8 be approached.
It was resolved that at least two thirds of the Trustees must be Mohammadans.
Finally the Committee adopted the following names for the office of Trustees:
1. His Highness the Aga Khan
2. The Rt Hon Lord Ampthill
3. The Rt Hon Lord Rothschild
4. The Rt Hon Syed Ameer Ali
5. Mirza Abbas Ali Baig
6. Mundji Fikri Bey (Imperial Ottoman Consul-General)
7. His Excellency Sadigh-us-Saltanah*Footnote 9
The Secretary to the Board of Trustees to be Mr C.A. Latif
The committee authorized Mr Ameer Ali to invite Lord Rothschild and Lord Ampthill to accept the Trusteeship of the Fund.
It was resolved that the signatures of two Trustees countersigned by the Secretary should be sufficient on Cheques.
Mr Shairani*Footnote 10 be made a Joint-Secretary assistant of the Mosque Committee.
That Mr Ameer Ali and Mr Abbas Ali be authorized to draw out an appeal to the nobles and notables of the Moslem world for Funds.
Employment of a clerk on 10/- [shillings] a week was sanctioned for the work of the Mosque Committee.
Confirmed: Ameer Ali Chairman 24 April 1911
A meeting of the Executive Committee of the London Mosque Fund was held at 17 Hobart Place, SW on Friday 7 April 1911
Present:
The Right Hon Syed Ameer Ali (in the Chair)
Sir William Bull, M.P.
Mr M. Abbas Ali Baig
Mirza Abdul Ghuffar Khan
M.A. Chewky Bey
Mr C.A. Latif
Major Syed Hassan Bilgrami
Mr A.S.M. Anik
Mr M.T. Kaderbhoy
The question of obtaining the gracious assent of His Majesty the King to give his name as Patron of the London Mosque Fund was discussed.
Resolved that the kind offer of Sir William Bull to informally sound the Secretary of State for IndiaFootnote 11 whether his Lordship could see his way to advise His Majesty to that effect, be accepted.
Confirmed: Ameer Ali Chairman 24 April 1911
Rules of the Executive Committee
1. At meetings of the Executive Committee the quorum shall consist of five members including the office bearers.
2. Meetings of the Executive Committee shall be convened at the discretion of the Chairman whenever there is any matter of sufficient importance for collective discussion and consideration.
3. Other matters, such as the election of members of the Executive Committee may be dealt with by correspondence.
4. The Executive Committee delegate to the Chairman full power and discretion to elect members on the General Committee, persons living outside London, and report the same at the next meeting of the Executive Committee.
5. All disbursements connected with the printing, typing and postage of letters shall be made by the Treasurer under the direction of the Chairman and the accounts of such disbursements shall be submitted by the Treasurer every three months to the Committee for being passed.
6. Save and except monies received by the Treasurer for preliminary expenses, he shall deposit forthwith on receipt in the Bank of England in the name of the Trustees of the London Mosque Fund, and any [sic] contributions or donation received by him for and on behalf of the Fund. The Treasurer shall be at liberty to keep monies received by him for preliminary expenses on his own responsibility at any Bank approved by him and to draw cheques thereon for disbursements connected with the carrying into execution of the Mosque Project.
7. All funds contributed towards the erection, maintenance and permanent endowment of the London Mosque, and any institutions annexed thereto, such as Library and Lecture rooms shall be vested in Trustees of whom at least two-thirds shall be Mussulmans.
Such Trustees shall be nominated at the meeting of the Executive Committee and reported at the next meeting of the General Committee.
A meeting of the Executive Committee of the London Mosque Fund was held on Monday 4 December 1911 at: 17 Hobart Place, Grosvenor Gardens, SW at 4.30 pm
Present:
The Rt Hon Syed Ameer Ali
Sir Theodore Morison
M. Abbas Ali Baig, Esq
Mr W Bullock* (representing Sir William Bull)
Professor T.W. Arnold* (Sec.)
Mr A.S.M. Anik (Treas.)
The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.
The Chairman placed before the Committee a letter received from Her Highness the Begum of Bhopal*Footnote 12 regarding the promised donation of £7,000 towards the Mosque Fund.
The money was to be paid in instalments after the Delhi DurbarFootnote 13 on the following two conditions:
(a) That sufficient money should be forthcoming for a hostel for students – attached to the Mosque with arrangements for Mohammedan diet.
(b) That all the money required for the mosque be forthcoming.
It was decided after some discussion that the secretary Professor Arnold should draft an answer accepting the conditions with reservations, and hoping that Her Highness would send the first instalment at her very early convenience.
The letter to be signed by the Chairman
Confirmed: Ameer Ali 17 April 1912
A meeting of the Executive Committee of the London Mosque Fund was held on Monday 24 April 1911 at the Rooms of the Royal Asiatic Society, 22 Albemarle Street W
Present:
The Rt. Hon. Sayed Ameer Ali (Chairman)
Mirza Abdul Ghuffar Khan
Reouf Ahmed Bey
Mohammed Ali Chewky Bey
Mr C.A. Latif
Prof. T.W. Arnold
Mr A.S.M. Anik
The minutes of the meeting of 20 March last and 7 April instant were read and confirmed.
The Chairman mentioned to the Committee the circumstances connected with Sir William Bull's approach to Lord Morley and its result.
It was proposed by Mirza Abdul Ghuffar that the subject should be treated as absolutely confidential so that it may not appear that the British Government was lacking in sympathy.Footnote 14
Resolved that the best thanks of the Committee be conveyed to Sir William Bull for his kind trouble in the matter.
Resolved further that the Committee formally appeal for the patronage of His Imperial Majesty the Sultan.*
Mr Reouf Ahmed Bey kindly undertook to obtain His Majesty's gracious permission.
The Chairman stated that His Imperial Majesty the Shah* had already telegraphed through his Foreign Minister, that he had been graciously pleased to extend his patronage to the Fund.
The letter from the Persian Minister at Paris was read and the suggestion contained therein that an Advisory Committee – Comité d'Etude – should be formed, was considered.
It was resolved that the suggestion be adopted.
The following gentlemen were appointed to form members of the sub-Committee to consider the question of a site and the models upon which the Mosque is to be built:
Mr Abdul Ghuffar Khan
Syed Mohd. Ali Chewky Bey
Professor Arnold
Mr Latif
The Chairman read the names of the gentlemen who had expressed their assent to join the General Committee.
The Chairman read the letters from Mr W. W. Barnes in reply to his letter inviting him to join the General Committee and asking for names and titles of the Sultans of the Malay Peninsula.Footnote 15
The Chairman placed before the Committee the telegram of Halil Halid Bey.Footnote 16
After some discussion it was resolved that the Secretary (Mr Latif) should write to Mr Halid that his telegram addressed to the Chairman saying that he had formed local committees in Egypt and that he was trying to do the same in Turkey, was considered by the Committee and that he was directed to request Mr Halid to place the secretary in communication with the secretaries of the committees which he had formed, and to inform them that all monies collected on behalf of the London Mosque Fund, should be remitted as soon as collected to the Bank of England, and that the names of the members of the different committees should be furnished to the secretary.
The secretary was also requested to inform him that the trustees were appointed at a regularly convened meeting of the Executive Committee.
The Chairman brought before the Committee the letter written to him by Mr Anik (the Treasurer).
At the meeting held on 20 March it was proposed by Sir William Bull that Mr Latif as secretary should countersign the cheques and that Mr Anik should draw only cheques for preliminary expenses.
Mr Anik is of opinion that that makes his position on the Fund anomalous and that he would rather resign – he has all the settling of small accounts, everything is to be done by him. But his name is not to appear in the General Fund – he is, and has been, of great assistance to the committee.
Resolved that the Bank of England be informed that at a meeting of the Executive Committee held on 24 April at 22 Albemarle Street, it was decided that in addition to the counter-signature of the secretary there should be on the cheques drawn for and on behalf of the Fund, the counter-signature of the Honorary treasurer also, and that in the absence of one or other of them from England, one counter-signature should be sufficient.
Professor Arnold promised to give the full titles and designations of:
The Ameer of Afghanistan*Footnote 17
The Sultan of ZanzibarFootnote 18
The Sultan of Lahej
And the names and titles of the Sultans of the Straits Settlements.Footnote 19
Decided that in the appeals to the Princes the paper should have the heading – The London Mosque Fund – the names of Their Imperial Majesties the Sultan and the Shah, the Hon Presidents, the Presidents, the Chairman, the Treasurer and the Secretaries.
Resolved that Mr Shairani be appointed one of the assistant secretaries and be included in the Executive Committee.
Proposed by Mr Reouf Ahmed Bey that the number of the Executive Committee be limited to eighteen.
Considered desirable that all communications to the press be made by the Chairman.
Confirmed: Ameer Ali 8 May 1911
A Meeting of the Executive Committee of the London Mosque Fund was held on Monday 8 May 1911 at the Rooms of the Royal Asiatic Society, 22 Albermarle Street, at 3.30 p.m
Present:
The Rt Hon Syed Ameer Ali (in the Chair)
Sir Theodore Morison
M. Abbas Ali Baig
Mirza Abdul Ghuffar Khan
Mohammed Ali Chewky Bey
Mundji Fikri Bey
Prof T.W. Arnold
Mr C.A. Latif
Mr A.S.M. Anik
Mr Khaderbhoy
Mr Shairani
The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.
A message was received from Sir William Bull expressing his regret at not being able to be present.
The letter from the Chief Cashier of the Bank of England was placed before the Committee. The suggested form of resolution was considered and approved.
It was unanimously decided that the resolution passed at the meeting of the Executive Committee on 24 April be cancelled and the following substituted:
At a meeting of the Executive Committee of the London Mosque Fund held at 22 Albermarle Street, on Monday 8 May, it was resolved:
“That whenever possible, cheques drawn upon the account of ‘The Rt Hon Lord Ampthill and Others’ shall be countersigned by the Honorary Treasurer (Abdeali S. M. Anik Esq) as well as by the Honorary Secretary (C. Abdul Latif Esq), and, to provide for the absence of either of them from London, it was further resolved that the Bank of England be authorised to accept at any time the counter-signature of either the Honorary Secretary or the Honorary Treasurer alone”.
The Chairman placed before the Committee a letter received from Mr Reouf Ahmed Bey, requesting that he might be authorized (so as to prevent possible misunderstanding) to form local committees in Constantinople.
The Chairman proposed that as Mr Reouf Ahmed Bey was a responsible and reliable person they should give him that authority.
Mundji Fikri Bey informed the Committee that a central committee had already been formed in Constantinople, and that possibly there was no necessity to charge Mr Reouf Ahmed Bey with the authority.
He also reported that Halil Halid Bey had been attacking him personally in reference to the Mosque Fund – It seemed to him most inconsistent, as they were working in the project as a body and not individually.
After some discussion it was unanimously approved that the Committee should authorize Mr Reouf Ahmed Bey to take such steps in conjunction with the Central Committee in Constantinople as may be deemed expedient to form local committees in the Provinces in Turkey.
The Committee also took note of the suggestion of Mr Reouf Ahmed Bey regarding communication to the newspapers that collections should be sent to the Bank of England.
Mundji Fikri Bey informed the Committee that the Central Committee at Constantinople had been formed to receive, in the first place, all contributions from the Provinces, and to send them direct to the Bank of England.
The Committee decided to request Mr Reouf Ahmed Bey to place himself in communication with the Central Committee at Constantinople formed under the Presidency of the Prince Imperial the Heir Apparent,Footnote 20 and to act in co-operation with it.
It was approved that Mr Chewky Bey should act as Secretary to the advisory sub-committee.
It was mentioned by the Chairman that the Shah had at once telegraphed his willingness to become a patron of the Fund.
The question of an appeal to the AmirFootnote 21 was then discussed. The sense of the Committee was that an appeal should be made to His Majesty the Amir. There was some discussion as to whether he should be asked to extend his patronage along with their Imperial Majesties the Sultan and the Shah.
It was unanimously agreed that that should be deferred.
Decided that it was best not to attach to the Mosque the name of any individual donor.
The Chairman stated that Sir Frank Swettenham* had kindly assented to join the General Committee.
Mr W.W. Barnes the Colonial Secretary at Hong Kong also assented to become a member of the Committee.
Confirmed: Ameer Ali 21 July 1911.
A meeting of the Executive Committee of the London Mosque Fund was held on Thursday 20 July 1911 at 3 pm at 36 Queen's Gate Terrace S.W
Present:
The Rt Hon Syed Ammer Ali (in the Chair)
Sir William Bull MP
Mirza Abdul Ghuffar Khan
M Abbas Ali Baig
Halil Halid Bey
Professor Arnold
Mr Latif
Mr Anik
Mr Khaderbhoy
The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.
The accounts up to date were submitted:
The accounts were unanimously passed.
The Chairman mentioned under the express condition that the matter should be kept strictly confidential and not to be published until sanction was received from Her Highness, that Her Highness the Begum of Bhopal had promised the sum of £7,000 towards the Fund.
The Chairman informed the Committee that Mr Saiduddin of the Transvaal had written to him to say that collections were being made and that it was proposed to send 1/5 of the total to the Mosque Fund and two thirds to the University Scheme and that they hoped to raise £1,000.
Appeals had been sent to the Malayan Sultans signed both by H H the Aga Khan and the Chairman, through Sir Frank Swettenham. The proposal of the Chairman that he should write to Mr Noordin asking him to visit and interest the Malayan Chiefs and magnates was unanimously approved.
Appeals had been sent to His Majesty the Amir and Their Highnesses the Sultan of Zanzibar, the Bey of TunisFootnote 22 and to Syed Khalifa of Zanzibar.
The Chairman mentioned that Raja Tassaduq Rasul* had remembered the appeal most sympathetically and had asked how much was required for carrying out the Project into execution. The Chairman suggested asking him for Rs. 50,000 – Sir Theodore Morison thought Rs. 100,000 would be better.
It was mentioned by the Chairman that H H the Begum's great desire was to have a hostel annexed to the Mosque for the lodgement of students, and that His Highness the Aga Khan and he had accepted Her Highness’ suggestion provided sufficient funds were forthcoming.
It was considered advisable to begin to ask for definite sums in the appeals.
Decided to ask Rs. 25,000 from the Divan of PalanpurFootnote 23 and the same sum from Wazir Baharuddin Bhai.
Proposed by Mr Baig that the following gentlemen should be written to:
[in pencil] list to be inserted
The Chairman mentioned the receipt of a letter from the High Priest of the [illegible]Footnote 24 promising all the support and help in his power in furtherance of the Project but not desiring to appear on the Committee.
He had been asked again and it was mentioned to him that His Highness the Sheikh-ul-IslamFootnote 25 and Their Holinesses the Chief Mujtahid of Ndjef and the Chief Mujtahid of Tehran had joined the Committee.Footnote 26
Mr Halil Halid then laid the report of the work he had done in Egypt and Turkey before the Committee.
In the first place he reminded the Committee that at a meeting held at Caxton Hall on the 13 December 1910 previous to his departure he had mentioned his intention of going to Egypt and Turkey for six weeks in order to work for the Fund there.
In Egypt he soon managed to interest and encourage the people by means of the Press. After which a local committee under the presidency of the late Riaz Pasha was formed with Mohamed Bey Salim as its secretary and himself as corresponding member.
It was decided both in Egypt and Turkey that no officials should become members of the committee. The following are the members of the committee in Egypt:
[no names provided in the Minutes]
After a period of five weeks they were able to hold a large meeting he himself giving lectures at various places on the Mosque and its great need. The collections at the time amounted to £620. Before he left Egypt the sum had increase by £300.
It had been strongly urged that an Egyptian should be placed on the London Committee.
In Turkey the work was considerably more difficult as the people there were not easily moved or persuaded. He therefore set about to obtain the assent of all the members of the Senate and to obtain an interview with H H the Imperial Heir Apparent whom he begged to become the President of the Committee which they were about to form and he promised to do his best for them.
Mr Halil Halid mentioned that both in Egypt and Turkey the people wished to hold the contributions until the Project was fairly advanced, when they would communicate and then send the result to one of the papers that it might fully take up and explain the matter. The Syrians had taken up the matter and they were going to form local committees in Beirut.Footnote 27 The progress was slow but the Project would be taken up later.
The Committee considered Mr Halil Halid's work satisfactory and a vote of thanks was accorded to him.
The Chairman wished to suggest the desirability of asking the secretaries of the different committees to communicate with the secretaries here so that there might be no disunity amongst the parties. It was proposed that their names should be handed to the secretaries here so that communication might be continued whilst Mr H Halid was away. During his absence he would be kept informed of all the proceedings.
Sir William Bull considered that the more the various parties were in touch with each other the better it would be for the prosecution of the work.
In reply to Sir William Bull's question as to his plans Mr Halil Halid said he would be going to Constantinople again but would be in touch with this country.
Sir William Bull considered that as £15,000 were now promised to the Fund the Egyptian committee ought to have no hesitation in making over the contributions collected by them. It was merely necessary to assure them of the extent of the progress.
Regarding the amount now at the Ottoman Bank Mr Halil Halid said the sum was £200Footnote 28 and that although he had written about its being transferred to the Bank of England he had heard that nothing could be done until October.
Sir Theodore Morison suggested that the Committee should mention to Mr Halil Halid that he should when he is there – and feels that the opportune time has arrived – inform the local committee that the money should be transferred as soon as possible to the proper Bank of the Fund. Sir Theodore Morison considered that Mr Halil Halid was a better judge of the people he had to deal with and would know exactly when to place the matter before them.
Mr Halil Halid said the people found it difficult to send small sums to the Bank in England.
Mr Abbas Ali Baig suggested that the money might be sent to the Ottoman Bank as a channel as it was a step which would console the people – eventually the monies would have to come to the Bank of England.
Sir William Bull asked in whose name the sum of £200 was – which is at the Ottoman Bank. Mr Halil Halid said the sum was in his name. The remainder being at the disposal of the committee at Constantinople. Mr Halil Halid thought it was in a bank.
The Committee thought it undesirable and most unsafe to keep the collections scattered in so many places.
Mr Halil Halid considered it too soon to communicate with the committees with reference to the money.
It was decided that the name of the secretary in Egypt should be ascertained from Mr Halil Halid and that he should be written to at once, but they should wait with regard to Constantinople.
Secretary of Mosque Fund
Mohammad Bey Salim
19 Shariah Banlak
Cairo
Confirmed: Ameer Ali Chairman 21 Sept 1911
A meeting of the Executive Committee of the London Mosque Fund was held on Thursday 21 September 1911 at 3.30 pm at the Caxton Hall Westminster SW
Present:
The Rt Hon Syed Ameer Ali (Chair)
His Excellency the Persian Minister
Sir William Bull
Mirza Abdul Ghuffar Khan
Reouf Ahmed Bey
Mohammed Ali Chewky Bey
Mr C. A. Latif
Mr A. S. M. Anik
The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.
The Treasurer submitted the accounts:
The Treasurer pointed out that the money was lying idle at the Bank.
Sir William Bull considered it advisable that a portion of the money say £3,000 should be placed on Deposit at once. He knew that the Bank of England accepted Deposits but he was not sure on what principle it was done.
It was resolved that a letter should be drafted by the Chairman in consultation with the Secretary and the Treasurer and sent to the Chief Cashier of the Bank of England to enquire on what principle the Bank received money on deposit and whether a separate deposit form for every succeeding deposit was used or whether the prior deposit was called in and a fresh receipt issued.
The Chairman then brought to the notice of the Committee that with the exception of £1,000 no money had been received from Turkey whilst Persia had in comparison responded admirably.
India had it was true not done much but the hearts of the people waiting for the DurbarFootnote 29 had not yet been touched. It was desirable therefore, and necessary to take some step with regard to Turkey. It was understood that a central committee existed in Constantinople but so far it had made no communication to this committee and except for the information given by Mr Halil Halid nothing was known.
The Secretary in Egypt he understood had been written to on two occasions but no reply had been received.
Mr Reouf Ahmed Bey said that £500 had been collected by the newspaper the “Sabah”Footnote 30 in Constantinople.
Mr Halil Halid said that that sum had been collected and that £200 was at the chief office of the Ottoman Bank in Constantinople in the name of the London Mosque Fund.
The “Sabah” held the remainder.
Mr Halil having given the address of the secretary in Constantinople, it was resolved that he should be written to at once on the subject and asked to place the London Committee in communication with the Central Fund.
The Chairman mentioned that local committees had been formed at all centres in Persia by high dignitaries who were in communication with the London Committee and he suggested that the same procedure should be adopted in Turkey and Egypt.
Reouf Ahmed Bey said that he would be going to Constantinople soon and would be glad to do all in his power in promoting the formation of local committees in the European Provinces.
Mr Halil Halid gave the following names of some of the members of the Turkish committee:
His Excellency Prince Said Pacha
His Excellency Ghazi Makhtar Bey (Vice President Senate)
His Excellency Sheriff Haider Bey (Senator)
Rafi Pacha
Riza Sulh Bey (Deputy for Beyrut)
Mufti Bey (Deputy for [illegible], Secretary of Committee)
The Chairman proposed the following gentlemen as members of the General Committee:
Tomail Abaza Pacha and Sounour Bey (Advocate at Cairo)
Approved by the Committee and duly elected.
The Chairman read a letter from Mr B.L Moseley referring to the membership and co-operation of Tomail Abaza Pacha and himself enclosing a cutting from the Egyptian Gazette (19 August 1911)Footnote 31 in which a statement made to a representative of the “Near East”Footnote 32 by Halil Halid Bey was reproduced.
It was resolved that a letter should be written at once to the secretary of the Egyptian committee welcoming their valuable help as a sub-committee of the London Mosque Fund and telling them that in our judgement it was considered best that all funds collected on behalf of the London Mosque Project should be sent as soon as collected to the proper Bank of the Fund, the Bank of England.
The Chairman requested the sanction of the Committee for the purpose of having the English appeal to the Princes put into Arabic. Mirza Abdul Ghuffar Khan undertook the task.
With reference to the disbursements in Turkey and Egypt by Mr Halil Halid, the Committee considered that they had no right to dispose of money which had been given towards another object.
A letter received from Alladin Devjibhai of Bhavnagar,Footnote 33 was read. The sense of the meeting was that the Chairman should reply to the letter personally.
A letter from Mr Zuhudurz Rahim Kalid was considered and the authority therein desired was sanctioned. A letter in reply was to be sent by the Chairman.
Mirza Abdul Ghuffar Khan undertook to write the letter to the Amir of Afghanistan asking him to become the Patron of the Fund.
Resolved by the Committee that the name of Mr M.T. Kaderbhoy be removed from the Executive Committee of the London Mosque Fund.Footnote 34
A meeting of the Executive Committee of the London Mosque Fund was held on Monday 6 November 1911 at 17 Hobart Place, Grosvenor Gardens, W at 5 pm
Present:
The Rt Hon Syed Ameer Ali
Mohammed Ali Chewky Bey
M. Abbas Ali Baig Esq
A.S.M. Anik Esq
Sir William Bull's representative
Sir William Bull expressed his regret at being unable to be present
The minutes were read and confirmed.
Mr Anik submitted the accounts which were duly passed. The total of donations from the 9 November 1910 to 31 October was £4443-14-2.
Expenditure of £85-8-2.
The question of investing part of the money was discussed. After some consideration the following resolutions were unanimously passed:
1. Resolved that out of the sum of £4273-12-2 standing to the credit of the Trustees of the London Mosque Fund in the Bank of England a sum of £4000 be invested forthwith in the 3 ½ Gold Loan of the Government of India, subject to the sanction of the Trustees.
2. Resolved further that the Chairman be requested to communicate the resolution to the Trustees and obtain from them the necessary sanction.
Confirmed: Ameer Ali 4 December 1911
A meeting of the Executive Committee of the London Mosque Fund was held on Monday 4 December 1911 at: 17 Hobart Place, Grosvenor Gardens, S.W at 4.30 pm
Present:
The Rt Hon Syed Ameer Ali
Sir Theodore Morison
M. Abbas Ali Baig, Esq
Mr W. Bullock (representing Sir William Bull)
Professor T.W. Arnold (Sec.)
Mr A.S.M. Anik (Treas.)
The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.
The Chairman placed before the Committee a letter received from Her Highness the Begum of Bhopal regarding the promised donation of £7,000 towards the Mosque Fund.
The money was to be paid in instalments after the Delhi Durbar on the following two conditions:
(a) That sufficient money should be forthcoming for a hostel for students – attached to the Mosque with arrangements for Mohammedan diet.
(b) That all the money required for the mosque be forthcoming.
It was decided after some discussion that the secretary Professor Arnold should draft an answer accepting the conditions with reservations, and hoping that Her Highness would send the first instalment at her very early convenience.
The letter to be signed by the Chairman.
Confirmed: Ameer Ali 17 April 1912
A meeting of the Executive Committee of the London Mosque Fund was held on Wednesday April 17 1912 at 3.30 pm at 22 Albermarle Street SW
Present:
The Right Hon Ameer Ali
Sir William Bull
Mr M. Abbas Ali Baig
Syed Mohd. Chewky Bey
Mr Bullock
The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.
A letter from Her Highness the Begum of Bhopal dated 8 February was read and discussed.Footnote 35
Mr Baig was requested to prepare a draft reply to be approved and signed by the Chairman.
Mr Baig gave a resume of the history of the Woking Mosque Endowment FundFootnote 36 and mentioned that with the consent of Mr Ameer Ali and Mr Arnold they with himself had been appointed Trustees of the Fund and it merely remained for the Committee to decide whether to take over the mosque or not.
Mr Baig stated further that the draft of agreement together with Title Deeds was at the Treasury Office. If the Committee agreed to take it over Mr Baig proposed that Mr LeitnerFootnote 37 should be asked to join the Committee.
The Chairman proposed that the Committee should take over the Mosque and Institute. Unanimously approved.
Sir William Bull suggested that Trustees should arrange to entrust the Title-Deeds and Agreement to some Bank.
Mr Baig proposed that a tin safety box be purchased and that on it be put the names of the three Trustees and the words “Woking Endowment Trust” and that the same should be reported at the following meeting. Unanimously approved.
Mr Anik was asked to accept the Treasurership which he kindly consented to do.
Mr Leitner was unanimously elected a member of the Executive Committee.
Read and confirmed: Ameer Ali chairman
A meeting of the Executive Committee of the London Mosque Fund was held on Tuesday 16 July 1912 at 3 pm at 21 Cromwell Road, South Kensington
Present:
The Rt Hon Ameer Ali
Professor T.W. Arnold
Mr A.S.M. Anik
Mr Shairani
The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.
The Chairman proposed that Prof Arnold should be asked to undertake the office of Secretary to the Woking Endowment Trust. Unanimously carried.
Prof Arnold as Secretary of the Mosque Fund was requested to enquire from Mr Baig if the deeds of the Trust had been endorsed over by Mr Leitner to the Trustees and what steps still remained to be taken by the Mosque Fund Committee. Also to enquire whether it was not necessary to put someone in charge of the Mosque at Woking.
The President suggested that perhaps a number of gentlemen from the Mosque Committee might be able to visit the spot and decide what was to be done.
The Honorary Treasurer Mr Anik submitted his accounts:
It was decided that the sum of £700 out of the Balance should be invested.
Mr Anik was requested to enquire from Mr Hayes if he would undertake to audit the Mosque Fund Accounts.
Confirmed: Ameer Ali Chairman
A meeting of the Executive Committee of the London Mosque Fund was held at 41 Sloane Street SW on Wednesday 30 April 1913 at 5 pm
Present:
The Rt Hon Ameer Ali (in the chair)
Mr Abdul Ghufar Khan
Professor T.W. Arnold
Mr C.A. Latif
Mr A.S.M. Anik
The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.
Woking Mosque: Mr Arnold reported in this connection that as desired he had made the necessary enquiries from Mr Baig who had informed him that no documents had so far been made over but that the matter was still in the hands of the lawyers.
The Treasurer then submitted the Financial Report up to date. This was approved.Footnote 38
The Committee confirmed the investment made by the Treasurer according to the decision arrived at by them at a previous meeting.
It was proposed that in view of the small sum necessary for every day expenses the sum of £300 out of the £417 standing to the credit of the current cash account should be invested.
This was unanimously approved and Mr Anik was requested to take the matter in hand and he agreed to do so.
Circular letter: The President proposed that a circular letter should be issued explaining why no meetings had been held and no progress made. Professor Arnold undertook to draft the letter which was to be sent to the Trustees and all large subscribers.
Letter from the Begum
On the motion of the President seconded by Mr Abdul Ghaffar Khan it was resolved that Mr Arnold as secretary be requested to communicate with H. H. the Begum in regard to her donation.
A letter was placed before the members from a Mr Michelle containing a request for information regarding the Mosque Fund Project. It was resolved that a copy of the circular letter be sent to him.
Confirmed: Ameer Ali 19 November 1912
A meeting of the Executive Committee of the London Mosque Fund was held on 19 November 1913 at the India Office, Whitehall SW
Present:
The Rt Hon Syed Ameer Ali (in the chair)
Mr C.A. Latif
Mr A.S.M. Anik
Mr Abdul Ghufar Khan
Mr Abbas Ali Baig
Mr T.W. Arnold (Secretary)
Mr Anik reported that £300 had been invested as decided at the last meeting and Mr Arnold reported the issue of letters to H.H. the Begum of Bhopal and other subscribers and to the Trustees setting forth the progress of the Fund.
The Secretary of the Trustees of the Mosque at Woking reported the transactions of a meeting of the Trustees on 20 October as follows:
(i) consideration of a letter dated 10 October 1913 from the Treasury solicitor regarding the deed of transfer and the funds now in the possession of Mr Leitner;
(ii) resolution that the Mosque should be insured as soon as funds are available;
(iii) sanction of the provisional arrangement made by Mr Abbas Ali Baig for the supervision and maintenance of the Mosque by Khwaja Kamaluddin*Footnote 39 who was asked to insure the Mosque and the Memorial House, for the present, for £1000;
(iv) resolution that Mr Anik be asked to act as Treasurer of the Trust Funds and Mr Arnold as Secretary of the Board of trustees.
Mr Anik laid before the meeting a statement of the accounts of the London Mosque Fund up to the 15 December 1913 and pointed out that the balance in hand in the banks including securities was £5206-6-0. He was asked to invest £100 now and another £100 after 5 January 1914.
Confirmed: Ameer Ali 22 January 1914
A meeting of the Executive Committee of the London Mosque Fund was held on 22 January 1914 at 141 Sloane Street, SW at 5 pm
Present:
The Rt Hon Ameer Ali (in the Chair)
His Excellency Mundji Fikri Bey
Mr Mirza Abdul Ghaffar Khan
Mr Abbas Ali Baig
Mr C.A. Latif
Mr A.S.M. Anik
Prof T.W. Arnold
Mr Anik reported that he had invested £100 as decided at the last meeting.
Letters from Khuwaja Kamaluddin and Mr Abdul Haq (Secretary of the Islamic SocietyFootnote 40) were read, asking for a grant of money for the payment of the rent of a building in London for the purposes of a Mosque.
The Chairman explained that a grant could be made from the Mosque Fund without reference to the Trustees. Proposed by Mr Abbas Ali Baig and seconded by Moh Latif that this committee do recommend to the Trustees to sanction a grant of £120 a year out of the income of the Trust Fund in deposit with the Bank of England to the credit of the Trustees of the London Mosque Fund. The motion was carried.
Proposed by Mr Ameer Ali and seconded by His Excellency Mundji Fikri Bey that the administration of this grant be entrusted to a committee composed of Mr Abbas Ali Baig, Mr Anik and Khawaja Kamaluddin for renting a building or room or rooms for the performance of the Muslim prayers and for expenses incidental thereto; and that this committee submit an annual report as to how the money has been expended. The motion was carried.
Mr Arnold reported that a cheque for £492 was received from Mr Leitner's solicitors by the Woking Mosque Trustees who authorised Mr Anik their Treasurer to invest £490 in India Stock (gold) 3 ½ per cent, and Mr Anik reported that the investment had been effected and that the Mosque and Memorial House had been insured for £1,000.
Confirmed: Ameer Ali 19 March 1914
A meeting of the Executive Committee of the London Mosque Fund was held on 19 March 1914 at 3 pm at 41 Sloane Street SW
Present:
The Rt Hon Ameer Ali (in the chair)
Mr Abbas Ali Baig
Mr C.A Latif
Mr Willoughby Bullock (representing Sir William Bull)
Professor T.W. Arnold (Secretary)
The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.
In reference to the resolution passed by the Committee on 22 January 1914 the secretaries reported that they received from the following trustees (Rt Hon Ameer Ali, Lord Ampthill, Moh Abbas Ali Baig, His Excellency Mundji Fikri Bey, Lord Rothschild and Sadigh es Salteneh) letters agreeing to the recommendation of the Committee that a grant of £120 a year out of the income of the Trust Fund be made to a Committee composed of Mr Abbas Ali Baig, Mr A.S.M. Anik and Khawaja Kamaluddin, who will administer the grant for the purpose of renting a building or room for the performance of Muslim prayers.
Lord Ampthill, Lord Rothschild and the Rt Hon Ameer Ali imposed a condition that the Trustees will have the power to withdraw or vary their consent to the grant, whenever it may appear to them desirable to do so. But no answer had yet been received from His Highness Mr Aga Khan.
Mr Bullock stated that he did not consider it expedient to take final action until an answer had been received from him also, as he was one of the Trustees.
Mr Baig therefore proposed that an urgent letter be sent to His Highness informing him that all the other Trustees had given their consent and requesting an early reply.
Resolved (subject to the assent of His Highness the remaining trustee) that the grant should take effect from 1 January 1914 and be paid quarterly to the committee composed of Mr Abbas Ali Baig, Mr A.S.M. Anik and Khawaja Kamaluddin.
Mr Ameer Ali pointed out that the time had come for continuing the appeal for funds for the London Mosque and it was resolved that in reference to the expenditure necessary for such an appeal the balance of quarterly income of the Trust Funds in the Bank of England after payment to the above mentioned committee composed of Mr Abbas Ali Baig, Mr A.S.M. Anik and Khawaja Kamaluddin be utilized for this purpose.
The following form was approved for the cards announcing the Friday prayer:
Allah – O – Akbar Footnote 41
The Jooma Namaz Footnote 42will be held at the Lindsay Hall, Notting Hill Gate,Footnote 43W., regularly every Friday at 12 Noon until further notice.
Mr Khawaja Kamal-ud-Din of the Mosque, Woking will deliver the sermon and the Dua Footnote 44will be recited by Haireddin Effindi and Lord Headley* respectively in Arabic and English.
All Moslems are cordially invited.
The secretary submitted the following statement of the accounts of the London Mosque Fund to 31 December 1913:
Statement of Accounts of the London Mosque Fund
The account of the donations is intact.
Confirmed: Ameer Ali 6 June 1916
A meeting of the Executive Committee of the London Mosque Fund was held on Tuesday 6 June 1916 at 5.30 pm at 41 Sloane Street, SW
Present:
The Rt Hon Ameer Ali (in the chair)
Sir William Bull MP
W Abbas Ali Baig
Mirza Abdul Ghaffar Khan
Mr A.S.M. Anik
T.W. Arnold (Secretary)
The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. With reference to the consent of H H the Agha Khan, the Chairman reported that when H H visited England, he verbally expressed his agreement with the other Trustees.
The Chairman explained the arrangements for the administration of the grant of £120 for a Namaz-gah,Footnote 45 and stated that Maulavi Sadrud Din*Footnote 46 had taken a room for this purpose in 39 Upper Bedford Place, without however having previously obtained the permission of the sub-committee. The following rules were framed for the management of the Namaz-gah, but Maulavi Sadrud Din had expressed his inability to carry them out:
Rules for the Management of the Namaz-gah in London
1. Any place rented by the London Mosque Fund Committee to serve as a Namaz-gah in London shall be devoted exclusively to Divine Worship and Religious Services.
