The Germans bombed our Mosque-Butetown, Cardiff

[Owen]

Local Muslims in Butetown, Cardiff, stand outside the new Mosque on Peel Street, wearing ornate costume. One holds a banner, which he has carried during the procession to commemorate the opening of the new Mosque. Second from left is Kaid Sala, the local grocer.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

The original MoI 'background story' caption for this sequence of photographs reads: Cardiff possesses a large and flourishing Muslim community, mostly composed of Arab seamen from Aden and Arabia. During the big blitzes on Cardiff in 1940 and 41, German bombs destroyed the local Mosque. Since then Muslims in Great Britain have, with some aid from Colonial Office and the British Council, raised the money for a new Mosque and Islamic Cultural Centre. Recently these were opened with great ceremony. Celebrations lasted for three days. Prior to the opening of the Mosque, Muslims in oriental dress processed through the streets of Butetown.



DESCRIPTION:

A group of Muslim children, holding banners, line up behind the chief flag bearer at the head of the procession to commemorate the opening of the new Mosque, as the parade moves off through the streets of Butetown. The procession will conclude at the new Noor Ul Islam Mosque on Peel Street.

The Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Councillor James Griffiths address the audience at the ceremonial opening of a new mosque in Butetown. The ceremony is taking place outside the mosque, which was built with the aid of the Colonial Office and the British Council to replace the existing mosque which was destroyed in air raids in 1940 and 1941. An Islamic Cultural Centre was also built and celebrations, which included processions through the local area, continued for three days.

Sheikh Hassam Ismail (in the centre of the photograph wearing a long patterned robe), the Imam of the Cardiff Mosque, prepares to enter the new Mosque, accompanied by one of the leaders of the Islamia Allaouia Religious Society, who have co-funded the building of the Mosque. They are surrounded by many other people who have formed part of the ceremonial procession to commemorate the opening of the Mosque, many of whom are holding large flags featuring Arabic writing.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

The original MoI 'background story' caption for this sequence of photographs reads: Cardiff possesses a large and flourishing Muslim community, mostly composed of Arab seamen from Aden and Arabia. During the big blitzes on Cardiff in 1940 and 41, German bombs destroyed the local Mosque. Since then Muslims in Great Britain have, with some aid from Colonial Office and the British Council, raised the money for a new Mosque and Islamic Cultural Centre. Recently these were opened with great ceremony. Celebrations lasted for three days. Prior to the opening of the Mosque, Muslims in oriental dress processed through the streets of Butetown. The plaque to the right of the entranceway reads: "The Noor Ul Islam Mosque Cardiff. This Mosque has been erected with subscriptions raised by the Muslims at Cardiff and initiated by the Islamia Allaouia Society, 1943". The plaque to the left reads the same, but refers to the building's use as "The Islamic Cultural Centre Cardiff".

DESCRIPTION:

Young Muslim boys listen to Kaid Shef as he reads to them from the Koran in a room in the old Mosque in Butetown. Kaid is an ex-seaman, having being invalided out after being torpedoed during the Norway campaign. Another teacher, Abdul Yhia, is a retired seamen and air raid warden. He can be seen second from right, just below the window, through which a member of the Mosque staff is looking.

[Drew5233]

Cheers Owen,

Good to see that Muslims were doing their bit for Great Britain on the 'Home front' during WW2. I'll have a look through the 'Blitz and 'BoB' to see if there is any entries in a tick.

Andy

[Gerard]

Thanks for bringing this to our attention mate. An example of the suffering felt by all during the war.

[dbf]

From The Times, July 1, 1943:

NEW MOSQUE FOR CARDIFF

On July 16 the Saudi Arabian Minister will open a new mosque for the Moslem community of Cardiff, built out of subscriptions from the Moslem community and with the help of the Colonial Office and the British Council, in place of the mosque destroyed in the air raids of 1940. Attached to the mosque will be a cultural centre, which can be used as a school for Moslem children and for visiting seamen. This will be opened by Sir Hassan Suhrawardy, Adviser to the Secretary of State for India.

From The Times, June 27, 1944:

OBITUARY
SHEIKH ABDUL HAMID

Sheikh Abdul Hamid, an architectural assistant in the Ministry of Works, has died from enemy action in southern England. As recently as June 13 The Times reported the inaugural luncheon, under the chairmanship of Lord Winterton, M.P., of a new organization founded by the Sheikh under the title of the Society of Friends of the Islamic World, the main object being to encourage good relations and cultural contacts between the British and Islamic peoples. The Sheikh gained his early architectural experience in India under the late Sir Swinton Jacob, and in this country was on the staff of Mr. H.V. Lanchester until, some seven years ago, he entered the Ministry of Works. During the time when part of the office of the Ministry was transferred to Rhyl, the Sheikh organized fetes, dances, and other entertainments in support of Red Cross and other war funds. A "United Nations Day" which he promoted raised about £4,000. He will be buried at the Cardiff Mosque, which he opened recently for the benefit of many Moslem seamen, past and present, at that port.

SHEIKH ABDUL HAMID, Civilian War Dead who died age 42 on 23 June 1944
L.R.I.B.A.; of 34A Buckingham Gate. Died at 34A Buckingham Gate.

Remembered with honour WESTMINSTER CITY
CWGC :: Casualty Details


From The Times, July 1, 1944:

SHEIKH ABDUL HAMID
Lord Winterton, M.P., writes:-

My friend Sheikh Abdul Hamid, who lost his life recently through enemy action, was a most sincere and enthusiastic believer in friendship between Great Britain and Indian and also between the Islamic peoples and those of the British Commonwealth. A man of integrity and ability in the public service, he devoted himself, in his private life, to helping the less fortunate members of his community - seamen and others - in this country. We hear much of Indians of a different point of view, but too little of those who, like Abdul Hamid, work ceaselessly to promote good fellowship between India and Britain.

[doublea]

Hi all,

I've just written a draft blog on the history of Islam in Wales based on some of this stuff.

You guys have all been immeasurable help, I referenced 'Members of WW2 Talk' forum generally, but if anyone wants specific reference/thanks, do let me know.

It's a work in progress, not all the WW2 stuff is on there yet, but will be adding it soon.

Green Booked: Islam and Wales

Thanks all,

doublea

[ww2ni]

Interesting stuff.

I visited a French Cemetry on the Somme in May and found the graves of a Christian, Muslin and Jew all buried side by side.

[CL1]

doublea

well done mate
glad you found info from this site useful

[urqh]

Brilliant Owen...Drew..wasnt there a muslim and Sikh mule transport unit with BEF in our beloved France 1940?

[Owen]

Originally Posted by urqh

Brilliant Owen...Drew..wasnt there a muslim and Sikh mule transport unit with BEF in our beloved France 1940?

Yes.

http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/1940/23...teers-bef.html

[Drew5233]

Originally Posted by urqh

Brilliant Owen...Drew..wasnt there a muslim and Sikh mule transport unit with BEF in our beloved France 1940?

The HQ unit was called K6. I copied the war diary on my last visit to the NA but haven't gone through it yet although it does look interesting.

Lots of info in the link Owen posted.

Well done doublea,

Hopefully you'll post some of the WW2 stuff on here too.

Cheers
Andy