Bashir Rafiq

Bashir Ahmad Rafiq was the Imam of the London Mosque, the first mosque established in London, U.K. He was born in 1931 in the North-west frontier Provence of Pakistan. He graduated from the University of the Punjab in 1953 and then undertook a 5 year course at the Missionary Training College, Rabwah, Pakistan. The course included intensive and detailed study of comparative religion, contemporary religious movements, Islamic thought and jurisprudence. In 1959, he was assigned to the London Mosque as missionary and deputy Imam. In 1964, he was appointed Imam of the London Mosque, Which is the current headquarters of the Ahmadiyya in Britain. There are more then 18,000 adherent throughout Britain. He Served as Private Secretary to the Khalifatul Masih of the Ahmadiyya Movement, Mirza Nasir Ahmad, in 1971/72. Mr. Rafiq is the author of 12 books on Islam and Contemporary Religion written both in English and Urdu. He was editor of 2 english magazines, namely The Review of Religions and The Muslim Herald. He was also on the Editorial Board of an Islamic Magazine called Al Furqan , published from Pakistan. Mr. Rafiq was the Convener of an "International Conference on the Deliverance of Jesus from the Cross" held at the Commonwealth Institute, Kensington, London on 2 - 4 of June, 1978. Mr. Rafiq was invited by President Tubman of Liberia, as a state guest in 1968. He was decorated with the titular honour of Liberian Chief.