Leeds Makkah Masjid

Mosques were originally not only places of prayer, but social centres where people could gather to discuss their problems and ideas and seek advice. It was an arena to share thoughts.

Regrettably today, mosques have been wrongly criticised by the media and large sections of the Muslim community for not being open and welcoming to all sections of the society. Leeds Makkah Masjid is keen to change this perception of mosques and show that mosques have a place in the 21^st century and they can once again become the hub of the community. Accordingly, Leeds Makkah Mosque is taking part in the Model Mosque competition which is screened on Islam Channel.

For further details, visit: http://www.islamchannel.tv/ModelMosque/aboutmm.aspx

To support Leeds Makkah Mosque, please send text messages saying “Vote Leeds” to 60060. You can send text messages as many times as you wish until the final round. The Final round will take place on 25-26 October.

In the spirit of the fasting month of Ramadan, we Leeds Muslim Council cordially invite whole of community of Leeds to share a meal with us at Leeds Makkah Mosque. This meal, called Iftar, is conducted after sunset and breaks the Muslims’ day long fast.

Please join us for this Iftar on Saturday, 27th September 2008.  The program starts at 6pm with a short welcome and talk, with the opportunity to ask questions about fasting and the month of Ramadan.

There will then be a tour of the mosque and a brief explanation of the stunning calligraphy and art work inside the mosque.

The iftar dinner will be served at 7pm

We look forward to seeing you then.

In preparation for the month of Ramadan, Makkah Masjid co-hosted with Iqra Centre Leeds an Inter-faith dinner party. Delegation from various churches were welcomed by Imam of Makkah Mosque and a tour of the mosque was given. The tour was followed by an explanation of the stunning calligraphy and art work inside the mosque and activities of the mosque.

There was then recitation of the holy Qur’an and short talks about the month of Ramadan and what it means to be a Muslim in the month of Ramadan.

A full feast was then laid by Iqra Centre Leeds.

Click on the following links to download the Ramadan course slides.

Conditions of Fasting

What Invalidates Fasting

You can find many more course slides on Purification, Prayer, and the blessed life of Holy Prophet (PBUH) by clicking here.

Following is a short poem about the blessed month of Ramadan by sister Rahila Jabeen from her upcoming collection of short poems book. We pray to Allah Almighty that He accepts her humble efforts and gives her the tawfeeq and enables her to spread the message of Islam in poems and prose. Aameen:

I am a Muslim sister from the local community and would like to share with you some thoughts about the blessed month of Ramadan. Enjoy the poem but I hope you also seriously reflect on its contents.

For all my fellow muslims out there,
Ramzaan mubarak is the message I bear.
Allah has given us another opportunity to fast,
To beg for forgiveness for sins of the past.

As we all know very well,
Closed firmly now are the doors of hell.
But heavens doors are open wide,
Herein will all the believers abide.

So enjoin the good and forbid the evil,
Don not worry about the devil.
He has been restrained but we can not see,
While ramzaan lasts he will not be free.

Perhaps you could utilise this time to analyze and reflect,
How do you treat your elders? Do you give them enough respect?
Do you have any bad habits which you could correct?
Or will you be debating Pakistani politics and who they will elect.

We commit major sins without thinking anymore,
Backbiting about our fellow muslims and what they wore.
Guard that which is between your jaws and that which is between your legs also.
Heaven will be your abode, it will be the place you will go

Ramzaan is the month full of barakah,
Full of blessings, full of rehmah.
Fast, read quran, durood and your prayers,
In the blessings for you will be shares.

When comes ifthari share your food,
Be polite and don`t be rude.
It is sunnah to break your fast with a date,
But do remember the poor who will have nothing on their plate.

Remember to make dua for all women and men
That we live to see this month again.

By sister Rahila Jabeen

During the blessed month of Ramadan, courses will be held to learn the fundamental teachings of Islam. These courses will be held on weekends between Asr and Maghrib prayers. The contents of these courses includes: Purification and Cleanliness, Rulings of Fasting, and How to Pray.

These courses are open to brothers and sisters. After the course, Iftari will be provided at the Masjid to open the fast.

For further details, see the poster below:

Insha-Allah, the blessed month of Ramadan will start on 1st September 2008.

The first taraveeh prayer will be held on 31st August at 9:45pm.

• Taraveh facilities are provided for sisters.

• Iftari (fasting opening facilities) are provided at the Masjid throughout the month of Ramadan.
• From 1st - 4th September, the taraweeh prayers would be aired live on Leeds Community Radio.

The Ramadan 2008 timetable is attached below:

The Woodsley Road Community Centre was the venue for a session on weapons awareness delivered by the Local Neighbourhood Police Team. This event was organised by Young Minds voluntary group in partnership with Woodsley COmmunity Centre and Leeds Makkah Mosque. The media spotlight on knife crime and the sharp rise in fatal attacks involving knives and guns made this a timely event.

Attented by over 20 local youth, the event brought home the very serious consequences of carrying and using weapons, particulalry knives…. read more on this event at Young Minds website

A free golf session was held on 16th August 2008 in conjuction with Young Minds voluntary group at Leeds Golf Centre for the young children. It was a wonderful experience for the children and they thoroughly enjoyed playing golf at the golf centre. For most of the children it was their first time of playing golf and we hope it would have raised their interest in the game.

For more images from the event, please go to Young Minds website