Historic Kiswa Exhibition at Harrow Central Mosque Draws Thousands from Across the UK
London (Staff Reporter) – In a landmark moment for British Muslims and lovers of Islamic heritage, Kiswat Al Kaaba held a spiritually profound and historically rich exhibition at Harrow Central Mosque, drawing thousands of attendees from all across the United Kingdom. The event offered a rare opportunity to witness authentic sacred relics, some dating back over 700 years, from the heart of Islam’s holiest sites.
A Display of Sacred History
The exhibition featured a remarkable array of artefacts including:
The Kiswah (cloth covering) of the Holy Kaaba
The door of the Kaaba
The covering of the Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ tomb (Rawdah)
The original locks and keys of both the Kaaba and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah
These priceless items, many from the Ottoman Caliphate era, were presented with reverence and careful curation, offering visitors an immersive educational and spiritual experience.
Nationwide Attendance and Interfaith Engagement
Visitors travelled from across the country—including Manchester, Leeds, Halifax, Birmingham, High Wycombe, and Luton—to witness the one-of-a-kind event. Significantly, non-Muslim guests were also present in large numbers, expressing awe, respect, and heartfelt admiration after encountering the sacred relics up close.
Esteemed Hosts and Dignitary Participation
The event was officially hosted by the Executive Committee of Harrow Central Mosque, including:
- Chairman Mr. Tufail Ahmed
- Head Imam Professor Hafiz Akram
- Head of Education Mr. Muhammad Amar
- Special guests and dignitaries in attendance included:
- Former Mayor Mr. Ghazanfar Ali
- Current Mayor Ms. Anjana Patel
- MP for Harrow West Mr. Gareth Thomas
- Chief Superintendent Mr. Jon Simpson
- Superintendent Mr. Zubin Writer
- Councillors Krishna Suresh, David Perry, Janet Mote, Sasi Suresh, Rekha Shah, and Navin Shah
- Harrow Interfaith Chair Mr. Gopal Jeet Singh Bhachu
Delegations from mosques across Watford, Luton, Bushey, Hounslow, Wembley, Ealing, and Cricklewood were also present, engaging deeply with the artefacts and the heritage on display.
An Emotional and Educational Experience
The team from Kiswa Art and Culture Gallery—including Sheikh Ilyas, Hafiz Yusuf, and Hafiz Omar—offered tailored walkthroughs to interfaith guests and dignitaries, delivering historical context and spiritual reflection. One of the exhibition’s most emotional moments came as visitors were allowed to hold and examine the original keys and locks of the Kaaba and Masjid an-Nabawi, bringing many to tears.
Community Spirit and Spiritual Blessings
The event began with a Qiraat recitation by Hafiz Yusuf, setting a tone of barakah and blessing. Live coverage by presenter Rafique Mughal included interviews with Sheikh Ilyas, and the exhibition was broadcast across social media for over nine hours, enabling global viewership.
The success of the exhibition was made possible through the immense support of:
The Executive Committee of Harrow Central Mosque
Brother Nadeem and the dedicated Harrow Central Mosque community
Attendees praised the exceptional arrangements and conveyed heartfelt congratulations to the organizers for delivering a historic and unifying event. The exhibition not only deepened the understanding of Islamic history but also served as a bridge across communities through shared curiosity, respect, and admiration.