2. The Namaz-gah shall always remain available for Namaz to every Muslim of any Islamic sect.
3. No society, association or other body shall be permitted to use it for a secular purpose or for holding therein any meeting unconnected with Divine Worship.
4. No person shall be allowed to reside therein or to make any private or secular use thereof.
5. The London Mosque Fund Committee or the sub-committee thereof appointed for the control and supervision of the Namaz-gah may, if they think fit, relax the provisions of the Rules 3 and 4 for special reasons consistently [sic] with the main object of the Namaz-gah. They may also permit the temporary renting of any extra room or space not used or required for Divine Worship. The rent realised in such cases shall be credited to the Namaz-gah fund.
6. The Pesh ImamFootnote 47 for the time being shall be responsible for the proper upkeep of the Namaz-gah and the furniture therein, and also for the due observance of the rules, any breach of which should be forthwith reported to the Secretary to the sub-committee.
Sir William Bull discussed the situation and pointed out that the arrangement with Maulavi Sadrud Din might be terminated at any time, if due notice were given.
A letter dated 1 June from Maulavi Sadrud Din was read. The Chairman stated his opinion that the tone of this letter was reasonable, and it was resolved that the following answer be sent to Maulavi Sadrud Din:
“The Committee of the London Mosque Fund considered your letter of 1 June. They have noted your assurance that the rules are being carried out by you. They do not wish to impose upon you any obligations that are not fair or reasonable, but as you hold the keys, you are bound to be responsible for the rooms and their contents and the maintenance of order. They trust that matters will proceed smoothly in the future and have adjured further consideration of the matter for a period of six months”.
It was resolved that in view of the death of Lord Rothschild, the existing trustees should be approached and the name of Lord Lamington* should be suggested to fill up the vacancy.
The Treasurer submitted the account on fol. 19 which the Chairman signed.
It was resolved that a cheque for £25 be handed to the Treasurer to be paid into the L and SW Bank and that £100 be invested in Exchequer Bonds (free of tax) and that after 1 July a further sum of £50 be invested in Exchequer Bonds.
Confirmed: Ameer Ali 23 November 1917
A meeting of the Executive Committee of the London Mosque Fund was held on 23 November 1917 at 3.30 pm at 41 Sloane Street SW
Present:
The Rt Hon Ameer Ali (in the Chair)
Sahibzada Aftab Ahmed Khan*
Mirza Abdul Ghaffar Khan
Mr A.S.M. Anik
The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.
The Treasurer submitted the accounts up to 23 November 1917 which were passed and signed by the Chairman.
It was resolved that meetings of the Executive Committee shall in future be held once a quarter.
Mr Mirza Hashim Isfahani*Footnote 48 was duly elected a member of the Executive Committee.
Resolved that M H Isfahani be appointed to visit periodically on behalf of the Executive Committee the Namaz-gah and report to the Committee as to the conduct of the Namaz-gah.
The Executive Committee confirmed the arrangements made by the Namaz-gah sub-committee in reference to the transfer from Upper Bedford Place to 111 Campden Hill RoadFootnote 49 and the expenditure connected therewith.
Resolved that Khaja Kamaluddin be requested to furnish a report as to the condition and success of the Namaz-gah from the date of his taking over charge from Maulvi Sadarruddin.
Resolved that £9 a year be granted to the clerk of the British Red Crescent SocietyFootnote 50 and the London All India Moslem LeagueFootnote 51 for all clerical work connected with the London Mosque Fund commencing from 1 November 1914.
Resolved that the official habitation of the London Mosque Fund shall be at 41 Sloane Street S.W.1.
Resolved that a fresh letter of appeal inviting influential persons to become members of the General Committee, and asking those who are already members of this Committee to contribute to the funds of the Mosque be drafted.
A communication from the Hon Treasurer of the Islamic Society was read and it was resolved that he should be informed that the accounts will be published in due course.
Resolved that Mr Anik be requested to send a statement of the accounts to the Press for publication.
Confirmed: Ameer Ali 15 March 1918
A meeting of the Executive Committee of the London Mosque Fund was held on 15 March 1918 at 5 pm at 41 Sloane Street SW1
Present:
Rt Hon Ameer Ali (in the chair)
Sahibzada Aftab Ahmed Khan
Mirza Abdul Ghaffar Khan
Professor T. W. Arnold
Mr A.S.M. Anik
The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.
The resolution of the Committee as to the publication of the accounts of the London Mosque Fund was carried into effect by the Hon Treasurer and they were printed in the Westminster Gazette of 20 December 1917 among other papers.
The Hon Treasurer submitted the accounts up to 15 March 1918 and they were signed by the Chairman.
A report by Khwaja Kamaluddin on the conduct of the Namaz-gah was read and it was resolved that this report, together with the accounts of the London Mosque Fund (published in the Westminster Gazette of 20 December 1917Footnote 52) be sent to the Editor of The Islamic Review.Footnote 53
Confirmed: Ameer Ali 5 November 1919
A meeting of the Executive Committee of the London Mosque fund was held on 5 November 1919 at 4.30 pm at 18 Sloane Street, SW1
Present:
Rt Hon Ameer Ali (in the chair)
Mr A.S.M. Anik
M.H. Isfahani
The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.
Sir William Bull was prevented by public work from attending. In his letter to the Chairman he wrote as follows:
“I have your letter of the 1st instant but regret that I shall be unable to get to the meeting tomorrow. I, however, agree with your view that the London Mosque Fund, the British Red Crescent Society and the London Moslem League should each contribute £40 towards the annual rent of £120 for the premises at 18 Sloane Street”.Footnote 54
Proposed by Mr Isfahani seconded by Mr Anik that the London Mosque Fund, the British Red Crescent Society and the London Moslem League should each contribute £40 towards the annual rent of £120 for the premises at 18 Sloane Street.
It was resolved that the Honorary Treasurer be requested to have the lease [illegible] in his name as representing the three societies.
Confirmed: Ameer Ali 18 June 1920
A meeting of the Executive Committee of the London Mosque Fund was held on 18 June 1920 at 6 pm at 18 Sloane St, SW1
Present:
The Rt Hon Ameer Ali
Sir Abbas Ali Baig
Mr A.S.M. Anik
Mr M. H. Isfahani
Prof T.W. Arnold (secretary)
The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.
The accounts of the London Mosque Fund from 9 November 1910 to 18 June 1920 were submitted by Mr A.S.M. Anik and approved. Mr Anik was authorized to invest £121-9-1.
A vote of thanks to Mr Anik was proposed and carried unanimously for his self sacrificing work in keeping the accounts for the last ten years.
Confirmed: Ameer Ali 16 March 1921
A meeting of the Executive Committee of the London Mosque Fund was held on 16 March 1921 at 4.45 at 18 Sloane Street
Present:
The Rt Hon Ameer Ali (chairman)
Sahibzada Aftab Ahmed Khan
Mr A.S.M. Anik
Mr M. H. Isfahani
Mr A Yusuf Ali* (after his election)
Prof T.W. Arnold (secretary)
The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.
The Rt Hon Ameer Ali proposed and Sahibzada Aftab Ahmed Khan seconded the election of Mr Yusuf Ali as a member of the Executive Committee. The proposal was carried unanimously and Mr Yusuf Ali took his seat as a member of the Committee.
The Chairman drew attention to complaints in regard to the Woking Mosque,Footnote 55 and as the Committee of the London Mosque Fund is responsible for the management of this mosque, he proposed that a sub-committee (consisting of Mr Anik, Mr Isfahani [convenor] and Mr Yusuf Ali) be appointed to enquire into the occupation, conduct and maintenance of the Woking Mosque together with the Namaz-gah at Campden Hill Road. His Proposal was carried unanimously and the gentlemen nominated consented to act on the sub-committee.
The accounts of the London Mosque Fund from 9 November 1910 to 28 February 1921 were submitted by Mr A.S.M. Anik and were approved. It was decided that in future accounts should be made up yearly by the calendar year.
Confirmed: Ameer Ali 14 October 1921
A meeting of the Executive Committee of the London Mosque Fund was held on 14 October 1921 at 41 Sloane Street SW
Present:
The Rt Hon Ameer Ali (chairman)
Mr A.S.M. Anik
Sir T.W. Arnold (secretary)
The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.
The Chairman reported that Mr Yusuf Ali had resigned from the Committee on the eve of his departure to India to take up his appointment in the service of His exalted Highness the Nizam of Hyderabad.Footnote 56
The Chairman also reported that no report had been received from the sub-committee appointed to enquire into the maintenance of the Woking Mosque and there was no evidence that any action had been taken.
Read a letter from Mrs Gardner,Footnote 57 at Campden Hill Road, dated 9 August complaining of her dismissal by Maulvi Mustafa Khan, Imam of the Woking Mosque and also a letter from Maulvi Mustafa Khan in answer to the Chairman's request for an explanation.
Resolved that the Maulvi be asked to inform the Committee whether Mrs Gardner has vacated the house, and who is at present the caretaker in 111 Campden Hill Road, and on what date Khwaja Kamal ud-Din is expected to arrive and resume charge of the Namaz-Gah.
Resolved that all other matters in connection with the Namaz-Gah be reserved until the arrival of Khwaja Kamal ud-Din.
Confirmed: Ameer Ali 8 December 1921
A meeting of the Executive Committee of the London Mosque Fund was held on 2 December 1921 at 5.15 pm at 18 Sloane Street SW
Present:
The Rt Hon Ameer Ali (chairman)
Mr A.S.M. Anik
Mr Isfahani
Sir T.W. Arnold (secretary)
The Chairman reported that Khwaja Kamal-ud-Din had called upon him that he had found everything in good order back at Woking and in 111 Campden Hill Road, and that Mrs Gardner had left and that no further difficulty has arisen in regard to her.
The proposal was considered to devote a sum of 100 guineas out of the surplus income of the London Mosque Fund for the improvement of the Muslim Burial Ground Brookwood Cemetery.Footnote 58 An estimate of the proposed improvement submitted by the Managing Director of the London Necropolis Company was considered and accepted unanimously. It was further resolved that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Trustees of the London Mosque Fund.
The Hon Treasurer submitted a statement of accounts as per attached paper, of the present state of the London Mosque Fund.
Confirmed: Ameer Ali (Chairman)
A meeting of the Committee of the London Mosque Fund was held on Monday 23 July 1923 at 4.30 pm at 18 Sloane Street SWFootnote 59
Present:
The Rt Hon Ameer Ali (chairman)
Mr A.S.M. Anik
Mr S Aftab Ahmed Khan
Mr G. A. ArdalaniFootnote 60
Sir T.W. Arnold (secretary)Footnote 61
Rt Hon Syed Ameer Ali proposed and Mr Aftab Ahmed Khan seconded that Sir Mohamad Rafique* be elected a member of the Executive Committee of the London Mosque Fund. Mr Anik proposed and Mr Ameer Ali seconded that Mirza Kajim Husain be elected a member of the Executive Committee of the London Mosque Fund. Both these motions were carried unanimously.
The Hon Treasurer submitted the accounts from 9 November 1910 to 21 July 1923 giving full details of receipts and expenditure as per statement of accounts hereto attached. Duly considered and were passed.
Confirmed: Ameer Ali Chairman 24 June 1924
A meeting of the Executive Committee of the London Mosque Fund was held on Tuesday 24 June 1924 at 18 Sloane Street at 4.15 pm
Present:
The Rt Hon Ameer Ali (chairman)
Mr A.S.M. Anik
Sir T.W. Arnold (secretary)
The Chairman brought to the attention of the members present that Sir Ali Imam Moid-ul-Mulk* had been elected by the agreement of the members obtained by correspondence – this course of action having been adopted in order to obviate delay. The meeting unanimously confirmed the election.
The audited accounts from 9 November 1910 to 31 December 1923 of the London Mosque Fund, audited by Messrs. Hayes chartered accountants, and certified dated 24 January 1924 were placed before the Committee and passed.
Resolved that in the opinion of the Committee the time has arrived for renewing the appeal after the amendment, for the erection of a mosque in London. Further that representatives from the Egyptians and Afghan legations be invited to join the Executive Committee. Resolved further that H H King FuadFootnote 62 of Egypt and H H the King of AfghanistanFootnote 63 and that the Nizam of HyderabadFootnote 64 be invited, through the proper channels, to be patrons of the Fund in conjunction with H H the Shah of Persia.
Resolved that the expediency of approaching His Majesty's Government for the Grant of a site for the proposed Mosque should be considered, and that decision in this matter be left in the hands of the Chairman.
The Treasurer moved that as one of the Trustees for the London Mosque Fund is leaving for India in August next, and as his absence is likely to be permanent, investments standing in his name, jointly with the Chairman, should be altered to the name of the Chairman in conjunction with some other Trustee.
Resolved that the Chief Cashier of the Bank of England be requested to alter such investments into the name of the Chairman in conjunction with Lord Lamington.
Confirmed: Ameer Ali 20 May 1925
A meeting of the Executive Committee of the London Mosque Fund was held on Wednesday 20 May 1925 at 18 Sloane Street at 4.30 pm
Present:
The Rt Hon Ameer Ali (chairman)
Sir Mohammed Rafique
Mr G.A. Ardalani
Sir T.W. Arnold (secretary)
In November 1924 His Highness the Aga Khan urged that a memorial be sent to His Exalted Highness the Nizam on behalf of the London Mosque Fund; and accordingly such a memorial was sent on 26 November 1924 signed by himself and the Right Honourable Ameer Ali. An answer was received dated 30 April 1925 granting a further donation of £1,000 from H E H the Nizam.
The letter was read from H H the Aga Khan urging that H E H the Nizam should be approached again and that it be pointed out to him that the amount of the donation was not in harmony with his exalted position and might damage the success of the project of erecting a mosque in London.
Mr Ameer Ali undertook to carry out this proposal in conjunction with His Highness the Aga Khan.
Confirmed: Ameer Ali Chairman 31 October 1925
A meeting of the Executive Committee of the London Mosque Fund was held on Saturday 31 October 1925 at 18 Sloane Street at 3 pm
Present:
The Rt Hon Ameer Ali (chairman)
Sir Mohammed Rafique
Mr G.A. Ardalani
Mr A.S.M. Anik (treasurer)
Prof A.W. Azzam
Sir T.W. Arnold (secretary)
In connection with the minutes of the last meeting Mr Ameer Ali reported that he had in conjunction with H H the Aga Khan sent a letter to His Exalted Highness the Nizam but that no answer had yet been received by him.
The Chairman read a letter from Mr Anik the Treasurer urging the stabilisation of the London Mosque Fund. In view of the absence of several of the Trustees from this country, it was resolved that Counsel's opinion should be taken as to what steps should be taken for drawing up a deed by which a regular trust may be created in the name of the London Mosque Fund.
The Treasurer reported that there is a balance of £1,209 in the current account at the Bank of England.
Resolved that about £1,000 be invested in some Trust securities.
Resolved that a letter be sent to Khwaja Kamaluddin drawing his attention to the fact that under the Trust Deed the Woking Mosque is placed under the general supervision of the Committee of the London Mosque Fund, and the Committee of the London Mosque Fund would be glad to have particulars as to the proposed enlargement of the Woking Mosque so as to accommodate 2,000 persons as mentioned in the “Sunday Times” of 23 October.Footnote 65
Confirmed: Ameer Ali chairman
A meeting of the Executive Committee of the London Mosque Fund was held at 4 o'clock on Saturday 5 December 1925 at 2 Cadogan Place SW1
Present:
The Rt Hon Ameer Ali (chairman)
Sir Mohammed Rafique
Sir T.W. Arnold (secretary)
Mr A.S.M. Anik (treasurer)
Mr Anik reported that £1,000 (face value) were invested in 5% War Loan 1929–47, in the names of the Right Honourable Lord Lamington and the Right Honourable Ameer Ali, registered in Bank of England transferable by deed.
The Secretary reported that he had received from Khwaja Kamaluddin a letter dated 14 November 1925 stating that the contemplated extension to the Woking Mosque is intended to accommodate 200 persons,Footnote 66 by adding two wings to the North and South sides of the mosque, and two houses for ablution for ladies and gentlemen and that the work will be carried out under the supervision of Mr Charles Nicholson, who is making a design and estimates.
In reply the Secretary wrote asking for further particulars.
Resolved that the Cashier of the Bank of England be thanked for his communication of 24 November to the Chairman of the Executive Committee relating to the change of the designation of the Fund from the names of Lord Ampthill and others to the name of the “London Mosque Fund” and to the authorisation for drawing cheques on the Fund.
In consequence of the departure from England of Mundji Fikri Bey and Sadik Sultaneh it has become necessary for the due administration of the Trust to fill the place of one or both of them.
It was resolved that Sir Mohammad Rafique, member of the Council of the Secretary of State for India and a member of the Executive Committee be appointed a Trustee in the place of Mundji Fikri Bey.
Resolved further that a copy of this Resolution be forwarded to the Chief Cashier of the Bank of England.
Resolved that Sir Thomas W. Arnold be appointed the pro tem secretary of the Trustees of the London Mosque Fund in the place of Mr C.A. Latif, resigned.
Confirmed: Ameer Ali 12 May 1926
A meeting of the Trustees and of the Executive Committee of the London Mosque Fund was held at 4 o'clock on Wednesday 12 May 1926 at 2 Cadogan Place SW1
Present:
The Rt Hon Ameer Ali (chairman)
The Rt Hon Lord Lamington
Mr G. A Ardalani
Mr A.W. Azzam
Dr Saud S. MohamediFootnote 67 (as supervisor of 111 Campden Hill Road)
Sir T.W. Arnold (secretary)
The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.
The Chairman raised the question whether the sum of £130 should continue to be paid for the Namaz-Gah at 111, Campden Hill Road. Resolved that a letter be sent to Kamal ud-Din enquiring whether he was prepared to take over this house and make himself responsible for the payment of the rent, and whether in this case he would let one large room to the London Mosque Fund and at what rent.
The purchase of a house for the purpose of a Mosque was considered by the meeting to be an infraction of the Trust, the purpose of which is the building of a mosque.
Resolved that it was not in accordance with the purpose of the Trust to devote any portion of the income of the Trust towards defraying the expenses of the burial of indigent Moslems dying in the neighbourhood of London.
Read a letter from Sir Abbas Ali Baig resigning his position as a Trustee of the London Mosque Fund and as a member of the Committee. His resignation was accepted accordingly.
Read letters from His Highness the Aga Khan and the Rt Hon Lord Ampthill, regretting their inability to attend the meeting.
Resolved that Mr Withers (of Withers, Bensons, Currie, Williams and Co.) 4, Arundel Street, W.C, be appointed to draw up a Trust Deed for the London Mosque Fund.
Draft notes for the preparation of the Trust Deed were read and accepted by the Committee.
Resolved that Jaafar Pasha Askari, representative of the Iraq Government and Shuja ud-Daulah Khan, the Afghan Minister be invited to join the Committee.
The Treasurer submitted a statement of account which was accepted by the Committee.
Confirmed: Ameer Ali 6 November 1926
A Joint Meeting of the Trustees of the Executive Committee of the London Mosque Fund, held at 18 Sloane Street, S.W, on Saturday, 6 November 1926 at 4 pm
Present:
The Rt Hon Ameer Ali (Chairman)
The Rt Hon Lord Ampthill
Sir Mohammed Rafique
Sheikh Abdul Wahab-al-Azzam
Mr A.S.M. Anik (Hon Teasurer)
Mr G.A. Ardalani
1. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and duly confirmed.
2. The Chairman read a letter he had received from the Honorary treasurer dated 5 November regarding the mention in the Trust DeedFootnote 68 of the sums of £6,000 as on deposit at the Bank of England in the name of the London Mosque Fund. The Honorary Treasurer pointed out in his communication that the actual market value of the securities was only £5,511, the sum of £6,000 represented the “purchase value”. The Chairman reported that on receipt of this letter he immediately sent an extract from it by special messenger to Mr Withers for his consideration before the meeting; and had just received Mr Withers’ replyFootnote 69 asking that the execution of the Trust Deed by the Trustees might be postponed so that an “accurate rental and description of the securities representing the funds collected, at the date of the Deed” might be included in a fresh engrossment which he would prepare after these particulars had been furnished by the Honorary Secretary.
3. After discussion the Committee was of opinion that no difference as to the “market value” and the “face” or “purchase” value of the securities should be introduced into the Trust Deed but a simple statement as to the details of the Fund which was forthwith furnished by the Honorary Treasurer, as follows:
Credit Account with the Bank of England in the name of the London Mosque Fund
Securities registered with the Bank of England in the names of the Rt Hon Lord Lamington and the Rt Hon Syed Ameer Ali, purchased for £6,857-11-4
4. It was agreed to leave Mr Withers to insert these particulars in the Fund Trust Deed in their proper phraseology and on Lord Ampthill's suggestion it was also agreed to request Mr Withers when he had prepared the fresh engrossment for execution, to send it round himself either by hand or through the post, to the various Trustees for execution as he (Mr Withers) would have the proper facilities for doing this expeditiously.
6. [sic] Rules for the Executive Committee The Chairman reported that he had received a letter from Lord Ampthill criticising the draft Rules which had been already circulated to the Trustees and the Executive Committee. This letter he had sent to Mr Withers for consideration together with a memorandum containing certain observations and suggestions as regards the amendment of the Rules, particularly nos. 7, 10, 19, and 23. Mr Withers had accordingly amended the Rules which were forthwith read and after discussion Rules 7, 10 and 23 as amended were approved, and Rule 19 was further amended by the meeting to read thus: “The Executive Committee shall have power to delegate the collecting of funds in furtherance of the objects of the Fund to any local committee or committees subject to any regulations that the Executive Committee may impose”.Footnote 70
6. It was unanimously agreed to delete Rule 22.
7. Burial of Indigent Moslems. The Chairman reported that another point had been raised by the Honorary Treasurer in his letter of the 3 November in regard to the burial of Indigent Moslems dying in London – to the grant of £105 made by the London Mosque Fund to the Necropolis Co., for the perpetual upkeep of a piece of ground in the Brookwood Cemetery for the burial of Mohammedans and for which an agreement was held between the Trustees of the London Mosque Fund and the London Necropolis Co. The grant was for keeping the burial ground in proper repair but as far as the actual burial of the Indigent Moslems was concerned, it was resolved at the meeting of the Trustees and the Executive Committee on the 12 May last that it was not in accordance with the purpose of the Trust to devote any portion of the income of the Trust towards the expenses of the burial of Indigent Moslems dying in the neighbourhood of London. The matter was fully discussed and it was resolved that the London Mosque Fund is not in a position to undertake any expense in connection with the burial of Indigent Moslems as it does not come within the Trust for the erection of a mosque.Footnote 71
8. Subject no. 4 on the Agenda, viz. “the consideration of the share of the rent of 19 Sloane Street to be paid by the London Mosque Fund” was postponed.
Confirmed: Ameer Ali Chairman 31 December 1926
A meeting of the Trustees and the Executive Committee of the London Mosque Fund held at 2 Cadogan Place, S.W. on Friday 31 December 1926 at 4.30 pm
Present:
The Rt Hon Ameer Ali (in the chair)
The Rt Hon Lord Lamington G.C.I.E, G.C.M.G
The Rt Hon Lord Ampthill G.C.I.E, G.C.B
Sir Thomas Arnold, C.I.E, LL.D
Abdul Rahman Bey FikryFootnote 72
Dr Saud S. Mohamedi (as supervisor of the Namaz-gah at 111 Campden Hill Road)
1. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.
2. Mr Abdul Rahman Bey Fikry was formally introduced as a member of the Executive Committee.
3. A proposal made by the Honorary Treasurer to hire a safe at the Safe Deposit was discussed. Proposed by Lord Ampthill and seconded by Lord Lamington and carried without dissent that the Trust Fund be deposited with Messrs. Withers, the solicitors.
4. The location of the Namaz-gah in 111 Campden Hill Road was discussed. A letter from Mr J. W. Lovegrove* was read in which he stated that the best centre would be near Oxford Circus. The Chairman explained the circumstances under which the London Mosque Fund agreed to pay the rent for the Namaz-gah and supplied the furniture. After some discussion it was proposed by Lord Ampthill and seconded by Lord Lamington that the payment to Messrs. G.H. Watts Ltd. of £300 since 1920 and for the present year in respect of rent for the premises at 111 Campden Hill Road, should be and is hereby sanctioned. The motion was put to the vote and was carried without dissent.
5. Lord Ampthill then proposed and Lord Lamington seconded that the supervisor of the Namaz-gah be requested to look out for a more suitable and convenient place for a Namaz-gah at a rental not exceeding £150 per annum, and to submit a report in respect of any recommendation he may make. After discussion the motion was carried without dissent.
6. Lord Lamington proposed that the question of any change in the amount of the contribution from the London Mosque Fund towards the salary of the clerk-in-charge should be deferred and the Chairman be requested to formulate in consultation with the Honorary Treasurer, definite proposals. The proposal was carried unanimously.
Confirmed: Ampthill (Chairman) 3 November 1927
[Indigent Moslem Burial Fund Trust declaration]
Stamp 10/-
THIS DEED OF DECLARATION OF TRUST is made the nineteenth day of December one thousand nine hundred and twenty-seven [19 December 1927] BETWEEN the right honourable SYED AMEER ALI P.C, C.I.E., LL.D., of 2 Cadogan Place, London SW1 and ABDEALI SHAIKH MAHOMEDALI ANIK of Billiter Buildings Billiter Street London EC3 of the one part and BARCLAYS BANK LIMITED of 54 Lombard Street London (hereinafter referred to as “the Trustee”) of the other part
WHEREAS:
1) It is desirable to make provision for the proper burial in accordance with the rites of the Moslem Religion of indigent Moslems dying in the neighbourhood of London and elsewhere in the United Kingdom including the providing of a plot of ground a coffin and the payment of interment and other expenses and to provide for the care and upkeep of the graves of indigent Moslems in the Mahomedan Cemetery at Brookwood reserved and allotted by the London Necropolis and National Mausoleum Company for the exclusive interment of Moslems under the terms of two Agreements dated the twenty-third day of June One thousand nine hundred and fourteen and the tenth day of October One thousand nine hundred and twenty-two respectively.
2) For the purposes aforesaid the Committee hereinafter mentioned of which the said Syed Ameer Ali is the Chairman and the said Abdeali Shaikh Mahomedali Anik is the Honorary Treasurer and Secretary have raised a fund (to which they have themselves contributed) by public subscription and the contributions to the said fund which include the following sums of money contributed by the following persons that is to say Fifty-five Pounds by the said Right Honourable Syed Ameer Ali One Hundred Pounds by the said Abdeali Shaikh Mahomedali Anik One Thousand Pounds by His Exalted Highness Asaf Jah Nizam ul Mulk G.C.S.I., G.B.E., the Nizam of Hyderabad-Deccan One Hundred Pounds by His Highness Prince Omar Toussound Pacha of Alexandria and One Hundred Pounds by His Highness Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan G.C.V.O., G.C.I.E. together with other donations (after deducting amounts already paid for burials) now amount to the sum of One Thousand Four Hundred and Eighty-Seven Pounds Six Shillings and Nine Pence now standing to the credit of the account of the said Fund at the Head Office of the Trustee.
3) The said Committee have requested the Trustee to act as Trustee of the said Fund which the Trustee has consented to do.
4) It is intended that the said Fund and all other moneys hereafter to be contributed thereto shall be held and administered upon the trusts and subject to the provisions hereinafter declared and contained concerning the same.
NOW THIS DEED WITNESSETH And it is hereby declared as follows:–
Name:
1. THE said Fund and all additions thereto shall be called “the Indigent Moslems Burial Fund” and the same is hereinafter referred to as “the Fund”.
Objects:
2. THE objects of the Fund are:
a) To provide for the burial of indigent Moslems dying in the neighbourhood of London.
b) Providing in special circumstances for the burial of indigent Moslems dying elsewhere in the United Kingdom but outside the neighbourhood of London.
c) Providing kerb stones or stone slabs for or erecting monuments on the graves of indigent Moslems in the said Moslem Cemetery at Brookwood or any other Moslem Cemetery that the Committee of Management may at any time and from time to time select and for the care and upkeep of such graves and of the Cemetery in which such graves shall be situate.
3. THE Fund shall be under the control and management of a Committee which shall consist of the Chairman Treasurer and Secretary and three or more ordinary members. The members of the Committee including the Chairman Treasurer and Secretary shall not (subject as hereinafter mentioned) exceed ten in number and shall not be less than three exclusive of the Chairman Treasurer and Secretary. The office of Secretary may be combined with that of Treasurer and the duties of both offices performed by one person.
The first members of the Committee shall be:
The Right Honourable Syed Ameer Ali P.C., C.I.E., LL.D. who shall be the first Chairman.
The Right Honourable Lord Lamington G.C.M.G., G.C.I.E.
Sir Muhammad Rafique Knight Member of the Council of the Secretary of State for India.
M. Abdul Rahman Bey Fikry representing the Egyptian Legation.
Mirza Ahmad Khan Ardeshir representing the Persian Legation.
John C. Nicholson Esquire J.P and
The said Abdeali Shaikh Mahomedali Anik who shall be the first Treasurer and Secretary.
Duration of the office of members of the Committee:
4. A member of the Committee shall hold office until he shall die or resign office or reside out of the United Kingdom for a period of more than twelve consecutive months.
Vacancies in the Committee:
5. THE Committee shall have power from time to time by resolution to fill up a vacancy among the members of the Committee or to appoint additional members provided that the total number does not exceed ten members.
Appointment of Chairman Treasurer and Secretary:
6. THE Chairman Treasurer and secretary shall be appointed by the Committee from among their number and shall hold office for such period or periods as the Committee shall prescribe and shall be eligible for re-appointment and shall retain office until their successors are appointed. The Committee may by resolution remove any of them from office. A resolution passed by a majority of two-thirds of all the members of the Committee shall be necessary for the appointment or removal of a Chairman Treasurer or Secretary.
Meetings:
7 (i) There shall be at least one meeting of the Committee every year to consider the work of the past year and the duly audited accounts and other business.
(ii) The Secretary on instructions from the Chairman shall and any three or more members of the Committee may at any time call a meeting of the Committee.
(iii) There shall be a quorum when three members of the Committee are present.
(iv) The Chairman if present shall preside at meetings of the Committee and if at any meeting the Chairman is not present the members of the Committee present at the meeting shall appoint one of their number to act as Chairman for that meeting.
(v) At a meeting of the Committee every matter (other than the appointment of a new Chairman Treasurer or Secretary which shall require a resolution of a majority of two-thirds of all the members) shall be determined by a majority of the members of the Committee present at the meeting and voting on the question and in case of equality of votes the Chairman or acting Chairman shall have a second or casting vote. Votes may be given personally or by proxy appointed in writing but only a member of the Committee shall be entitled to act as proxy. The appointment of proxy shall be in such form as the Committee may from time to time prescribe.
(vi) Not less than seven days’ notice of every meeting of the Committee shall be sent by post to every member of the Committee having an address in the United Kingdom.
The Treasurer:
8. THE Treasurer shall keep proper books and accounts and a balance sheet shall be drawn up each year to the thirty-first day of December and shall with a list of donations and interments be circulated to such persons as the Committee shall direct.
The Secretary:
9. THE Secretary shall keep minutes of meetings and records of interments and generally deal with all clerical work incident to the administration of the Fund.
All officers to be Honorary:
10. ALL officers i.e. the Chairmen and Treasurers and Secretary and other members of the Committee shall be appointed as honorary officers and shall perform their duties voluntarily but shall be entitled to be reimbursed all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them in carrying out the work of the Fund.
Donations and Banking Account:
11. ALL legacies donations and subscriptions to the Fund shall be paid to the Treasurer (whose receipt shall be sufficient discharge for the same) and shall be paid by him into the capital account of the Fund. All cheques drawn on the banking or income account shall be signed by the Chairman and the Treasurer or by such other persons as the Committee shall from time to time appoint for that purpose.
The Trustee:
12. THE Trustee shall be the Trustee of the Fund.
Investments:
13. All moneys forming part of the Fund and requiring investment shall be invested by and in the name of the Trustee in any investment for the time being authorised by law for the investment of trust money and the Trustee shall at the request and in accordance with the directions of the Committee change such investments for others of a like nature. Such directions shall be given pursuant to resolutions from time to time passed by the Committee.
Trust of investments:
14. THE Trustee shall hold the investments for the time being forming part of or constituting the Fund and all additions thereto Upon trust to pay and apply and deal with the income thereof in accordance with the direction from time to time to be given to the Trustee by the Committee or of any member or members of the Committee empowered by the Committee. Such directions shall be given pursuant to resolutions from time to time passed by the Committee and the Trustee shall be entitled to act on any resolution on having a copy of the relevant resolutions purporting to be signed by the Chairman and a member of the Committee. Until otherwise directed the Trustee shall retain capital of the Fund that is the payments mentioned in Clause 11 hereof and shall pay the income derived from such investments into the banking account of the Fund.
Remuneration of the Trustee:
15. THE remuneration of the Trustee shall be at the rate of One per centum per annum of the gross annual income derived from the investments for the time being forming part of the Fund and standing in the name of the Trustee but so that the Trustee shall be entitled to a minimum fee of One Guinea per annum.
Urgent matters:
16. ALL matters regarding burial which are urgent may be dealt with by the Secretary in consultation with the Chairman and the Treasurer.
Rules:
17. SUBJECT to the provisions of this Deed the Committee may from time to time make alter and rescind rules for the administration and management of the Fund and the carrying of the objects of the Trust into full effect and in particular (but without limiting or restricting the generality of their powers in this respect) for the conduct of and arrangements for funerals in accordance with the Mahomedan rites and the powers and duties of the Secretary with regard thereto the amount so to be expended in each particular case whether or fixed or varying amounts and the keeping of accounts in relation thereto and the forms to be prescribed for applications for burials at the cost of the Fund.
IN WITNESS whereof the parties hereto of the first part have hereunto set their hands and seals and the Trustee has caused its Common Seal to be hereto affixed the day and year first above written.
SIGNED SEALED AND DELIVERED by the above-named The Right Honourable Syed Ameer Ali P.C., C.I.E., LL.D. in the presence of
(Miss) Ethel P. Holden
42 Chestnut Road Plumstead SE 18, Clerk in Charge.
SIGNED SEALED AND DELIVERED by Abdeali Shaikh Mahomedali Anik in the presence of
Henry Edward Davenport
Sheriff of City of London, Justice of the Peace.
THE COMMON SEAL of Barclays Bank Limited was hereto affixed in the presence of
W.S Gurney Director
Hugh Carroll Assistant Secretary 63492
[Seal of Barclays Bank Limited]
A meeting of the Trustees and of the Executive Committee of the London Mosque Fund was held at 3.45 p.m on Thursday 3 November 1927 at 2 Cadogan Place SW1
Present:
The Rt Hon Lord Ampthill (in the Chair)
The Rt Hon Ameer Ali
Mr A.S.M. Anik (Hon Treasurer)
1. The Minutes of the meeting held on the 31 December 1927[added in text: 1926?] were read and confirmed.
2. In connection with the Minutes Mr Ameer Ali explained that the number of worshippers attending the Namaz-gah had become considerably fewer, and in consequence of the fall in their number it was considered by the Trustees desirable not to pay such heavy rent as was demanded by Messrs G.N. Watts Ltd for 111 Campden Hill Road. Notice was accordingly given to terminate the tenancy on the 11 November 1927 with the final payment of a half-quarter's rent namely £16-5.
As the promoters of the Woking Muslim Mission desired to continue the tenancy for their own work, the Trustees had agreed to the payment of £60 per annum, payable quarterly, to the Pesh Imam for the maintenance of the Friday prayers on condition that he made proper arrangements for their performance and reported periodically to the Trustees as to the number of worshippers attending the Namaz-gah.
