Insha’Allah Shaykh Nuh Ha Mim Keller will be delivering a lecture on Tasawwuf on Wednesday 12th August 2009. The lecture will start at 7.30pm and finish before Maghrib prayer.
Makkah Masjid is a purpose built masjid that was opened in August 2003. It is a three storey building, with the lower floor dedicated specifically for sisters’ use. The masjid has a total capacity of approximately 25000. For this event, brothers will be accommodated in two large halls on the ground and upper floor. Map for Leeds Makkah Masjid
Very good facilities are provided for sisters. There is a separate side entrance which leads directly to the sisters area. If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact the masjid, or telephone the mobile number as on the poster for the event.
Sheikh Nuh Keller is one of the most authoritative voices of traditional, moderate Islam in the English-speaking world. He embraced over 30 years ago and since then he has devoted himself to the service of Islam.
Shaikh Nuh Ha Mim Keller has a wide following of students including in countries such as the United States, Canada, England, and Australia—as well as Turkey, Pakistan, and the Middle East.
In addition to teaching Sufism, Shaykh Nuh has written several books and articles on a wide range of subjects. Perhaps his most important work to date is the voluminous Reliance of the Traveler, an annotated English translation of ‘Umdat al-Salik, a Shafi’i legal work by Ahmad ibn Naqib al-Misri (d.769/1368). It contains over six thousand legal rulings, and was the first English translation of an Islamic legal work to be certified by al-Azhar University.
For further details about Sheikh Nuh Keller and his work, please click on the following links:
Tasawwuf is a branch of Islamic knowledge which focuses on the spiritual development of a Muslim. The goal of Tasawwuf is complete submission to the Shariah and Sunnah in order to attain purification of the heart and soul and to develop a deep and strong connection with Allah.
Data Uthman Ali al-Hujwiri (d. 465/1072) states that “Tasawwuf is not composed of practices (rusum) and sciences (‘ulum), but it is akhlaq.”
Wa Llahu lahu ul-haqqi wa huwa yahdis-sabil. Hasbuna Llahu wahdahu wa ni’mal-wakil. Wa salli ‘ala Sayyadina Muhammadin wa aalihi wa sahbihi ajma’in wal-hamdu li-Llahi rabb il-’alamin.
Truth belongs to Allah; it is He who shows the way.
Allah, alone, suffices us, and what a fine guardian is He!
Blessings upon our Master Muhammad
and his Family and Companions altogether
and praise is due to Allah, Lord of the Worlds.
Last week Imam of Makkah Masjid, Qari Asim was invited by Her Royal Highness Princess Badiya bint El Hassan, Chairman of Mosaic, to the Mosaic International Summer School Dinner held at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
The International Summer School is an initiative being driven by Mosaic, a charitable organisation founded by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, within his charity Business in the Community, to address Muslim community-based interests and issues.
The main aim of International Summer School was to inspire leadership within Muslim communities across the globe, over 90 participants join an international group of delegates that were being brought together from Bahrain, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Malaysia, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, UAE and UK.
The delegates from across the Muslim world spent the first week in Clare College, Cambridge taking part in daily sessions covering discussion topics such as ‘Leadership in Life’, International Community Building, Cultures & Community, Enterprise and Environmental Sustainability.
At the Mosaic Dinner, Qari Asim met delegates and Embassy officials from all the above countries exchanged views on Community engagement, enterprise and sustainability. In addition, Qari Asim met various prominent Muslim and non-Muslim friends, supporters and sponsors of the Mosaic initiative, including Ikram Butt, Aqil Ahmed, Imam Munawwar Hossein, Peter Sanders, Minister for Transport, Sadiq Khan MP and Her Royal Highness Princess Badiya bint El Hassan and discussed the need to increase an understanding of the role of individuals in society, specifically in relation to social and environmental issues and the need to Create an international network of young Muslim leaders.
At the Foreign & Commonwealth dinner, Imam Qari Asim congratulated the organisers, all the team at Mosaic, in partiuclar John O’Brien, Managing Director of Mosaic, who worked tirelessly to hold this unique event over a period of two weeks. The International Summer School was a resounding sucess.
Youth are the future of nay community. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) has said: “The greatness of the worshipper of Allah who worships Allah while in the stage of his youth over the old person who worships [Allah] after he has become of old is like the greatness of the deputed ones [the Prophets and Messengers] over all other creations.”( Kanzul `Ummāl, Hadīth 43059)
One of Makkah Masjid’s key objectives is to engage with young Muslims and empower them so that they can take responsibility for self-development and developing their community. To promote spiritual, moral, social and inter-faith development a wide variety of programmes are organised by Leeds Makkah Masjid.
