The Welcome Directory

A Story from Lewisham Mosque: 

Building a place to belong

We had a conversation with Imam Shakeel Begg and Imam Ashraf Dabous about the work of the Lewisham Islamic Centre.

A Community that Opens its Doors 

For more than 40 years, Lewisham Islamic Centre has been at the heart of its local community.

Established in 1984, the mosque is much more than a place of worship. Alongside daily prayers and weekly services attended by thousands of people, it hosts youth activities, football teams, educational programmes, community events and support services for people of all ages.

Supporting prison leavers has been part of that work for many years.

Located in a borough that has experienced significant challenges linked to violence and crime, the mosque has developed strong relationships with prisons, chaplaincy teams and local residents. Long before joining The Welcome Directory, members of the mosque were visiting people in prison, helping them prepare for release and supporting them to rebuild their lives in the community.

For Imam Shakeel Begg and Imam Ashraf Dabous, the starting point is simple: every person deserves dignity, respect and the opportunity to move forward.

A Welcome without Labels

Many prison leavers first connect with Lewisham Islamic Centre through prison chaplains, who notify the mosque when someone is due to be released into the local area. Others approach the mosque directly or have existing connections through family or community networks.

When someone arrives, the focus is not on their criminal record, they are welcomed as any other member of the community.

Imam Shakeel told us how small acts of kindness often have the greatest impact. A warm greeting, a conversation after prayers or an invitation to join community activities can help someone feel accepted at a time when they may be experiencing shame, anxiety or isolation.

The mosque deliberately avoids intrusive questions about a person's past, because for many people leaving prison, simply feeling accepted can be the first step towards building a new life.

"When someone arrives, the focus is not on their criminal record, they are welcomed as any other member of the community".

Friendship, Opportunity and Support

Themosque's approach goes beyond just providing spiritual guidance, with prison leavers encouraged to participate in community life, whether through educational activities, social events or one of the mosque's football teams. At the heart of this approach is the central role of friendship.

The mosque has also helped people access employment opportunities through its extensive community networks. Imam Shakeel recalls supporting one young man who, after leaving prison, was introduced to members of the congregation working in construction. Over time, he established his own successful construction business. Another individual was helped to find work as a gas engineer through contacts within the community.

These opportunities provide more than employment; they help people develop confidence, independence and positive social connections.

For the team at Lewisham Mosque, the most important question is often not what services someone needs, but what kind of human connection they may have been missing:

“Some people come from a background without love which led them to fall into crime. Being part of  a community, they can feel loved."

Supporting Mental Wellbeing

Alongside informal community support, Lewisham Islamic Centre also offers professional counselling and therapeutic services. Imam Ashraf, who has training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, provides one-to-one support for individuals experiencing challenges such as anxiety, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Many prison leavers have experienced trauma, poor mental health or emotional difficulties that may have gone unaddressed during their time in prison. The service is available to everyone and financial circumstances aren’t a barrier to receiving this support.

Alongside formal counselling, many people continue to receive ongoing pastoral support from the Imams and wider community. This combination of professional support and trusted relationships is particularly valuable for people who may feel reluctant to engage with mainstream services.

The Power of Community

Both Imams believe that community plays a crucial role in helping people move away from offending and build positive futures. They both point to the positive influence of friendship, positive role models and shared values.

The mosque provides a space where people can develop healthy relationships, learn from others and find support during difficult periods of their lives. For some, this may mean finding employment. For others, it may mean improving their mental health, strengthening family relationships or simply feeling less alone.

While supporting prison leavers can present challenges, the mosque remains committed to offering patience, understanding and second chances.

What a Good Welcome Looks Like

When asked to define a good welcome, Imam Shakeel responded with a simple but powerful image - "To greet someone with a smiling face."

For him, a welcome begins with making someone feel seen, valued and accepted. It is about creating a sense of belonging from the moment they walk through the door.

That approach reflects a broader belief shared by the mosque community: people are capable of change when they are given support, opportunity and hope.

By providing friendship, practical help, counselling and community connection, Lewisham Islamic Centre is helping people leaving prison build new lives and reminding them that the past does not have to determine their future.

Thank you to Imam Shakeel Begg and Imam Ashraf of Lewisham Islamic Centre for sharing your time and story with us and for the difference you are making for people who have left prison.

Disclaimer: This case study represents the individual’s views, not the views of theirorganisation 

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