The payments of £16-5 and £15 were duly authorized.
3. A letter from Khwaja Kamal-uddin dated 30 August 1927 was read regarding the proposal put forward by him and Lord Headley for the collection of funds throughout India and other places for the London Mosque Fund, in conjunction with the funds of the Muslim Mission.Footnote 73 After a full discussion it was
Resolved:
that a reply be sent to Khwaja Kamal-uddin and Lord Headley to the effect that the Trustees thank them cordially for the offer to co-operate in the collection of funds for the London Mosque, but the Trustees greatly regret that they are precluded by their constitution from contributing to the expenses of the scheme proposed by Khwaja Kamal-uddin and Lord Headley.
Addendum
1. The following Resolution in regard to the furniture at 111 Campden Hill Rd was passed by correspondence:
Resolved:
That the Honorary Treasurer be instructed to write off the item of furniture at 111 Campden Hill Road now standing in the account at £60-14-1, and that the same be made over to the Woking Muslim Mission for the use of the worshippers at the Friday prayers etc.
18.11. 27 Ameer Ali
21. 11. 1927 [unclear text]
Confirmed: Ameer Ali 1 March 1928
Copy attached to the minutes:
Hyderabad Deccan
LCC Ameerali 2 Cadogan Place London
Nizam gives five lakhs Footnote 74to Lord Headley's London Nizamiah Mosque Footnote 75will your trust cooperate with him and you now join him as trustees – Aminjung
Copy reply sent:
8 February 1928
Sir Amin Jung Hyderabad Deccan
Apologise for delay due consultation with other Trustees. We offer respectful thanks to his Exalted Highness for munificent donation five lakhs for London Mosque Fund. Our appeal of 18th May 1927 to His Exalted Highness suggested name Nizamiah for London Mosque. We shall be glad to have Lord Headley as co-trustee we pray that donation be remitted direct to Bank of England to credit of London Mosque Fund
Ameerali
Copy:
Hyderabad Deccan
LCC Right Hon Ameer Ali 2 Cadogan Place London
Select Committee Nizam's council considered your cablegram etc. We propose new Trust with Lord Headley as chairman who has undertaken onerous task of going about personally to collect funds. Other Trustees, yourself, Lords Ampthill and Lamington from your Trust, and Sir Abbas Ali Baig, Khwaja Kamaluddin from Lord Headley's trust and one Trustee representing Nizam. All three Trusts to co-operate cordially for attaining common object of erecting absolutely non-sectarian Nizamiah Mosque in London. Kindly cable reply – Amin Jung.
Copy reply sent 18 February 1928:
DLT Sir Amin Jung Hyderabad Deccan
Will gladly consider your proposal but request time as Trustees meeting immediate impossible owing to absence on continent principal members – Ameerali
A meeting of the Trustees of the London Mosque Fund was held at 3.45 p.m 2 Cadogan Place SW1 on Thursday 1 March 1928
Present:
The Rt Hon Ameer Ali (in the Chair)
The Rt Hon Lord Ampthill
The Rt Hon Lord Lamington
Sir Mohamed Rafique
1. The minutes of the meeting of the Trustees and Executive Committee held on 3 November 1927 were read and confirmed.
2. Read telegrams from Sir Amin Jung dated Hyderabad 6 February and 12 February 1928 and respective replies thereto dated 8 February and 18 February 1928.
3. Read copy of letter to His Exalted Highness the Nizam dated 18 May 1927 in which the Trustees of the London Mosque Fund suggested name “Nizamiah Mosque” and read also the reply of His Exalted Highness to it.
4. The Question of the reply to Sir Amin Jung's telegram was fully discussed and it was resolved that the following telegram be sent:
“Replying your telegram Trustee”
“London Mosque Fund glad to co-operate and to depute Ameerali and Lords Lamington and Ampthill to represent them on the new Trust His Exalted Highness proposes to form – Ameerali”
5. As Reuter's representative was seeking an interview in order to obtain information regarding the donation of five lakhs of rupees by His Exalted Highness for the Mosque in London, the following statement was drafted and unanimously agreed to:
“The Trustees of the London Mosque Fund have agreed to depute representatives to act with the Trustees for the Fund of five lakhs of rupees donated by His Exalted Highness the Nizam with a view to cordial co-operation for the common object of erecting an absolutely non-sectarian Mosque in London. That has always been the purpose of the London Mosque Fund. The Trustees of the London Mosque Fund have proposed to His Exalted Highness the Nizam that the Mosque should be styled the “Nizamiah Mosque.”[”]
6. The payment for the present in advance of the London Mosque Fund contribution of £15 (fifteen pounds) per quarter towards the maintenance of the Friday worship at 111 Campden Hill Road was agreed to.
Confirmed: Ampthill (Chairman) 9 October 1928
A meeting of the Trustees and of the Executive Committee of the London Mosque Fund held by kind permission of Lord Ampthill at his office 17 Piccadilly, W, on Friday 9 October 1928 at 5 pm
Present:
The Rt Hon Lord Ampthill (in the Chair)
Sir Mohamed Rafique
Sir Thomas Arnold (Hon Secretary)
Mr A.S.M. Anik (Hon Treasurer)
Mr Mirza Ahmad Khan Ardeshir
1. The minutes of the meeting of the Trustees held on 1 March 1928 were read and confirmed.
2. After discussions as to the future signing of cheques, it was resolved:
In view of the lamented death of the late Right Hon Ameer Ali the resolution of 7 June 1926 be modified as follows, viz: that all cheques and instructions be signed by any one of the following:
The Rt Hon Lord Lamington
The Rt Hon Lord Ampthill
Sir Mohammed Rafique
Being Trustees of the London Mosque Fund, and counter-signed by the Hon Treasurer, Mr A.S.M. Anik.
3. Instructions were given for a letter to be drafted for the bank of England embodying this resolution and sent to Lord Ampthill for his signature.
4. A cheque for £10 being the London Mosque Fund proportions of the rent of 18 Sloane Street for the September quarter was authorised to be drawn.
5. The Hon Treasurer explained that six months’ notice had been given to the landlord of 18 Sloane Street by the British Red Crescent Society to vacate the front office of the suite rented by them, and that by arrangement all the future and effects had been moved into the Committee Room at the same address. The question of the London Mosque Fund proportion of the future rent was discussed, and it was resolved
to continue in occupation of the premises at 18 Sloane Street until the expiration of the six month's notice on the same conditions as hitherto, viz: one-third of the rent per annum, payable quarterly as heretofore.
6. Read letter from two English Muslims regarding the conduct of the Friday prayers at 111 Campden Hill Road, and attendance thereat. Following discussion as to the contribution towards the rent of the Namaz-gah of £15 per quarter, it was resolved
to discontinue contributions towards the holding of Friday prayers at 111 Campden Hill Road. And that the resolution passed at the meeting of the Trustees and Executive Committee on the 23 November 1927 be and is hereby cancelled.
The Hon Secretary was instructed to communicate with the Pesh-Imam of the Woking Mosque to this effect, and the Hon Secretary was instructed to make no further payments in respect of the contribution.
7. The Hon Treasurer enquired whether the Trust Deed executed last year had been registered at Somerset House, and the Hon Secretary was instructed to write to the solicitors Messrs Withers Co. about this, and if it had not been so registered to enquire whether such a formality was necessary.
8. As regards a Trustee to take the place of the lamented Rt Hon Ameer Ali, the Hon Secretary was instructed to write to His Highness the Aga Khan for his suggestions as to whom the Trustees might approach to join the Board.
9. The meeting closed at 6.15 pm
Confirmed: Aga Khan 9 January 1931
A meeting of the Trustees and of the Executive Committee of the London Mosque Fund was held on 9 January 1931 at 12.15 pm at the Ritz Hotel, Piccadilly, London, W1
Present:
H H the Aga Khan (Chairman)
The Rt Hon Lord Ampthill
The Rt Hon Lord Lamington
Col Nawab Malik Sir Umar Hayat Khan*Footnote 76
Mr Waris Ameer Ali*
Mr M.K. Atabeki (1st Secretary Persian Legation)
Mr A.S.M. Anik (Hon Treasurer)
1. The Minutes of the last meeting held on 9 October 1928 were read and confirmed.
2. H H the Aga Khan expressed regret at the loss the Fund had sustained by the deaths of Mr Muhammad Rafique, one of the Trustees who had given valuable help, and Sir Thomas Arnold who had been Hon Secretary from the commencement of the Fund, and proposed that a record be made in the Minutes. The proposal was seconded by Lord Ampthill.
3. It was proposed by H H the Aga Khan and seconded by Lord Ampthill that Sir Umar Hayat Khan and Mr Waris Ameer Ali be appointed trustees in place of the late Rt Hon Syed Ameer Ali and the late Sir Muhammad Rafique. The same was unanimously approved and they were duly appointed.
4. In view of the fact that the Securities were standing in the Name of the sole survivor, Lord Lamington, it was proposed by him and seconded by Mr A.S.M Anik that they be transferred in the joint names of Lord Lamington, Sir Umar Hayat Khan and Mr Waris Ameer Ali, and the forms relative thereto were duly signed and completed.
5. Regarding the future singing of cheques, it was resolved
that in view of the lamented death of the late Sir Muhammad Rafique and the late Rt Hon Syed Ameer Ali, Col Nawab Malik Sir Umar Hayat Khan, Tiwana, K.C.I.E, C.B.B.E, M.V.O, A.D.C, and Mr Waris Ameer Ali, I.C.S, (Retd), be appointed Trustees in their place, therefore the Resolution of the 9 October 1928 be altered as follows, viz:
that all cheques and instructions be signed by any one of the following:
The Rt Hon Lord Ampthill
The Rt Hon Lord Lamington
Sir Umar Hayat Khan
Mr Waris Ameer Ali
Being Trustees of the London Mosque Fund and countersigned by the Hon Treasurer Mr A.S.M. Anik
6. A letter to the Bank of England embodying this Resolution was signed by the Chairman and also by the above mentioned four Trustees and Hon Treasurer.
7. Two specimen cards for the Bank of England were signed by the two new Trustees, Sir Umar Hayat Khan and Mr Waris Ameer Ali and witnessed by the Chairman.
8. The Account to 31 December 1930 was presented by the Hon Treasurer and passed.
9. It was proposed by the Chairman and seconded by Lord Lamington that in view of the fact that the value of the India 3 ½% securities had considerably depreciated since their purchase before the War the investments be entered at the present value and the difference written off.
10. It was proposed by the Hon Treasurer and seconded by Lord Ampthill that a further £1200 face value India 3 ½% be purchased.
11. The Report for the year 1930 was read and approved.
12. The [illegible] presented to the late Rt Hon Syed Ameer Ali was brought from the bank. After discussion as to the best means of using the same it was proposed by H H the Aga Khan and seconded by Lord Ampthill that it be kept for the time being at the bank.
13. It was proposed by the Chairman and seconded by Lord Lamington that the question of utilization of the Fund be held over for a period of six months to give the new Trustees Sir Umar Hayat Khan and Mr Waris Ameer Ali an opportunity of investigating the matter and making proposals.
14. It was proposed by the Chairman and seconded by Lord Lamington that Mr A.S.M Anik combine the office of Hon Secretary with his present office of Hon Treasurer, and he was accordingly appointed Secretary for one year.
15. The meeting closed at 1.20 pm
Confirmed: Lamington 26 Feb 1931
HH the Aga Khan expressed the view that the funds of the London Mosque Fund should on no account be handed over to any other body. This was unanimously agreed to. L. 26 February 1931
A meeting of the Trustees and of the Executive Committee of the London Mosque Fund was held on Thursday 26 February 1931 at 12 noon at Lord Lamington's House, 3, Wilton Place, London S.W.1
Present:
The Rt Hon Lord Lamington (Chairman)
The Rt Hon Lord Ampthill
Col Nawab Malik Sir Umar Hayat Khan
Mr Waris Ameer Ali
Mr R.A Radi (2nd Scy. Egyptian Legation)
Mr A.S.M. Anik (Hon Treasurer)
1. The Minutes of the last meeting held on 9 January were read and confirmed.
2. The account to 31 January 1931 audited by Messrs Feasey, Hull and Hornsby, Chartered Accountants, was presented by the Hon Treasurer and passed for printing.
3. A report of the Fund's activities to date was presented and passed.
4. Letters received from Mr Syed HashimiFootnote 77 dated London 13 August 1931 and Hyderabad 6 January 1931 addressed to the Hon Treasurer Mr A.S.M Anik were carefully considered. It was proposed by Sir Umar Hayat Khan and seconded by Lord Ampthill that the proposals made by Mr Hashimi be accepted and the same was unanimously agreed, viz:
I. The London Mosque Fund is only to provide a suitable small building as a Mosque and Religious School in the East End of London, to be named after the late Rt Hon Syed Ameer Ali.
II. The organisers at Hyderabad will make proper and permanent provision for the appointment of a good instructor and Imam and will also bear all other current expenses of the projected institution.
It was decided to send a letter and cable to Mr Hashimi as per copies attached. Mr Hashimi's original letters are also attached.
5. A telegram was received by the Hon Treasurer from H H the Aga Khan as follows: “Approve letter and cable drafts enclosed in your letter 23 February. Please proceed.”
6. It was suggested by Mr A.S.M Anik that for the convenience of the Trustees and members of the Executive Committee, important matters should be circulated by letter and their views expressed in writing, and if absolutely necessary a meeting be called. This was unanimously agreed to.
7. The meeting closed at 1.15 pm.
Confirmed: Lamington 17 April 1931
786Footnote 78
London Mosque Fund Report
The absence of a fitting Mosque in the Metropolis of the British Empire is felt acutely by all Moslems coming to England on business or for pleasure. In order to supply this want the London Mosque Fund was organised in 1910 by H H the Aga Khan, the late Rt Hon Syed Ameer Ali and others. It received the support of many prominent Moslems throughout the Moslem world.
The Tripolitan WarFootnote 79 which broke out in 1911, the Balkan War of 1912–13Footnote 80 and later the World War of 1914–18 interrupted the further prosecution of the Executive Committee's efforts to collect funds. The deaths of the Rt Hon Syed Ameer Ali, whose great wish it was to build a Mosque in London, Sir Muhammad Rafique another Trustee, and also Sir Thomas Arnold who acted as Secretary of the Fund from its commencement have delayed the fulfilment of the object.
With the income from the investments the Executive Committee maintained for Prayers a temporary place of worship for the followers of Islam.Footnote 81
A meeting was held on the 9 January 1931 under the chairmanship of H H the Aga Khan, at which Col Nawab Malik Sir Umar Hayat Khan, Tiwana, and Mr Waris Ameer Ali were appointed Trustees in place of the late Rt Hon Syed Ameer Ali and Sir Muhammad Rafique. There are now five Trustees, viz:
H H the Aga Khan, G.C.S.I, G.C. I.E, G. C.V.O,
The Rt Hon Lord Ampthill, G.C.S.I, G.C.I.E,
The Rt Hon Lord Lamington, G.C.M.G, G.C.I.E,
Col Nawab Malik Sir Umar Hayat Khan, Tiwana, K.C.I.E, C.B.B.E, M.V.O, A.D.C,
Mr Waris Ameer Ali I.C.S (Retd)
It is hoped with the assistance of Moslems in India that the object of the Fund will be fulfilled.
The Accounts have been audited by the Charted Accountants and it will be observed that from the 9 November 1930 to 31 January 1931 the total donations received are £6069-3-4. This sum with part of the income has been invested in securities inscribed in the Bank of England, costing £7900-12-7. The India 3 ½% Securities which were bought before the War have considerably depreciated in value and the Trustees therefore passed a Resolution to write off the depreciation, £1895-9-3, from the surplus income, which is shown in the Balance Sheet. The total expenditure for holding prayers, etc. from November 1910 to March 1929 was £2362-5-9, which has also been paid out of income, and the donations received remain intact.
Lamington Chairman
A.S.M Anik Treasurer
London 26 February 1931
POST OFFICE TELEGRAPHS
184 Cannes 16309-20-20-1620
ANIK BILLITER BUILDINGS BILLITER STREET LONDON
APPROVE LETTER AND CABLE DRAFTS ENCLOSED IN YOUR LETTER 23 FEBRUARY PLEASE PROCEED = AGA KHAN
LONDON MOSQUE FUND EXPENSES
As per Audited Account.
Registered
26 February 1931
Syed Hashimi Esq
Red Hill
Hyderabad-Deccan
Dear Sir
Your letters dated London 13 August 1930 and Hyderabad 6 January 1931 addressed to me (A.S.M Anik, Treasurer of the London Mosque Fund) have been placed before the Board of Trustees, H H the Aga Khan, the Rt Hon Lord Ampthill, the Rt Hon Lord Lamington, Col. Nawab Malik Sir Umar Hayat Khan, and Mr Waris Ameer Ali. They have carefully considered the contents and agree to the proposals made therein, viz:
1. The London Mosque Fund is only to provide a suitable small building as a Mosque and Religious School in the East End of London, to be named after the late Rt Hon Syed Ameer Ali.
2. The organisers at Hyderabad will make proper and permanent provision for appointment of a good instructor and Imam and will also bear all other current expenses of the projected institution.
On the part of the London Mosque Fund, a representative will occasionally visit the Institution and make such reports as may be necessary and desirable.
Any other assistance in this project will be gladly given except financial support, as our fund is not sufficient to do so.
We should like to know the names of the respective parties and full details of the arrangements made. As you are no doubt aware, in this country the majority of payments are made weekly therefore proper financial arrangements should be made on your side. The salary etc. of the Imam who will be engaged by you will be known to you but the current expenses in London cannot at present be estimated, until a test of about six months or a year's expenditure.
The Trustees of the London Mosque Fund hope that the proposed project will be successful and a permanent establishment.
Yours faithfully
For and on behalf of the LONDON MOSQUE FUND
A.S.M Anik Hon Treas. and Secy.
p.s the following cable has been sent to you today:
LONDON MOSQUE FUND TRUSTEES AGREE TO PROPOSALS IN YOUR LETTERS THIRTEENTH AUGUST SIXTH JANUARY NAMELY LONDON MOSQUE FUND TO PROVIDE SMALL BUILDING AS MOSQUE AND ALL OTHER FINANCIAL ARRANGMENTS INCLUDING IMAM TO BE PROVIDED BY THE ORGANISERS AT HYDERABAD TRUSTEES GLAD TO ASSIST IN EVERY POSSIBLE WAY DETAILED LETTER POSTED TODAY – ANIK.
26 February 1931
51
1 1 0
DLT SYED HASHIMI
REDHILL HYDERABAD-DECCAN
LONDON MOSQUE FUND TRUSTEES AGREE TO PROPOSALS IN YOUR LETTERS THIRTEENTH AUGUST SIXTH JANUARY NAMELY LONDON MOSQUE FUND TO PROVIDE SMALL BUILDING AS MOSQUE AND ALL OTHER FINANCIAL ARRANGMENTS INCLUDING IMAM TO BE PROVIDED BY THE ORGANISERS AT HYDERABAD TRUSTEES GLAD TO ASSIST IN EVERY POSSIBLE WAY DETAILED LETTER POSTED TODAY – ANIK.
c/o Haira Trading Co
66 Mark Lane
London E.C 3
13 August 1930
A.S.M. Anik Esquire:
Billiter Buildings
Billiter Street
E.C 3
My Dear Mr Anik
It is, as you know, the East End parts of London where a number of poor Muslims have permanently settled. They have married English wives and established different trades of their ownFootnote 82 on something of a permanent basis. The number of such families is, so far as I am able to judge, not less that fifty, while there are always scores of Muslim LhaskarsFootnote 83 etc. employed by Navigation Companies temporarily staying in the same locality. These are the people who need most to have a Mosque and some provision for the religious instruction of their children who shall other wise inevitably drift towards Christianity orFootnote 84 irreligion; and as a private Muslim I will on my return to India, try my best to persuade charitable trusts or individuals to interest themselves in the matter. But the first thing that strikes me as not altogether irrelevant in this connection is to approach you with the suggestion whether it will be possible for your London Mosque Committee, who I believe have considerable funds subscribed for building a Mosque in London, in their custody to undertake to establish a Mosque and school in the East End? The project of constructing a grand buildingFootnote 85 may now be left to the Nizamia Mosque Board and your funds might suitably be utilised in satisfying a real religious need of the poor but permanent Muslim Colony of London.
On making enquiries and visiting a number of houses I think it may be quite possible to get a building containing halls for congregation, instruction and other rooms that might bring in a small income to meet the maintenance charges of the Mosque, for a sum not exceeding £3,000. This amount, I imagine, you could easily devote for the purpose and commemorate the great services of the late Syed Amir Ali in the Cause of Islam by naming it the “Amir Ali Mosque”, while it should not be difficult to find some Indian endowment or Mosque Trust to cooperate with you by undertaking to send an efficient Imam and Instructor at their own expense, acting in London under your Committee's supervision. The scheme appears to me worthy of your Mosque Fund Committee's consideration, as they, I venture to think, would hardly prefer to keep the funds continue to lie idle rather than be serving the religious purpose they were subscribed for.
I shall feel much obliged to you if you could kindly communicate to me the official decision of your Committee as early as convenient to you on the subject.
With best regards
I remain
Yours Sincerely
Syed Hashimi
14 August 1930
Syed Hashimi Esq.
c/o Haira Trading Co.
66 Mark Lane
London E.C 3
Dear Mr Hashimi
I thank you for your letter of the 13 inst. and note the proposal contained therein. The Trustees of the London Mosque Fund are at present out of Town but I have sent copies of your letter to them for their consideration.
With kind regards
Yours Sincerely
A.S.M Anik
The Rt Hon Lord Lamington G.C.M.G, G.C.I.E
Lamington
Lanarkshire
London Mosque Fund
I enclose herewith copy of a letter received from Syed Hashimi and also copy of my reply. This gentleman has been to see me twice and I understand that he has come as a private representative of H.E.H the Nizam to investigate the matter of the proposed Nizamiah Mosque and the conditions of Muslims in London and other places in the United Kingdom and to report to His Exalted Highness.
The proposal contained in Mr Hashimi's letter practically coincided with the one I had in view as mentioned in my letter to your Lordship dated 6 December 1929.
I send a further copy of his letter and my reply as you may wish to send same to Lord Ampthill. If Your Lordship and Lord Ampthill favourably consider the proposal then H. H the Aga Khan will have to be approached, and a meeting of the Executive Committee, which includes representatives of the Persian and Egyptian Legations, called.
I have sent a copy of Mr Hashimi's letter to Sir Umar Hayat Khan who has great sympathy and interest with Muslim affairs. He has agreed to become one of the trustees and his co-operation will be useful.
With kind regards
I remain, My Lord,
Yours Sincerely
A.S.M Anik
Red Hill
Hyderabad (Deccan)
6 Jan 1931
Dear Mr Anik
I am sorry I was too busy to have written to you earlier though I safely arrived in my station toward the end of November. You will be, however, glad to learn that I have already succeeded here in receiving definite promises of support for the proposed establishment of a religious School and Mosque in the East End of London, and we are now only awaiting the safe return of the Hyderabad Delegation before taking any practical steps for the consummation of the project; particularly so, as we expect Sir Mohammed Akbar Hyderi might have a good occasion to study Islamic needs on the spot during his stay in London. In the meantime I shall very much welcome to receive the decision of your Mosque Fund Committee in this regard as promised by you in your letter to me dated 14 August 1930. If you were willing to devote even half of this fund to buy or construct a suitable small building for the afore-said purposes. . . possibly transferring the rest of the money to the Indigent Burial Fund which you have so philanthropically instituted, we on our part will have only to make proper and permanent provision for the appointment of a good instructor and Imam as well as other current expenses of the projected institution. Any other ways, of your cooperation that you may think fit to suggest we shall only too gladly consider, and I may directly write to your chairman of the Committee if you so advise. But in case we do not hear anything from you up to the end of March we shall naturally conclude you do not propose to take any action in the matter and that we should proceed with our scheme independently.
With best wishes for a happy New Year and kindest regards
I remain Yours Sincerely
Syed Hashimi
[Letter date-stamped 26 Jan 1931]
27 January 1931
Syed Hashimi Esq.
Red Hill
Hyderabad (Deccan)
Dear Mr Hashimi
I have received your letter dated Hyderabad 6 January 1931 and have sent a copy of the same to each of the Trustees of the London Mosque Fund, viz.
H.H the Aga Khan
The Rt Hon Lord Ampthill
The Rt Hon Lord Lamington
Sir Umar Hayat Khan, Tiwana
Mr Waris Ameer Ali
for their consideration, and I will communicate to you further in due course.
With kind regards
Yours Sincerely
Red Hill
Hyderabad (Deccan)
24 March 1931
Dear Mr Anik
I hasten to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of your official letter dated 26 February 1931, containing the decision of the London Mosque Fund Trustees in favour of providing from their own fund “a suitable small building as a mosque and Religious School in the East End of London, to be named after the late Rt Hon Syed Amir Ali”.
Owing to some error of the local Post Office the letter was delayed a week in delivery and was received after your later communication of the 2 Instt. Hence the delay in my reply.
I am naturally happy to see my humble suggestion unanimously accepted by your Board of trustees, and though you do not specify the sum of money the Trustees would be willing to devote for the Mosque building, I venture to presume it will not be less than £3,000 as suggested in my first letter of 13 August 1930 to you.
On our part a strong Board of Management for Amir Ali Mosque, London, has already been formed consisting of the following:
1) Nawab Mehdi Yar Jang*
2) Nawab Fakhr Yar Jang*
3) Nawab Zulqadr Jang
4) Nawab Mohammed Yar Jang
5) Mr Marmaduke Pickthall*
6) Mr Syed Hashimi
All of them, with the exception of your humble correspondent happen to be some of the most prominent people in Hyderabad, while Mr Pickthall has kindly consented to act as Hon Secretary to the Board and will henceforward take charge of all correspondence &ct [sic] pertaining to the project.
A petition is being submitted to the Hyderabad Government for a grant of £600, estimated sufficient to provisionally cover the current expenses of the proposed Mosque and School for one year; but as soon as the scheme takes practical shape, steps will be taken to found a permanent Endowment Trust in London for the purpose.
Concluding, may I take the opportunity to express feelings of my personal indebtedness to you for kind interest you have throughout shown in regard to my humble proposal and beg to remain,
Very Sincerely Yours
Syed Hashimi
[handwritten] to A.S.M Anik Esq. Billiter Buildings, London E.C 3
A special meeting was held on Friday 17 April 1931 at 2.30 pm at the Waldorf Hotel, Aldwych, London W.C 2. The Rt Hon Lord Lamington, G.C.M.G, G.C.I.E presided
Present:
The Rt Hon Lord Lamington (Chairman)
The Rt Hon Lord Ampthill
Sir Umar Hayat Khan, Tiwana
Mr A.S.M. Anik (Hon Treasurer and Secretary)
1. The minutes of the last meeting held on 26 February 1931 were read and confirmed.
2. A letter from Mr Syed Hashimi, Hyderabad, attached herewith was discussed and it was decided to reply to him as per copy attached.
3. The meeting was closed at 3 pm.
Note: Mr Waris Ameer Ali arrived after the close of the meeting. Sir Umar Hayat Khan explained to him the decision of the meeting, to which he agreed. A copy of the minutes has been forwarded to him and to the other Trustees.
Confirmed: Lamington 7 April 1932
Copies sent to The Aga Khan, Lord Lamington, Lord Ampthill, Sir Umar Hayat Khan, Waris Ameer Ali. Also copy of Minutes
Letter registered 23 April 1931
21 April 1931
Syed Hashimi
Red Hill
Hyderabad-Deccan
Dear Mr Hashimi
London Mosque Fund
I thank you for your letter of the 24 March 1931 which I placed before the Board of Trustees at a special meeting held on Friday last 17 April.
We note with pleasure the distinguished names on your Board of Management for the proposed Amir Ali Mosque and Religious School in the East End of London, and that Mr Marmaduke Pickthall who is known to the undersigned and others will act as Secretary. His recent publication of a translation of the KoranFootnote 86 is a valuable work and we congratulate him.
We note that you have submitted a petition to the Hyderabad Government for a grant of £600 for a year's current expenses and that as soon as the scheme takes practical shape you will take steps to found a permanent Endowment Trust in London for the purpose.
On our part, as soon as the Grant of £600 is made a building will be rented for the purpose, and when the permanent Endowment Trust is founded in London the London Mosque Fund will allocate the sum of £3000 (three thousand pounds) for the Amir Ali Mosque and Religious School in the East End of London.
Our Board considers that the scheme should be established on a firm footing to ensure its permanence.
We hope to hear shortly what further arrangement you have made.
I remain, Yours Very Sincerely
Hon Treasurer and Secretary
Hyderabad
Deccan
16 June 1931
[handwritten letter, stamped: 6 July 1931]
Dear Mr Anik
I am sure you must be anxious to know what is happening here with regard to the Syed Ameer Ali Mosque project. A committee was formed and we put up a petition that part of the interestFootnote 87 on the Nizamia Mosque Fund money might be applied to this purpose. After considerable delay we have been told that there is some objection to such an arrangement and that we should apply to the government for a new grant altogether. This we are going to do as soon as our great ones, some of whom are members of the committee and others friendly members of the Government, have returned from the hills.
This is a city of delay. To you who have lived so long in London our inevitable habit of procrastination will seem exasperating, but I believe that the intention is to do something, and that something will eventually be done in this case.
With very kind regards, believe me,
Yours Ever
M. Pickthall
9 July 1931
Marmaduke Pickthall Esq
Civil Service House
Hyderabad-Deccan
Dear Mr Pickthall
Mosque and Religious School in the East End of London
I have duly received your letter of the 16 June and have communicated the contents of same to the Trustees of the London Mosque Fund.
I quite understand the cause of the delay in this letter.
I note that you have made a fresh application to the Hyderabad Government for a grant and we shall be pleased to hear in due course what has been done. In our opinion it is advisable to keep this undertaking quite separate from the Nizamiah Mosque Project.
With Kind Regards
Yours Sincerely
Hon Treasurer
London Mosque Fund
24 November 1931
Syed Hashimi Esq
Red Hill
Hyderabad-Deccan
Dear Mr Hashimi
London Mosque Fund
I have before me your letter of the 24 March 1931 to which I replied on 21 April. Since then I have not heard from you.
Regarding the proposed Mosque and Religious school in the East End of London, no arrangements have been made and we are waiting to hear from your side.
The year is nearing its close and I shall have to submit a report to the Trustees. I shall be very pleased to hear from you so that I may place the matter before the Trustees.
I remain
Yours Very Sincerely
Hon Treasurer and Secretary
A.S.M Anik Esq
London E.C 3
Red Hill
Hyderabad Deccan
15 December 1931
My dear Mr Anik
I was glad to hear from you after so many weeks. The East End scheme looked on a fair way to success last April and, as intimated to you at the time, a regular Board was formed with Mr Pickthall as its Secretary to cooperate with your Committee and conduct the proposed Amir Ali Mosque and School at London—when some formalities caused delay and later the second session of the R.T. ConferenceFootnote 88 intervened to bring the matter to a standstill till now. But the Hyderabad Delegation is at last expected back at the end of this month and I presume their final decision with regards to your scheme should soon follow. At any rate it will be possible in a couple of months to inform you of the exact position, I trust; in the meanwhile, you may kindly recommend to your Committee to defer any reconsideration of their last resolution about the scheme till, say the end of February next.
With best wishes for a happy New Year
I remain
Yours Sincerely
1 January 1932
WLT SYED HASHIMI
REDHILL HYDERABAD-DECCAN
REGARDING PROPOSED EASTEND MOSQUE RELIGIOUS SCHOOL ANXIOUSLY AWAITING YOUR FINAL REPORT AND DEFINITE ARRANGEMENTS. ANIK
7 January 1932
Syed Hashimi Esq
Red Hill
Hyderabad-Deccan
Dear Syed Hashimi
I thank you for your letter of 15 December received on Monday 4 inst. and note that you will shortly know the exact position regarding the proposed Mosque and Religious School in the East End of London and you wish me to keep the matter pending till the end of February.
As we were rather anxious about the matter as it has been pending a long time and there will shortly be a meeting of the Trustees at which a report should be given, I sent you a cable on 1 January reading:
REGARDING PROPOSED EASTEND MOSQUE RELIGIOUS SCHOOL ANXIOUSLY AWAITING YOUR FINAL REPORT AND DEFINITE ARRANGEMENTS. ANIK
Although you ask in your letter for our Committee to defer any reconsideration till the end of February, I hope you will place my cable before your Committee for consideration as it may help to accelerate the matter.
With kind regards and hoping you are well
I remain
Yours Sincerely
A.S.M Anik
Syed Hashimi Esq
Red Hill
Hyderabad – Deccan
1 March 1932
Dear Syed Hashimi
London Mosque Fund
I sent you a cable on 1 January this year regarding the proposed Mosque and Religious School in the East End of London and just afterwards I received your letter dated 15 December 1931, which I acknowledge by my letter of the 7 January. From your letter of the 15 December it seemed that you would be able to arrange the matter at the end of last month (February). As I have heard nothing further from you I sent you the following cable yesterday:
HOPE DEFINITE ARRANGEMENTS NOW MADE REGARDING PROPOSED EASTEND MOSQUE RELIGIOUS SCHOOL PLEASE REPLY – ANIK
We shall shortly be having our annual General Meeting and this matter will have to be placed before the Trustees and Members, so I am anxious to know the result. I hope you have been successful in all your efforts and shall be pleased to hear from you.
With kind regards
I remain, dear Syed Hashimi
Yours Sincerely
[A.S.M. Anik]
13 April 1932
Marmaduke Pickthall Esq
Civil Service House
Hyderabad – Deccan
Dear Mr Pickthall
London Mosque Fund
I have received your letter of 3 March, and the same was placed before a meeting of the Trustees which was called on 7 April. They are all greatly disappointed to see the failure of our joint efforts to establish a Prayer House and Religious School in the East End of London.
You know that Nawab Mehdi Yar Jung paid only a flying visit with Dr Sheldrake* to the East End of London. Seeing the interest shown and the expressed desire to support this scheme, it is a pity that a person of his position changed his mind and did not place the application before H.E.H the Nizam's Government.
We all know the generosity of His Exalted Highness and the application for this small grant would no doubt have resulted in a liberal endowment to establish Allah's house and the teaching of Islam which would have called forth the gratitude of many poor Moslems.
Syed Hashimi visited every condition in the East End and passed several days in careful investigation of the need of poor Moslems and came to the conclusion that ours was the best scheme. You have lived in London and know the condition of the poor in the East End.
Our funds do not allow us to proceed with such a scheme without substantial help, as whatever is done must be done on a permanent basis.
We warmly appreciate your kind promise to continue your efforts to achieve the object and we hope to hear from you soon that you have been successful. On your Board of Management there are other distinguished gentlemen and if one of them will bring this matter to the notice of His Exalted Highness we are sure that his generous disposition will sanction the desired grant and the scheme will eventually be successful.
With Kind Regards
I remain,
Yours Sincerely
[A.S.M. Anik]
Hon Treasurer and Secretary
London Mosque Fund
13 April 1932
Syed Hashimi Esq
Redhill
Hyderabad-Deccan
Dear Syed Hashimi
London Mosque Fund
I have read with great regret and disappointment your letter regarding the failure of your efforts, on account of Nawab Mehdi Yar Jung's refusal to place the application before H.E.H the Nizam's Government. I note that you will continue your efforts to gain ultimate success and we hope to hear further from you.
I have written to Mr Pickthall as per copy enclosed to which I have very little to add.
With very kind regards
I remain, dear Syed Hashimi
Yours Sincerely
[A.S.M. Anik]
Villa Jane Andree
Le Cap D'Antibes
11 April 1932
Dr Mr Anik
Thank you for your letter of 24 March which I would have answered sooner, but I have been to the Disarmament Conference at Geneva, where I represent India,Footnote 89 and it is only now, during a short holiday, that I am able to deal with my own personal affairs.
