King Charles, who has long supported interfaith relations – has spoken with community leaders at the revolutionary mosque, which prioritises a safe place for prayer while also promoting sustainability
The King has hailed Europe’s first eco-mosque as “a remarkable example of integrated faith activity” on a visit to Cambridge today.
The monarch met members of the diverse community, including the mosque’s imams and trustees, and other faith leaders from across the city who have joined forces to support the place of worship.
The award-winning Cambridge building was designed by London-based firm Marks Barfield Architects. Julia Barfield, Director of Marks Barfield, and Timothy Winter, Chair of the Trust, Cambridge Central Mosque, accompanied The King during his visit. The King – who has been credited throughout his life with supporting interfaith relations – toured the Mosque’s facilities, showing particular interest in its Community Garden.
Charles was shown the sustainability features of the building, which include photovoltaic arrays, air-source heat pumps, a sedum roof, natural ventilation systems, and the use of timber from sustainably-managed forests. The award winning design has resulted in no air conditioning being needed for the building which was cool despite the 25 degree temperatures in the city.
Charles was taken to a side room to remove his shoes before entering the main prayer room, where he met groups from the local community and school children who attend religious classes during the week.
The Mosque considers itself an example of the vital role religious communities can play in the shared human struggle against global heating, and aspects of Muslim teaching on care for the planet were discussed during the visit.
The King’s longstanding commitment to architectural excellence was visible in his appreciation of the mosque’s architectural purpose in developing a specifically British idiom of mosque design. Speaking to the trustees, Charles called the building “magnificent” and architecturally wonderful”.
Award-winning features in the mosque include references to the fan-vaulting of the nearby King’s College Chapel, and the crosshatched Victorian brickwork widely used in the local Romsey area of Cambridge.
During his visit, the King was also told of the importance of the mosque and other places of worship in helping Cambridge maintain its role as a magnet for global talent, with many world-leading academics and researchers from around the globe working in the city and playing a key role in strengthening its economy and international reputation.
The mosque, which opened in 2019, has been credited with actively promoting interfaith dialogue across Cambridgeshire. The Mosque is also an approved host for the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. At the end of his visit The King was thanked by the attendees, who prayed for him and were pleased to note his respect for their contribution to British life.
After unveiling a plaque to commemorate his visit, the King, 77, said: “The care and attention that you have lavished on it, and the fact that you have a purpose built mosque here with a community centre attached, makes a huge contribution I’m sure. Not only to the Muslim community but to Cambridge itself. So, I do congratulate you, and I pray with all my heart that you continue to have every possible success and you continue your work with other faiths in this area and set a remarkable example of integrated faith activity. Thank you for having me here today.”
Abdal Hakim Murad, Chair of the Board of Trustees, said: “For the thriving and diverse Muslim community in Cambridge The King’s visit represented a heartening affirmation of our mosque’s commitment to Muslim integration into modern Britain, and to strengthening fraternal ties between religions.”
He continued: “We were really delighted to be able to show The King the cutting-edge sustainable technologies which make our mosque a symbol of the shared human fight against climate change.”
Zeynep Coskun Koc, trustee of the mosque, said: “Fourteen years ago, when I first became involved in the Cambridge Mosque Project as a young graduate student at the University of Cambridge, this mosque was just a shared dream on paper.
“Today, it is a global beacon of inclusivity, where we hosted His Majesty The King. Serving as a trustee and helping steward the partnership between the Diyanet Foundation and the Cambridge Mosque Trust has been the honour of a lifetime. This visit celebrates not just a building, but the powerful bridge of faith, collaboration, and community empowerment we built together.”
