About Masjid Noor El Islam
Who we are
Masjid Noor El Islam is widely accepted as the oldest mosque in Wales, with roots in this community going back to the 1930s. We hold daily prayers, Jumu'ah, and classes in Islamic knowledge, and we welcome anyone who comes to pray or learn.
Our address is 17 Maria Street, Butetown, Cardiff, CF10 5HH.
Our way
We call to the Qur'an and the Sunnah upon the understanding of the Salaf (the earliest generations of Muslims). We teach with clarity and with proof, and we focus on what helps people worship Allah correctly in daily life.
At the masjid you will find daily prayers, Jumu'ah, Qur'an learning, and regular lessons in the core subjects of Islam.
Our history in Butetown
Many people know Masjid Noor El Islam today as the Maria Street masjid in Butetown. Fewer people know just how far back the story goes, and how closely it is tied to the docks community of Cardiff.
Butetown is home to one of the longest-established Muslim communities in the UK. Somali and Yemeni seafarers were among the earliest community members here, and they helped establish and sustain the masjid.
In the late 1930s, homes on Peel Street were adapted for worship and community use. On 11 November 1938, plans were approved for a mosque to be built behind those houses on what was then known as Peel Street. The street name has since changed, but the masjid is remembered by that name in its early years.
In the Cardiff Blitz, the Peel Street mosque was destroyed in the air raid on 2 January 1941. The community rebuilt quickly. Plans for a temporary replacement on the same site were approved on 18 March 1943, and the new centre opened on 16 July 1943.
After the war, plans were approved on 20 November 1946 for a permanent mosque to replace the temporary buildings. A permanent mosque was erected in 1947.
In later decades, the masjid continued with access via Maria Street. The current purpose-built mosque at 17 Maria Street was constructed in 1988, replacing the earlier Peel Street mosque.
This is one continuous story: the same masjid, serving the same community, through war, rebuilding, and change. We continue today on Maria Street, serving the people of Butetown and welcoming visitors from across Cardiff and beyond.
Support the masjid
If you benefit from the masjid, support its work. Your donation helps maintain the building, support teaching, and fund community services.
Charity details
Charity Commission number: 701689.