I am sorry to hear that you have not been well, and I do hope that now that the winter is over you will soon get better.
It is indeed disappointing to hear that the scheme for a Prayer House and Religious School in the East End of London has not materialised and very discouraging for those who have worked so hard. I regret that I was unable to be present at the meeting on April 7 but I see little likelihood of being in London this year as the Disarmament Conference may continue until mid-summer. I strongly approve of the nomination of Dr Sheldrake to the Committee of the London Mosque Fund. He is a devoted worker and has the welfare of Islam at heart. I am very sorry to hear of the death of Ali Abdulla Bay.
With all good wishes, and I hope most sincerely that you will soon be quite well again.
Yours very truly
Aga Khan
A meeting of the Trustees was held on Thursday 7 April 1932 at the Waldorf Hotel, Aldwych, London W.C. 2 at 3 pm
Present:
The Rt Hon Lord Lamington (Chairman)
The Rt Hon Lord Ampthill
Col Nawab Malik Sir Umar Hayat Khan Tiwana
Mr Waris Ameer Ali
Mr A.S.M Anik (Hon Treasurer and Secretary)
1. The minutes of the last meeting, held on 17 April 1931 were read and confirmed.
2. Accounts: The Accounts to 31 December were presented and passed.
3. Auditors: It was proposed by Mr A.S.M Anik and seconded by Lord Ampthill that Messrs. Feasey Hull and Feasey be appointed auditors for the ensuing year. Agreed.
4. Report: A draft report was read by the Hon Secretary and with some slight amendments the same was adopted.
5. A letter from Mr Pickthall regarding the proposed scheme for a mosque and religious school in the East End of London was read. The Trustees regretted that the Committee of Management in Hyderabad had been unsuccessful in their efforts to obtain a grant from the Hyderabad Government, and a suitable reply to Mr Pickthall was drafted.
The scheme was further discussed and the Chairman, the Rt Hon Lord Lamington, offered to write a personal letter to the Financial Secretary to the Hyderabad Government and the offer was very gratefully accepted.
6. Mr Anik proposed that Mr Khalid Sheldrake be elected a member of the London Mosque Fund Committee. The matter was discussed and as Mr Waris Ameer Ali promised to give every assistance when the necessity should arise, it was decided not to increase the number on the Committee at present.Footnote 90
7. Mr Anil proposed and Sir Umar Hayat Khan seconded a voted of thanks to the Chairman.
The meeting concluded at 3.45 pm.
Confirmed: Lamington 19 May 1933
[These minutes were sent to and approved by Lord Lamington, Lord Ampthill and Mr Waris Ameer Ali.]
Hyderabad-Deccan
22 March 1933
No. 2139
The Rt Hon the Earl of Lamington
3 Wilton Place
London S.W 1
Dear Lord Lamington
With reference to your letter dated 14 June 1932 addressed to His Exalted Highness the Nizam recommending financial help to the London Mosque Fund for the education of the poorer classes of Muslims in London, I am commanded by His Exalted Highness the Nizam to say that while fully sympathising with the objects you have in view, he greatly regrets his Government is unable to offer any pecuniary assistance towards the attainment of those objects owing to the present widespread financial depressionFootnote 91 and the many demands on our resources within the State itself.
Yours Sincerely
Mahdi Yar Jung
Political Member of H.E.H the Nizam's Government
51 Princess Gate
S.W
15 May 1933
A.S.M Anik Esq
Billiter Buildings
Billiter Street
E.C.3
Dear Mr Anik
London Mosque Fund
I am much obliged to you for your letter of 11 May enclosing the audited accounts up to the 31 December 1932 and the draft report.
I am afraid that I shall not be in London on Friday 19 May and it would anyhow not be worth my while to come up for five minutes business. I hope, therefore, that Lord Lamington and the other Trustees will kindly hold me excused.
I suppose you have heard that another scheme for building not only a Mosque but also a Social Club for Moslems is on foot? The movement seems to be organized by a body called “the National League”Footnote 92 which has its office at 16 St James's Street, and the object is that this Club and Mosque should be a Memorial to the late Mary Adelaide BroadhurstFootnote 93 who was, I think, President of the National League.Footnote 94 As the plan is to have a “group of Moslem buildings in St. James's” it seems to me to be beyond the bounds of possibility that the money will ever be collected and I do not think this rival project need worry us although Miss Farquharson, the present President of the National League, tells me that the Moslem Leaders themselves are enthusiastic about the project.
I think you would do well just to mention this matter at the meetings of the British Red Crescent Society and the London Mosque Fund.
Yours Sincerely
Ampthill
A meeting of the Trustees was held on Friday 19 May 1933 at 83 Carlisle Mansions, Victoria, London S.W 1 at 3.30 pm
Present:
The Rt Hon Lord Lamington (Chairman)
Col Nawab Malik Sir Umar Hayat Khan, Tiwana
Mr Waris Ameer Ali
Mr A.S.M Anik (Hon Treasurer and Secretary)
1. The Minutes of the last meeting held on 7 April 1932 were read, confirmed and signed.
2. The Accounts: The accounts to 31 December 1932 were presented and proposed by Sir Umar Hayat Khan, seconded by Mr Waris Ameer Ali and unanimously passed.
3. Report: A draft report was read and unanimously adopted. Agreed.
4. The Treasurer[illegible] It was resolved that the Treasurer is authorised that whenever there is surplus money not required for immediate need to be invested in Trustees Securities. Agreed.
5. Auditors: It was proposed by Mr A.S.M Anik and seconded by Mr Waris Ameer Ali that Messrs. Feasey Hull and Feasey be appointed auditors for the ensuing year. Agreed.
6. A communication from Hyderabad stating that no contribution will be made by the Hyderabad Government for the Prayer House and School in the East End.
7. A letter from Lord Ampthill was read by the Chairman regarding Miss Farquharson's scheme. The Trustees did not consider to associate with the National League. Decided to lay the letters on the table.Footnote 95
8. It was proposed by Sir Umar Hayat Khan and seconded by Mr Waris Ameer Ali that efforts were to be made to secure a Moslem Preacher and Prayer Room in the East End of London.
9. A vote of thanks to the Chairman and to Mrs Ameer was unanimously passed.
Confirmed: Lamington
The Annual General Meeting was held on Tuesday 2 April 1935 at the Waldorf Hotel, Aldwych, London WC2
There were present:
The Rt Hon Lord Lamington, G.C.M G, G. C.I. E, Chairman Trustee
The Rt Hon Lord Ampthill, G.C.I.E, G.C. S. I, Trustee
Mr Waris Ameer Ali, trustee
Gholam Ali Khan Ardalan, 1st Secretary to Iranian Legation
Mr A.S.M Anik, Treasurer and Secretary
1. The Minutes. The Minutes of the last meeting held on 19 May 1933 were read, confirmed and signed.
2. The Accounts. The accounts to 31 December 1931 were presented and passed.
3. Report. A draft report was read and unanimously adopted.
4. Auditors. Messrs. Feasey Hull and Feasey were re-appointed auditors for the ensuring year. Unanimously agreed.
5. Resignation of Sir Umar Hayat Khan as one of the Trustees and a member has been noted with regret.
6. Resolved to invite Sir Abdul Qadir* as a Trustee of the Board.
7. It was proposed by the Rt Hon Lord Ampthill and seconded by Waris Ameer Ali that an expenditure not exceeding £150 shall be incurred from the income of the trust for the purpose of Moslem public worship by congregations in the East End of London. Unanimously agreed.
8. It was proposed by Mr A.S.M Anik and seconded by Mr Ameer Ali that a contribution not exceeding £10 be paid for Ashura CelebrationFootnote 96 on Sunday 14 April in the East End of London on the understanding that all Moslems participate.Footnote 97 This was unanimously agreed.
9. It was suggested by Mr Ameer Ali that the opinion of the brokers to be taken to change investment from India 3½% to any fixed trustee security.
10. A vote of thanks to the Chairman was unanimously agreed.
Confirmed: Lamington 13 May 1936
The auditors having pointed out that the depreciation written off the cost of the India 3 ½% stock in 1931 amounting to £1895-9-3 had been more than recovered by the increase in the market value since that date, it was resolved that such depreciation be now written back on 31 December 1935.
Lamington – Trustee and Chairman
Ameer Ali – Trustee
A.S.M Anik – Treasurer
The Annual General Meeting was held on Wednesday 13 May 1936 at the Waldorf Hotel, Aldwych, London WC2. The Rt Hon Lord Lamington G.C.M G, G. C.A.E presided
Present:
Lord Lamington Chairman
The Rt Hon Sir Frederick Hugh Sykes*
Khan Bahadur Shaikh Sir Abdul Qadir
Mr Waris Ameer Ali
Mr A.S.M Anik
Monsieur Ardalan the First Secretary of Imperial Iranian Legation
The Minutes The Minutes of the last meeting held on 2 April 1935 were read, confirmed and signed. The Chairman said:
“It is with the deepest regret that we record the death of the Rt Hon Lord Ampthill G.C.I.E, G. C. S.I, who died on 7 July 1935. He was one of the Trustees of the Fund from the commencement in 1910 and gave very valuable assistance and advice.”
The Hon Treasurer informed the Committee that a letter of condolence had been sent by him on behalf of the Committee to Lady Ampthill and was acknowledged by her. This was approved by the Committee.
It was unanimously resolved that Major Gen The Rt Hon Sir Frederick Hugh Sykes, P.C, G.C.S.I, and Khan Bahadur Shaikh Sir Abdul Qadir, member of the Council of the Secretary of State for India be appointed Trustees in the vacancies caused by the death of the Rt Hon Lord Ampthill and by the resignation of Major Gen Sir Umar Hayat Khan who had left for India. This was agreed to and they joined the meeting.
In view of the appointment of the Rt Hon Sir Frederick Hugh Sykes and Khan Bahadur Shaikh Sir Abdul Qadir as Trustees the resolution of 9 January was to be amended as follows:
Viz. that all cheques and instructions to be signed by any one of the following
The Rt Hon Lord Lamington
Mr Waris Ameer Ali
Major General Rt Hon Sir Frederick Hugh Sykes
Khan Bahadur Shaikh Sir Abdul Qadir
being Trustees of the London Mosque Fund and countersigned by the Hon Treasurer Mr A.S.M Anik.
Copy of the above resolution certified by the Chairman Lord Lamington and signed by Mr Waris Ameer Ali and Mr A.S.M Anik to be sent to the bankers The Bank of England.
Specimen signature cards were signed by Sir Frederick Sykes and Sir Abdul Qadir to be sent to the bankers The Bank of England.
The Accounts The audited accounts to 31 December 1935 were presented and passed.
Auditors It was proposed by Sir Abdul Qadir and seconded by Monsieur Abdalarn that Messrs Feasey Hull and Feasey be re-appointed auditors for the ensuing year. This was unanimously agreed.
Report A draft report for the year 1935 was read and unanimously adopted to get same printed and circulated.
It was unanimously agreed that a sum of £10 be paid to Jamait-ul-Muslimin [sic]Footnote 98 for MouludFootnote 99 and a further £5 as per letters of 26 May 1936.
Sir Abdul Qadir was requested to draft a letter to be sent to H.E.H the Nizam on the occasion of his Jubilee for a contribution towards a Mosque in the East End of London and to the employment of a permanent Moulvi to conduct prayers for Moslems in that part of London.
Appointment of a Secretary This matter has been kept in abeyance for further consideration.
A vote of thanks to the Chairman was proposed by Sir Abdul Qadir and seconded by Monsieur Ardalan and heartily passed.
Confirmed: Lamington 26 Feb 1937
The Annual General Meeting of the London Mosque Fund was held on Friday 26 February 1937 at the Waldorf Hotel, Aldwych, London WC2. The Rt Hon Lord Lamington G.C.M.G, G.C.I.E Chairman presided. There were present:
The Rt Hon Lord Lamington G.C.M.G, G.C.I.E
Maj Gen The Rt Hon Sir Frederick Hugh Sykes P.C., G.C.S.I, G.C.I.E, G.B.E, K.C.B, C.M G.
Khan Bahadur Shaikh Sir Abdul Qadir
Mr Waris Ameer Ali
Mr A.S.M. Anik
The Minutes. The minutes of the last meeting held on 13 May 1936 were read, confirmed and signed.
Accounts. The audited accounts up to the 31 December 1936 were presented and passed. The resolution was proposed by Sir Abdul Qadir and seconded by Mr Waris Ameer Ali and carried unanimously.
Auditors. It was proposed by Sir Abdul Qadir and seconded by Mr Waris Ameer Ali that Messrs. Feasey Hull and Feasey were to be re-appointed auditors for the ensuring year. This was unanimously agreed.
Loan. It was agreed that a loan of £50 to Indigent Moslems Burial Fund be made from the balance at the Bank of England. Unanimously agreed.
Report. The report of the work of the Fund up to the 31 December 1936 was read and adopted. This was proposed by Sir Abdul Qadir and seconded by Mr Waris Ameer Ali.
The appointment of Sir Firozkhan Noon,*Footnote 100 the High Commissioner for India as a Trustee of the Fund was unanimously agreed to, subject to his concurrence.
Transfer of Securities. £7,400 India 3½% 1931 and £3,150 War Loan 1952 was made in the names of the following Trustees:
The Rt Hon Lord Lamington
The Rt Hon Sir Frederick Hugh Sykes, P.C
Khan Bahadur Shaikh Sir Abdul Qadir
Mr Waris Ameer Ali
All the papers regarding this transfer and to inscribe as Book Stock in the Stock Books of Bank of England were signed by the above transferees and witnessed.
H.E.H The Nizam's Silver Jubilee. It was reported by Mr Anik that a cable was sent to H.E.H the Nizam of Hyderabad and Benar congratulating him on his Silver Jubilee and in reply a cable was received from His Exalted Highness reading “Thanks, greatly appreciate contents of your telegram. Nizam”
Vote of thanks to the Chairman was carried unanimously.
Sir Firozkhan Noon subsequently agreed to become a Trustee of the Fund. This has been duly notified to all the other Trustees, and the Bankers, the Bank of England sending his specimen signature for signing cheques and instructions.
Confirmed: Lamington 17 May 1938
The Annual General Meeting of the London Mosque Fund was held on Tuesday 17 May 1938 at India House, Aldwych, London WC2.Footnote 101The Rt Hon Lord Lamington G.C.M.G, G.C.I.E Chairman presided. There were present:
The Rt Hon Lord Lamington G.C.M.G, G.C.I.E
Khan Bahadur Shaikh Sir Abdul Qadir
Mr Waris Ameer Ali
Sir Firozkhan Noon
Mr Arthur Bird* (on behalf of the Treasurer, Mr A.S. M. Anik)
A message of regret for absent was received from Sir F Hugh Sykes and Mr A.S.M. Anik
The Minutes. The minutes of the last meeting held on 26 February 1937 were read, confirmed and signed.
Accounts. The audited accounts up to 31 December were presented and passed. The resolution was proposed by Sir Abdul Qadir and seconded by Mr Waris Ameer Ali and carried unanimously.
Loan. Mr Bird reported that the loan of £50 made to the Indigent Moslems Burial Fund was being repaid.
East End Prayer House. There was a long discussion regarding the building of a prayer house in the East End of London and it was agreed that the matter should be left to Sir Firoz Khan to make enquiries through his marine superintendent and make a report at a later date.
Sir Abdul Qadir raised the matter regarding the payment of an honorarium to Mr H. Izharul Hasan who was at present leading the Friday prayers in the East End of London.Footnote 102
Sir Abdul Qadir said he had asked Mr Hasan to come along in case the other Trustees wished to interview him. This was agreed to. Mr Hasan was then called in and several questions were put to him regarding his qualifications.
It was proposed by Sir Abdul Qadir and seconded by Mr Waris Ameer Ali that an Honorarium of £1 per week be paid to Mr Hasan for leading Friday prayers etc in the East End of London.
One month's notice to be given by either side to terminate the arrangement. This was agreed to.
Hon Secretary. Lord Lamington said he had approached Ernest Hotson*Footnote 103 who had agreed to become Hon Secretary. His appointment was unanimously agreed to.
Assistant Hon Secretary. Sir Abdul Qadir proposed that Mr Arthur Bird be appointed assistant Hon Secretary and that he be paid an honorarium of £ 10 per annum. Seconded by Mr Waris Ameer Ali. His appointment unanimously agreed to, also the proposed honorarium.
Auditors. Proposed by Mr Waris Ameer Ali and seconded by Sir Abdul Qadir that Messrs Feasey Hull and Feasey be re-appointed auditors for the ensuing year. This was unanimously agreed to.
Proposed by Mr Waris Ameer Ali and seconded by Sir Abdul Qadir a vote of thanks to Sir Firoz Khan Noon for his kindness in allowing the Trustees the use of his room for the meeting. Carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to the Chairman was carried unanimously.
Confirmed: Lamington 9 December 1938
A Meeting of the Trustees of London Mosque was held on Friday 9 December 1938 at 3 Wilton Place London SW. The Chairman the Rt Hon Lord Lamington G.C.M.G, G.C.I.E, Chairman presided. There were present:
The Rt Hon Lord Lamington G.C.M.G, G.C.I.E
Khan Bahadur Shaikh Sir Abdul Qadir
Mr Waris Ameer Ali
Sir Firoz Khan Noon
Sir Ernest Hotson (Hon Secretary)
Mr Arthur Bird (Assistant Hon Secretary)
A message of regret for absence was received from Sir Frederick H. Sykes
The Minutes of the last meeting held on 17 May 1938 were read, confirmed and signed by the Chairman.
Business remaining from the Minutes: Nil.
Purchase of a site for a Mosque. Sir Firoz Khan Noon reported that he and Sir Abdul Qadir had seen two possible sites both of which are now in the market. One, in Adler Street, leading out of Commercial Road, is not built on, so that building would have to be undertaken immediately. Further it is quite close to a Jewish place of worship. The other nos. 446 and 448 Commercial Road, has building which with some alteration would be suitable. The corner site No. 450 is also to let, but not for sale. The price asked for 446 and 448 is about £2,000. Some of the rooms could be converted into bedrooms for the use of sailors and other Moslems visiting London.
Some could be let out as shops. No 450 could also be used, if it were decided to take a lease of it. The purchase of No 446 and 448 was approved in principle and a sub Committee consisting of Sir Abdul Qadir, Mr Waris Ameer Ali and Sir Ernest Hotson was appointed to inspect the site and go fully into all details, and make estimates of expenditure, and if possible to secure an option on the site, and to report to the Committee as soon as possible.
Sir Ernest Hotson as Hon Secretary was asked to convene a meeting or meetings of the sub Committee. Sir Firoz Khan promised to send a surveyor to examine the site.
The Hon Sec was instructed to inform the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin in reply to its letter dated 25 November 1938 that the purchase of a site for a mosque is under consideration.
There was no other business. A vote of thanks to Lord Lamington for his hospitality and for providing was unanimously passed.
Confirmed: Lamington 10 March 1939
Minutes of the Meeting of the London Mosque Trustees at 3 Wilton Place at 11 am on Friday 10 March 1939. Lord Lamington took the chair. There were present:
Rt Hon Lord Lamington
Sir Abdul Qadir
Sir Frederick Sykes
Sir Firoz Khan Noon
Mr Waris Ameer Ali
Sir Edward Hotson (Hon Secretary)
Mr A. Bird (Assistant Hon Secretary)
Minutes. The minutes of the last meeting held on 9 December 1938 were read and approved and signed by the Chairman.
Business arising. The action taken by the sub-committee appointed at the last meeting to enquire further into the suitability of the site in the Commercial Road proposed for the Mosque was reported to the Trustees.
It was decided that the Adler Street site was to be preferred and the same sub-committee (Sir Abdul Qadir, Mr Waris Ameer Ali and Sir Ernest Hotson) was empowered to proceed with negotiation regarding its purchase. Sir Firoz Khan Noon having kindly agreed to interview the surveyor Messrs Cuthbert Lake & Sutton,Footnote 104 the Hon Secretary was instructed to write to Sir Firoz Khan Noon stating the points to be considered at the interview, in the first place the charge to be made by the surveyors for work already done and to be done in future, and if these points are satisfactorily settled, the conditional offer to be made to the vendors of the Adler Street site, the offer not to exceed £3,000, and to depend on the arrangements of suitable conditions regarding the area to be covered by buildings and other matters with the [illegible].
Sir Firoz Khan Noon also kindly agreed to take up the question of these conditions with the L.C.C.Footnote 105
The Trustees notice that the sum available for the construction and maintenance of the Mosque is, at present market rate for the securities, much less than £10,000.
They were of the opinion that a further sum of two lakhs of rupeesFootnote 106 at least would be required and that an appeal to the public in this country and in India would have better chance of success after the purchase of the site.
They therefore postponed the drafting of an appeal, but welcome the proposal of individual Trustees to canvas their friends for support at once.
There being no other business the meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the Chairman for presiding and for his hospitality.
Confirmed: Lamington 8 June 1939
[The following notes were typed up and attached to the minutes on a separate sheet]
The Trustees notice that the sum available for the construction and maintenance of the Mosque is, at present market rate for the securities, much less than £10,000.
They were of the opinion that a further sum of two lakhs of rupees at least would be required and that an appeal to the public in this country and in India would have better chance of success after the purchase of the site.
A Meeting of the Trustees of The London Mosque Fund held on Thursday 8 June 1939 at India House. The Chairman, the Rt Hon Lord Lamington G.C.M.G, G.C.I.E presided. There were present:
Rt Hon Lord Lamington
Sir Abdul Qadir
Sir Frederick Sykes
Mr Waris Ameer Ali
Sir Edward Hotson (Hon Secretary)
Mr A. Bird (Assistant Hon Secretary)
Minutes. The minutes of the last meeting held on 17 May 1939 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman.
Business arising. None
Accounts. On the proposal of Sir Abdul Qadir, seconded by Sir F. Sykes the accounts for the year 1938 were approved and passed.
Auditors. On the proposal of Mr Waris Ameer Ali seconded by Sir Abdul Qadir the Auditors Messrs Feasey Hull and Feasey were re-appointed for the current year.
Mosque Site. Sir Abdul Qadir reported the action taken by the sub-committee regarding the purchase of a site for the Mosque. An offer was put in for the Adler Street site, but an earlier offer was under the consideration of the vendors, and the site has since been sold. It is understood that the price paid is substantially more than £3,000, the limit fixed by the Trustees.
A third site, in Back Church Lane was inspected by Sir Abdul Qadir and Sir Ernest Hotson, but as its price was expected to be over £5,000 it had to be dismissed from consideration. Although in some respects suitable, it seemed likely to be very noisy.
There remained therefore only the site in Commercial Road. Nos. 446, 448 and 450. All three houses are now available for purchase though vacant possession could only be obtained of one of them at once. The site has again been inspected by Messrs Cuthbert Lake and Sutton, whose report dated 2 June was read to the Trustees.
At the proposal of Sir Abdul Qadir seconded by Sir Frederick Sykes, the same sub-committee namely Sir Abdul Qadir, Mr Waris Ameer Ali and Sir Ernest Hotson was re-appointed to proceed with negotiation for the purchase of this site. They were empowered to make a conditional offer up to £3,000, beginning with £2,500, as suggested by Messrs Cuthbert Lake and Sutton, or £2,750 as might seem best to them, the price demanded by the vendors viz. £3,250.
The offer was to be subject to satisfactory information about the sites on which vacant possession of the two occupied houses could be named, and a further report by Messrs Cuthbert Lake and Sutton as to suitability of the site for the Trustees’ purposes and the probable cost of demolition of buildings, and to the consent of the London County Council to the erection of a Mosque on the site, and such other matters as might seem proper to the sub-committee.
It was decided that when Sir Abdul Qadir returns to India his successor as Trustee Sir Hassan Suhrawardy* should, if willing, take his place on the sub-committee.
It was agreed that the account of Messrs Cuthbert Lake and Sutton for £21 for work already done should be paid.
A letter received by the Hon Secretary purporting to come from the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin was read. As it is unsigned, and only has typed signature “Jamiat-ul-Muslimin” it was decided to take no notice of it.Footnote 107
A letter received by the Hon Secretary from Mr J.H. MougyFootnote 108 was read. Mr Mougy asked for help to pay an account received from the City Hotel for the expense of a Tea Party to celebrate the Anniversary of the Birthday of the Prophet, Sir Abdul Qadir mentioned that help had from time to time been given to the Moslems of the East End towards the cost of parties on similar occasions but it was considered that the two cases were not parallel. The Hon Secretary was instructed to inform Mr Mougy that the Trustees regretted that they had no funds available for such functions.
Business. Regret was expressed on the impending return to India of Sir Abdul Qadir who has rendered such valuable assistance to the Fund during his stay in London.
According to the Trust Deed his place as Trustee will be taken by his successor as advisor to the Secretary of State for India, to which post Sir Hassan Suhrawardy has been appointed. The Hon Secretary was instructed to make the necessary arrangements for the transfer of securities in consultation with the Hon Treasurer.
It was agreed that the Bank of England be notified of the change and a fresh authority for the signing of cheques supplied to them.
The proceedings then terminated with a vote of thanks to the Chairman.
The Hon Secretary was also instructed to thank the High Commissioner for the loan of the room in which the Trustees met.
Confirmed: Lamington 8 December 1939
Meeting of the Trustees of The London Mosque Fund was held, at the kind invitation of Lord Lamington, at 3 Wilton Place on Friday 8 December 1939 at 10.30 a.m
There were present:
Lord Lamington
Sir Hassan Suhrawardy
Sir Frederick Sykes
Mr Waris Ameer Ali
Sir Edward Hotson (Secretary)
Mr A. Bird (Assistant Secretary)
An apology for his absence was received from Sir Firoz-Khan Noon.
The Minutes of the previous meeting, held on 8 July 1939Footnote 109 were read and confirmed.
On the proposal of Sir Frederick Sykes, seconded by Mr Waris Ameer Ali, Sir Hassan Suhrawardy was appointed as Treasurer.
It was resolved that, owing to the resignation of Sir Abdul Qadir, on account of the expiration of his term of office as Advisor to the Secretary of State for India, his successor, Sir Hassan Suhrawardy, be appointed Trustee in his place, and be authorised to sign cheques and instructions of the London Mosque Fund, and he is hereby appointed and authorised. This resolution shall be signed by the Chairman and sent to the Bankers to take note.
It was further resolved that cheques shall be signed by the Hon Treasurer, Sir Hassan Suhrawardy, and any one of the Trustees (viz. Lord Lamington, H H Aga Khan, Sir Frederick Sykes, Sir Firozkhan Noon, Mr Waris Ameer Ali).
The Trustees expressed their deep regret at the death of Mr A S M Anik, who had served the Fund as Hon Treasurer for many years, and whose absolute honesty of purpose and undeviating efforts to do the best for everybody commanded their warm admiration, and resolved that a letter of condolence be sent to the members of his family. This resolution was passed by the Trustees standing in solemn silence.
The Sub-Committee, consisting of Sir Hassan Suhrawardy, Mr Waris Ameer Ali and Sir Ernest Hotson, was given renewed authority to proceed with arrangements for the purchase of the Commercial Road site, the limit of price being fixed at £3,000 as before. Sir Hassan Suhrawardy explained the action which had been taken since the last meeting, and showed the correspondence between himself and Messrs Cuthbert, Lake & Sutton and the plans prepared by them.
The Trustees expressed their appreciation of the work done for them by Mr A Bird, and learned with much regret that, owing to the probable closing down of the late Mr Anik's business in the near future, Mr Bird's connection with the Fund would be brought to an end. They would be glad to make use of Mr Bird's services as long as they might still be available. Sir Hassan Suhrawardy undertook that either he or Sir Firozkhan Noon would take charge of the records when Mr Anik's office was closed and arrange for carrying on the work now done by Mr Bird, until permanent arrangements for both could be made.
The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the Chairman.
Lamington 19 February 1940
A meeting of the Trustees of the London Mosque Fund was held at 3 Wilton Place at 10.30 am on 19 February 1940. There were present:
The Rt Hon Lord Lamington (in the Chair)
Major-General the Rt Hon Sir Frederick Sykes
Sir Hassan Suhrawardy
Mr Waris Ameer Ali (also representing Sir Firozkhan Noon)
Sir Ernest Hotson was absent for reasons of health
1. The Minutes of the last meeting were read, approved and signed by the Chairman.
2. The progress of the work of the Sub-Committee for the purchase of a site was reported by Sir Hassan Shurawardy. After discussion it was proposed by Sir Frederick Sykes and seconded by Mr Waris Ameer Ali that steps should be taken by Sir Hassan Suhrawardy to purchase the Commercial Road site for a maximum of £3,000 through Messrs Cuthbert, Lake & Sutton, subject to reports by a firm of solicitors approved by the Trustees, that the site is free of encumbrances, etc.
3. Mr Waris Ameer Ali, on his own behalf and on behalf of Sir Firozkhan Noon, commended the work done and the initiative taken by Sir Hassan Suhrawardy in forwarding the project of building a Mosque in the East End, but they thought that with regard to Sir Hassan's resolution, which formed item No 3 of the agenda of the meeting, they considered it advisable to go forward with great caution, and to find out whether a Committee or a Board of Trust were going to be appointed to administer the funds of the Scheme of His Excellency the Egyptian Ambassador,Footnote 110 also to find out what funds there were. A discussion followed.
It was resolved that the project for amalgamating the assets of the fund with those of the Scheme of His Excellency the Egyptian Ambassador be deferred for further consideration, and that the Trustees should enquire from H E the Egyptian Ambassador what are his suggestions in regard to this matter.
4. The question of the appointment of Mr Charles Gordon Ross, M.C as Honorary Treasurer of the Fund was considered. Sir Frederick Sykes stated that the Trustees did not know Mr Ross, and suggested that the proposal of his appointment should be deferred for further investigation. Sir Hassan Suhrawardy pointed out that the name of Mr Ross was suggested to him by Sir Firozkhan Noon, and the firm of solicitors of which he was the senior partner was recommended to the High Commissioner by the Chief Justice of the Punjab, and this matter had been discussed and approved at a meeting of the Sub-Committee held on 18 January. The matter was deferred for consideration at a full meeting of the Trustees.
5. The question of the appointment of a firm of solicitors to act for the Society was raised, and Sir Hassan Suhrawardy said that the firm of Messrs. Cardew-Smith & Ross appeared to be suitable for this work. Sir Frederick Sykes suggested that the opinion of the solicitors to the High Commissioner should be taken, but Sir Hassan Suhrawardy said that as the firm of Messrs Cardew-Smith & Ross had been recommended to the High Commissioner by the Chief Justice of the Punjab, and all legal work is controlled by the Legal Advisers at the India Office, their opinion, if any, ought to be consulted.
It was resolved that the opinion of legal advisers at the India Office be taken in this matter.
The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the Chair.
Confirmed: F Sykes 6 January 1941
Resolution
Resolved that His Excellency Dr Hassan Nachat Pasha,*Footnote 111 the Egyptian Ambassador, be requested to include in his scheme of building a central Mosque in London, the scheme of building a Mosque in the East End on the following condition:
1) That the cash, investments in Government securities or otherwise and immovable property standing to the credit of the London Mosque Fund Trust, and representing the total assets thereof, be amalgamated with the London Mosque Fund started by His Excellency Dr Hassan Nachat Pasha, the Egyptian Ambassador, and controlled by a Committee of management.
2) That in the London Mosque in the East End a tablet should be placed mentioning the total assets which have been transferred from the London Mosque Trust Fund. In this tablet should also appear the name of the late Rt Hon Syed Ameer Ali, the Life-Chairman and originator of the scheme, together with the names of the present Trustees, the Rt Hon H H the Aga Khan, P.C, G.C.S.I, C.C.I.E, G.C.V.O, LL.D, the Rt Hon Lord Lamington P.R, G.C.M.G, G.C.I.E, Major-Gen the Rt Hon Sir Frederick Sykes, P.C, G.C.I.E, G.B.E, K.C.B, Malik Sir Firozkhan Noon, K.C.I.E, Mr Waris Ameer Ali, I.C.S, (Retd), Al Haj Lt-Col Sir Hassan Suhrawardy, O.B.E, LL.D, D.Sc, and the Secretary, Sir Ernest Hotson, K.C.S.I.
3) That the responsibility for:
a) The maintenance and upkeep of the Mosque
b) The provision of muezzins,Footnote 112 imams and teachers with suitable accommodation for them
should be undertaken by His Excellency the Egyptian Ambassador, and his Committee.
4) This building scheme should include provision of a suitable place where dead bodies may be taken for performing religious rites before they are taken to the London Necropolis Station preparatory to interment at the Muslim burial ground at Brookwood Cemetery. A suitable hearse with appropriate inscription should also be provided.
The above resolution to be proposed by Sir Hassan Suhrawardy and seconded by Sir Firozkhan Noon.
The reasons in support of the above resolution are as follows:Footnote 113
Minutes of a meeting of the Trustees of the London Mosque Fund held at 11 am on Friday 24 May 1940 at 3 Wilton Place, SW1 by kind invitation of Lord Lamington
Present:
Lord Lamington in the Chair
Mr Waris Ameer Ali
Sir Hassan Suhrawardy
Sir Ernest Hotson (Hon Secretary)
An apology for absence was received from Sir Firozkhan Noon
1. The meeting having been convened for a special purpose, the Minutes of the last meeting were not read.
2. Sir Hassan Suhrawardy having explained the present position as regards the purchase of the Commercial Road site, an authority to him to conclude the purchase, the price stated being £2,800, was signed by the Trustees present, and the Hon Secretary was instructed to obtain the signatures of Sir Frederick Sykes and, if possible, of H H the Aga Khan.
3. The honorarium of £10 to be paid to Mr A Bird from the London Mosque Fund was sanctioned. A testimonial to be given to Mr Bird in recognition of the valuable work he had done for the Mosque Fund, along with the British Red Crescent Society and the Indigent Muslims Burial Fund, was approved and signed by the Trustees present.
4. The secretarial charges since the handing over of charge as Assistant Secretary by Mr A Bird having been met in the first place from Sir Hassan Suhrawardy's pocket, it was agreed to sanction the employment of a paid stenographer at 30/- [shillings] a week, with effect from the 1 January, 1940, the cost being met as one third (10/-) each by the London Mosque Fund and the other two associated Societies. It was decided that after 30 June the employment of the stenographer should be extended quarterly until other arrangement could be made.
5. There being no further business, the meeting closed with a vote of thanks to Lord Lamington.
Confirmed: F. Sykes 6 January 1941
Minutes of the Trustees of the London Mosque Fund held at 11 am on Monday 6 January 1941 at India House, Aldwych, WC2
Present:
The Rt Hon Major-Gen Sir Frederick Sykes (in the Chair)
Malik Sir Firozkhan Noon
Al-Haj Sir Hassan Suhrawardy
Apologies for absence were received from Sir Ernest Hotson and Mr Waris Ameer Ali.
1. The Minutes of the meetings dated 24 May and 19 July 1940 were read and confirmed.
2. The Trustees placed on record their deep sense of appreciation of the devoted services rendered by the late Lord Lamington in maintaining the activities of the London Mosque Fund, and they also recorded their condolences with the bereaved family. It was noted that a letter of condolence had been sent to Lady Lamington on 18 September, jointly by Sir Hassan Suhrawardy and Sir Ernest Hotson and a wreath was also sent on the day of the funeral.
3. It was resolved that the election of a Vice-President in place of the late Lord Lamington be postponed for consideration at a later date.
4. The question of the election of a Chairman of the Executive Committee was considered in the light of paragraph 11 of the Deed of Trust, to which attention had been drawn by the solicitors of the Fund.
