Bashir Rafiq

Who is Bashir Rafiq?

Bashir Ahmad Rafiq was the Imam of the London Mosque.

Rafiq 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 five 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.

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, The Review of Religions and The Muslim Herald. He was also on the Editorial Board of the Islamic Magazine Al Furqan, published from Pakistan.

Rafiq was the convener of an "International Conference on the Deliverance of Jesus from the Cross" held at the Commonwealth Institute, Kensington, London in June 1978. Rafiq was invited by President William Tubman of Liberia, as a state guest in 1968. He was decorated with the titular honour of Liberian Chief.