As millions of us flood to mosques every Ramadan for iftar spreads, congregation prayers, and Taraweeh nights, we wanted to take a moment to honour those who keep these spaces running through their labour of love, The Mosque Aunties, خالات المسجد.. Worshippers may come and go, but Mosque Aunties work tirelessly all year round—preparing, educating, and guiding. We sat down with three aunties to take a look at their roles within their local mosque community.

Intlak Al-Saiegh – The Heart of Al-Manaar

For Intlak Al-Saiegh, community is about care, connection, and creating spaces where people feel at home. Originally from Iraq, Intlak moved to the UK in 1998 with a background in education, having taught English for nearly two decades. Though she initially considered continuing her teaching career, she found her true calling in community work, leading her to Al-Manaar Centre, where she now serves as a community leader.

When she first took on the role, the centre had only five women attending Quranic classes. Over time, through her dedication and warmth, it grew into a thriving space where women from diverse backgrounds gather for learning, support, and friendship. She recalls the early challenges—different nationalities keeping to themselves, initial resistance to new initiatives—but through patience and care, she cultivated a sense of unity. 

Today, Al-Manaar is more than a mosque; it is a hub for cultural exchange, health education, and personal growth. From exercise classes to healthy lifestyle workshops, from interfaith dialogues to communal iftars, Intlak ensures that the centre remains a welcoming space for all. She believes deeply in integration, encouraging engagement with wider society while staying rooted in faith and culture.

Her approach is simple yet profound, “Community work isn’t just a job—it’s about truly caring for people. If someone is in the hospital, we visit. If someone returns from Hajj, we celebrate. It’s not about duty; it’s about family. When one of us is in need, we all show up.“

For younger generations, she hopes to instil this same passion for service. “Work with love,” she advises. “The impact you make will be remembered long after you leave.”

Through her tireless efforts, Intlak has transformed Al-Manaar into more than a centre—it is a home, a support system, and a testament to the power of genuine care.

Salma – The Beekeeper at East London Mosque

For Salma (Bushwood Bees), beekeeping is more than a profession—it’s a connection to nature, faith, and the wider community. Over a decade ago, she and her husband took up beekeeping as a way to help with his hay fever, never expecting it to grow into their life’s work. Now, Salma maintains hives across multiple sites, including on the rooftop of East London Mosque, making it one of the first mosques in the UK to host an apiary.

Bringing bees to the mosque was a natural decision for Salma, deeply rooted in her faith. With an entire chapter in the Qur’an named after bees (Surah An-Nahl), and honey being a symbol of healing, she saw an opportunity to introduce her community to the beauty of these vital pollinators. “Having hives at the mosque sparks conversations—not just about honey, but about our responsibility to care for the environment.”

Beyond beekeeping, Salma and her husband now teach courses at the mosque, offering experience sessions to educate the next generation of beekeepers. Many of her students are first-timers, some even non-Muslims who are drawn to the opportunity of visiting a mosque for the first time.

For Salma, faith shapes everything she does—whether through honesty in business, dedication to her craft, or creating spaces where people can learn. “Community work isn’t just about service; it’s about integrity, trust, and passing knowledge forward.”

As Ramadan approaches, her schedule follows the bees, not the clock. Beekeeping during long fasting days is a challenge, but one she prepares for, just as she prepares her hives for changing seasons. She hopes the presence of bees at the mosque inspires worshippers to think about the environment—whether by planting flowers, recycling, or simply being more mindful of the natural world around them.

Through her work, Salma is not just harvesting honey—she’s nurturing a deeper awareness of faith, nature, and the quiet but profound role we all play in protecting our planet.

 Maryiama Sanyang – The Mosque Auntie In Training

For Maryiama Sanyang, the mosque isn’t just a place of worship—it’s home. It’s where she was raised, nurtured, and shaped into the woman she is today. From her naming ceremony at Regent’s Park Mosque to spending her childhood in and around Al Manaar—where both her parents worked—faith was always a part of her foundation. Yet, like many young people, she went through a period of searching, stepping away to explore who she was beyond the walls of the mosque.

Her return wasn’t forced—it was a realisation. During Ramadan in lockdown, she found herself back at Al Manaar, drawn to the very place she once resisted. She reconnected not just with the space but with herself, rediscovering faith on her own terms. Free counselling services offered by the mosque played a pivotal role in this journey, helping her heal, reflect, and ultimately rekindle her connection to faith and community. From there, she found purpose, stepping into her role as a volunteer extraordinaire and community coordinator.

She’s redefining what it means to be a “Mosque Auntie”—balancing her vibrant creative career as a content creator, model, host and presenter alongside her deep-rooted commitment to the mosque.

“If you want the mosque to feel like home, you have to show up. Be present, take up space, and make it yours. Show up as you are. The person you aspire to be, eventually, you’ll become them.“

Maryiama’s faith shapes everything she does, from her daily interactions to how she carries herself on and offline. “I’m trying to build my Akhirah through this Dunya,” she says, emphasising the importance of living with intention—whether that’s where she spends her time, how she dresses, or the energy she brings into the spaces she occupies.

Al Manaar isn’t just a workplace—it’s a place of healing, growth, and learning. It has taught her patience, the power of community, and the importance of showing up fully as yourself. She believes that young people and women belong in mosque spaces and that their presence helps create an environment that is more open, welcoming, and representative. “Young people need to be in the masjid more, so the elders can learn from us, and we can learn from them,” she says.

For anyone who wants to be a part of their mosque but feels hesitant, Maryiama offers powerful advice, “Women have always been part of the masjid. We’re not just visitors – we’re builders, caretakers, and leaders. Step into your power.”

For Maryiama, Ramadan is a reset, a time to realign with her purpose. “It’s like a spring cleaning for the soul—you become the best version of yourself.” Through her work at Al Manaar, she hopes to inspire more young Muslim women to take up space in the mosque—not just as visitors, but as changemakers.

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Special thank you to Intlak, Salma, Maryiama, Al-Manaar Mosque, and East London Mosque.

Images and Words by Yasmeen.