Sir Hassan Suhrawardy proposed, and Sir Frederick Sykes seconded that, pending the amalgamation of the Fund with the bigger London Mosque (Jamea) Fund, Sir Firozkhan Noon be appointed Chairman. Sir Firozkhan pointed out certain difficulties in acceding to the proposal, and stated that he had consulted Mr Waris Ameer Ali on the subject and they considered that the election of Sir Hassan Suhrawardy would be most expedient. It was therefore unanimously resolved that Sir Hassan Suhrawardy be elected Chairman of the Executive Committee.
5. Sir Hassan Suhrawardy reported the purchase of properties Nos. 450/448/446 Commercial Road E1, which was completed by our solicitors, Messrs Cardew-Smith & Ross, in December 1940, at a total cost of £2,800 (No. 450 being purchased for £1,050, and Nos. 446/448 for £1,750).Footnote 114 This amount is £200 less than the stipulated amount of £3,000 for which Sir Hassan Suhrawardy was authorised to purchase the property (vide resolution dates 20 May 1940).
Legal disbursements in negotiating and purchasing the property amounted to £48.4.- and the cost of postage, telephone calls, etc. amounted to £2.2.- for which a statement has been received from our solicitors, and the amounts paid.
Under the Statutory Scale, Messrs Cardew-Smith & Ross were entitled to a fee of £25.6.8 for their professional services but they have made no charge.
Messrs Cuthbert, Lake & Sutton, surveyors, submitted a bill for £36.5.2 for professional services, which was duly paid.
It was resolved that the thanks of the Trustees be conveyed to Messrs. Cardew-Smith & Ross for giving their honorary services to the Fund.
6. The Committee considered the following items:
a) Sir Hassan Suhrawardy's proposal to give up renting the dance hall at 85–87 Commercial Road for the holding of prayers and religious observances, and to utilise the newly-bought premises for these purposes.
b) The application made by our solicitors for exemption of rates and taxes in respect of the above properties as it was proposed to use them for religious purposes only.
c) The application of the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin dated 15 November to be allowed to lease one of the buildings, and the draft resolution drawn up by our solicitors giving the terms and conditions under which the property could be leased out.Footnote 115
After discussion, the Committee authorised Sir Hassan Suhrawardy to take necessary steps to obtain exemption for all the properties for the period they lie vacant, over and above the application already made regarding the properties to be used for religious purposes. They also authorised him to take necessary action regarding alterations and repairs to convert the buildings to provide a temporary place of worship and Islamic culture centre.
7. The Committee considered the question as to whether any of the buildings could be utilised in any way for welfare work among Indian seamen for the period of the war. Sir Firozkhan Noon stated that, as he was a Member of the Trust, he could not take any action in the matter as High Commissioner for India. The matter was therefore dropped.
8. Sir Hassan Suhrawardy presented a report regarding the present financial position of the Fund, which was noted by the Committee.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned with a vote of thanks to the Chairman Sir Frederick Sykes.
Confirmed: Frederick Sykes 20 January 1941, and Suhrawardy 23 July 1941
To Sir Hassan Suhrawardy
Re: Nos. 446, 448 & 450 Commercial Road E. 1
We the undersigned Trustees of the London Mosque Fund hereby authorise and request you as our agents and on our behalf to enter into Contracts to purchase for the above Trust Fund the above premises from the respective owners thereof.
Dated that 29 day of July 1940
The original authority, signed by the other Trustees, is in safe custody with the Fund's Solicitors, Messrs, Cardew-Smith & Ross, 27 Ely Place, E1.
Minutes of a Meeting of the Trustees of the London Mosque Fund held on Wednesday 23 July 1941 in Sir Hassan Suhrawardy's room at the India Office, Whitehall SW1
Present:
Al-Hadj Sir Hassan Suhrawardy (in the Chair)
The Rt Hon Sir Frederick Sykes
Malik Sir Firozkhan Noon
Mr Waris Ameer Ali
Sir Ernest Hotson (Hon Secretary)
Colonel Stewart F Newcombe* and Mr Chisholm of Messrs Feasey Hull & Feasey, the Auditors of the Fund, were present as advisors.
1. The Minutes of the last regular meeting held on 6 January 1941 were read and confirmed.
2. The steps taken for the completion of the East London Mosque and the Islamic Culture Centre were reported, and Sir Hassan Suhrawardy, Colonel S.F Newcombe and His Excellency the Egyptian ambassador were appointed to examine the accounts of the expenditure incurred and to pass them for payment.
3. The audited accounts of the London Mosque Fund from 1 January 1940 to 31 March 1941 were presented and approved. A vote of thanks to the Auditors, who are auditing the accounts for only a nominal fee was passed.
4. It was decided that the cost of structural alterations should be met by the London Mosque Fund and that the cash grants approved by the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin, if finally accepted, should be applied towards the furniture and fittings and the expenditure on upkeep.
5. Regarding the appointment of the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin as Agents of the Funds for the arrangement of prayers and other religious observances, Mr Waris Ameer Ali asked if it was competent for the Trustees to delegate their powers. Sir Hassan Suhrawardy stated that the Charity Commissioners had examined the contract which was drawn up by our Solicitors, and have found no objection to it. It was pointed out that the scheme is in accordance with the terms of clause 9 of the Trust Deed.Footnote 116 The appointment of the Jamiat was approved.
6. Sir Hassan Suhrawardy reported that it is not intended to repair No. 450 Commercial Road, which was damaged by enemy action;Footnote 117 so long as this house is kept vacant and not used, no rates will be payable.
7. Sir Hassan Suhrawardy was asked to fix a date for the formal opening of the Mosque and Culture Centre with Mr Amery* and Lord Moyne,* and it was hoped that an early day could be arranged before the return of Sir Firozkhan Noon to India. It was thought that a Friday would be suitable, and the time should be in the early afternoon. H E the Egyptian Ambassador should be asked to preside.
8. It was agreed to invite H E the Egyptian Ambassador and H E the Minister of Saudi Arabia to become Trustees of the Mosque Fund to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Lord Lamington and an existing vacancy. This will bring the number of Trustees to the figure of 7, authorised by the Trust Deed.
9. The constitution of the Working Committee for the London Mosque Fund was authorised to consist of the Chairman, the Hon Treasurer, the Hon Secretaries, the Egyptian Ambassador and a representative of the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin.
10. The correspondence with the British CouncilFootnote 118 was considered, and it was decided to accept with thanks the offer of a capital grant of £100 and a recurring grant of £75 for this year and if possible for subsequent years. It was hoped that the success of the Culture Centre would be such as to justify an increase in the recurring grant. The opening of a “B” account with the Bank of England for the Islamic Culture Centre Fund was approved, and the donors of certain subscriptions already received for this Fund were thanked.
11. The constitution of a Working Committee for the Culture Centre was authorised, the membership to be similar to that of the Working Committee of the London Mosque Fund, with the addition of a representative of the British Council. Sir Hassan Suhrawardy stated that Mr Martin Blake had been nominated for this purpose by the British Council.
12. The budget estimate for 1941–42 was examined and passed. It was decided that the grant from the Mosque Fund to the Culture Centre should be £1 a week, that is £52 instead of £50. Sir Hassan Suhrawardy reported that Miss Evans, who has been assisting him, would be leaving shortly for other work. Miss Evans was thanked for the work she has done, and good wishes for her success in her new career were expressed. The provision for the salary of a clerk was passed. Sir Hassan Suhrawardy stated that he hoped it would be possible, in view of the decrease in the amount of work, to effect some economy on this head in the new arrangement which he proposed to make.
13. The Treasurer's report was read and approved. It was decided that it should be suitably abbreviated before printing as the combined report of the Mosque Fund and linked Societies because of the cost of printing and paper.
14. His Excellency the Egyptian Ambassador was elected Vice-President of the Board of Trustees, subject to his agreeing to serve. Sir John Woodhead, K.C.S.I, C.I.E,* was elected Hon Treasurer and his consent to give his services to the Fund was welcomed. It was resolved that the Bank of England should be notified of his appointment accordingly, and that the funds should be operated on his signature with that of one of the Trustees. Sir Ernest Hotson and Colonel Stewart F Newcombe, D.S.O. were elected Joint Hon Secretaries. The firm of Messrs Feasey, Hull & Feasey were reappointed as Auditors.
15. On the proposal of Sir Firozkhan Noon, seconded by Mr W. Ameer Ali, a vote of thanks was passed to Colonel Newcombe for the invaluable help he has given in the arrangements for the reconstruction of the Mosque premises.
16. On the proposal of Sir Firozkhan Noon, seconded by Mr W Ameer Ali, a warm vote of thanks was passed to Sir Hassan Suhrawardy for the energy which he has displayed on behalf of the Fund, and for presiding at the meeting.
Signed:
H Suhrawardy
W Ameer Ali approved the Minutes on 23 January 1942
Lieutenant Colonel 3 November 1939
Sir Hassan Suhrawardy O.B.E
India Office
SW1
Dear Brother in Islam
I am glad to enclose IDUL FITRFootnote 119 card and I wish to convey to you Jamiat-ul-Muslimin's desire to welcome you at the time of prayer.
Yours faithfully, for and on behalf of Jamiat-ul-Muslimin
Hon Joint Sec.
Lieutenant Colonel
13 January 1941
Sir Hassan Suhrawardy O.B.E
India Office
SW1
Dear SirFootnote 120
I'd al AdhaFootnote 121
I beg to inform you that the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin usually receives from the London Mosque Fund the sum of £5/10/- on the occasion of the I'd al Adha for renting the Hall for prayers.
I shall be obliged if you will kindly forward your cheque for the above sum at your convenience.
Yours faithfully
Hon Secretary.
36 Whitechapel Lane
E1
20 January 1941
Lieutenant Colonel
Sir Hassan Suhrawardy O.B.E
India Office
SW1
Dear Sir
I have the honour to inform you that 10 Muharram-al-Harram falls on 4 February and as usual the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin desires to commemorate the Day of A'Ashura for which your London Mosque Fund sends a cheque for the sum of £15.Footnote 122
Please send this cheque at your earliest convenience and oblige.
Yours faithfully
Hon Secretary
India Office
Whitehall
SW1
The Hon Secretary
THE JAMIAT-UL-MUSLIMIN
36 Whitechapel Lane
E1
Dear Sir
With regard to my conversation on the telephone with Mr Allahdad Khan and Mr Qureshi regarding the donation for £15 to enable the Jamiat to observe the anniversary of the martyrdom of Syedana Hazrat Imam Hossein on Friday 7 February, I have consulted other members of the London Mosque Fund at present available in London, and other prominent Muslims, and they are of opinion that the Mosque Fund, which at present has become very small on account of the purchase of the properties Nos. 446/448/450 Commercial Road, cost of repairs, payment of taxes, etc. should not be diverted for any other purposes.
I am therefore herewith enclosing a cheque for £2.2s as my own personal contribution, and I am sure that if you approach other members of the Muslim community, they will also show their interest by making subscriptions for this purpose.
Yours faithfully
Sir Hassan Suhrawardy
Hon Treasurer & Trustee
LONDON MOSQUE FUND
India Office
Whitehall
SW1
2 April 1941
Sahibdad Khan, Esq*
JAMIAT-UL-MUSLIMIN
36 Whitechurch Lane
E1
My dear Khan
I wanted to get into touch with you over the telephone to tell you that the less the number of speeches in a function, the better it is. In order to make it representative, it is very good for you to ask Mr Zada*Footnote 123 to say a few words and also I shall try to get someone from the Egyptian Embassy to take part.
You should leave me out, both for reasons of my present health, and also as I have excused myself from other places it will not be nice for me to speak here. I am with you, and I am your friend, and I shall be very glad to be present and give all moral support. I trust that you will understand, and accept my suggestions.
Yours sincerely
Hassan Suhrawardy
The first joint meeting of the Sub-Committees of the East London Mosque and Islamic Culture Centre was held in the Committee Room at 446 Commercial Road, E1 on Thursday 14 August 1941
Present:
Sir Hassan Suhrawardy, in the Chair
Col S.F. Newcombe
Mr Said Amir ShahFootnote 124
Mr Ahmaddin Qureshi
Dr A.J. Arberry* attended the meeting of the Islamic Culture Centre by invitation.
Apologies for absence were received from Sir Ernest Hotson, Mr Martin Blake, Mr W.D.H Danby, Mr A. Yusuf Ali, and Mr Mahmood R. Zada.
1. The appointment of a Managing Committee. This is to consist of Muslim members only: Mr Said Amir Shah, Mr Ahmadddin Qureshi, nominees of the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin: Mr Mahmood R. Zada, Mr Kemal Lebbane* and Sir Hassan Suhrawardy, nominees of the London Mosque Trust, with powers to add to their number.
2. The programme of prayers and religious ceremonies was specified as follows: Prayers five times daily; Juma Prayers; ‘Id Prayers; Ramadan Tarawi Prayers;Footnote 125 Milad-i-Nabi, Ashura and any other religious meeting.
3. The appointment of Mr Naqibullah Nairullah as resident caretaker was confirmed. His duties were to include the following: (a) to arrange for all Prayers and religious observances as listed above, under the supervision of the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin;Footnote 126 (b) to look after the furniture, etc. in each room, of which he will prepare an inventory, sending one copy to the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin, one copy to the Secretary of the London Mosque Fund, and one copy he will keep himself.
4. Mr N. Nairullah was asked to prepare a statement in detail of the cooking apparatus required to be placed in No. 450 in the basement, and then obtain an estimate and forward it to Colonel Newcombe for consideration by the Trustees of the London Mosque Fund.
5. That the Trustees of the London Mosque Fund be approached to sanction an honorarium of £4 per month for the pesh namaz of the Mosque. And that Al-Hadj Hafiz Muhammad el-Shami be recommended to them for this appointment.
6. In any matter requiring financial assistance, a joint meeting of the Managing Committee and the Sub-Committee of the London Mosque Fund will be convened. Otherwise the Managing Committee will function independently.
–––––––
As regards the Islamic Culture Centre, the following resolutions were passed.
1. That Mr Mahmood R. Zada and Mr Kemal Lebbane be invited to take on the direction of the Islamic Culture Centre with Dr Arberry, Mr Amir Shah and Mr Ahmaddin Qureshi, representatives of the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin, to be members of a Managing Committee to assist them, with powers to add to their number.
2. Lectures on Islamic Culture (usually in English) would be arranged for monthly or bi-monthly meetings; lectures to be free, and no refreshment arranged for except by the Committee's decision. The subjects and lecturers are to be selected by the Managing Committee.
3. A letter to Sir Hassan Suhrawardy from Mr Ikbal Ali Shah was considered, in which it was proposed that the Centre could:
i) Interpret Islam as a Social Force
ii) Correct misconceptions about Islamic ideals and suggest methods to achieve these objectives.
These aims set forth by Mr Shah were substantially the same as those the Committee had decided to follow, and it was therefore resolved to thank him very much for his interest. As he is now living in Oxford, Dr Arberry was requested to consult him about the subject on which he could be invited by the Committee to lecture.
The other points raised in Mr Ikbal Ali Shah's letter will be considered by the Managing Committee at their next meeting.
4. That Al-Hadj Hafiz Muhammad el-Shami be asked to give one hour's lesson to adults and one hour to children on the religion of Islam on Thursdays (or other agreed day) and £12 per annum was suggested as his honorarium to begin with. A school for Muslim children can be considered after the Islamic Culture Centre is well established.
5. That a quarterly bulletin should be issued, called “The East London Mosque and Islamic Culture Centre News Bulletin” or any other suitable name to be decided upon by the Managing Committee.
6. The offer of “Great Britain & the East” to send a weekly copy of that journal was gratefully accepted.
Colonel Newcombe was requested to arrange with the British Council for the free supply of newspapers, periodicals and books. Dr Arberry was requested to arrange for a free supply of publications in Arabic, Urdu, Persian and other Oriental languages.
7. In any matter requiring financial assistance, a joint meeting of the Managing Committee and the Sub-Committee of the London Mosque Fund will be convened, otherwise the Managing Committee will function independently.
There being no further business, the meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the Chair
Signed: H Suhrawardy 18 August 1941
Confirmed: A Yusuf Ali 28 November 1941
The London Mosque Fund
At the Meeting of the Trustees held on Wednesday 23 July 1941 at which Sir Hassan Suhrawardy took the Chair, the following was noted in the Minutes:
“Sir Hassan Suhrawardy reported that Miss Evans, who has been assisting him, would be leaving shortly for other work. Miss Evans was thanked for the work she has done, and good wishes for her success in her new career were expressed. The provision for the salary of a clerk was passed. Sir Hassan Suhrawardy stated that he hoped it would be possible, in view of the decrease in the amount of work, to effect some economy on this head in the new arrangement which he proposed to make”.
With the establishment of the East London Mosque and Islamic Culture Centre, the correspondence and book-keeping which had been heavy during the last eighteen months, has now decreased considerably, and it is suggested that the honorarium of the new clerk should be fixed at £2 a month, of which £1 should be paid from the British Red Crescent Society, the funds of which have no recurring expenditure, but which will be re-organised and most of the work will be for this Society. The London Mosque Fund and the Indigent Muslims Burial Fund, the work has been reduced to such an extent that 10/- a month would be quite a reasonable honorarium from each of these funds at present. Mrs W Gatcombe, a part-time stenographer-clerk at the India Office, has been temporarily appointed, and Miss Evans has undertaken to show her the work.
It is requested that the Trustees should sign below if they approve of the above resolution.
Signatures:
Hassan Suhrawardy, Firozkhan Noon, Frederick Sykes, Waris Ameer Ali
19 August 1941
The London Mosque Fund
At the Annual General Meeting of the Fund held on Tuesday 17 May, 1938, at which Lord Lamington took the Chair, the following resolution was passed:
“It was proposed by Sir Abdul Qadir and seconded by Mr Waris Ameer Ali that an Honorarium of £1 per week be paid to Mr Hasan for leading Friday prayers etc in the East End of London. One month's notice to be given by either side to terminate the arrangement. This was agreed to”.
Following the establishment of the East London Mosque and Islamic Culture Centre, the duties and responsibilities of the Pesh Namaz Footnote 127 who leads the prayers have increased very much, as instead of arranging only for Friday prayers once a week and ‘Id prayers, we have in addition now arranged for prayers five times a day, and also for Tarawi prayers during the whole month of Ramadan.
It is therefore proposed that the honorarium of the pesh namaz should be fixed for £4 per month for the duties stated above, and the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin have been asked to persuade the pesh namaz – Al-Hadj Hafiz Muhammad el-Shami – not to ask for more at the present time.
At a meeting of the Sub-Committee held on 13 August, 1941, it was resolved that Al-Hadj Hafiz Muhammad el-Shami should be given an honorarium of £1 per month from the Islamic Culture Centre for giving religious instruction, and this would bring his total honorarium up to £5 per month.
It is requested that the Trustees should sign below if they approve of the above Resolution.
Signatures:
Hassan Suhrawardy, Firozkhan Noon, Frederick Sykes, Waris Ameer Ali
19 August 1941
Minutes of a meeting of the Trustees of the London Mosque Fund held at India House on Friday 12 September 1941 at 12 noon
Present:
Sir Frederick Sykes
Sir Firozkhan Noon
W. Ameer Ali
With Sir John Woodhead (Hon Treasurer)
And Sir Ernest Hotson (Hon Secretary)
1. In the absence of the Chairman, Sir Hassan Suhrawardy, Sir Frederick Sykes was asked to take the Chair.
2. The Confirmation of the Minutes of the last regular meeting was postponed until the next meeting, this being a special meeting and time available short.
3. Owing to difficulties arising from slowness of communication and to absence of H H the Aga Khan in Switzerland and Sir H Suhrawardy on leave in India, and the early departure of Sir Firozkhan Noon, who is not likely to be succeeded at once by another Moslem as High Commissioner, it was decided that the number of Trustees should be increased at least temporarily, so as to ensure the presence of a quorum of three at meetings. The usual number of ordinary Trustees is five, to whom the Moslem Advisor to the Secretary of State for India and the High Commissioner for India, when a Moslem, are added ex officio. Of these, Lord Lamington has died and Sir Frederick Sykes desires to resign owing to the pressure of his other duties. The following were therefore elected Trustees, subject to their acceptance of office – Subhi Bey Ozbekhan, Commercial Counsellor, Turkish Embassy; Hussain Said Bey, First Secretary and Counsellor, Egyptian Embassy; A. Yusuf Ali, C.B,E.; Lord Winterton, M.P.*
The Hon Secretary reported that Sir Hassan Suhrawardy had been in correspondence with the first three of these gentlemen before his departure for India, and that there was good reason to believe that they would accept. He himself had been in correspondence with Lord Winterton and hoped for a final and favourable reply within a few days. The Hon Secretary was instructed to write again to Mr Yusuf Ali and to arrange to call personally on Subhi Bey and Hussain Said Bey if their replies were further delayed.
4. The resignation of Sir Frederick Sykes was accepted with much regret and he was warmly thanked for all the assistance he has given the Fund. It was, however, agreed that his resignation should not take effect until a sufficient number of the newly elected Trustees have accepted office to ensure a quorum.
5. The Trustees approved of the sale of India 3½ % stock to the face value of £1515.7.1 which had been arranged by the Chairman through the Bank of England to furnish cash for the payment of charges incurred in the purchase and reconditioning of the Mosque site. The fact that these charges were due and that securities would have to be sold in order to pay them was mentioned at the last meeting of the Trustees, but a formal resolution was not then passed.
6. The Hon Treasurer reported that some other small accounts were still unpaid and he was authorised to pay them, provided that they were not of large amounts and that cash was available.
7. The Hon Treasurer was authorised to pay the Insurance premium on the Mosque premises to the Guardian Assurance Co. Ltd. after Col. Newcombe has examined and approved of the policy. The Hon Treasurer understood that the premium would be 13/6d in the first year and £2.6.6 in subsequent years.
8. The Hon Treasurer and Hon Secretary were instructed to look into the question of war Insurance. It was understood that the premises were subject to compulsory insurance and that the chattels belonging to the Mosque would probably fall under the voluntary insurance scheme. The Hon Treasurer and Hon Secretary were empowered to pay such premia as might be found due.
9. Sir Firozkhan Noon suggested that the Mosque should be named “The Ameer Ali Mosque”, the name “East London Mosque” not being sufficiently distinctive. The Trustees regarded this proposal favourably and directed that it should be brought up again at a later meeting after steps had been taken to sound the opinion of the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin and others.
10. There being no other business, the meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the Chair and to Sir Firozkhan Noon for his hospitality and an expression of sincere regret at Sir Firozkhan's departure from London, with good wishes for his happiness and success in his future career.
Approved: 23 January 1942 W. Ameer Ali
The Trustees of the London Mosque Fund
The following gentlemen have accepted office as Trustees of the London Mosque Fund:
The Rt Hon Earl Winterton, M.P
A. Yusuf Ali, Esq, C.B.E
Husain Said Bey Esq (addressed as Monsieur H.M Said), Counsellor, the Royal Egyptian Embassy
Mahmood R. Zada Esq, Counsellor, Saudi Arabian Legation
Bey Ozbekhan, of the Turkish Embassy, who was elected a Trustee at the meeting held on 12 September 1941, having been unable to accept office, an invitation was sent, after consultation with those of the Trustees who were accessible, to Mr Mahmood R. Zada, who has been kind enough to agree to become a Trustee.
At the meeting on 12 September 1941 the resignation of Sir Frederick Sykes was accepted on the condition that it should not take effect until a sufficient number of the newly elected Trustees had consented to serve. That condition has now been fulfilled, and the resignation of Sir Frederick Sykes has therefore come into force. The Trustees have expressed their great regret that his manifold other duties have made it impossible for him to continue to assist the Trust.
There is at present no business requiring the immediate attention of the Trustees, but a meeting will be convened as soon as such business arises.
[handwritten next to this page]
Trustees as on 1 November [writing unclear] 1941
1. H H the Aga Khan (. . . . . . . . . Trustee)
2. Sir Hassan Suhrawardy (. . . . . . the Trust Deed)
3. Waris Ameer Ali (. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . dated 9/1/41)
4. Yusuf Ali
5. Lord Winterton (. . . . . . . . . . . .)
6. Husain Said Bey, Counsellor, Royal Egyptian Embassy (. . .)
7. Mahmood R Zada, Counsellor, Saudi Arabian Legation (formally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .)
448 Commercial Road
22 October 1941
Stepney Green
1948
Dear Mr Ali
Assalam O alaikum.Footnote 128 Many thanks for your telegram and the money. We missed you very much yesterday. I am glad to inform you that nearly 500 people were present and the luncheon was provided by His Majesty, King Farouk of Egypt through the Egyptian Ambassador in London.
I am sorry you are away as there are not many people here now and all the work has to be done by few men available. There is such a lot to do in the new place.
I read your telegram to members of the Committee and I herewith send their fraternal greetings on the happy occasion of Bairam and their appreciation of your spirit of Khidmat.Footnote 129
May You be spared many a years [sic] to do something for DinFootnote 130 al Baraka.Footnote 131
WasalamFootnote 132 and my personal regards to you and your family.
Yours fraternally
Hon Secretary
Proceedings of a Joint Meeting of the Working (Sub) Committee of the East London Mosque and the Islamic Culture Centre held at the India Office on Friday, 28 November 1941
Present:
Mr A Yusuf Ali (in the Chair)
Mr Mahmood R. Zada
Mr Kemal Lebbane
Mr Gray (representing the British Council)
Mr Said Amir Shah
Mr Ahmaddin Qureshi
Sir Ernest Hotson
Colonel Newcombe
Sir John Woodhead
Dr Arberry sent his apologies for being unable to attend.
1. The minutes of the meeting held on 14 August 1941 were confirmed.
2. The following items of expenditure were confirmed:
3. An estimate of £6.15.- d for the installation of two gas fires in the prayer room and one gas fire in the office of the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin was approved.
4. The Hon Treasurer informed the meeting that the annual expenditure on account of the Mosque would exceed by at least £65 the amount provided in the budget. This was due to a) No provision having been made for the sum of £48 payable to Al Hadj Hafiz Mohammed-el-Shami as Pesh Namaz of the Mosque, and, b) the expenditure on heating, lighting etc being nearer £40 than £20, the amount provided for in the budget. After considerable discussion the following changes in the budget were approved–
i) the provision for religious observances and prayers to be reduced from £56 to £36 by omitting the sum of £15 for the RamazanFootnote 133 and Tarawi prayers and reducing the sum for the Milud-e-Nabi from £20 to £15.
ii) The payment to Al Hadj Hafiz Mohammed-el-Shami to be reduced to £30 a year, the reduction being accompanied by an increase in the payment to this person from the funds of the Culture Centre from £12 to £30. The payment of £30 from the funds of the Mosque should be described as for “the teaching of the Koran” and not for “the leading of the prayers”.
Mr Amir Shah informed the meeting that in view of the funds the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin had received for this year's Id-ul-Fitr, they would be in a position to refund the grant of £10.10.-d provided for in the budget for that festival. In order, however, to make it quite clear that this grant would in all probability be required in future years, he proposed that a cheque for the grant should issue this year which would be refunded by the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin. The meeting agreed to this and placed on record their appreciation of the action taken by the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin.
5. The Hon Treasurer mentioned that correspondence in regard to the registration of the buildings as a place of public worship was continuing and it was hoped that the registration would shortly be completed. This would entitle the Trustees to a reduction in the rates and taxes payable on the premises. This relief would however, only operate from the date of sanction and no refund of payments already made would be obtainable.
6. The question of the provision of a loud speaker was discussed. Mr Amir Shah explained that one was necessary on important festivals for on these occasions the number of persons attending the prayer was large and in addition to the prayer room the sheds at the back were used for prayers. The cost of a loud speaker is, however, considerable and it was accordingly decided that further enquiries should be made before expenditure on a loud speaker was incurred. Colonel Newcombe kindly promised to investigate the matter by getting into touch with experts as to the most economical means of solving the problem.
7. As regards further capital expenditure on the present buildings the Hon treasurer said that funds were not at present available for expenditure on improvements on the present buildings – Securities to the value of £1,500 were sold a few months ago in order to provide for alterations and decorations to the present buildings and when all the bills had been paid the unspent balance of this sum would be small. The question of further capital expenditure on the present buildings had therefore resolved itself. It was agreed that there was no possibility of the present buildings being replaced by new buildings till some time after the war.
8. As regards the expenditure of the grant of £75 by the British Council, Mr Gray (representing the Council) informed the meeting that
(1) the grant could be spent on:
i) the teaching of English to Moslems
ii) books and papers other than religious books and papers
iii) films
iv) gramophones and records
v) lectures on subjects other than religious subjects
vi) a reasonable amount on the remuneration of the person for looking after the reading room and library
(2) the Council would provide free of charge, that is over and above the grant of £75, periodicals and newspapers
(3) the Council might be able to provide lecturers. It was decided that:
(a) Mr Yusuf Ali and Colonel Newcombe be requested to prepare a list of books and papers to be acquired under (i), (ii) and (2) above.
(b) A teacher of English should be appointed provided a sufficient number of “scholars” were available. Colonel Newcombe said he was already in touch with the British Council in regard to this matter.
(c) Mr Mahmood R. Zada and Mr Kemel Lebbane be requested to take in hand the matter of lectures in consultation with the British Council.
9. Some members of the Committee mentioned the need for printed prayer cards. The Committee was, however, informed that the Woking Mosque had printed a large number of these cards and in all probability would be able to supply them, probably free of charge.
10. In connection with the resolution framed at the meeting held on 14 August 1941, in regard to the aims of the Culture Centre the Meeting was of opinion that the main activities of the Centre would be the education and welfare of Moslems in East London. There are no opportunities of the Boy Scout Movement at present since nearly all the children have left London. On the question of the name of the Culture Centre, which some members considered inappropriate, the Committee were of opinion that it would be better to call it simply the “Islamic Centre”.
Confirmed: H Suhrawardy 3 July 1942
Minutes of the meetings of the East London Mosque Trustees and Executive Committee held on Friday, 23 January 1942 at 11.30 a.m
Present:
Mr Waris Ameer Ali, C.I.E (in the chair)
Earl Winterton, M.P
Monsieur H.M.Said
Mr Mahmood R. Zada
with
Sir John Woodhead
Colonel S.F Newcombe
Sir Ernest Hotson
and
Mr K Lebbane
The minutes of the meetings of the Trustees held on 23 July and 12 September were read and confirmed.
The assumption of office as a Trustee by Mr A. Yusuf Ali was recorded.
A letter of apology for absence from Mr A. Yusuf Ali was read. In it he expressed a desire to resign his Trusteeship on the ground of ill-health. The Hon Secretary was directed to inform him that the Trustees were most anxious that he should not resign and hoped that his health would enable him to resume his duties very soon.
Lord Winterton and Monsieur Said were welcomed and their assumption of office as Trustees recorded.
On the proposal of Mr Ameer Ali, seconded by Lord Winterton, Mr Mahmood R. Zada was elected a Trustee.
The resignation of Sir Firoz Khan Noon on his return to India was recorded with regret. The resignation of Sir Frederick Sykes, reported at the meeting on 12 September but postponed at the request of the Trustees, was recorded with regret.
It was recorded with regret that their Excellencies the Egyptian Ambassador and the Saudi Arabian Minister had been unable to accept an invitation (vide the meeting of 23 July 1941) to become Trustees.
The Hon Treasurer pointed out that the Trust Deed vested the general administration of the income of the London Mosque Fund in an Executive Committee which, owing to recent changes in the personnel, had almost ceased to exist and had not held meetings for some time. Its place had temporarily been taken by a Working Committee (or Sub-Committee). It was agreed to re-establish the Executive Committee and to instruct it to take over the duties recently performed by the working (Sub) Committee. On the proposal of Lord Winterton, seconded by Monsieur Said, the following gentlemen were appointed to Executive Committee: –
a) Sir Hassan Suhrawardy (Chairman)
Mr Yusuf Ali (Chairman during Sir Hassan's absence)
Mr Ameer Ali
Mr Mahmood Zada (Trustee)
b) Mr K. Lebanne
c) Messrs. Amir Shah and Ahmaddin Qureshi (representing the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin)
d) Dr Arberry
e) A representative of the British Council when business concerning the Council is under consideration.
f) Sir John Woodhead Sir Ernest Hotson and Colonel Newcombe.
The meeting of the Trustees was then suspended and a meeting of the Executive Committee took place.
An invitation to attend had been given to Messrs. Amir Shah and Ahmaddin Qureshi but they regretted that they were unable to be present because the hour coincided with that of Friday prayers at the Mosque.Footnote 134
Sir Ernest Hotson and Colonel Newcombe were appointed Joint Hon Secretaries and Sir John Woodhead was appointed Hon Treasurer.
The Hon Treasurer reported that on 23 July 1941 the Trustees had decided that owing to difficulties of communication due to the war, cheques should be signed by the Hon Treasurer and one Trustee, whereas Rule 17 of the Executive Committee's body of rules required the signatures of the Hon Treasurer and two Trustees. On the proposal of Mr Mahmood R. Zada seconded by Mr Lebbane it was agreed to amend Rule 17 in accordance with the decision of the Trustees.
The Executive Committee was informed that under arrangements made by Sir Hassan Suhrawardy two Managing Committees had been formed to manage the affairs of the Mosque and of the Islamic Centre connected with the Mosque. It was agreed to continue this arrangement and that the Mosque Managing Committee should consist only of MoslemsFootnote 135 with the assistance of the Hon Secretaries and Hon Treasurer. The following Managing Committees were appointed:
a) Mosque Managing Committee
Sir Hassan Suhrawardy (Chairman)
Mr Yusuf Ali (Acting Chairman during Sir Hassan Suhrawardy's absence)
Mr Mahmood R. Zada
Mr Lebbane
Mr Amir Shah
Mr Ahmaddin Qureshi
b) Islamic Centre Managing Committee
Mr Mahmood R. Zada
Mr Lebbane
Mr Amir Shah
Mr Ahmaddin Qureshi
Dr Arberry
A representative of the British Council
with the Joint Hon Secretaries
and the Hon Treasurer
The meeting of the Trustees was then resumed and on the proposal of Monsieur Said, seconded by Mr Mahmood R. Zada, the amendment of rule 17 which had been passed by the Executive Committee was approved so as to require the signature of cheques by the Hon Treasurer and one Trustee instead of two.
A joint meeting of the Trustees and the Executive Committee was then held.
The Hon Treasurer reported on the financial position (vide statements attached at the end of the minutes) and the following expenditure incurred between 1 April and 31 December 1941 was approved:
The estimates of receipts and expenditure for the year 1941/2 were also approved on the motion of Mr Mahmood R. Zada, seconded by Monsieur Said. In this connection the Hon Treasurer pointed out that accurate estimates of expenditure under several heads could not be made without further experience of the actual cost.
On the proposal of Lord Winterton, seconded by Mr Mahmood R. Zada the transfer of £100 from the Islamic Centre to the Mosque Fund to cover expenditure already incurred by the latter on behalf of the former was approved.
The need for whitewashing the exterior of the premises was mentioned and admitted, but in view of the financial position it was decided to postpone the work for some months.
Mr Ameer Ali proposed and Monsieur Said seconded a vote of thanks to Sir John Woodhead, Col. Newcombe and Sir Ernest Hotson for work they had done on behalf of the Mosque, the great economies which had been effected by the personal attention of Col. Newcombe to the alterations and decoration of the Mosque and the premises being specially mentioned.
Col. Newcombe also reported steps which were being taken to provide for the welfare of Moslems in London and other cities in this country.
The proceedings then terminated with votes of thanks to Mr Ameer Ali for presiding and for his many labours on behalf of Moslem welfare and to Sir John Woodhead for having arranged for the meeting to take place in the India Office.