Imam Qari Asim of Makkah Masjid also advises a number of mosques and organisations in the UK in respect of Muslim youth development. Qari Asim has been involved in setting up a national youth network. Makkah Masjid is therefore pleased to invite the Muslim youth to the launch of a national youth organisation: Young Muslim Association on 8-9 August 2009.
The conference will be held at Blckwell Court, Bromsgrove on Saturday 8-9 August 2009.
Please contact us if you would like to join us at for what promises to be a very challenging and spiritual weekend.
Aim
YMA will help young people to develop their Personal, Moral, Social and Spiritual skills. This will make them active and good citizens.
Objectives
v To provide a range of opportunities enabling young people to acquire Islamic knowledge, develop practical skills and experiences which will allow them to become aware of themselves and.
v To encourage debate and dialogue on current issues with others in a safe and spiritually enlightening environment.
v To encourage the involvement of young people within the Mosques, Madrassa and community organisations.
v To work in partnership with the local Imams and local supplementary schools to raise the standards of literacy and numeracy.
v To recruit and develop Youth Leaders to support the activities of YMA.
Makkah Masjid is pleased to invite you to an event regarding the miraculous night journey to the heavens of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) (the Isra and Miraj) and the night of deliverance (Shab Bar’at (Laylatul Barah), the 15th night of the Islamic month of Sha’ban).
The actual night of Laylatul-bara’ah/Shab Bar’at this year falls on Thursday 6th August. It is sunnah to fast on the 15th day of the Islamic month of Sha’ban, which will fall on Friday 7th August 2009.
Insha’Allah, there will be a gathering at Makkah Masjid after Maghrib prayer on Thursday 6th August. Talks will be given about the practice of the beloved Prophet of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) on Shab Bar’at/Laylatul-bara’ah and the significance of this night will be explored.
Key features of the event include:
A presentation by a delegation from Indonesia regarding their experience of Islam in Britain, and how it compares to the way Islam is practiced in Indonesia.
The two speakers are: Muhammad Ata Fauzi (The Chairman of Leeds-Indonesian Muslim Society) and Piet Hizbullah Khaidir (The Chairperson of Muhammadiyah Youth Movement-Central Board, Indonesia, and The Former Chairman of Leeds-Indonesian Muslim Society).
A presentation by 1st Ethical on zakah – its purpose, significance and method of paying. Given that the month of fasting is approaching in which a large majority of Muslims pay their zakah, it is important to learn about the rules and principles governing the fulfillment of this Islamic duty.
Talks in English and Urdu.
Nasheeds from children – Children’s programme shall start at 2pm.
Time: 3:00 – 5:30pm.
Date: Sunday 2nd August 2009
Sisters monthly study cirle will also be on zakat this Saturday 1 August 2009 after zuhr prayer at 2.30pm.
Over the years, Makkah Masjid has built strong links with Leeds Metropolitan University and Leeds University and their students. Imam Qari Asim has worked with them on projects such as the opening of the new Institute for Spirituality, Religion & Public Life at Leeds Met University.
Many University students undertake projects about the activities of the Mosque as part of their modules regarding theology, comparative studies, Islam in Britain, European Islam, multi-culturalism and community cohesion etc. Over the course of a year, Imam Qari Asim sees a large number of students researching these topics and has useful discussions with those students.
The Imam of Makkah Masque also receives student delegations from various countries, and they exchange views on Islamic and cultural practices in their respective countries. In the past couple of months, Imam Qari Asim has met student delegations from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Indonesia. Makkah Masjid and its sister mosque, Al-Madina Jamia Masjid has a long history of working with the Turkish people. Imam Professor Hafiz Fateh Muhammad who served the Muslim Leeds community used to work with people from various regions and backgrounds and set a good tradition of different groups working with each other for the greater good.
Imam Qari Asim recently also met Piet Hizbullah Khaidir, The Chairperson of Muhammadiyah Youth Movement-Central Board, Indonesia, and The Former Chairman of Leeds-Indonesian Muslim Society, and Arif Rahman Bambang, a senior lecturer at Assalaam, a modern boarding school for boys and girls in Indonesia.
Qari Asim discussed with them the work that Muhammadiyah has done in building the social and educational infrastructure in Indonesia in such a short period of time. Qari Asim said that many other organizations around the world could learn from the model propounded by Muhammadiyah. Piet said that “we will have great opportunities to build colaborative programmes in the future”.
Qari Asim also discussed the thesis of Arif Rahman Bambang regarding ‘Mosque and Community Cohesion: Interaction between Muslims and Non-Muslims in Leeds’. In this thesis Qari Asim worked with Arif Rahman Bambang and met him on a number of occasions for the purposes of interviews and to shed light on the activities of Makkah Masjid. Arif Rahman Bambang said that he was “grateful for the support that the community of Makkah Masjid had offered him during his stay in Leeds and wished to continue to work with them in the coming years.”
