[3][4] The building was originally a distribution centre for the International Clothing Holding’s retail operations, owned by the Bari family.

In 2003 the company’s operations moved to Ballymount, leaving the building as a full-time mosque.

At present, it is planned to remodel the building with Victorian and Mughal architecture, inspired by the George's Street Arcade and Iveagh Market.

[7] In 2010, a leaked American diplomat cable described Blackpitts as a "suspected gathering place for some radical elements within the Pakistani community.

"[8][9] Sheikh Ismail Kotwal, the imam, attracted controversy in 2010 after describing Osama bin Laden as a "a great leader" and "like prophet Mohammed"; he later partially retracted these statements.