Thousands attend first prayers since devastating fire at western Europe's largest mosque

The well-attended service at the Baitul Futuh Mosque, in London Road, was led by the Caliph of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness Hazrat Mizra Masroor Ahmad, and streamed live around the world.

From Friday: Morden mosque fire: Worshippers resume prayers today six days after blaze

The Caliph spoke about the trials of suffering, and staying strong and faithful in the face of adversity.

'Huge emotional loss' - Worshippers unite as police investigate suspected arson attack at Morden mosque

He also thanked all the members of the Ahamdi community and the local community in Morden who had offered help to the mosque without being asked.

He told the worshippers, pictured below: "We say a much better and much bigger mosque will be built up."

The 10 fire engines and 70 firefighters who attended the mosque on Saturday, September 26, managed to prevent the fire from damaging the library or the mosque itself, although administration buildings nearby were devastated by the blaze.

Merton's borough commander Stuart Macleod, left, with colleagues

One man needed hospital treatment for smoke inhalation.

Two teenage boys were arrested on suspicion of arson following the blaze. A 14-year-old has been bailed until early January, and a 16-year-old faces no further action.

The Metropolitan Police say they are not investigating the fire as a "hate crime".

The mosque, which is the largest in western Europe, recently hosted the registration for the biggest convention for Muslims in the UK.

Councillor Hanif Khan, a member of the mosque and a councillor for Hounslow, said: "A lot of today is about showing the world that there’s not much damage. We’re moving on, and we’re so humbled by all of the really nice words of support we have received from all of the community.

"One of the greatest things for us is that our prayer hall and beautiful mosque were saved. We’re indebted to the fire services. We have even had the borough commander here helping put out the flames. It was beyond the call of duty the way they worked to save our mosque.

"We’ll come back and build something even nicer and better and continue in what we do and get back on track."

Spokesman for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Worldwide, Farooq Aftab, said: "Everyone is positive, and focused on learning from experience and moving forward.

"It’s been great to see the support from all of the community locally, who have been very helpful. It shows how good our society is, with every one working together.

"We are assessing and looking to get things back to normal as soon as possible, and today is a big part of that.

"We have to be positive in everything we do and be thankful that no one was hurt."