The Shah Jahan Mosque is the first purpose built mosque in Western Europe outside of Moorish Spain, and opened in 1889 (Britain's first mosque opened in Liverpool several months earlier, but this used converted houses). Today it has the honour of being the only Grade 1 listed Mosque in Great Britain, and has recently undergone a full renovation/decoration project to restore it back to its full glory and is open to visitors all year round.
Built in 1889 by Dr Gottleib Leitner, a distinguished orientalist and linguist from Hungary, it was partly funded by the Begum Shah Jahan, the female ruler of the Indian princely state of Bhopal, to provide a place of worship for Muslim students at the Oriental Institute. Leitner had bought the former Royal Dramatic College building in Woking in 1881 and established the Institute on the site. The Institute promoted oriental literature and learning and awarded degrees from the University of Punjab, in Lahore, India.
The building was designed by the Victorian architect WL Chambers and built in Bath and Bargate stone. Its traditional Indo Saracen design has a dome, minarets and courtyard, as well as geometric patterns and Arabic calligraphy decoration for which the ‘Art Arabe’ held at the India Office, British Library, was used as reference.
Initially a small number of Muslims, students and visiting dignitaries used the Mosque, but following Leitner’s death in 1899 the Mosque closed. In 1912 a new phase in the building’s use began and the site was restored as a place of worship, attracting royal visitors and famous British converts, including Lord Headley, who founded the British Muslim Society, and Marmaduke Pickthall who provided the first and one of the most eloquent English translations of the Qur’an.
The Mosque became a centre for Islam in the UK and during the First World War the incumbent Imam, Sadr-Ud-Din, petitioned the authorities for a nearby piece of land to be used a Muslim Burial Ground for Indian soldiers. By 1917, a burial ground had been constructed and received the bodies of 19 soldiers from the hospital for Indian soldiers which had been created at Brighton Pavilion. If you wish to visit the burial ground then this Wherigo cache may be of interest.
During the 1960s Woking’s Muslim community grew, and many immigrants came from Pakistan and Kashmir. Today the mosque is a focus for the Islamic community in the area and further afield. It plays an important part in the community life of Woking and continues to welcome visitors and worshippers alike.
As the mosque is a place of worship, please be respectful and avoid visiting at busy times (generally on Fridays, particularly noon to 2 pm). It is not necessary to enter the mosque building, but please follow the dress rules if you do so. Please note that dogs (except for guide dogs) are not permitted in the grounds.
Logging Requirements
To claim a find, confirm having physically visited the mosque by doing the following:
1. Post a photo of yourself as part of your Found log (you do not need to include your face if you don't want to), or your GPS, with the mosque visible.
2. At the rear of the mosque building (see waypoint) is a plaque which is mounted on a post and lists the bodies that supported a particular project. What is the first line of the plaque? Please send the answer by email or the Message Centre.
Please note any Found logs that are not supported by a photo or for which the correct answer has not been submitted will be deleted.
Virtual Rewards 3.0 - 2022-2023
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between March 1, 2022 and March 1, 2023. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 3.0 on the Geocaching Blog.