- The Trocadero, positioned between Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square in London, is situated in an area renowned for its eateries, bars, casinos, and nightclubs—a vibrant tourist hub.
- Muslim billionaire Asif Aziz has received permission to transform part of the building into a place of worship. The transformed centre is also anticipated to nurture interfaith dialogue and bring faith communities together.
A wealthy Muslim entrepreneur, Asif Aziz, is constructing a part of the building for prayer facilities in London’s entertainment district, specifically inside the Trocadero.
The prayer centre is set to accommodate several worshippers. It is also anticipated to nurture a space for interfaith dialogue and bring communities together. Previous proposals for a larger facility were withdrawn in 2020 due to opposition from residents and far-right groups.
However, a planning application for the smaller development was approved by Westminster Council in May 2023. Asif Aziz, who owns a substantial property portfolio and purchased a part of the Trocadero in 2005, is establishing the prayer facility through his charitable arm, the Aziz Foundation.
Illustration: London Dawah Movement stall, Leicester Square
This is fantastic news for the numerous brothers who relentlessly set up their dawah stalls in Leicester Square, as well as the many Muslims in and around the area.
Meanwhile, prominent figures within the extreme right-wing movement, such as Paul Golding, have taken to Twitter to passionately express their sentiments of discontent, further exemplifying their Islamophobia.
As a teenager, I used to visit the Trocadero regularly.
— Paul Golding (@GoldingBF) July 17, 2023
The news that it will shortly become a huge mosque has really angered me.
Muslim millionaire Asif Aziz plans to build a three-storey Islamic centre at the Trocadero.
London has fallen. London is an occupied city. #Trocadero pic.twitter.com/4wuJbyhE1n
The Trocadero, built in 1896, was once a famous entertainment complex but faced challenges in attracting visitors despite investments and sponsorships from companies like Pepsi and Sega.
Now, the Aziz Foundation said the centre will serve both local Muslim workers and tourists visiting London. Alhumdulillah!
Mashallah! This is amazing.