Qari Asim gave signed copies of his books, including copies of his most recent book Our Children -Our future to the delegation. For further details about Our Children -Our future, please click on: http://www.deenfoundation.org.uk/wp/index.php/2009/04/08/75/
Imam also invited the Leeds-Indonesian Muslim Society to the upcoming event at Makkah Masjid on Sunday 2 August 2009.
Makkah Masjid regularly receives visits from delegates from other Mosques around the country. It has hosted guests from Scarborough, Cambridge, Birmingham, Bristol, Luton, Oldham, Manchester, Nottingham and Sheffield. Delegates come to learn about the good practices of Makkah Mosque and the success that Makkah Masjid has had in winning a number of accolades and awards, including the prestigious award of being the UK’s Model Mosque.
The aim of the visits is for delegates to learn about Makkah Mosque’s activities and initiatives, and discover the secrets behind its success. Delegates are keen to hear about Makkah Mosque’s annual “Connecting Cultures” event and Islamic Exhibition, its commitment to promoting inter-faith and inter-community dialogue, and its dedication to the involvement of youngsters and sisters in its activities and management. Makkah Mosque is seen as a true leader and a beacon in its field by others who are eager to emulate its success.
Makkah Masjid is delighted to share the knowledge it has gained with others in the hope that Insha-Allah, we can all improve our efforts in the way of Islam.
This week, Makkah Masjid was visited by the Council of Bristol Mosques and the Imam of Makkah Masjid, Qari Asim, gave them a tour of the Mosque and a presentation about the services that are offered at the masjid. A detailed presentation regarding the activities that take place in the Mosque was given which was followed by a Q& A session allowing both parties to learn about each other’s good practices and governance.
Al-Madina Jamia Masjid & Al-Haqq Education Centre was re-opened on Friday 26 June 2009. Al-Madina Jamia Masjid was temporarily closed in the recent months for refurbishment purposes.
Al-Madina Jamia Mosque at 31 Brudenell Grove Leeds LS6 1HR is one of the historic mosques in Leeds, built in the 1970s by Leeds Muslim Council with the assistance of the whole Muslim community of Leeds.
Al-Madina Jamia Masjid served the needs of the Muslim community living in areas such as Hyde Park, Burley, Headingly and Kirkstall and the surrounding areas until August 2003, when a new magnificent mosque, called Makkah Masjid, in the heart of Leeds city was opened by the Imam professor Hafiz Fateh Muhammad (may Allah have mercy on his soul). Previoulsy, Imam professor Hafiz Fateh Muhammad (may Allah have mercy on his soul) had served at Al-Madina Jamia Mosque as an Imam and khateeb for nearly 20 years.
Al-Madina Jamia Masjid has been opertaing as a mosque and madrassah since its erection as a mosque and shall continue to do so, insha’Allah. Daily prayers are offered at the the mosque and Qur’anic classess for children are held between 4 – 6 pm on week days. In addition, study circles and other educational activities shall be held at the mosque. Al-Haqq Education Centre is in a constant state of progression.
The focus of activities at Al-Madina Jamia Masjid and its educational arm Al-Haqq Education Centre will be to enhance the religious, spiritual, moral and educational development of the Youth in the area.
British Muslims are urged to vote in the European Election on Thursday 4 June to prevent Far Right parties from gaining seats in the European elections. Through coming out to vote, British Muslims can help defeat such extreme and racist ideologies. Tactical voting is required to ensure that such parties do not get their racist and fascist voice in, and money from, local councils and the European Parliament to use it in spreading hatred against Muslims and ethnic minorities.
Leaders of Five religions, including Imam Qari Asim of Makkah Masjid, came together to issue a press release, sending a message of “hope not hate” and encouraging voters to vote in the European Election.
The press release was published in Yorkshire Evening Post on Wednesday 3 June 2009.
The Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board (MINAB) general council met in Birmingham on 10 May 2009 and elected the executive board consisting of members from British Muslim Forum, Muslim Council of Britain, the Muslim Association of Britain and the Al Khoei Foundation.
The MINAB is a community conceived and community led initiative. It aims to facilitate good governance in mosques and improve the standards of services provided therein through a system of self- regulation.
We are pleased to announce that Imam of Leeds Makkah Masjid was also elected to the Executive Board of the MINAB. He is the only elected member from Yorkshire.
For further details regarding the aims and objectives of MINAB, click on the attached link: http://www.minab.org.uk/
Administrator on August 4th, 2009
