East London mosque has launched a dedicated support centre aimed at helping people who have recently embraced Islam amid growing concern that many new Muslims experience isolation.
The new facility known as the Discover One New Muslim Hub, officially opened on 24 April 2026 and is designed to provide structured support including mentoring, education and community integration.
Leaders at the mosque said that the initiative responds directly to the challenges faced by new Muslims who may lack a support system or network within the Muslim community. Located on Whitechapel road, Tower Hamlets, the East London Mosque is one of the largest in Europe, serving thousands of worshippers and offering a wide range of community services.
Speaking at the launch event, engagement officer Dr Nathan Musa Gubbins emphasised that embracing Islam can be both rewarding and challenging, particularly when navigating relationships with family and friends.
“For us as reverts, the concept of trust is really key,” he said. “Making that decision, to enter into this beautiful faith, is so rewarding, but can also be so difficult with family and with friends. What we need is a community that mirrors the love and compassion we read about in the Seerah. That is what this Hub is here to offer.”
The hub is not intended to operate in isolation but as a gateway into wider mosque life, encouraging new Muslims to participate fully in congregational and community activities.
Sufia Alam, Head of Programmes at the Maryam Centre, recalled research she was involved in around five years ago which she said had a profound emotional impact on her. The study explored why some people who had converted to Islam later chose to leave the faith, often pointing to a lack of ongoing support and community around them.
Reflecting on the findings, she said it prompted difficult questions for both individuals and institutions about their role in supporting new Muslims. She emphasised that embracing Islam can involve significant personal sacrifice and warned that when people feel unsupported or isolated afterwards, it represents a wider community failing.
“Taking the Shahadah is itself a great sacrifice. To walk away because nobody put their arms around them; that is something we are responsible for.” She said.
She added that this realisation became a turning point, helping to shape the vision behind the Discover One programme and the creation of the New Muslim Hub.
“We don’t want to see you only in the Hub. We want to see you in the prayer halls as every other Muslim, as pioneers and as leaders.” She said.
Leaders hope the new hub will strengthen community friendships and reduce isolation problems and ensure that those embracing Islam feel supported, valued and connected from the outset.
They also indicated that the initiative is only the first step, with plans to expand services in response to growing demand.
Talking about the future of the project, Chief Executive Officer of the East London Mosque, Junaid Ahmed, said: “We want to expand this service. The support our brothers and sisters need when they accept the faith is vast, and our provision must grow to match it.”
