Mosque marks 40 years by expanding work

Nurul Chowdhury, chairman of the mosque, said their work reflected the changing diversity in Suffolk

A mosque is marking its 40th anniversary by expanding its work.

Ipswich Mosque on Bond Street was originally established by the Bangladeshi community who came to Suffolk to work in the manufacturing industries in the 1950s and 1960s.

Mosque chairman Nurul Chowdhury said: "We probably now have about 40 to 50 different nationalities who use the facilities and worship here and we represent Muslims all around Suffolk."

A celebration event is being held on Sunday where the mosque will also be relaunched as the Suffolk Muslim Centre.

Mahfuza Siddiqui speaking at an event held during Ramadan in March 2025

Ipswich Mosque Key Milestones

1950s - Arrival of workers from British India and East and West Pakistan

1960s - Friday prayers performed in private homes and community centres

1970s - Appointment of an Imam to lead prayers and classes

1984 - Purchase of site in Bond Street, Ipswich

1992 - Ipswich mosque becomes a registered charity

1994 - Addition of portable buildings to accommodate more worshipers

1995 - Full-time Imam appointed

2000 - Expansion of mosque to accommodate more worshipers

2002 - Building work completed

2008 - Another building adjacent to the site purchased

2015 - Additional classes provided including Hifz classes (memorizing the entirety of the Holy Qur'an)

2025 - Ipswich Mosque and Bangladeshi Community Centre relaunched as Suffolk Muslim centre

The current committee outside Ipswich Mosque

The mosque is open for anyone to come in every day, but they also regularly hold open days and events specifically for the wider community.

Mosque secretary Tunu Miah said: "Those days, the building wasn't that great, the facility wasn't there, the space wasn't there.

"To be able to have this building now, to welcome people; guests, worshippers, it's absolutely fantastic.

"We do try to integrate ourselves with other faiths, other communities and always, welcome people from different faiths and different backgrounds, we are very much open open to everybody."

A special booklet has been produced documenting the journey of the mosque and celebrating individuals who pioneered the development

According to the 2021 census, 3.9% of the population living in Ipswich are Muslims, which is approximately 5,500 people.

Along with Ipswich Mosque on Bond Street, there are three others; the Shahjalal Islamic Centre on Argyle Street, a Kurdish community centre in the former Mulberry Tree pub on Woodbridge Road and Masjid Taqwa on Westgate Street.

Data for the rest of Suffolk shows 0.5% of the population in East Suffolk is Muslim, 0.2% in Mid Suffolk, 0.5% in Babergh and 1.0% in West Suffolk.

The census question on religion is voluntary.