Opening ceremony of Bilal Masjid in Newcastle
Administrator on August 18th, 2009
On 15th of August (2009), Imam of Makkah Masjid, Imam Qasim was invited to participate at the grand opening ceremony of a newly purpose-built mosque in Newcastle. Bilal Mosque & Newcastle Islamic Centre (Malvern Street, NE4 6SU) had been under construction for the last 5 years. Finally, with the grace of Allah, the main construction work was completed this year and a ceremony was a held on 15th August to mark its completion.
Bilal Masjid – Newcastle
In his short lecture, Imam Qasim praised the generosity of the Newcastle Muslims for donating generously to the Mosque fund and ensuring that the construction of the Masjid is completed without any hindrance. He congratulated the community on their sincere efforts to construct a house of Allah on this earth.
Bilal Mosque has cost above £2 million pounds to construct and this sum has been donated mainly by the local Muslim population. It’s an impressive and magnificent building and has very attractive and charming design inside the prayer hall.
Imam Qasim speaking at the event
In his lecture, Imam Qasim said:
“Masajid are the houses of Allah on this earth and the worshippers that attend the mosques are the honourable guests of Allah Almighty. Those Muslims who donate their hard earned money to the mosque funds are the true believers. The Holy Quran says ‘Only those people who believe in Allah and on the Day of Judgement will build and manage masajid.’ Therefore, those people who help to establish mosques are the true faithful ones. A mosque in a community is a testimony of the faith that the community has in Allah in His religion.”
Imam Qasim also praised the internal and external beauty of the masjid and prayed that Allah Almighty may give the community a great reward in this life and in the Hereafter for all their efforts and hard work.
Imam Qasim reminded the congregation that the mosques are a centre of spirituality and social cohesion. They are also centres of learning, peace and harmony.
Imam of Bilal Masjid, Allamah Qari Saeed Ahmad Mujadadi said that Bilal Masjid is not only a place of worship but also an Islamic education centre that is striving hard to convey the true and traditional understanding of Islam to the youth.
Imam of Bilal Masjid (Newcastle) – Qari Saeed saheb
Also speaking at the opening ceremony, Raja Zafar Iqbal saheb (member of the mosque management committee) mentioned the history of the masjid and the services it provides to the community. He also explained the work that had been performed internally and externally to the mosque. He explained that the marble used inside the mosque was imported from Pakistan, the carpet was imported form China and the mimbar (the pulpit) was donated by Pir Sayyed Kabir Ali Shah saheb of Pakistan.
Raja Zafar Iqbal saheb
The opening ceremony of Bilal Masjid was attended by Allamah Nisar Sulemani saheb, Allamah Ijaz Ahmed Shami saheb, Allamah Ghulam Fareed Uthmani saheb, Allamah Maroof Subhani saheb and many other local Muslim scholars.
