Riverside Muslim Association
Riverside Muslim Association (RMA) was established in April 2013 to represent and support the Muslim community of Barking Riverside. During the first week of April 2013, letters were distributed among local Muslims inviting them to come together and form an organisation that could represent the community and work towards the establishment of an Islamic Cultural Centre in Barking Riverside.
Alhamdulillah, on 20 April 2013 nearly 50 members of the community gathered at Rivergate Centre where Riverside Muslim Association (RMA) was officially formed. From the very beginning, the organisation reflected the diversity of the local community, with members representing many ethnic backgrounds and both men and women actively participating in its development. Today, RMA remains one of the most diverse Muslim community organisations in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.
Since its formation, Riverside Muslim Association has organised a range of religious and community activities. Regular Jumu’ah (Friday) prayers are held, and the community celebrates Eid twice each year, bringing together hundreds of Muslims from Barking Riverside and other parts of London.
In Ramadan 2014, Taraweeh prayers for both brothers and sisters were introduced at Rivergate Centre, further strengthening the community spirit. From June 2015, Isha prayers were also established, with the aim of eventually facilitating all five daily prayers for the local community, Insha’Allah.
RMA has also started a weekend madrassah for children, helping young members of the community learn about Islam and develop their faith in a supportive environment.
At present, all activities take place at Rivergate Centre. However, the long-term goal of Riverside Muslim Association is to establish a permanent masjid and Islamic Cultural Centre in Barking Riverside to serve the spiritual, educational, and social needs of the growing Muslim community.
Donations are always appreciated and help support ongoing activities such as hall rental for prayers, community programmes, and the long-term goal of establishing a mosque in Barking Riverside.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“Whoever builds a mosque for the sake of Allah, Allah will build for him a house in Paradise.”
RMA History
During the first week of April 2013, letters were distributed among the Muslim community inviting them to come together and form an organisation representing the Muslims of Barking Riverside, with the goal of establishing an Islamic Cultural Centre.
Alhamdulillah, on 20 April 2013, nearly 50 people gathered at Rivergate Centre, where the Riverside Muslim Association (RMA) was officially formed. With members representing all ethnic backgrounds, RMA is one of the most diverse Muslim organisations in terms of ethnicity and gender in the entire London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.
Since its formation, RMA has organised regular Jumu’ah prayers and celebrated Eid twice a year, bringing together hundreds of Muslims from across London. In Ramadan 2014, Taraweeh prayers for both brothers and sisters were introduced at Rivergate Centre. Isha prayers began in June 2015, with the aim of offering all five daily prayers to the community by the end of 2015, Insha’Allah.
RMA has also started a weekend madrassah for children, helping young members of the community learn about Islam and develop their faith in a supportive environment.
All current activities take place at Rivergate Centre, while RMA continues to work towards the long-term goal of establishing a permanent masjid and Islamic Cultural Centre in Barking Riverside.