East London - Field Report

          The historic location of East London has a rich past shown through its public spaces and architecture. The neighborhoods of Whitechapel and Brick Lane are important to the history of East London and show how migration and religious trends have changed throughout London. In the past, it was home to many Christian and Jewish communities and is currently home to many Pakistani and Bengali immigrants. Although demographics may change, the past communities that once occupied the space always leave a piece of their history behind, in which new communities can build upon. 

          When visiting the Altab Ali Park there are many artifacts that showcase the parks history and the Whitechapel neighborhood. The sight was previously home to the St. Mary Matfelon church. In 1940, during The Blitz the church was bombed, leaving only the base of the building and a couple of graves that remain today. In 1978, Altab Ali a British Bangladeshi clothing worker was assaulted and murdered while walking home. The park was later renamed Altab Ali Park to commigrate his death. During this time, there were multiple racist assaults on community members. The violence that took place during the 1970-1980’s included European Jews, Pakistani and Bengali immigrants, and Asian immigrants. Extreme violence took place such as physical violence, damage to property, and the use of petrol bombs. The violence was perpetuated and continued by organizations like National Front and British Movement. 

         The Shaheed Minar is a replica of the one in Dhaka Bangladesh and sits at the back corner of the Altab Ali Park. It symbolizes the blood that was shed. Having a Shaheed Minar in the park is a reminder of its history and the crimes that were committed there. It allows new generations to learn about the past and hopefully learn from it. When visiting during class, there were people walking around looking at the artifacts but there were also people just sitting enjoying a cup of coffee. This goes to show that the park is a hub of the community where people can go and enjoy themselves and appreciate the history. 

The violence that took place is an indicator of fear coming from a change in demographic due to migration from people of difference races. Not only was East London becoming more inclusive to different races but also more inclusive towards people who strongly identified themselves with their religion and held a strong sense of national identity. Although technically in London, community members still thought of themselves as their national identity first. The concept of community members placing national identity internally first is shown outwardly in the buildings. Such outwardly change, can be scary to social groups who have always been in power as they see this change as a direct threat to their own power and control. As migration increases and communities become more diverse it is important to take the time to learn. Fear comes out of not knowing and to prevent hate crimes, communities, especially community leaders need to educate themselves on the people who make up the community. 

          When walking from the Altab Ali Park to the East London Mosque, most if not all the stores reflected the population that live there, being mostly middle eastern dissent. East London is not just another part of London but truly a community for Pakistani and Bengali immigrants to come and find a space in London with like-minded individuals. Restaurants, travel agencies, clothing shops, even a perfume shop they have just in the few blocks the class walked, showing how the communities have assimilated into London as a whole. Immigrants are bringing their culture to London and through this exchange of knowledge hopefully it will promote inclusivity and acceptance.

          Built in 1940, the East London Mosque provided a social hub for the community where they could hold meetings, discussions, and debates surround politics in the Bengali. In 1985, King Fahd of Saudi Arabia funded a 1.1-million-pound rebuilding of the mosque for the all-male worship sight. A separate worship sight was built in the Whitechapel Road for women. The mosque is a grand building and hard to miss. The architecture makes it stand out from the surrounding buildings. The architecture is very indictive of the population in East London and is a symbol of the community. During class, people were walking in and out of the building even though it was not a time of prayer when we visited, proving that the building has many purposes for the people who use it. Having a community that draws much of its identity from religion, having places of worship is paramount to the community as it provides a sense of self and strength. 

          Down the street from the mosque is another building at the corner of Fournier Street and Brick Lane. The building has a rich history, originally a church built by French Huguenots in 1743, it was then turned into a synagogue in 1899, and finally it was passed on to the Bengali community becoming the London Great Mosque in 1974. The transfer of the buildings uses from one religion to the next demonstrates that change in demographic in East London. Both mosques highlight one way the that followers of Islam do not assimilate into western London culture norms which is having a very clear and distinct separation of gender when praying. When entering the mosque men and women have different entrances. When praying men are in front while women are behind them, showcasing the importance that men hold versus women in the Islamic culture.

          When moving from west towards East London, there is a huge disparity of economic and social class which is represented not in the types of buildings but rather the construction and upkeep of them. Symbolizing that the communities of East London have come a long way but are still seen as an “outside” community and are met with prejudice. Hopefully, in the future the community will see more funding from the UK parliament in support of Pakistani and Bengali immigrants and their right to build a home and create safe spaces.