Confirmed: Suhrawardy [? writing unclear] 15 June 1942
Approved at the meeting of the Trustees and Executive Committee held on 23 January 1942
[handwritten at the top]: The Treasurer's Report as placed before the Meeting of the Trustees and Executive Committee held on 23 January 1942
1. On 31 December 1941 the cash balances were—
2. 3 ½% India Stock to face value of £1515.7.1d held by the Trustees of the London Mosque Fund was sold in August 1941 in order to wipe out a debit balance of nearly £400 and to provide funds for meeting the balance of the cost of repairs and improvements to the property in Commercial Road.
The repairs have been completed and final bills paid.
3. The balance at the credit of the Islamic Centre includes £100 which was received as a grant from the British Council towards the non-recurring expenditure on the Reading Room and Library. The expenditure actually incurred has exceeded £100 and the British Council has agreed that the items included within the actual expenditure are correctly debitable against the grant. No part of this expenditure has been debited to the Islamic Centre Fund but has been met entirely out of the London Mosque Fund. It is now proposed to transfer £100 from the Islamic Centre Fund to the London Mosque Fund.
4. Statements are attached showing:
i) the estimated annual receipts and expenditure of the London Mosque Fund
ii) the estimated receipts and expenditure in 1941/42 of the Islamic Centre
i) The estimated yearly receipts and expenditure of the London Mosque Fund:
The Expenditure side is incomplete because it does not include expenditure of a) rates and taxes, excluding Water Rate, and b) miscellaneous expenditure. It is hoped that the property will be exempted very largely, if not entirely, from rates and taxes (other than the Water Rate) but until the decision of the taxing authorities is known it is impossible to forecast the expenditure under this head.
As regards miscellaneous expenditure, it is impossible to forecast the amount – it will probably be considerable. Everything points to a considerable excess of expenditure over receipts but it is impossible at present to say what this excess will be.
ii) The estimated receipts and expenditure in 1941/2 of the Islamic Centre:
The only expenditure so far incurred against the estimated amount of £100 on the Library and Reading Room is £1.6. -.
The solvency of the Islamic Centre Fund depends upon a renewal of the grant by the British Council and the continuance of donations.
J. A Woodhead
28 January 1942
THE BUILDING OF A MOSQUE IS NOT ONLY THE
REALISATION OF THE SAYING OF PROPHET
MOHAMMAD BUT ALSO THE FULFILMENT
OF THE ORDER OF GOD
Brothers in Islam
It was in 1934 that the JAMIAT-UL-MUSLIMIN was founded in the great Metropolex of London, and under this association has gathered together Muslims and sympathisers from different parts of the world, without distinction of cast, creed or religion, to celebrate such festivals as the Birthday of Prophet Mohammad, A'Ashura, Idan and Friday Prayers.
It has now been found necessary to erect a Mosque for daily prayers, including a reading room, hostel, free bath for the needy and classes for Islamic culture and education.
So far this work has been carried on by the initiative of the members only, it has been found inevitable that funds should be collected from all Muslims and sympathisers for the complete realisation of this noble cause.
Hon Sec Jamiat-ul-Muslimin
59 Canton Street
London E 14
[Urdu text follows this note]
National Liberal Club
Whitehall Place
SW 1
Tel: Whitehall 9871
26 January 1942
Dear Mr Khan
I have been away from London and have just got your letter of 12 January on my return.
I enclose the report of my speech, duly corrected. As my health is uncertain, I will not at present accept an engagement for East London.
Salaams to you and brethren.
Yours sincerely,
Yusuf Ali
Approved at the meeting of the Trustees and Executive Committee held on 23 January 1942:
LONDON MOSQUE FUND
Estimated annual receipts and expenditure:
Telephone – The only guide to the yearly expenditure is the bill for the quarter ending 30 September 1941. i.e £2.8.5d. This points to an expenditure of say £10, two-thirds of which is debited to the Mosque fund and one-third to the Islamic Centre.
Electricity – Here again the only guide is the bill for the second quarter of 1941/42 i.e. £1.16.10. This points to an expenditure of say £8, two-thirds of which is debited to the Mosque and one-third to the Islamic Centre.
Gas – The expenditure is roughly estimated at £16 – two-thirds to the Mosque and one-third to the Islamic Centre.
Minutes of the Meeting of the Trustees of the London Mosque Fund held on 15 June 1942 at the India Office
Present:
Sir Hassan Suhrawardy
Monsieur H.M. Said
Sir M. Azizul Huque*
On the proposal of Sir Hassan Suhrawardy, seconded by Monsieur H.M. Said, it was resolved that Sir M. Azizul Huque be appointed a Trustee.
Minutes of the Meeting of the Trustees of the London Mosque Fund and the members of the Executive Committee held on 15 June 1942 at the India Office
Present:
Sir Hassan Suhrawardy
Monsieur H.M. Said
Sir M. Azizul Huque
Mr Amir Shah
Mr Sahib Dad Khan
Sir John Woodhead, Hon Treasurer
Colonel Newcombe, Joint Hon. Secretary
Apologies for absence were received from Lord Winterton, Mr Waris Ameer Ali, Mr K. Lebanne, Mr Mahmood R. Zeda and Sir Ernest Hotson.
1. The Minutes of the meeting held on 23 January were confirmed.
2. On the proposal of Sir Hassan Suhrawardy, seconded by Mr S.D. Khan it was resolved that Sir Azizul Huque be elected a member of the Executive Committee.
3. On the proposal of Sir Azizul Huque, seconded by Monsieur H.M. Said, it was resolved that sanction be given to the expenditure of £5 incurred on entertaining the Indian Pioneer Corps on the occasion of the opening ceremony at the East London Mosque on 1 August 1941.
4. On the proposal of Sir Azizul Huque, seconded by Monsieur H.M. Said, formal approval was given to the grant of £52 to the Islamic Centre during the year ending the 31 March 1942 and the authority was given for a similar grant during the year ending 31 March 1943.
5. On the proposal of Sir Hassan Suhrawardy, seconded by Sir Azizul Huque, formal approval was given to the division in the proportion of 2 to 1 between the London Mosque Fund main account and the B (Islamic Centre) account of the total recurring expenditure on:
i) Gas
ii) Electricity
iii) Telephone
iv) Water Rate
v) Rates and Taxes
6. On the proposal of Sir M. Azizul Huque, seconded by Monsieur H.M. Said, it was resolved that the audited accounts for a) the London Mosque Fund (main account) and b) the Islamic Centre (B account) be passed.
7. On the proposal of Sir Hassan Suhrawardy, seconded by M.S. Amir Shah, it was resolved that:
a) the Auditors, Messrs. Feasey, Hull & Feasey, be thanked for their services during the year ending 31 March 1942;
b) Messrs. Feasey, Hull & Feasey be appointed auditors for the year ending 31 March 1943.
8. Sanction was accorded to the payment of the Audit Fee of £1.6.3d for the period ending 31 March 1941.
9. Sanction was accorded to the following expenditure incurred between 1 January 1942 and 31 March 1942 (both dates inclusive):
10. It was reported that the position in regard to rates and taxes (other than the water rate) was as follows:–
a) No. 450 Commercial Road has not been assessed because it is unoccupied;
b) The ground floor and basement of Nos. 446 and 448 Commercial Road and the building at the rear of Nos. 446/448 and 448/450 Commercial Road have been exempted as used for religious purposes;
c) The 1st and 2nd floors of Nos. 446 and 448 Commercial Road have been assessed at £80 gross value per year and £60 net annual value
d) The rates at present payable work out at £47.10.- d a year.
11. It was reported that Sir Ernest Hotson had reluctantly felt compelled to resign from the position of Joint Hon. Secretary. It was resolved that Sir Ernest's resignation be accepted with great regret and that the thanks of the Trustees and the Executive Committee be conveyed to Sir Ernest for his services. Colonel Newcombe very kindly agreed to carry on for the time being as sole Hon Secretary.
12. Mr Waris Ameer Ali in his letter regretting that he would be unable to be present at today's meeting had put forward certain suggestions for reducing the expenditure so as to ensure that the receipts and expenditure balanced. It was decided that the consideration of these proposals be postponed till a later meeting at which Mr Waris Ameer Ali would be able to be present.
13. The note by Sir Hassan SuhrawardyFootnote 136 in regard to:–
a) the disposal of the balance of the gift of £150 given by His Majesty, King Faruk I of Egypt on the occasion of the Id-ul-Fitr;
b) the copies of the Holy Quran and prayer capsFootnote 137 given by the Shaikh of the Al Azhar University,Footnote 138 His Eminence, the Shaikh-ul-Maraghi for use at the East London Mosque.
The Trustees and the Members of the Executive Committee desired that Sir Hassan should convey, through the proper channels, their grateful thanks for the very generous gifts of money made by His Majesty, King Faruk and for the copies of the Holy Quran and prayer caps presented to the Mosque by His Eminence, Shaikh-ul-Maraghi.
The Trustees and Members of the Committee concurred in the proposals made by Sir Hassan for the expenditure of the unspent balance of the gift by His Majesty, King Faruk I.
14. A letter was considered which had been received from the Hon Secretary (Mr S. Khan) of the Islamic Council in Great Britain requesting that the Council be permitted to use the room in the Trustees’ premises in Commercial Road, now used by the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin under licence from the Trustees and as agents of the Trustees. It was resolved that this matter be postponed till a later meeting and that in the meantime the Islamic Council be asked to supply full information about the aims and objects of the Islamic Council in Great Britain, together with the names of its office bearers and affiliated Societies.
15. The proceedings terminated with a note of thanks to the Chair.
Confirmed: A Waris H Suhrawardy 20 August 1942
[Sir Hassan Suhrawardy's note, as mentioned above]
To the Trustees, London Mosque Fund
While at Cairo in October 1941, I had an audience with His Majesty, King Faruk I. His Majesty not only discussed details regarding the big Central London Mosque scheme, of which he is the patron, but he also showed much interest in the small East London Mosque, at the opening ceremony of which, he was graciously pleased to send a message to us. On my representation, His Majesty ordered £150.0.0 from his privy purse to be sent to His Excellency, the Egyptian Ambassador to be spent on the ‘Id-ul-Fitr entertainment. The money was to be given to our agent the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin, the names of some of the members of which, I gave to the King's Chamberlain. This was done and I understand the function went off most successfully. His Excellency, Shaikh Hafiz Wahba conducted the prayers and over 800 people were in the congregation, including soldiers from the Indian contingent and the Pioneer Labour Corps.
The Egyptian Ambassador, Hasan Nachat Pasha, whom I have seen on his return to London from Egypt a few weeks ago, I understand has got a certain sum of money unspent with him.
With the concurrence of the Trustees, I would like to approach His Excellency to spend the money in the following manner:
1. In providing and getting microphones installed so that the KHUTBA (sermon)Footnote 139 and TAKBIR (Call to prayer)Footnote 140 may be transmitted from the prayer hall to the lecture hall which is also used as an additional congregation hall during the ‘Id prayers and other religious celebrations. Any money which may be left over after paying for the microphones and their installation –
2. To be spent in purchasing a number of suitable books which may be presented on behalf of His Majesty, the King of Egypt to the East London Mosque Islamic Culture Centre.
During my stay at Cairo, I also had several discussions with the Shaikh of Al Azhar University, His Eminence, the Shaikh ul Maraghi, and at my request he was pleased to make a contribution to the East London Mosque of 50 bound copies of the Holy Quran and of 50 washable caps to be used during prayers. I arranged with the authorities at the British embassy to send them on through Diplomatic channel to London and also arrange for their distribution to the East London Mosque, 446/448 Commercial Road, E1, one half through the Ministry of Information and the other half through the British Council, as both of these organisations have representative members on the Committee of Management of the Islamic Culture Centre of the East London Mosque.
I very much regret to report that I have been informed that some of the copies of the Quran were given to the Imam of Woking Mosque, in Surrey, for distribution. I had correspondence with Dr Arberry suggesting that the copies distributed obviously by mistake should be recalled and distributed to the East London Mosque, as they were specifically given to me for this purpose and forwarded to London by the British Embassy at my request. I also suggested that the copies should be sent to our Honorary Treasurer, Sir John Woodhead, at the India Office, so that they could be put on the inventory as property of the Mosque and then made over to our agents, the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin, for use there.
Sir Stephen Gaselee has addressed Sir John Woodhead in connection with this matter, and I hope it will not be long before this matter is satisfactorily settled.
India Office
Whitehall
SW1
8 June 1942
INDIA OFFICE
Whitehall SW1
27 July 1942
The Rt Hon L.S. Amery, P.C., M.P.
Secretary of State for India
I am glad to inform you that, on Thursday 23 instant, we had a meeting of the London Central Mosque (Jamea) Committee at the Egyptian Embassy. This meeting was the first one to be held after the meeting held on Friday 25 July 1941, which you, Lord Moyne and Lord Reith also attended. We were very glad indeed on the successful acquisition of a splendid site in Regents Park with a fine building called the Regent Lodge, which, with some alterations, can be put into use almost immediately as an Islamic Culture Centre and as a Mosque. It is a great achievement, and Hassan Nachat Pasha deserves all credit for his practical imagination.
In this connection, I would like to bring to your notice the fact that the cost will be well under the £100,000 sanctioned by His Majesty's Government. The surplus will be credited back to the Treasury.
As you know, the London Mosque Scheme sponsored by His Highness the Aga Khan and the late Rt Hon Syed Ameer Ali in 1910, had collected a sum of money, a considerable portion of which has been utilised in purchasing a small property in the East End of London for use as a Mosque and Islamic Culture Centre. This was done in view of the large Muslim population in the East End, and the large numbers of Muslim seamen who in normal times visit the Port of London. This small Mosque and Islamic Culture Centre (at 446/448/450 Commercial Road, E1) was publicly opened by His Excellency the Egyptian Ambassador on 1 August 1941 and was visited by you on 7 August of that year.
On behalf of the Trustees of the London Mosque fund, may I venture to approach you with the request to interest yourself in this matter, and consult the Colonial Secretary and the Foreign Secretary as to whether it would be possible, with the residual money from the grant to the Central Mosque Scheme, to acquire the land contiguous to the present East London Mosque and Islamic Centre (446.448.450 Commercial Road E1).
If this were done, the Trustees of the London Mosque Fund would possess a site on which it would be possible to erect buildings in every way suitable for a Mosque and Islamic Culture Centre after the war.
Yours Sincerely
Hassan Suhrawardy
Minutes of the Meeting of the Trustees of the London Mosque Fund held on 20 August 1942 at the India Office
Present:
Sir Hassan Suhrawardy
Mr Waris Ameer Ali, C.I.E
Earl Winterton, M.P
With
Sir John Woodhead, Hon Treasurer
Colonel S.F Newcombe, Hon Secretary
1. The minutes of the meeting of the Trustees held on 15 June 1942 were read and confirmed.
2. The resignation (vide his letter of 13 June 1942) of Mr A Yusuf Ali, C.B.E was recorded. The Trustees placed on record their appreciation of the services rendered by Mr Yusuf Ali.
3. Mr Waris Ameer Ali and Lord Winterton, who were unavoidably absent from last (15 June 1942) meeting, signified their concurrence in the appointment of Khan Bahadur Sir M. Azizul Huque, C.I.E, as a trustee with effect from 15 June 1942.
4. The Hon Treasurer reported that the 3½% India Stock (1931), to the face value of £2596.12.11, held by the Trustees had been sold and that in the place of this stock the Trustees had purchased 3 ½% Conversion Stock (1961) to the face value of £2,500. The details of the transactions were as follows:
a) Sold, £2,596.12.11 India 3½% Stock at 101 per cent ex interest July 1942
b) Purchased, £2,500 Conversion 3½% Stock at 108 ¼ cum interest October 1942
The difference between the sale proceeds of the India Stock and the cost of Conversion Stock will be met from the current funds of the Trust Fund.
5. Sir Hassan Suhrawardy explained the position, so far as information is available, in regard to the grant of £100,000 which had been provided by His Majesty's Government for the purchase of a site in Central London for a Mosque, and said that although it was not yet certain that there would be a saving out of this grant, he had thought it desirable to address the Secretary of State for India at the earliest possible moment with a view to urging that any balance should be utilised in acquiring the land contiguous to the East London Mosque so that the Trustees would be in possession of a site in every way suitable for the erection of a Mosque (a copy of the letter forms an annexure to these minutes). It was decided that:
a) the action taken by Sir Hassan Suhrawardy be confirmed;
b) steps should be taken to explain to the Press, informally and in so far as appeared desirable, the position in regard to
i) the Mosque which is to be built on the site acquired at the expense of His Majesty's Government in Regents Park; and
ii) the East London Mosque
The points which it is desirable to bring out are that the Moslem population, particularly in peace time, in the East end of London is considerable, that the proposed Mosque in Regents Park cannot meet the need of this community for a regular place of worship, that this need is met by the East London Mosque, and that the Trustees of this Mosque are in need of funds for the purpose of enlarging the site on which the present “temporary” Mosque is situated in order to enable them to undertake the erection of a Mosque suitable in every way to the religious needs of the Moslem Community in the East End.
6. The position of the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin in relation to the East London Mosque and the Trustees of the London Mosque Fund was discussed.Footnote 141 It was pointed out that according to the arrangement, to which the Jamiat agreed, made in 1941, the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin was appointed as the “Agents” of the Trustees in regard to the carrying out of the religious observances at the Mosque and works in connection with the Islamic Culture Centre. (A copy of the letter by which the Trustees appointed the Jamiat as agents is attached to these minutes). Lately, however, there have been indications that the Jamiat was failing to recognise the “Agency” position. It was agreed that it should be explained to the Jamiat that they were acting in regard to the affairs of the Mosque and the Islamic Culture Centre purely as agents of the Trustees and in particular that the room in the Mosque building which had been placed at their disposal should not be used for any purpose other than connected with the affairs of the Mosque and the Islamic Culture Centre.
7. It was also considered that the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin should make over to the Trustees any funds which they may collect towards the building of the Mosque.
8. The meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the Chair.
Confirmed Hassan Suhrawardy 20 August 1943
Annexure to Minutes of the meeting held on 20 August 1942
20 May 1941
Dear Sir
446 and 448 Commercial Road
We have converted the two houses above mentioned into one building to be used for religious purposes and (subject to any necessary consent being obtained) are willing to appoint you our agent for such purposes.
1. As such agent:
i) You are to be responsible for arranging in accordance with the directions which we may from time to time give to you the carrying out in the above premises of prayers, religious ceremonies and works in connection with the Islamic Culture Centre and also funeral and requiem prayers.
ii) You are to make good any damage which may be done to the said premises and the furniture and fittings therein by any person or persons in your employ such damage to be made good at your own expense.
iii) You are to use your best endeavours to prevent any damage being done to the said premises and the furniture and fittings therein from any cause or by any person or persons (other than your own employees) who may visit the premises.
iv) You are to see that all prayers, religious ceremonies and works are carried out with all due solemnity and that the resident caretaker and other persons employed by us carry out their duties in a satisfactory manner and that the said premises are used only for the religious purposes aforesaid and for no other purpose and in particular you are not to allow any meeting or speeches of a political nature to be held or to take place on any of the premises.
v) You are to carry out on premises other than the above premises such of your aims and objects set forth in your rules and regulations for the time being which are not of a religious character.
vi) Any persons employed by you are not to be regarded as our servants but are to be your servants and are to be paid by you accordingly.
vii) You are to keep us and our registered proprietors for the time being of the above premises and our Trustees and Members of our executive Committee for the time being indemnified from all claims and demands which may be made against us or them or any of them by reason of any wrongful or unpermitted user of the said premises.
2. In consideration of the foregoing you are to have the use of one room (to be selected by us) in the said premises to be used by you free of rent as an office in connection with the religious purposes aforesaid and also in connection with any other religious purposes in which you are concerned and of which we approve together with the use of the telephone free of charge for official calls in relation to those religious purposes for which you are acting as our agent and you are also to be at liberty on paying for calls to use such telephone in relation to any other religious purposes with which you are concerned and of which we approve.
3. This document is not to be construed in any way as conferring upon you any estate or interest whatsoever in the said premises but is to be regarded as a mere licence only.
4. The agency hereby created is not to be transferrable by you and is to be terminable at any time by either you or us on giving to the other one week's previous notice in writing in that behalf.Footnote 142
Yours faithfully
(Sd) E. Hotson
Sir Ernest Hotson
Hon Secretary
LONDON MOSQUE FUND
Jamiat-ul-Muslimin
We, the undersigned the Chairman, the Hon Treasurer and the Hon General Secretary of the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin hereby agree to the above on behalf of the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin and (pursuant to its rules and regulations) hereby sign this document on its behalf.
Minutes of the Meeting of the Executive Committee held on Wednesday 26 August 1942
Present:
Sir Hassan Suhrawardy, Chairman
A. Yusuf Ali Esq
M. R. Zada Esq
Sahib Dad Khan Esq
S. Amir Shah Esq
K. Lebbane Esq
Hatim Attari Esq*
Dr Arberry
A Steel, Esq (Representing the British Council)
1. The minutes of the meeting held on 15 June 1942 were read and confirmed.
2. On the proposal of Sir Hassan Suhrawardy, seconded by Mr Yusuf Ali, Mr Hatim Attari of 41 Berkeley Square, W1 was elected a member of the Executive Committee.
3. On the proposal of Mr Waris Ameer seconded by Mr R. Zada, it was decided that
a) the Managing Committee appointed to deal with the affairs of the East London Mosque and the Islamic Culture Centre, vide meeting of 14 August 1941 and 23 January 1942, be dissolved. (Note: The effect of this is that there is no Committee other than the Executive Committee which is provided for by the Trust Deed).
b) As provided for in the letter of 20 May 1941 from the Trustees to the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin, to the terms of which the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin agreed, the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin of Great Britain in its capacity as representing the Congregation of the East London Mosque and the Muslim population of the East End of London, be entrusted with the duty of administering, as the agents of and subject to the general direction and control of the Executive Committee and the Trustees, the affairs of the East London Mosque and the Islamic Culture Centre.
4. With reference to item 14 of the meeting held on 15 June 1942, Mr Sahib Dad Khan informed the meeting that the Islamic Council in Great Britain had made other arrangements and did not now wish to be given permission to use the room in the Mosque premises for office purposes. The Trustees would be informed in writing accordingly in the near future.
5. A long discussion took place in regard to the items of expenditure which would be met directly by the Trustees and those for which the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin would accept responsibility, subject to any financial assistance the Trustees might be able to give. No decision had been reached on this matter when the meeting was adjourned to a subsequent date.
H Suhrawardy 7 October 1942
Minutes of the Meeting of the Executive Committee of the London Mosque Fund, held on Wednesday 7 October 1942
Present:
Sir Hassan Suhrawardy (Chairman)
A. Yusuf Ali, Esq, C.B.E., I.C.S., (Rtd)
Sir Azizul Haque, C.I.E
Waris Ameer Ali, Esq, C.I.E., I.C.S
Sahibdad Khan, Esq
Colonel Stewart F. Newcombe, D.S.O (Hon Secretary)
Sir John Woodhead, K.C.S.I (Hon Treasurer)
Apologies for absence were received from M.R. Zada, Esq, Hatim Attari, Esq, and A. Steele, Esq (of the British Council).
1. The minutes of the meeting held on 26 August 1942 were read and confirmed.
2. The subject referred to in paragraph 5 of the minutes of the meeting held on 26 August was further discussed. The following decisions were reached with the concurrence of all present: –
I. The Jamiat-ul-Muslimin, as provided in the letter of 20 May 1941 from the Trustees to the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin, is entrusted with the duty of administering, as agents of and subject to the general direction and control of the Executive Committee and The Trustees, the affairs to the East London Mosque and the Islamic Culture Centre.
II. The following items of expenditure will be met by the Trustees and the Executive Committee direct:
NOTE: Out of the amount of £65 shown under 5 above £15 will be at thedisposal of the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin for internal repairs.
III. Subject to the grants referred to in V below the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin will be responsible for all other expenditure incurred in connection with the Mosque and the Islamic Culture Centre.
IV. The power of appointing, dismissing and fixing the salaries of the caretaker of the property in Commercial Road and the teacher of the ‘Kuran at the Mosque will lie with the Executive Committee.Footnote 146 In these matters the Executive Committee will consult the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin and in reaching their decisions will take into consideration the views expressed by the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin.
V. For the year beginning 1 December 1942 and ending 30 November 1943 the Executive Committee will make a grant of £102 to the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin toward the expenditure referred to in III above; out of the £102 the sum of £52 is earmarked for expenditure on the Islamic Culture Centre. This grant will be made quarterly in advance, £25.10.- on 1 December, £25.10.- on 1 March, £25.10.- on 1 June and £25.10.- on 1 September, 1943. At the end of each quarter the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin will supply the Executive Committee with a statement of expenditure incurred during the quarter, showing separately the expenditure on the Mosque and Islamic Culture Centre.
3. After Discussion Mr Waris Ameer Ali agreed not to press the points made in his letter of 12 September to Sir Hassan Suhrawardy.
4. The Executive Committee thanked the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin for sending them a copy of their Annual Report for the year 1941–42.Footnote 147 In discussion it was pointed out that the form of the report and account attached thereto might lead to misunderstanding because it did not specifically bring out that, in regard to the Mosque and the Islamic Culture Centre the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin was acting as agents to the Trustees and the Executive Committee, and in regard to the burial of indigent Muslims as agents of the Committee of the Indigent Muslim Burial Fund. It was also pointed out that it was not correct for the Jamiat to describe 448 Commercial Road as their Headquarters Offices, for it was made clear in the Trustees letter of 20 May 1941, vide paragraph 1 (v) and 2, that the room which had been placed at the disposal of the Jamiat free of rent was for the purposes of carrying on their work in connection with the Mosque and the Culture Centre as agents of the Trustees and for any other religious work with which the Jamiat are concerned and of which the Trustees have approved.Footnote 148
5. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the Chairman.
Confirmed: H Suhrawardy 7 April 1943
Minutes of the Meeting of the Executive Committee of the London Mosque Fund held on Wednesday 7 April 1943
Present:
Sir Hassan Shurawardy (Chairman)
Waris Ameer Ali, Esq C.I.E., I.C.S. (Rtd)
Sahebdad Khan, Esq
Said Amir Shah, Esq
Hatim Attari Esq
Anthony Steel, Esq, of the British Council
Syed Mahomed Sayeed ullah, Esq
Colonel Steward F. Newcombe D.S.C
Sir John Woodhead
Apologies for absence were recorded from Sir Azizul Huque.
1. The Minutes of the meeting held on 7 October 1942 were read and subject to the correction of an arithmetical error, were confirmed.
2. On the proposal of Sir Hassan Suhrawardy, seconded by Mr Sahebdad Khan, Mr Syed Md. Sayeedullah was elected a member of the Executive Committee.
3. The appointment of Mr Ali Basha as Caretaker and teacher of the Koran was confirmed.
4. Considered the following bills by Messrs. Turner & Cooper Ltd for repairs to the property in Commercial Road:
It was decided that payments be made in accordance with the advice of the Architect, Mr MacDonald.
5. The letter dated 10 March 1943 from the British Council (copy annexed) in connection with the Islamic Culture Centre was considered. It was agreed that the Committee would not be justified in asking the British Council to renew the grant of £75.
Mr Steel said that as regards the grant of £75 already made the Council would be pleased if they could be supplied with an account showing how it had been spent. He explained that while the Council did not propose to renew the grant of £75 they would be glad to continue to assist the work of the Culture Centre by supplying books and newspapers and by paying the salary of Mr Hussein. He suggested that a list of the books required should be prepared and forwarded to the Council. The Council would then decide what assistance they could give either by supplying the books or by meeting the cost thereof. As regards newspapers he said the Council would continue to supply the Daily Telegraph and the Sunday Times.
There was some discussion as regards visits to factories. The view was that visits to food factories would be welcomed. Mr Steel though this could be arranged.
The Committee desired to take this opportunity of recording their appreciation of the assistance the British Council had given to the Culture Centre. They were very grateful for Mr Steel's assurance that in spite of the difficulties experienced in the past the Council were desirous of continuing to assist the Centre.
6. The Hon Treasurer explained the financial position. He said the accounts for the year ending 31 March had not yet been finally prepared and audited and so the figures he would now give were subject to correction.
The Hon Treasurer pointed out that the expenditure of £341 odd included nothing on account of repairs. There would be considerable expenditure of this nature in 1943/4. The excess of expenditure over receipts in the Culture Centre account had been net out of the previous year's surplus.
7. It was decided that in view of the expressed desire of Colonel Newcombe to resign, his resignation be accepted. The Committee placed on record their great appreciation of all that Colonel Newcombe had done for the Mosque and the Culture Centre. They were deeply grateful to him for the assistance he had so willingly given and hoped that he would remain a member of the Executive Committee.
On the proposal of Sir Hassan Suhrawardy, seconded by Mr Waris Ameer Ali, it was decided that Mr Hatim Attari and Mr Sayeedullah (of 46 Kingswood Court, West End Lane, NW6) be elected Joint Hon Secretaries in place of Sir Ernest Hotson and Colonel Newcombe. (Note: Sir Ernest Hotson's retirement was noted in the Minutes of the Meeting of 15 June 1942)
8. The meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the Chair.
Confirmed: H Suhrawardy 2 July 1943
THE BRITISH COUNCIL
3 HANOVER STREET
LONDON W1
10 March 1943
Dear Sir Hassan
I am very glad to hear from Miss Whitehorn that the long delayed visit to the margarine factory by Moslems from the Islamic Cultural Centre is really going to take place today. As, however, this is, I believe, only the second event which we have been able to arrange for the Islamic Centre during the whole winter in view of their difficulties over finding a caretaker, and, I am afraid I must add, their somewhat non-co-operative attitude, I am in some doubt whether the renewal of our £75 a year grant at this Centre and the supply of daily papers etc., which it seems to me are seldom read, are really justified.
I have had some discussion with Colonel Newcombe on this subject, and he is inclined to agree with me that before the £75 grant is renewed during the coming financial year, the British Council should receive an audited statement of what has been done with the money. If, as I suspect, there is a considerable balance on the 1942/3 grant, we should be prepared to allocate this towards the cost of certain religious books, toward which Mr Khan asked me for a contribution the last time I was in the Centre, but Colonel Newcombe agrees with me that it would not be proper for the British Council to continue their grant into the future simply for this purpose. We shall of course continue to pay the salary of Mr Hussein on the same basis as before, so that should be some help with the religious teaching, which is, I know, an important part of his work.
Perhaps you would be kind enough to let us know the views of your Committee on the subject of the grant and proposed purchase of religious books, and I should also be grateful if you could obtain the audited statement for 1942–3.
Yours Sincerely
(Sd) Anthony Steel
London and Eastern
Regional Officer
Sir Hassan Suhrawardy C.B.E
India Office
Minutes of the Meeting of the Executive Committee of the London Mosque Fund, held at India House on Friday 2 July 1943 at 11.30 p.m
Present:
Sir Hassan Suhrawardy (Chairman)
Sir John Woodhead (Treasurer)
Colonel Stewart Newcombe
Mr Waris Ameer Ali
Mr Yusuf Ali
Mr Anthony Steel
Mr Kemal Lebbane
Mr Hatim Attari) Joint Secretaries
Mr S.M Sayeedulla)
Absent:
Sir Aziz-ul-Haque
Mr Zada
Both being out of the Country.
1. The Minutes of the last meeting held on 7 April were read. Mr Steel made certain observations in regard to the salary of Mr Hussein and the secretaries were instructed to enquire the total amount of salary Mr Hussein is drawing, by whom paid and a list of subjects he is teaching. Mr Steel informed the meeting that the British Council would be agreeable to continue to pay the salary and also arrange to supply books, journals and periodicals required for the Islamic Centre, on receipt by them of the details. Mr Steel further agreed to arrange excursions on receipt of application from the Islamic Centre. The Minutes of the meeting were then confirmed.
2. The Chairman read to the meeting the letter dated 15 April 1943 received from Jamiat-ul-Muslimin in the matter of the resignations of Mr Sahib Dad Khan and Mr Said Amir Shah, and after discussion it was decided that the consideration of letters of resignation and the letter from Jamiat-ul-Muslimin be postponed.Footnote 149 In the meantime, the Committee authorised Sir Hassan Suhrawardy, Mr K Lebbane and Mr Yusuf Ali to interview the officials of Jamiat-ul-Muslimin with a view to ascertain their views as regards the continuity of their acting as agents of the London Mosque Fund for managing the East London Mosque, and their attitude towards trustees and officials of the Moslem Mosque Fund. The committee felt it desirable that the consideration of the postponed items should not be very long delayed, and accordingly fixed a meeting for Wednesday 21 July at 3 o'clock to hear from Sir Hassan Suhrawardy, Mr Yusuf Ali and Mr K Lebbane the report of their interviews with the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin, which they hoped to conclude before the date of the meeting.
3. Mr S.M Sayeedeilla's letter to the Chairman and correspondence arising out of it was read by the Chairman and the committee appreciated Mr Sayeedeilla's observations and his promptness in reporting the matter to the Chairman.
4. The lay-out of the Memorial tablet proposed to be put in the East London Mosque was considered by the meeting, and after discussion as to the usefulness of the names of the trustees being embodied on the Tablet, further consideration of this matter was postponed until the next meeting.
5. Sir John Woodhead informed the meeting that the auditors were not able to complete the accounts, and the consideration of finance was postponed for the next meeting.
6. It was resolved that the Chairman should write to Sir Aziz-ul-Haque and Mr Zada thanking them for their useful services to the committee during their membership and requesting them to tender their resignations in view of their departure from the country.
7. The meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the Chairman.
Confirmed: 21 July 1943
Minutes of the Adjourned Meeting of the Executive Committee of the London Mosque Fund, held at the India Office on Wednesday 21 July 1943
Present:
Sir Hassan Suhrawardy (Chairman)
Mr Yusuf Ali
Colonel S.F. Newcombe
Mr Hatim Attari) Joint Hon Secretaries
Mr S.M Sayeedulla)
Sir John Woodhead Hon Treasurer
1. The Report of the sub-committee appointed to interview the officials of Jamiat-ul-Muslimin was read to the committee and is recorded herewith.
2. The Executive Committee considered the Report and resolved to forward a copy of the Report to the trustees of the London Mosque Fund for their consideration and deferred any further action on the Report until the trustees’ decision.
3. It was resolved that the resignations of Sahebdad Khan and Mr S.A. Shah as members of the Executive Committee be recorded. It was further resolved that the letter of Jamiat-ul-Muslimin dated 15 April 1943, arising out of the above resignations be also recorded for the present.
4. Sir Hassan Suhrawardy reported that the sub-committee appointed to consider the Memorial Tablet for the East London Mosque has decided upon the text of this both in English and Arabic, as per both proofs submitted, which are recorded herewith.
5. The Treasurer submitted the draft balance sheets of the London Mosque Fund and Islamic Culture Centre, which showed a combined deficit of over £120. The income from the investment showed as £233. It was resolved that the payment of £10.10.0 for the year ending 31 March 1942 and £5.5.0 for the year ending 31 March 1943 to Messrs. Feasey, Hull & Feasey, the auditors, be approved.
6. The meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the Chairman.
Confirmed: H Suhrawardy 31 August 1943
Minutes of the Meeting of the Trustees of the London Mosque Fund held on 20 August 1943
Present:
Sir Hassan Suhrawardy (in the Chair)
Lord Winterton
Monsieur H.M. Said
Mr Waris Ameer Ali
With
Sir John Woodhead, Hon Treasurer
1. The minutes of the meeting held on 20 August 1942 were confirmed.
2. The Trustees had heard with deep regret of the sudden death of Mrs Ameer Ali,Footnote 150 the wife of their colleague Mr Waris Ameer Ali. The Trustees conveyed to Mr Waris Ameer Ali their deepest sympathy in his bereavement.
3. On the proposal of Lord Winterton, seconded by Monsieur H.M. Said, the audited accounts for the year ended the 31 March 1943 were approved.
