The Muslim Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat of ESSEX was formally established in 1978 to cater the needs of Shia Ithna-Asheries in the county of Essex (UK). As the members resided all over the County, the town of Brentwood was found to be centrally located, where the religious activities could be carried out in the hired halls.

The Jamaat remained portable for the next ten years during which time many of the needs could not be met and there was a strong desire for the permanency of our own Centre. This milestone was achieved in October, 1988, when a property was purchased at 4 Regina Road in the county town of Chelmsford, Essex.

This was achieved with the help of various donors and institutions, in particular, the World Federation of Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Muslim Communities. It was formally opened in 1989 by the then President of the World Federation Marhum Mulla Asgerali M M Jaffer. The centre was formally known as Ali Reza Islamic Centre.

Amongst the activities that were carried out were Thursday gatherings to remember the Marhumins as well as hold the celebrations and commemorations of Ahlul Bayt (A.S.), Majalises during month of Muharram and the Holy Month of Ramadhan and held varieties of Interfaith gatherings. The Centre also housed a Madrasa to provide Islamic education and other education to the community children.

As a result of the expansion of the community we embarked on constructing the new centre to carry out all the above and more in our new centre.