4. On the proposal of Mr Waris Ameer Ali, seconded by Sir Hassan Suhrawardy, a vote of thanks to the Auditors, Messrs. Feasey, Hull & Feasey, for their services during the year ending 31 March 1943 was passed. Messrs. Feasey, Hull & Feasey were appointed auditors for the year ending 31 March 1944.
5. It was decided that His Excellency Sheik Hafiz WahbaFootnote 151 be invited to become a Trustee in place of Khan Bahadur Sir M. Azizul Huque who had returned to India.
6. Sir Hassan Surhawardy reported (vide Memorandum attached) that he had received a donation of £1,000 from His Highness the Nawab[. . .] of Bhawalpur [handwriting unclear here] towards the funds of the London Mosque. The Trustees placed on record their joint appreciation of the generous gift of His Highness and there and then signed an airgraph conveying to His Highness their most grateful thanks to Sir Hassan Suhrawardy who had been instrumental in obtaining this handsome donation.
7. It was resolved that the sum of £1,000 received as a donation from His Highness the Nawab[. . .] of Bhawalpur should be invested in Savings Bonds, 3%, 1960–70. The Hon Treasurer was instructed to take steps accordingly.
8. The matters referred to in the annexed note were considered fully. On the proposal of Lord Winterton, seconded by Mr Waris Ameer Ali, it was decided
a) that the investments should be in the names of the Trustees with the exception of His Highness the Aga Khan – this decision was reached because it was within the recollection of some Trustees that in view of the fact that he is often away from the United Kingdom His Highness the Agha Khan did not desire that the investments should be registered in his name.
b) that steps be taken to place the appointment of the Trustees on a strictly proper legal footing by the execution of the deed as settled by Counsel.
9. The Trustees considered the report (vide annexure to these minutes) of the Sub-Committee of the Executive Committee of the London Mosque Fund on the working of the arrangement by which the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin was appointed in July 1941 as the agents of the Trustees for the management of the Mosque and the Islamic Culture Centre. This report had been referred to them by the Executive Committee. The Trustees decided that the agreement should be terminated. They were of opinion that it is not necessary under any Islamic obligations to appoint an association as agents for managing the religious functions connected with the Mosque. At the same time they desired to make it quite clear that the Mosque is open to all Muslims for worship during the appointed hours and that if the Muslim Association or any other body or person desired to arrange a function after ‘Id’ prayers or the Prophet's Birthday celebrations, they would be very glad to give permission, if timely application is made. They hoped that the Muslim congregation, who would use the Mosque and the premises, would continue to take the interest which is expected from them as Muslims.
10. The meeting ended with a vote of thanks to the Chair.
Confirmed: Suhrawardy 8 October 1943
Minutes of the Meeting of the Executive Committee of the London Mosque Fund, held at the India Office on Tuesday 31 August 1943 at 3.30
Present:
Sir Hassan Suhrawardy (Chairman)
Mr Waris Ameer Ali
Mr Yusuf Ali
Mr Hatim Attari)
Mr S.M Sayeedulla) Joint Hon Secretaries
Sir John Woodhead)
1. The minutes of the meeting held on 31 July 1943 were read and confirmed.
2. With reference to Item 2 of the meeting of 21 July, the committee was informed of the decision of the Trustees, which is as follows:–
“The Trustees considered the report (vide annexure to these minutes) of the Sub-Committee of the Executive Committee of the London Mosque Fund on the working of the arrangement by which the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin was appointed in July 1941 as the agents of the Trustees for the management of the Mosque and the Islamic Culture Centre. This report had been referred to them by the Executive Committee. The Trustees decided that the agreement should be terminated.Footnote 152 They were of opinion that it is not necessary under any Islamic obligations to appoint an association as agents for managing the religious functions connected with the Mosque. At the same time they desired to make it quite clear that the Mosque is open to all Muslims for worship during the appointed hours and that if the Muslim Association or any other body or person desired to arrange a function after ‘Id’ prayers or the Prophet's Birthday celebrations, they would be very glad to give permission, if timely application is made. They hoped that the Muslim congregation who would use the Mosque and the premises, would continue to take the interest which is expected from them as Muslims.”
To give effect to the above decision, the joint Hon Secretaries were asked to serve notice on the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin as follows:
“Under the terms of our Agreement, notice is hereby given cancelling the appointment of Jamiat-ul-Muslimin, the Muslim Association, as agents of the Trustees for managing the religious ceremonies and other duties connected with the East London Mosque.”
The Trustees have decided that it is not necessary under any Islamic obligations to appoint an Association as an agent for managing the Religious functions connected with the Mosque. They are desirous of making it quite clear that the Mosque is open to all Muslims for worship during appointed hours. If timely application is made, the Trustees will be very glad to give permission to the Muslim Association or any other body or person who would like to arrange an entertainment of ‘Id prayers, the Prophet's Birthday celebrations, Muharram, or on any such occasion when in the interest of the Mosque or of any spiritual and religious needs, a meeting or celebration could be appropriately held in the Mosque premises.
It is hoped that the Muslim congregation who would use the Mosque and the premises will continue to take interest which is expected from them as Muslims.
This notice is given with effect from Friday, 3 September 1943, and the seven days required by the Agreement will expire on 10 September 1943.
The Hon Secretary was asked to send for Mr Ali Basha, the caretaker, to see about his salary and insurance book, and the inventory of the Mosque furniture.
3. The letter of resignation of Mr Sahebdad Khan and Mr S.A Shah has already been recorded and as they were representing the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin, and it has been decided to serve them with notice of termination of their agency, there is no reason to ask the Jamiat to send the names of members to fill up the vacancies caused by the resignation of Mr S.A. Shah and Mr Sahebdad Khan.
4. The Hon Treasurer explained the financial position set out in Item 5 of the Minutes of the meeting on 21 July 1943, and it was resolved that every effort should be made to reduce expenditure under different items.
5. Sir Hassan Suhrawardy reported that he has the consent of Mr Shaikh Abdul Hamid that if elected, he will serve as a member of the Committee. It was resolved, on the proposal of Sir Hassan and seconded by Mr Waris Ameer Ali, that Mr Shaikh Abdul Hamid should be elected as a member of the Executive Committee.
6. The meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the Chairman.
Approved at the meeting of the Trustees and Executive Committee held on 23 January 1942:
LONDON MOSQUE FUND
Estimated annual receipts and expenditure:–
Telephone – The only guide to the yearly expenditure is the bill for the quarter ending 30 September 1941. i.e £2.8.5d. This points to an expenditure of say £10, two-thirds of which is debited to the Mosque fund and one-third to the Islamic Centre.
Electricity – Here again the only guide is the bill for the second quarter of 1941/42 i.e. £1.16.10. This points to an expenditure of say £8, two-thirds of which is debited to the Mosque and one-third to the Islamic Centre.
Gas – The expenditure is roughly estimated at £16 – two-thirds to the Mosque and one-third to the Islamic Centre.
Minutes of the Meeting of the Trustees of the London Mosque Fund, held at 83 Swan Court, Chelsea, on Friday 8 October 1943 at 12.30 pm
Present:
Sir Hassan Suhrawardy, Chairman
Earl Winterton
Husain Said Bey, Esq.
Waris Ameer Ali, Esq.
Sir John Woodhead was also present.
1. The minutes of the meeting held on 20 August 1943 were confirmed.
2. The bronze memorial tablet which was to be put up in the premises of the East London Mosque, was examined and approved by the Trustees. The Trustees authorised the Chairman to arrange with Mr Alistair MacDonald, the architect, to take charge of the tablet, insure it for £60, and select a suitable place in the wall of the Reading Room of the Islamic Culture Centre and take necessary action to fix it there.
To provide against mishaps the Chairman was authorised to arrange for a photograph to be taken at a cost of about £1.12.6. The Chairman was to take necessary action to raise funds towards meeting the cost of putting up the Memorial tablet and send copies of the photograph to such persons of whom financial help was expected.
The Chairman was authorised to pay bill No. BW 1037, on account of making and supplying all materials for the Bronze Memorial tablet with enamel lettering, amounting to £46.5.0. from Messrs. Osborne Company Limited, 117 Gower Street, London WC1.
Proposed by Sir Hassan Suhrawardy and agreed unanimously that the thanks of the Trustees be conveyed to Mr Alireza Shinjan, Secretary of the Turkish Halkevi, 14 Fitzhardinge Street, W1 for very kindly writing the Arabic inscription as an act of friendship; also to convey the thanks of the Trustees to Mons. Kamal Labbane, Attaché to the Egyptian Embassy for kindly drawing up the Arabic Text of the Memorial tablet. To Mr A. Yusuf Ali, the Trustees were indebted, for being responsible for the English inscription.
3. The Trustees considered the correspondence connected with the Notice of Termination of the Agreement with the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin as agents of the Trustees dated 3 September 1943, their reply dated 10 September and letter dated 1 October 1943, from Messrs. Cardew Smith & Sons, Solicitors on behalf of the Trustees to the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin.Footnote 153 It was decided that further legal action be postponed till after consideration of the reply received by Messrs. Cardew Smith & Sons, the solicitors.
4. (a) The Trustees approved the proposal made by the Chairman that Dr Hasan Nachat Pasha, the Egyptian Ambassador, should be elected a Trustee in place of Sir Azizul Huque who had resigned on his return to India, and that His Excellency should be invited to accept the position of Vice-President of the Trustees. It was unanimously resolved that subject to his consent His Excellency should be elected a Trustee.
(b) The Chairman was authorised to issue a statement on behalf of the Trustees to remove misleading impressions caused by the action taken by the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin.Footnote 154
5. The Honorary Treasurer informed the Trustees that on account of investment of the donation of £1,000 received from H. H the Nawab Ruler of Bahawalpur, the income from investments now amounted to £260 per annum and the expenditure £325, not counting the expenditure for repairs and renewals. Sir Hassan Suhrawardy expressed the hope that by converting the telephone into a coin call box and installing the shilling-in-the-slot form of gas meters, there will be certain control in expenditure and other measure would be taken to reduce expenditures. Sir John Woodhead informed the Trustees that he hoped before Sir Hassan Suhrawardy left England it would be possible for him to secure the services of a suitable Muslim gentleman to take over the duties of Honorary Treasurer.Footnote 155 Sir John Woodhead will be glad to give all assistance to the person elected to the position, and on this clear understanding he would be agreeable to stay on a little longer.
Mr Waris Ameer Ali expressed the hope that it would be possible for Sir John Woodhead not to resign.
Sir Hassan Suhrawardy mentioned the name of a suitable Muslim gentleman from the Persian Legation but his acceptance of the responsibilities of the office depended on certain provisions to be made in the absence of Sir Hassan Suhrawardy.
6. The Trustees agreed that the next meeting would be held at 26 South Street, W1, in the Committee Room attached to the office of Mons. Husain Said Bey and that he should be approached in time to arrange details. Mons. Husain Said Bey was also invited to discuss with Sir Hassan Suhrawardy the proposed arrangements regarding the management of the Mosque, and the contribution of the Executive Committee.
7. The meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the Chairman.
Confirmed: H Nachat
A meeting of the Executive Committee of the London Mosque Fund will be held at 83, Swan Court, Chelsea Manor Street, SW3 on Friday, 8 October 1943 at 2.15 pm
AGENDA
1. To confirm the minutes of the last meeting.
2. The Chairman to report the acceptance by him of the resignation from the Hon Secretary, Mr Hatim Attari, and to place correspondence in connection with it.
3. To consider:
a) Correspondence in connection with the notice of termination of agreement with the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin dated 3 September 1943
b) Their reply dated 10 September
c) Letter dated 1 October on behalf of the Trustees from Messrs. Cardew, Smith & Ross, Solicitors, to the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin
4. To place on record the action taken by the Chairman on behalf of the Trustees and Executive Committee.
5. Finances. Report by the Hon Treasurer.
6. To consider:
a) Re-constitution of the Executive Committee
b) The scheme for the management of the Mosque
c) Arrangements during the temporary absence of Sir Hassan Suhrawardy from England
7. Any other business.
Chairman
Minutes of the Meeting of the Executive Committee of the London Mosque Fund held at 83 Swan Court, Chelsea, on Friday 8 October 1943 at 2.15 pm
Present:
Sir Hassan Suhrawardy (Chairman)
Mr Waris Ameer Ali
Mr Yusuf Ali
Sir John Woodhead (Hon Treasurer)
Syed M. Syeedulla (Hon Secretary)
Apologies for absence were received from Mr Kamal Lebbane.
1. The minutes of the meeting held on August 31 were read and confirmed.
2. Correspondence in connection with the resignation of Honorary Secretary-ship by Mr Hatim Attari which had been circulated was considered and recorded.
3. The Executive Committee considered the correspondence connected with the Notice of Termination of the Agreement with the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin as agents of the Trustees dated 3 September 1943, their reply dated 10 September and letter dated 1 October 1943 from Messrs Cardew, Smith & Ross, Solicitors on behalf of the trustees to the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin. It was decided that further legal action be postponed till after consideration of the reply received by Messrs. Cardew Smith & Ross, the Solicitors.
4. The Executive Committee approved of the action taken by the Chairman on behalf of the Executive Committee.
5. The Hon Treasurer informed the Trustees that on account of investment of the donation of £1,000 received from H. H the Nawab Ruler of Bahawalpur, the income from investments now amounted to £260 per annum and the expenditure £325, not counting the expenditure for repairs and renewals. Sir Hassan Suhrawardy expressed the hope that by converting the telephone into a coin call box and installing the shilling-in-the-slot form of gas meters, there will be a certain control in expenditure and other measures would also be taken to reduce expenditure.
Sir John Woodhead informed the Executive Committee that he hoped before Sir Hassan Suhrawardy left England it would be possible for him to secure the services of a suitable Muslim gentleman to take over the duties of Hon Treasurer. Sir John Woodhead will be glad to give all assistance to the person elected to the position and on this clear understanding he will be agreeable to staying on a little longer. Mr Waris Ameer Ali expressed the hope that it would be possible for Sir John Woodhead not to resign.
Sir Hassan Suhrawardy mentioned the name of a suitable Muslim gentleman from the Persian Legation but his acceptance of the responsibilities depended on certain provisions to be made in the absence of Sir Hassan Suhrawardy.
6. The Committee considered Item 6 (a) (b) and (c) and authorised the Chairman to take necessary action regarding the matter and interview the authority concerned.
The Chairman who was already authorised by the Trustees was also authorised by the Executive Committee to issue a statement to remove misleading impressions caused by the action taken by the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin.
The Executive Committee agreed that the next meeting would be held at 26 South Street, W1 in the Committee Room attached to the office of Mons Hussain Said Bey and that sufficient notice be given him to arrange details.
7. It was reported to the Executive Committee that the Trustees had authorized payment of bill No BW 1037 on account making and supplying all materials for the Bronze Memorial tablet with enamel lettering amounting to £46.5.0 from Messrs. Osborn Co. Ltd. 117 Gower Street, London WC1.
To provide against mishap the Chairman was authorised to arrange for a photograph to be taken at a cost of about £1.12.6. The Chairman was to take necessary action to raise funds towards meeting the cost of putting up the Memorial tablet and send copies of the photograph to such persons of whom financial help was expected.
The Bronze Memorial tablet which was to be put up in the premises of the East London Mosque, was examined and approved by the Executive Committee. The Chairman was authorised to arrange with Mr Alistair MacDonald, the Architect, to take charge of the Tablet, insure it for £60, and select a suitable place in the wall of the Reading Room of the Islamic Culture Centre and take necessary action to fix it there.
The Chairman was authorised to take necessary action to raise funds to meet the deficit. After discussion, it was agreed that the Muslim members of the Executive Committee would annually subscribe any sum convenient to them to the Mosque Fund.Footnote 156
The Meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the Chairman.
Minutes of a meeting of the Trustees of the London Mosque Fund held at the Royal Egyptian Embassy on Wednesday 1 December 1943 at 12.30 pm
Present:
H.E Dr Hassan Nachat Pasha (Egyptian Ambassador – Vice President)
The Rt Hon Earl Winterton
Judge Waris Ameer Ali
Mr Hussein Mohammed Said
The minutes of the last meeting held on Friday 8 October were read and approved.
Lord Winterton began by saying, on behalf of the Trustees how pleased they all were to see His Excellency the Egyptian Ambassador in the chair. He felt very strongly that His Excellency's presence would render valuable help to the Trustees in the direction of the affairs of the Mosque.
Dr Hassan Nachat Pasha thanked Lord Winterton and the Trustees for their kind sentiments and for having asked him to become one of their number. He hoped that they would soon be able to overcome all their difficulties.
Dr Hassan Nachat Pasha went on to say that he had heard of the trouble there had been between Sir Hassan Suhrawardy and some of the Moslems in England and he wanted to make it quite clear that as far as the Trustees were concerned there was nothing against their being of any religion or nationality. There was a distinction to be made between the Trustees, who were entrusted with the administration of money and the people who were entrusted with the services carried out on the premises of the Mosque itself. This latter committee should definitely be Mohammedan.
His Excellency said that he also wished to clear up the question of their Treasurer. There was a great deal of work to be done and they would then know where they stood.
Lord Winterton said he wished to propose Sir John Woodhead to continue with his support. He had been up till now such a valuable Treasurer and they still needed the benefit of his experience.
The other Trustees supported Lord Winterton.
Sir John Woodhead thanked the Committee but said he thought that perhaps the Treasurer should be a Mohammedan.
Dr Nachat Pasha assured Sir John Woodhead that this was not necessary.
Sir John Woodhead explained that at the present he was carrying out the duties of Secretary and that unless he had some of this work taken off his shoulders he did not feel he could take on the work of Treasurer.
Dr Hassan Nachat Pasha said that one of the Trustees then present would be appointed as Secretary.
Sir John Woodhead said that in that case he would be glad to continue as Treasurer.
Dr Hassan Nachat Pasha said that the Trustees all knew that Sir Hassan Suhrawardy had been having difficulties with the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin who had been entrusted with the services in the Mosque.Footnote 157
Judge Waris Ameer Ali said that he had warned Sir Hassan a long time before that he would have trouble with these people.
Dr Hassan Nachat Pasha said that Sir Hassan Suhrawardy had seen the difficulty of dealing with a self-constituted body. Dr Nachat understood that there was another Committee between the Board of Trustees and the work of the Mosque, which was the managing Committee.
Sir John Woodhead said that as far as he knew the Managing Committee had only met once.
Dr Nachat went on to inform the Trustees of another big project. All the Moslems were uniting to found a moslem and oriental cultural centre in London. They had been given a big house in Regents Park for this purpose and for the purpose of building a mosque after the war. They had decided to form this cultural centre where all the different moslem countries would be represented. There would be a committee for the management of all the mosques in England both outside London and in it. Dr Nachat suggested that the Board of Trustees should ask this committee if they would undertake the management of the East London Mosque.
Sir John Woodhead said that from the legal point of view there should be no difficulty in this project.
Lord Winterton and Judge Ameer Ali said they thought the idea was excellent.
Dr Hassan Nachat Pasha said that when he heard of the difficulties the mosque was experiencing, he wrote to the King of Egypt to ask him if he would send an imam for this mosque and to ask if, as there was not enough money to pay an imam, he could be paid at least for the first year or so. Unfortunately His Majesty was in hospital and Dr Nachat had as yet received no reply, but he had every hope that the reply would be favourable.
Judge Ameer Ali said that he supposed it would be difficult to find someone suitable in the middle of the war.
Dr Hassan Nachat Pasha replied that fortunately the sea route from Egypt was re-established and there should be no difficulty in sending someone over.
Judge Ameer Ali said that it was very important that they should have someone who had a really good influence. The mosque was frequented by the poor and uneducated moslems and it was most desirable that their spiritual and moral needs should not be forgotten.
Dr Nachat replied that if an imam was sent from Cairo he would always feel responsible to this Embassy.
Dr Nachat then read a letter he had received from Sir Hassan Suhrawardy:
“I am however worried about the Mosque and shall be most grateful if you will very kindly let me know what has happened, since I left London on the 26 October. I wanted to see you before I left but on account of leaving at a moment's notice unexpectedly, I couldn't let you know that they were trying to arrange a deputation to wait on you consisting of persons who would apparently look like disinterested persons but were really emissaries trying to take possession of the Mosque by indirect methods. I have explained the situation to H.E. Hassanein Pasha and His Eminence Sheikh Al Maraghi. I have sent you all papers received up to date from the solicitors and also a copy of the Minutes of the Meeting of the Trustees held on Friday October 8 at which Your Excellency was elected a Trustee and the Vice President, and thus the future of the Mosque was put in your hands.”
Sir John Woodhead said he was not happy at the thought of starting legal proceedings against the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin.
Dr Hassan Nachat Pasha said he did not think it would come to that. He intended to speak to some of them as Moslem to Moslem.
Lord Winterton said that he had been told that a meeting of protest had been held by the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin in North London.Footnote 158
Sir John Woodhead said that there had been such a meeting but nothing had come of it.
Mr Hussein Mohammed Said then read cables exchanged between His Excellency the Egyptian Ambassador and the Chief of the Royal Cabinet, regarding the East London Mosque.
“Boustane London. Secretary Jamiat-ul-Muslimin cables following Trustees East London Mosque contemplate immediate handing over management Mosque to non-Muslim control. Please enquire and forward all available information kind regards. Chief Royal Cabinet”
“Excellency Chief Royal Cabinet, Cairo. East London Mosque is established under trust fund 1910 president Aga Khan money collected from various sources. Since foundation fund two trustees were non-moslems now only one Lord Winterton. Trustees appointed executive committee for management of the mosque amongst who were two non-moslems now all members executive committee are moslems. The self-formed Jamiat ul Muslimin who were lately authorised by the executive committee to manage the mosque disagreed with Suhrawardy who is chairman of the executive Committee. Consequently executive committee put end to the delegation given to Jamiat ul Muslimin to manage the mosque wanting to place mosque under direct control. Allegations by El Jamiat are totally unfounded. Report follows by post best wishes Ambassador.”
“Excellency Hassanein Pacha, Palais Abdine, Caro. Référence ma dépêche du 12 octobre concernant East London Mosque vous prie soumettre qu'afin prevenir dissention facheuse [sic] entre mussulmans residant [sic] ici ai accepté poste vice président Trustees dite mosque. Pour arriver cette fin il est nécessaire avoir un imam connaissant anglais pour diriger services religieux d'une manière digne. Fonds trust ne suffisent pas pour paiement salaire imam et si ces trais sont supportés par WakfsFootnote 159 publiques ou royaux le geste serait très bien apprécié. Amitiés. Nachat.”Footnote 160
Dr Hassan Nachat Pasha then proposed that Mr Hussein Mohammed Said be appointed secretary.
The other Trustees seconded this proposal which was carried unanimously.
This concluded the business of the day.
India Office
Whitehall
SW1
7 July 1944
Dear Mr Levrane
I am sending you the papers about which I believe I spoke to you and in connection with which you will find a resolution of the Trustees at their meeting held, if my memory is correct, in December last. You will find a note which I wrote on the matter over a year ago.
The Trustees decided that no change should be made as regards the names in which the securities are held, but they decided that the appointment of the existing Trustees should be placed on a proper footing and that the Deed as settled by counsel should be executed.
The difficulty has been that His Highness the Aga Khan is in Switzerland. At one time I though that we could get the Deed executed by sending it to him in Switzerland, but finally came to the conclusion that this would be very difficult and so I have done nothing in the matter so far. Now that the war is drawing to a close I think the best course is to wait until peace has been declared and His Excellency the Aga Khan again comes to this country.
Another reason I did not proceed with the matter was that the Trustees were changing rather rapidly and indeed the Deed which was settled over a year ago would now have to be amended in view of the changes which have taken place in the Trustees during the last twelve months.
I have also mentioned this matter to M. Said, who, I think, is fairly acquainted with the matter.
Yours sincerely
J. Woodhead
Minutes of a meeting of the Trustees of the London Mosque Fund held at the Royal Egyptian Embassy on 22 June 1944
Present:
H.E Sr Hassan Nachat Pasha, Egyptian Ambassador and Vice-President
Judge Waris Ameer Ali
Monsieur Hussein Mohammed Said
Sir John Woodhead, Honorary Treasurer was also present
1. The minutes of the last meeting held on 1 December 1943 were approved and signed.
2. On the proposal of Mr Waris Ameer Ali and seconded by Monsieur Hussein Mohammed Said the Committee accounts for the year ended 31 March 1943 were approved and signed by His Excellency the Chairman and the Honorary Treasurer.
3. The Honorary Treasurer placed before the meeting, the accounts for the year ended 31 March 1944. They were approved. The accounts with the Auditors’ certificate have not yet been received. On receipt they will be placed before the next meeting and formally approved.
4. The Honorary Treasurer reported that the caretaker at the Mosque is paid partly from the Indigent Moslems Burial Fund. The amount paid from this Fund is £1 per week. In view of the fact that the only work done by the caretaker for the Burial Fund is in connection with the preparation of bodies for burial, for which he is paid separately, it was decided that, with effect from the beginning of July the sum of £1 per week which is now paid from the Burial Fund should be paid from the London Mosque Fund.
5. It was recorded that Mr M.R. Zada has resigned from the position of Trustee.
6. Sir John Woodhead informed the meeting that he was leaving England and would be away for at least six months.Footnote 161 It was therefore necessary to appoint someone to carry on the work of Honorary Treasurer. It was proposed by Monsieur Hussein Mohammed Said and seconded by Mr Waris Ameer Ali that Monsieur Kamal El Labbane should be appointed Honorary Treasurer.
This concluded the business of the day.
[Signature at the end is impossible to decipher – but is probably that of Said, the Chairman at the next meeting]
[COPY]
LONDON MOSQUE FUND
Trust Deed
[dated 1926]
The Trust Deed provides for (i) Trustees; (ii) Executive Committee.
(i) The Trustees present are:
H.H the Aga Khan, F.C., G.C.S.I., G.C.I.E., etc.
c/c The Swiss Hotel
London E1 President
H.E. Hassan Nachat Pasha
Egyptian Ambassador
75 South Audley Street
London W1 Vice-President
The Rt Hon Earl Winterton M.P
61 Eccleston Square
London SW1
Judge W. Ameer Ali, C.I.E., I.C.S., (Retd)
India House
Aldwych
London WC2
Private address: 1 Alexandra Court, Queens Gate, London SW7
Monsieur H.M. Said
Egyptian Embassy
75 South Audley Street
London W1
Lt. Col. Sir Hassan Suhrawardy O.B.E
4 Tughlak Road
New Delhi
India
Mr Zada was a Trustee, but has resigned as he has now left England. His resignation should be formally accepted at the next meeting of the Trustees.
According to the Trust Deed, the Muslim Member of the Council of the Secretary of State for India is entitled to be appointed as a Trustee. Sir Hassan Suhrawardy is now the Muslim Member. His term of office as Adviser to the Secretary of State expires in July 1944. His successor, when appointed, should be appointed a Trustee. I believe that Sir Hassan Suhrawardy wishes to remain a Trustee although he has returned to India.
(ii) The Executive Committee consists of the following:
Lt. Col. Sir Hassan Suhrawardy O.B.E
4 Tughlak Road
New Delhi
India
Judge W. Ameer Ali, C.I.E., I.C.S., (Retd)
India House
Aldwych
London WC2
Mr Kemal Lebbane
Egyptian Embassy
75 South Audley Street
London W1
Private address: 26 South Street, Mayfair, London W1
[handwritten next to this ‘now left England’]
Mr A. Yusuf Ali C.B.E
3 Mansel Road
Wimbledon
SW19
Mr Hatim Attari
41 Berkeley Square
London W1
Sheikh Abdul Hamid
34A Buckingham Gate
London SW1
Mr Mohammed Syed Ullah
(Hon Secretary)
India House
Aldwych
London WC2
Private Address: 46 Kingswood Court, West End Lane, London NW6
Dr A.J. Arberry
Balliol College
Oxford
(When questions concerning the Culture Centre are under consideration)
b) Investments
The investments consist of:
The interest on these investments is credited automatically to the account of the London Mosque Fund at the Bank of England. The Dividends are paid free of Income Tax. The scrip is held in safe custody by the Bank of England.
c) Property
The Trustees own the premises at 446–450 Commercial Road, E1. The title deeds are with the Solicitors. The property is insured with The Guardian Assurance Co. against damage by fire. The premium is £3.3.-d a year.
d) Income Tax and Land Tax
No income tax or land tax is payable on the property in Commercial Road. Although the Income tax and Land Tax authorities have agreed to this, a demand was received for payment of these taxes in January 1944. I think this demand was made in error, as on receipt of the papers, I telephoned to the Income Tax authorities, told them the same thing had happened last year and said that if I did not hear from them again I would presume a mistake had been made this year also. I have heard nothing further and have paid no further attention to the demand note. The property in Commercial Road is entitled to exemption from Income Tax and Land Tax because it is owned by a charitable organisation (The London Mosque Fund) and used for “charitable” purposes. The property is also exempt from the payment of war Damage Insurance Premium.
e) Architect
The Architect is Mr Alaister C. MacDonald, F.R.I.B.A., F.R.I.A.S., 29 Avenue Road, London NW8. (Telephone: Primrose 1622). He supervises the carrying out of any repairs to the property. If any repairs are necessary he will arrange to carry them out.
f). Caretaker
The caretaker is Mr Ali Basha. His wages are as follows:
i) as caretaker, £1.17.0d per week less 1s/10d a week on account of insurance contributions
ii) As Teacher of Koran, £5 a month (nos. i and ii paid for by the London Mosque Fund)
iii) £1 per week paid from the Indigent Muslims Burial Fund.
The insurance books on account of Unemployment and Health are kept by the Trustees and are stamped periodically. The cost of the weekly stamps is 3s/8d of which 1s/10d, as indicated above, is recovered from Ali Basha and 1s/10d paid from the funds of the Trustees.
Ali Basha is provided with free quarters at the Mosque and also with electric light and gas free.
I have suggested, vide separate note attached, that the £1 a week at present paid from the Indigent Muslim Burial Fund should be paid from the Mosque Fund.
f) General Expenditure
Apart from Ali Basha's wages, the main items of expenditure are:
i) General Rates
ii) Water Rate
iii) Electricity
iv) Gas
v) Telephone
vi) Repairs
vii) Miscellaneous expenditure incurred by Ali Basha.
There are two telephones at the Mosque. One is a coin box telephone. This latter is used by the general public. Ali Basha has the key to the coin box and periodically opens it and remits the money to the Trustees.
It has been proposed that there should be a shilling-in-the-slot meter for gas, but this has not been introduced as yet.
There are two accounts at the Bank of England:
a) The London Mosque Fund account
b) The London Mosque Fund “B” account
The “B” account was opened with the object of keeping the expenditure and receipts of the Culture Centre separate. While the Culture Centre was functioning, or rather endeavouring to function,Footnote 162 the following items of expenditure used to be debited in part to the “B” account:
General Rate
Water Rate
Electricity
Gas
Telephone Account
Caretaker's wages
– one third to the “B” account.
Wages of Teacher of Koran – Half to the “B” account.
I have not made this division since October 1943 because the Culture Centre is not in existence.Footnote 163 For the present the “B” account is not being operated on and if the Culture Centre is not revived it might just as well be closed and its small balance transferred to the main account.
g) Audit
The audit is carried out by Messrs. Feasey, Hull and Feasey, 5 Norfolk Street, Strand, WC2. The audited accounts are approved at a meeting of the Trustees.
h) Solicitors
The Solicitors are Messrs. Cardew Smith and Ross, 27 Ely Place, EC1. They are very helpful in many matters. They are paid for the work they do.
i) Cheques
Cheques require to be signed by a Trustee and the Hon Treasurer. The Bank of England are the Trustees’ Bankers.
j) The British Council
When the Mosque was opened it was hoped that in addition to being a place of worship it would be a Culture Centre. The British Council gave a capital grant of £100 towards the establishment of a library and for one year gave a grant of £75 towards the cost of running the Culture Centre.
Dr Arberry and also a representative of the British Council attended meetings of the Executive Committee when questions concerning the Culture Centre were under discussion.
The attempt to establish a Culture Centre has failed completely and at present the Centre is not operating.
k) Furniture
There is on the appropriate file a stock list showing the furniture etc. which is the property of the Trustees of the Mosque. The Jamiat-ul-Muslimin supplied chairs and tables for the large rooms at the back of the Mosque which, in addition to being used as Prayer rooms when the congregation is large, are also used for entertaining the worshippers on the occasions of the great festivals. The Jamiat-ul-Muslimin claim that these are their own; they have not been entered on the stock list.
LONDON MOSQUE FUND
The caretaker, Mr Ali Basha, is at present paid –
a) from the Mosque Fund
i) as caretaker, £1.17.-d a week (Net £1.15.2d after deducting Unemployment and Health insurance
ii) as Teacher of Koran, £5 a month
b) from the Indigent Muslims Burial Fund £1 a week
In view of the amount of work done by Mr Ali Basha for the Burial Fund a payment of £1 a week does not appear to be justified.
The Mosque Fund is now in a stronger financial position – vide the annexed Memo – and I suggest that as from 1 April 1944 the £1 a week now met out of the Burial Fund should be charged to the Mosque Fund.
J.A. Woodhead
Hon Treasurer
Estimate of Receipts and Expenditure of the London Mosque Fund
Expenditure
Footnote 164Footnote 165Footnote 166
Excess of receipts over expenditure: £ 97.1.10Footnote 167
Note: This estimate takes no account of expenditure on repairs. It is difficult to say what this will amount to over a period of years. An average annual figure of £65 may be taken.
Minutes of the Meeting of the Trustees of the London Mosque Fund held at the Royal Egyptian Embassy 15 February 1946
Present:
Mons Hussein Mohammed Said (in the Chair)
Sir Torick Ameer Ali*
Waris Ameer Ali
Sir John Woodhead was also present.
A letter of apology of absence had been received from Earl Winterton.
1. The minutes of the last Meeting of the Trustees held on 22 June 1944 were read and confirmed.
2. Judge Waris Ameer Ali said that he was prepared to agree that his letter of resignation of 22 June 1945, from his Trusteeship, should be treated as withdrawn and cancelled. It was accordingly recorded that Judge Waris Ameer Ali was still a Trustee.
3. The Meeting was informed that Monsieur Kamal El Labbane had resigned the post of Hon Treasurer on his return to Egypt. It was proposed by Monsieur H.M. Said and seconded by Sir Torick Ameer Ali that Sir John Woodhead be appointed Honorary Treasurer and that he be authorized to sign (together with one of the Trustees) cheques drawn on the London Mosque Fund's account at the Bank of England.
4. It was placed on recorded that under Clause 6 of the declaration of Trust, Sir Torick Ameer Ali, the Moslem Adviser to the Secretary of State for India, had been appointed a Trustee in place of Sir Hassan Suhrawardy who vacated the office. This change dates from November, 1944.
5. The appointment of Md. Saiyid Abbas as caretaker of the East London Mosque from 25 July 1945 at a salary of £2.17.0d a week was confirmed.
6. It was decided that the Hon Treasurer should be authorized, in consultation with Mr Alister MacDonald, the architect, to carry out the necessary repairs to the Mosque building in Commercial Road.
7. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the Chair.
I agree to the appointment of Mr John Woodhead as Hon Treasurer of the London Mosque Fund in succession to Monsieur Kamal El Labbane, who has resigned that office on his return to Egypt.
21 February 1946 [signature unclear]
Ref: CCO/1475
BANK OF ENGLAND
26 February 1946
Copy
The Honorary Treasurer
The London Mosque Fund
75 South Audley St. W1
Dear Sir
I write with reference to your three letters of the 16th instant in which the Bank are –
1. Requested to transfer the balance, viz. £57.8.0 of the London Mosque Fund “B” account to the Fund's ordinary account and subsequently to close the former account.
2. Notified of your appointment as Honorary Treasurer in place of M.K. El Labbane, supplied with a certified copy of the Resolution of 15 February making the appointment and given your confirmation of their action in paying certain cheques signed by two trustees.
3. Advised of the cancellation of the resignation, dated 22 June last, of Mr Waris Ameer Ali and given a list of the present trustees of the Fund.
With regard to 1. above, I would say that to be effective this letter must be signed by the Honorary Treasurer and one of the trustees. I shall be obliged, therefore, if you will kindly arrange for the Bank to receive confirmation of these instructions over the signature of one of the trustees.
With regard to 3. above, it is noted that although Sir Torick Ameer Ali seconds the resolution of 15 February his name does not appear in your list of the present trustees. In the circumstances perhaps you will be good enough to let me know whether Sir Torick continues to be a trustee.
I would also refer to the Bank's letter of 23 October last and draw your attention to the fact that the Bank still await the resolution appointing H.E Hassan Nachat Pasha a trustee, together with a specimen of his signature.
A resolution is also required stating which officers may order the delivery of, or otherwise deal with, the securities which are now, or may hereafter be, held by the Bank on behalf of the Fund.
You will also notice from the Bank's letter of 23 October that the name of Lt. Col. Sir Hassan Suhrarwardy, O.B.E who is no longer a trustee, appears as one of the stockholders on the certificate for £1,000 3% savings bonds 1960/70 held by the Bank on behalf of the Fund.
Yours faithfully
(signed) Gwylm-Williams [name illegible]
For Chief Cashier.
27 February 1946
Sir John Woodhead
G.C.I.E., K.C.S.I
Woking
Dear Sir John
The enclosed letter arrived from the Bank of England this morning. As it is only possible to deal with a portion of the letter, I am sending you a copy. I have prepared the required confirmation for the transfer of the £57 and this can be signed when you come in, when all the queries can probably be answered together.
Statements of Accounts from the Banks are in: –
A chit has been received to the effect that £50 has been paid into Barclays (via Coutts) on behalf of the Aga Khan, dated 1 January 1946.
Yours sincerely
..........................[signature unclear]
Minutes of the Trustees of the London Mosque Fund held at the Royal Egyptian Embassy on 12 December 1946
Present:
Monsieur Hussein Mohammed Said (in the Chair)
Sir Torick Ameer Ali
Waris Ameer Ali Esq.
Sir John Woodhead Hon Treasurer
An apology of absence had been received from Lord Winterton
1. The minutes of the last meeting of the Trustees held on 15 February 1946 were read and confirmed.
2. The Audited Accounts for the years ended 31 March 1944; 31 March 1945 and 31 March 1946 were approved (and signed by the Chairman and the Hon Treasurer) on the proposal of Mr Waris Ameer Ali and seconded by Sir Torick Ameer Ali.
3. On the proposal of Monsieur H.M. Said and seconded by Sir Torick Ameer Ali a vote of thanks was passed to the Auditors, Messrs. Feasy, Hull and Feasy, for their services during the years 1943, 1944, 1945, & 1945–46. It was also decided that Messrs. Feasy, Hull and Feasy be appointed auditors for the [year] 1946–47.
4. On the proposal of Sir Torick Ameer Ali and seconded by Mr Waris Ameer Ali, approval was given to the appointment as caretaker at £2 17s a week of:
i) F.B Powell, from 25 June 1946 to 22 September 1946
ii) Kale Khan from 23 September 1946
5. On the proposal of Monsieur H.M Said, seconded by Sir Torick Ameer Ali, the Trustees recorded with deepest regret the death of Sir Hassan Suhrawardy, who had been a Trustee for some years and who had taken the keenest interest in the establishment of the Mosque in Commercial Road. It was decided that a letter of condolence be sent to his daughter, Mrs IkramullahFootnote 168 in New Delhi.
6. The question of the appointment of an additional Trustee or Trustees was postponed for consideration at a later meeting. In the meantime Sir Torick Ameer Ali agreed to review the position of the Trustees of the Trust Fund with the assistance of the Hon Treasurer.
7. The Hon Treasurer reported that he had hoped to have for presentation to the Trustees at this meeting an estimate of the cost of repairs to the Mosque. Unfortunately, it had not been received. The Hon Treasurer was authorised to carry out the necessary repairs.
8. The financial position of the Trust Fund as shown in the attached sheet by the Hon Treasurer was reviewed. The Hon Treasurer pointed out that the grant of £150 a year from H. H the Aga Khan would cease in 1949. After that date additional revenue would be imperative.
9. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the Hon Treasurer for the work he had done, and to Monsieur H.M Said for taking the Chair.
Confirmed: W. Ameer Ali 5 February 1948
This estimate takes no account of expenditure on repairs. Mr Macdonald is having an estimate prepared of the cost of repairs and it is roughly estimated that it will cost us £300 (exclusive of the amount paid by the War Damage) to put the buildings into good repair.
On 11 September 1946 the balance at the credit of the fund was about £600.
23 August 1947
My dear Sir John Woodhead
In reply to yours of 21 August I have much pleasure in returning the transfer deeds duly signed and witnessed.
I too have been wondering what happened to the papers about which we wanted legal opinion concerning the assignment of the London Mosque Trust to a new body. I asked my brother the other day and he said that he had forwarded a legal opinion with the papers to Hussein Bey to whom I am therefore also writing.
Perhaps you may be kind enough to remind him also if you see him at any time. I will convey the gist of Hussein Bey's reply to you when received unless you have got any information of him first.
The matter whether my brother's trusteeship has lapsed with the lapse of his function as Adviser to the S. of S. for India ought I think also to be considered, if it has, he might be copied as a Trustee to keep our numbers up until further arrangements are made.
Very sincerely
Waris Ameer Ali
[handwritten letter]
Pollingfold
Rudgwick, Sussex
31. 8. 47
Dear Sir John
I saw the solicitors Norton, Rose Greenwold 116 Old Bond St. who are doing the scheme for the Central Mosque in May, and they advised definitely in favour of a similar charitable corporation.
Hussein Said Pasha was I think of this opinion that it was best to wait until then.
Central Mosque Scheme was on its way, though.
I have proposed calling on him on 12 September to see what his position is and ascertain his views.
I rather think I was a Trustee in my official capacity [illegible] ceased to be so.
Yrs Sincerely
Torick Ameer Ali
I enclose the solicitor's letter. I did not yet receive [illegible] advice.
Metropolitan Water Board
New River Road
Rosebery Avenue
London EC1
24 July 1947
The Honorary Treasurer
London Mosque Fund
26 South Street
LONDON W1
Ref: F/RSRR/E.215630
Dear Sir
450 Commercial Road
It is understood that it is proposed to carry out alterations in the water supply arrangements at the above premises, and that a request has been addressed to the Board's Inspector with reference to the fixing of a tap on the upper floor.
I have to advise you that the Board do not carry out work of this nature on private premises, and that you should instruct your own plumber to carry out the desired alterations.
All work should satisfy the Board's requirements, and I shall be glad to learn when this has been done.
I am, yours faithfully,
...........
Distribution Engineer
In the name of Allah the Beneficent, The Merciful.
JAMIAT-UL-MUSLIMIN
The Muslim Association
448 Commercial Road
London E1
Telephone – Stepney Green 1948
12 May 1947
To Sir John Woodhead, Esq.
Hon Treasurer
London Mosque Fund
26 South Street
London W1Footnote 169
Dear Sir John Woodhead
I thank you for appointing me as caretaker for the London Mosque and I have the honour to send herewith the required unemployment and National Health Insurance cards.
As to the Income Tax Code No., and tax deductions I have to say that so far I have never been in a position to pay any such tax.
For your information I beg to say that I am married and have three children of 5, & 3½ years and 8 months ages.
Yours faithfully AM Khan
Minutes of a Meeting of the Trustees of the London Mosque Fund held at the Royal Egyptian Embassy on 5 February 1948
Present: Judge Waris Ameer Ali (In the Chair)
Lord Winterton
Sir Torick Ameer Ali
Sir John Woodhead (Hon Treasurer)
1. The minutes of the last meeting of the Trustees held on 12 December 1946 were read and confirmed.
2. The audited accounts for the year ending 31 March 1947 were approved and signed by the Chairman of the meeting (Judge Waris Ameer Ali) and the Hon Treasurer.
3. A vote of thanks was passed to the Auditors, Messrs. Feasey, Hull & Feasey for their services during the year 1946–47. It was resolved that they be appointed Auditors for the year ending 31 March 1948.
4. On the proposal of Lord Winterton and seconded by Sir Torick Ameer Ali, the Trustees recorded with the deepest regret the sudden death of Mon. Hussein Mohammed Said Bey who had been a Trustee for some years and who had always taken a keen interest in the work of the Trust. It was decided that a letter of condolence be sent to his brother in Egypt.Footnote 170
5. Considered a letter dated 26 March 1947 from Dr Hassan Nachat PachaFootnote 171 in which he expressed a desire to resign from the Trust on the ground that he is now living in Egypt. It was resolved that Dr Hassan Nachat Pacha be asked to continue as a Trustee until 30 September 1948, by which time other persons will have been appointed as Trustees.
6. It was pointed out that Sir Torick Ameer Ali became a Trustee by virtue of the provision of the Deed of Trust which lays down that the Mohammedan Member of the Council of the Secretary of State for India shall be entitled to be appointed a Trustee so long as he continues to hold that Office. Owing to India having obtained its independence,Footnote 172 the Secretary of State of India ceased to exist with effect from 1 August 1947, and the posts of Members of the Council of the Secretary of State for India (called Advisers under the Government of India Act of 1935) ceased to exist from that date.
Sir Torick desired to continue as a Trustee and on the proposal of Lord Winterton, seconded by Judge Waris Ameer Ali, it was decided to re-appoint Sir Torick Ameer Ali as a Trustee with effect from 15 August 1947.
7. On the proposal of Judge Waris Ameer Ali, seconded by Sir Torick Ameer Ali, it was resolved that the following gentlemen, provided they are agreeable, be appointed as Trustees:
Mr. Hatim Attari, 41, Berkeley Square, London W1
Mr Fazal Shah, 36, Whitchurch Lane, London E14
Mr Ghulam Mohammed, 59, Canton Street, London E14
8. Considered the Note (attached) by the Hon Treasurer suggesting, for the reasons given in that Note, that following the example of the London Central Mosque Fund, a Trust Corporation be formed: proposed by Lord Winterton and seconded by Judge Waris Ameer Ali, that this course be followed.
9. The Hon Treasurer stated that the receipts and expenditure for the year 1946–47 had been as follows:
It was pointed out that without the contribution of £150 from H. H. the Aga Khan there would be a heavy deficit. It was resolved that H. H. the Aga Khan be requested to be so good as to renew his subscription of £150 a year for an additional period of three years, i.e. the years 1950, 1951 and 1952.Footnote 174
10. It was reported that the cost of repairs had amounted to £651 inclusive of the Architects fees. The amount received from the War Damage CommissionFootnote 175 was £605.14.0d, and so the cost to the Trust had been only approximately £45.Footnote 176
11. It was reported by the Hon Treasurer that Mr A.M. Khan was appointed Caretaker with effect from 6 May 1947 with the usual salary of £2.17.0d a week.
With a vote of thanks to the Chairman and to the Hon Treasurer the meeting terminated.
Royal Egyptian Embassy
LONDON
1. I do hereby agree to the re-appointment of Sir Torick Ameer Ali as a Trustee to the London Mosque Fund with effect from 15 August 1947.
2. I do hereby agree to the appointment of the following persons as Trustees of the London Mosque Fund: –
Mr. Hatim Attari
Mr Fazal ShahFootnote 177
Mr Ghulam Mohammed
Signed:
The Aga Khan
Royal Egyptian Embassy
LONDON
1. I do hereby agree to the re-appointment of Sir Torick Ameer Ali as a Trustee to the London Mosque Fund with effect from 15 August 1947.
2. I do hereby agree to the appointment of the following persons as Trustees of the London Mosque Fund: –
Mr. Hatim Attari
Mr Fazal Shah
Mr Ghulam Mohammed
Signed:
Hassan Nachat
Jumalek, Cairo
24 February 1948
Witness: J Baradon (Private Secretary)
3 Saidi Street, Soliman Pacha Sq, Cairo
Minutes of the Meeting of the Trustees of the London Mosque Fund held on 23 September 1948 at the Royal Egyptian Embassy 75 South Audley Street London W1
Present:
Judge Waris Ameer Ali, C.I.E (in the Chair)
Sir Torick Ameer Ali
Hatim Attari Esq
Ghulam Mohammed Esq
An apology for absence was received from Lord Winterton.
1. The Minutes of the Meeting held on 5 February 1948 were confirmed.
2. On the proposal of Sir Torick Ameer Ali, seconded by Mr Hatim Attari, the audited accounts for the year ending 31 March 1948 were passed.
3. The appointment of Messrs. Feasey, Hull and Feasey as Auditors for the year 1948–49 was approved and the Hon Treasurer was asked to thank them for their services during the year 1947–48.
4. It was recorded that Dr Hassan Nachat Pacha would cease to be a Trustee with effect from 30 September 1948. Dr Hassan Nachat Pacha had expressed a desire to resign prior to the meeting held on 5 February 1948, but at the request of the Trustees had agreed to remain a Trustee until 30 September 1948.
5. It was recorded that His Highness the Aga Khan had very kindly agreed to continue his donation of £150 a year to the funds of the Trust during his lifetime.Footnote 178 The Trustees were extremely grateful to His Highness and noted that the Hon Treasurer had already conveyed to His Highness the thanks of the Trustees.
6. The appointment of Mr Yusuf Nazeer as Caretaker with effect from 26 April 1948 was confirmed. It was noted that Mr Nazeer had agreed to serve without a salary. He would however, like his predecessors, be provided with free quarters, electricity and gas.
7. The draft Memorandum and Articles of Association of the East London Mosque Trust LimitedFootnote 179 were examined and generally approved. The following decisions were taken on the following points:
a) The proposed Trust Corporation should not include the Indigent Moslem Burial Fund. No difficulties had been experienced in the working of this fund and it was considered to be undesirable to complicate the formation of the Trust Corporation for the Mosque Fund by including the Indigent Moslem Burial Fund.
b) The first Members of the Trust:
i) Judge Waris Ameer Ali did not desire to be a Member, chiefly on the grounds of his health. This was reluctantly agreed to.
ii) It was felt that Lord Winterton would not desire to be a Member. At the meeting of 5 February 1948 he had expressed his desire not to be a Member.
iii) It was hoped that HH. the Aga Khan would agree to be a member.
iv) The first Members of the Trust would therefore be:Footnote 180
The High Commissioner for Pakistan.
The Ambassadors of Egypt and Saudi-Arabia.
The President of The Jamiat-al-Muslimin
95 Avenue Road
Penge
SE20
9 October 1948
Dear Sir John Woodhead
I am indebted to you for your kind letter dated 6 October 1948. In reply, I confirm my agreement to serve under all the three heads mentioned in para “4” of your letter and hope to discharge my duties to the best of my ability.
Here allow me to point out that my surname and not title is Kazi.
To put it in Arab phraseology (by the by the people that introduced the custom of surnames in the west) Kazi is my surname and not a title. To obviate future confusion you will be pleased to address me as Imdad. I. Kazi.
As to the title, I have none; unless you graciously allow an antiquated one to pass current. Under the act 3 of Queen Elizabeth of blessed memory, all the members of the Inns of Court are entitled in their personal right to the address as Esquires.
You will pardon me mentioning this, because change of name will create confusion not only with my bankers, but my wife's and my publishers as well.
Apologising for a lengthy letter, I remain
Yours sincerely
I.I. Kazi*
Hotel Ritz
Place Vendome
Paris
11 October 1948
Dear Sir John
Thank you for your letter of 5 October.
I will be glad to become a member of the Trust Corporation.
Yours sincerely
Aga Khan
Shillinglee Park Chiddingfold
Hon Treasurer
London Mosque Fund
26 South Street
London W1
13 October 1948
Dear Sir John
I am sorry not to have answered your letter before owing to pressure of work.
In regard to the project for the re-organisation of the Fund, it seems to me to be excellent.
I presume that the change is quite legal or that, if there is any doubt about its legality, steps have been taken to have expert advice.
I only mention this because I should not like, as a Trustee of the present Fund, to be involved in any litigation over the matter.
Yours sincerely
[signature not legible]Footnote 181
L'Ambassadeur de S.M. le Roi D'Egypt Londres
75 South Audley Street
W1
15 October 1948
Ref: 2933/21/18/13 B
Dear Sir John
I have received your letter dated 13th instant regarding the formation of a Trust Corporation of the East London Mosque at No. 446 Commercial road, E1.
I am writing to inform you that I shall be pleased to become, as Egyptian Ambassador, a member of the Trust and of the Council of Management of the said Trust, but, owing to pressure of work, Mr. A.L. Fahmy, Secretary of this Embassy, will represent me on the Council of Management whenever I am unable to attend.
As to the Chairmanship of the Council, I wish to say that I am in agreement with nominating the High Commissioner of Pakistan for that post, for the reasons put forward in your letter.
Yours sincerely
[signature]
Ambassador
Norton, Rose, Greenwell & Co
116 Old Broad Street
London EC2
13 December 1948
Sir John Woodhead G.C.E.E, K.C.S.I
Chevremont
Hockering Road
Woking
Surrey
Dear Sir John
Re: East London Mosque
Thank you for your letter of the 11th instant giving me the information in regard to the three officers of the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin. I will now put in hand the preparation of the proof prints of the Memorandum & Articles of Association.
Yours sincerely
[signature]
Norton, Rose, Greenwell & Co
116 Old Broad Street
London EC2
31 December 1948
Sir John Woodhead G.C.E.E, K.C.S.I
Chevremont
Hockering Road
Woking
Surrey
Dear Sir John
Re: East London Mosque Trust Ltd
I now enclose three proof prints of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the above proposed CompanyFootnote 182 in order that you may go through the same yourself and may show it to the Trustees. Perhaps you would be good enough particularly to check the spelling of the various names and that the right persons are shown as being first members of the Trust and first members of the Council respectively.
You will note that there are certain typographical errors in the proof which have been altered in ink, and when you let me hear that the proof is otherwise in order, I will have clean prints made for signature by the subscribers.
With best wishes for the New Year
Yours Sincerely
[signature]
Pollingfold
Rudgwick
Suffolk
8 January 1950
Dear Sir
I shall not be able to attend the meeting on 10 January owing to being unwell. Please give my apologies to the chairman.
Yours
Torick Ameer Ali
Minutes of the Meeting of the Trustees of the London Mosque Fund held on 10 January 1950
Present:
Waris Ameer Ali Esq. C.I.E (in the Chair)
Hatim Attari Esq
Syed Fazal Shah Esq
Ghulam Mohammed Esq
Sir John Woodhead, Hon Treasurer
An apology for absence was received from Sir Torick Ameer Ali.
1. The minutes of the meeting held on 23 September 1948 were read and confirmed.
2. The appointment of Mr Jamil Fazaldin as Caretaker of the Mosque with effect from 20 October 1949 was confirmed. It was noted that Mr Fazaldin receives no salary but is provided with free quarters and gas and electricity free of charge.
3. The audited accounts for the year ending 31 March 1949 were approved and signed by the Chairman (Waris Ameer Ali Esq) and by the Hon Treasurer.
4. The appointment of Messrs Feasey, Hull and Feasey as Auditors for the year ending 31 March 1950 was approved.
5. Sanction was accorded to the expenditure during the years ending 31 March 1948 and 31 March 1949 amounting to £1245.2.4d., on repairs plus £72.12.0d for the Architect's fees. It was noted that £605.14.0d has been recovered from the War Damage Commission; this amount was made up of £575.14.0d on account of repairs and £30 for Architect's fees. The Jamiat-ul-Muslimin had also contributed £200 towards the expenditure. The Committee placed on record their great appreciation of the generous contribution made by the Jamiat-ul-Muslimin.
6. Approval was given to the approximate expenditure of £308 which had been incurred on repairs to the shop in 450 Commercial Road. The Hon Treasurer explained that the original estimate was £183 of which it was estimated £150 would be recoverable from the War Damage Commission. Unfortunately, when the work was started it was found that the old timber structure holding up the front basement wall and over the shop was rotten. The additional expenditure on this account has been estimated at £125 bringing that total to £308. The work had been carried out but the bills had not as yet been received from the Architect and payment had not therefore as yet been made.
7. Approval was given to the letting of the shop and back room in 450 Commercial Road to the Caretaker, Mr Jamil Fazaldin, at a weekly rental of 30/0d., plus the general rates payable on account of the shop and back room, with effect from 14 October 1949.
8. The Hon Treasurer reported that the premises 446–450 Commercial Road had been insured with the Guardian Assurance Co. for a total value of £7400 plus £400 rent charge. The previous insured value was £5550 plus £400 rent charge. The value had been increased because of the general rise in the value of property. This increase in the insured value was approved.
9. The Hon Treasurer reported on the progress made in the re-organisation of the Trust by the promotion of the East London Mosque Trust Corporation Ltd. It was explained that when the Trust Corporation has been formed it was found that owing to a recital in the purchase deed of the property, it would be necessary to obtain the approval of the Charity Commissioners. It was hoped that this approval would shortly be received and it would then be possible to proceed with the execution of the documents for the transfer of the property and securities from the Trustees to the Trust Corporation. The re-organisation would then be complete.
10. Consideration was given to letter ACF/LMC of 4 January 1950 from the Auditors. It was decided to write off the two sums mentioned in that letter, viz:
a) an item of £17.10.0d. This is a book entry from the Mosque Fund and the Mosque and Culture Centre in Commercial Road
b) a small debt of 4/9d due to the Trustees which had been shown for many years as outstanding.
W. Ameer Ali 13 February 1951
Circular
The shop and back room at No 450 Commercial Road were let to Jamil Syed Aladin Fazaldin, the Caretaker, at a rent of £1.10.6 a week plus the rates, 15.5d. a week, with effect from 14 October 1949.
A shop takes some time to become established and I am satisfied that for the present, at any rate, the above rent is more than Fazaldin can afford to pay. I have visited the shop fairly regularly and formed the impression about six weeks ago that the rent was on the high side, but postponed a final conclusion until more experience had been gained. I am now convinced that the rent should be reduced.
I propose that the rent be reduced to £1.0.0d., a week, plus the rates (15/5d) a week, with effect from 14 October 1949 and that the reduced rent be fixed for twelve months, until 14 October 1950 when it will be brought under review.
It will be recalled that the Caretaker is not in receipt of any salary. It is convenient to have the shop let to the Caretaker, for it means that he is practically always available at the Mosque.
J. A. Woodhead
Hon Treasurer.
[not dated but probably 4 April 1950]
I556
Good Friday 1950
My dear Sir John Woodhead
Ref enclosed circular I agree entirely with your proposal to reduce the rent of the shop and back room to £1 a week plus rates. As you very rightly point out, if I may say so, the lessee works for the Mosque Fund as caretaker without a salary and his shop takings are probably precarious too. Furthermore we can review the rent as you say on 14 October. Do we have to vary an agreement or anything?
Can we job up the solicitors who are dealing with the new body for the Trust in any way? Let me wish you a Happy Easter, and believe me
Very sincerely
Waris Ameer Ali
Do pray let me know some time you are coming to London.
GHULAM MOHAMMED
59 Canton Street
London E14
Dear Sir
I agree with your proposal regarding the reduction of rent at No 450 Commercial Road from 30/- per week to £1, plus rates 15/5 which take effect from Oct 14 1949–Oct 14 1950.
Ghulam Mohammed (Trustee)
19 Berkeley Street
W1
HA/EP
Dear Sir John
Mr Wise sent me a notice as regards the rent of the shop at No. 450 Commercial Road, and I am in agreement with your proposal therein.
With kindest regards
Yours Sincerely
Hatim Attari
Pollingfold
Rudgwick, Sussex
London Mosque Fund
8.4.50
Dear Sir
Your letter of 4.4.50. I quite agreed to this proposal.
Yours
Torick Ameer Ali
244 Bilton Road
Perivale
Middlesex
21 April 1950
Sir John Woodhead
East London Mosque Trust
26 South Street
W1
Dear Sir
In the absence of Mr Syed Fazal Shah, who is in Pakistan at the present, I have opened your letter addressed to him dated 18 April.
Mr Shah will be pleased to reply to your letter as soon as he returns from Pakistan.
Yours Faithfully
B.H Shah
Minutes of a Meeting of the London Mosque Fund held on Tuesday February 13 1951 at the Royal Egyptian Consulate General, 26 South Street, London W1
Present:
Lord Winterton (in the Chair)
Judge Warish Ameer Ali
Mr Hattim Attari
Apologies for absence from Mr Ghulam Mohammed, Sir Torick Ameer Ali
1. The Minutes of the Meeting held on January 10 1950 were confirmed and signed.
2. The audited accounts for the year ending March 31 1950 were passed and signed by the Chairman and Hon Treasurer.
3. It was resolved that Messrs. Baker, Todman and Co., be appointed Auditors for the year ending March 31 1951.
4. The Hon Treasurer reported that the final bill for the repairs to the shop in 450 Commercial Road amounted to £320.12.9. against an estimate of £308.0.0. approved at the last Meeting. The small increase is accounted for by the cost of painting the internal walls which was not included in the original estimate. When the original estimate was prepared, the architect estimated that £150.0.0 would probably be recovered from the War Damage Commission. The final amount recovered is, however, only £92.0.0., the highest figure to which the approval of the War Damage Commission could be obtained. Sanction was given to the payment of the final bill less the amount received from the War Damage Commission.
5. The payment of the following amounts as fees to the architect, Mr Alister MacDonald were approved:
£30.6.0 on account of the work in connection with the shop
£25.0.0 on account of other work carried out to the premises 446/450 Commercial Road.
It was noted that of the sum of £30.6.0., the sum of £13.10.0 had been recovered from the War Damage Commission.
6. Sanction was given to the following expenditure on repairs to the property during the year 1950–51.
Aldgate Building Company
Bill dated April 15 1950 amounting to £26.10.0., for repairs to the roof.
Bill dated August 25 1950 amounting to £109.10.0 on account of internal decoration and miscellaneous repairs.
Bill dated February 2 1951 amounting to £28.0.0., on account of further repairs to the roof.
7. Sanction was given to the expenditure of £20.0.0 to be incurred on the installation of two power points and minor repairs to the electricity installation.
8. Approval was given to the installation in the caretaker's quarters of an Ascot gas heater at a cost of £16.16.0.
9. The Hon Treasurer reported that Mr Alladad Khan had agreed to take the four rooms on the first and second floors of 450 Commercial Road at a rent of 30s a week including rates. Sanction was given to the letting of these four rooms at the proposed rent and on the conditions in the Hon Treasurer's letter dated February 2 1951.
10. The Hon Treasurer reported on the progress made in the promotion of the Trust Corporation. He explained that the delay had been due to the long time taken by the Charity Commissioners in preparing a scheme. This scheme had been received towards the end of 1950 and the necessary notices had been issued. The solicitors were now awaiting the final scheme from the Charity Commissioners. When this had been received, it would be possible to proceed with the execution of the documents transferring the securities held by the present trustees and the property at 446–450 Commercial Road from the existing trustees to the Trust Corporation. Lord Winterton proposed and the other trustees agreed that it would be desirable, when the re-organisation was complete, for the Solicitors to write a letter to the trustees informing them that their responsibility for the Trust Fund had ceased.
11. The Meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the Hon Treasurer and the Chairman.
The East London Mosque Trust Limited
Minutes of the First Meeting of the Council of Management held at 446/448 Commercial Road, London. E.1 on 21 December 1951
Present:
H.E Habib I Rahimtoola,* High Commissioner for Pakistan
Dr H.H. Bilgrami*
M.S Manawar Hossain*Footnote 183
Sir John Woodhead, Secretary
1. The Certificate of Incorporation of the Company dated 11 May 1949, together with a print of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company as registered were produced.
2. IT WAS RESOLVED that Sir John Woodhead, G.C.I.E, K.C.S.I. having acted as Secretary of the Company since its incorporation, his appointment be and it is hereby confirmed. It was reported that the necessary Notice of Sir John's appointment had been filed with the Registrar of Companies.
3. IT WAS RESOLVED that the situation of the Registered Office of the Company be at 446/448 Commercial Road, East 1, and it was reported that Messrs. Norton, Rose, Greenwell Co. had filed the necessary Notice with the Registrar of Companies together with Particulars of the Council of Management of the Company, being the Directors named in Article 18 (B) of the Company's Articles of Association. The Secretary was given instructions to have the name of the Company painted or affixed on the outside of the Registered Office and to have the Certificate of Incorporation framed and hung up at the office.
4. IT WAS RESOLVED that Barclays Bank Ltd. (140–142 Commercial Road, E.1) be appointed Bankers of the Company. That the said Bank be and they are hereby authorised:
1. To honour and comply with all Cheques Drafts Bills Promissory Notes Acceptances negotiable instruments and orders expressed to be drawn accepted made or given on behalf of this Company at any time or times whether the banking account or accounts of the Company are overdrawn by any payment thereof or in relation thereto or are in credit or otherwise.
2. To honour and comply with all instructions to deliver or dispose of any securities or documents or property held by the Bank on behalf of the Company.
Provided any such Cheques Drafts Bills Promissory Notes Acceptances negotiable instruments orders and instructions are signed by any one member of the Council of Management and countersigned by the Secretary.
3. To treat all Cheques Drafts Bills Promissory Notes Acceptances negotiable instruments and orders as being endorsed on behalf of the Company and to discount or otherwise deal with them provided such endorsements purport to be signed by any one member of the Council of Management or by the Secretary.
And that a copy of the forgoing Resolution be forwarded to the Bank by the Secretary, together with specimen signatures of the present Members of the Council and Secretary.
IT WAS FURTHER RESOLVED that the Trustees of the London Mosque Fund be requested to transfer the balance standing to the credit of the account of that Fund with the Bank of England to the company's Account with Barclays Bank Limited.
5. IT WAS RESOLVED that Messrs. Baker, Todman and Co., of Canada House, Norfolk Street, London, W.C.2 be and they are hereby appointed Auditors of the Company and that until the Annual General Meeting of the Company to be held in the year 1952 their remuneration should be arranged by the Board.
6. A Common Seal which had been prepared for the Company was produced and IT WAS RESOLVED that the same be and is hereby adopted as the Common Seal of the Company, and that an impression thereof be made in the margin of these Minutes in the presence of one of the Members of the Council.
7. IT WAS REPORTED that fifty prints of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company, together with the necessary registers and books required by the Company, had been ordered and such orders were approved and confirmed.
8. IT WAS RESOLVED that all securities, stock and share Certificates and other documents of title from time to time belonging to the Company and not required for our rent purposes be deposited in the name of the Company with the Company's Bankers, and that all orders for delivery out by the Bankers be signed by any two Members of the Council, pursuant to a resolution of the Council to that effect.
9. It was reported that the Charity Commissioners, by an Order dated the 9 March 1951, had approved and established a Scheme whereby it was provided that the London Mosque Fund and the endowments thereof should be administered and managed by the Company, which should be the Trustee of the Charity and take the place of the Executive Committee and the Trustees. Such Order further provided that the land and buildings at 446, 448 and 450 Commercial Road should vest in the Company. It was further reported that in pursuance of such an Order the Company had been placed on the Register at the Land Registry in respect of the Commercial Road property.
10. There were produced transfers in favour of the Company of the under-mentioned securities held on behalf of the Fund by Syed Waris Ameer Ali, the Right Honourable Edward Earl Winterton, Sir Torick Ameer Ali, Hatim Attari, Syed Fazal Shah and Ghulam Mohammed:
Such transfers being duly executed by all the above named gentlemen with the exception of Syed Fazal Shah who is now deceased.Footnote 184 IT WAS RESOLVED that the Seal of the Company be affixed accordingly. IT WAS FURTHER RESOLVED that such transfers be handed to Messrs. Norton Rose Greenwell & Co. in order that they could lodge the same with the Bank of England for registration and obtain new Certificates in the name of the Company. IT WAS FURTHER RESOLVED that Dividend Request Forms in favour of Barclays Bank, Commercial Road, E.1, be sealed by the Trust's Seal and the same be lodged with the Bank of England along with the transfers.
11. It was reported that the above formalities having been completed, the Company was now in a position to administer the trusts of the London Mosque Fund.
12. It was proposed by Dr Bilgrami and seconded by Mr Manawar Hosain that H.E.H.I. Rahimtoola be elected Chairman of the Council. Carried unanimously.
13. It was proposed that Dr H.H. Bilgrami and seconded by H.E.H.I. Rahimtoola that Mr S. Manawar Hossain be elected Vice Chairman of the Council. Carried unanimously.
14. It was proposed by H.E.H.I. Rahimtoola and seconded by Dr H.H. Bilgrami that Mr Suleman M. Jetha* be appointed a member of the Council in the vacancy caused by the death of Mr Syed Fazal Shah. Carried unanimously.
15. It was proposed by H.E.H.I. Rahimtoola and seconded by Dr H.H. Bilgrami that Mr Suleman N. Jetha be appointed Hon Treasurer. Carried unanimously.
16. IT WAS RESOLVED THAT Mr Sadiq Hassain KazmiFootnote 185 having been proposed by Dr H.H. Bilgrami and seconded by Mr S. Manawar Hosain and having completed the prescribed application form be admitted a member of the East London Mosque Trust Ltd.
Application for Membership of the East London Mosque Trust Ltd
(prescribed by the Council under Article 5 of the Articles of Association)
I ....................... of ................................................... hereby apply to be admitted a member of the East London Mosque Trust Ltd. I declare that I am of the Moslem faith and am interested in and am willing to contribute to, or actively to further the objects of the Trust as set forth in the Memorandum of Association.
I undertake to further to the best of my ability, the objects and interests and influence of the Trust and at all times to observe the Regulations of the Trust.
I also undertake from time to time to notify to the Secretary of the Trust a place of business or residence to be registered as my place of address and the place so registered shall for the purpose of the Regulations of the Trust be deemed to be my place of address.
Sd. ...............................................................
The East London Mosque Trust Limited
Annual General Meeting held at 448 Commercial Road on 21 December 1951, at 3.45 pm
Present:
H.E.H. I. Rahimtoola (in the chair)
Dr H.H. Bilgrami
Mr Suleman M. Jetha
Mr S. Manawar Hosain
Mr Sadiq H. Kazmi
1. The Secretary read the notice convening the Meeting.
2. The Secretary reported that no Accounts were available for submission to the Members as, owing to various formalities having to be dealt with, it had only been possible for the Trust Company to take over the Trusts of the London Mosque Fund that day.
3. The Secretary reported that, pursuant to the provisions of Article 18 (C) (iii) Sir Torick Ameer Ali, Mr Hatim Attari, Mr Ghulam Mohammed Khan, Mr Imdad Ali Imam Ali Kazi and Mr Suleman M. Jetha retire from their office as Members of the Council, but that Mr Hatim Attari, Mr Ghulam Mohammed Khan, Mr Imdad Ali Imam Ali Kazi and Mr Suleman Jetha, who had indicated their willingness to be re-elected were eligible for re-election.
4. It was resolved (i) on the proposal of Dr Bilgrami and seconded by H.E.H.I Rahimtoola that Mr Hatim Attari, Mr Imdad Ali Imam Ali Kazi, Mr Ghulam Mohammed Khan, Mr Suleman Mohomed Jetha be elected members and (ii) on the proposal of Mr S Manawar Hosain and seconded by Mr Suleman M Jetha that Mr Sadiq Hussein Kazmi be elected members [sic] of the Council of Management.
A hearty vote of thanks was passed to H.E.H.I. Rahimtoola for presiding at the meeting, to Sir John Woodhead for all the work he had done in connection with the reorganisation scheme and to Messrs. Norton, Rose, Greenwell & Co., the Solicitors, who had carried through so successfully the creation of the East London Mosque Trust Ltd.
