Archive for the ‘Inter-Faith’ Category
Administrator on March 16th, 2013
It is extremely sad and disturbing that thousands of angry protesters today set ablaze more than 100 houses of Pakistani Christians over a blasphemy row in the eastern city of Lahore .
Such violent actions are so far removed from the teachings and the practice of the one who was sent as Mercy to All the Worlds (May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him).
Any blasphemous remarks must be tried in a court of law and justice must be seen to be done.
Leeds Makkah Mosque strongly and unreservedly condemns such injustice against minorities in Pakistan .
Imam Qari Asim MBE said; “Islam has granted rights to non-Muslims and minorities living in Muslim countries and has issued severe warnings to those who do not defend those rights of the minorities.
A Haidth of The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) should be enough for a Muslim to take care of a non-Muslim’s rights.
‘Beware! Whoever is cruel and hard on a non-Muslim minority, curtails their rights, burdens them with more than they can bear, or takes anything from them against their free will; I (Prophet Muhammad) will complain against the person on the Day of Judgment.’ (Abu Dawood)
It is imperative that the government of Pakistan takes a close look at terrorism and violence taking place in the country and makes concerted effort to try to foster peace amongst the communities living in the country and dispels violence within its borders. “, said Imam Asim.
Administrator on September 5th, 2012
Makkah Masjid is once again opening its doors as part of the national Heritage Open Days initiative.
Over 4,500 free events will be taking place across England’s regions for this year’s Heritage Open Days, between 6th-9th September.
Opening Times
- Saturday 8th September: 10:00-16:00
- Sunday 9th September: 10:00-16:00
For further details, please visit: http://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/directory/laa/leeds
Administrator on September 1st, 2012
Channel 4 aired a programme “Islam: The Untold Story” on Tuesday 28th August 2012 with the show presented by British historian Tom Holland, who has also published a book entitled “In the Shadow of the Sword” . A number of absurd and outrageous baseless claims have been made by Holland against Islam, a faith followed by over a billion people.
Serious debate on Islamic historiography is welcome but it must be based on historical evidence. Holland’s book In the Shadow of the Sword does not seem to be anything more than an addition to the Islamophobia, this is currently a global phenomena.
Please see below links to some responses regarding the programme and the absurd claims made within it:
http://www.iera.org.uk/press_29aug2012.html
http://www.newstatesman.com/culture/culture/2012/04/review-shadow-sword-tom-holland
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/dr-nafeez-mosaddeq-ahmed/tom-holland-in-the-shadow-of-fiction-_b_1842822.html
http://m.guardian.co.uk/books/2012/may/04/in-shadow-of-sword-tom-holland?cat=books&type=article
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/afroze-zaidijivraj/critical-examination-islam-untold-story_b_1842984.html
http://thedebateinitiative.com/2012/04/12/book-review-in-the-shadow-of-the-sword/
Administrator on July 28th, 2012
Fasting is one of the pillars of Islam and every year Muslims fast for a month to detox their bodies and to re-direct their hearts and souls. It is an act of worship which is designed to bring believers closer to Allah and to rediscover and re-direct themselves and teach self-discipline.
Ramadan is also a time of giving, of charity, of sharing, of remembering those in need and reaching out. In the spirit of the month of Ramadan Makkah Masjid cordially invites everyone –people of faiths and no faith- to share a meal with them. This meal, called Iftar, is eaten after sunset and breaks the Muslims’ day long fast.
The purpose of this community dinner is to dine together and celebrate shared common values.
This year’s annual Community Iftar will be held on Sunday 5 August 2012 at Makkah Masjid, 36 Thornville Road Leeds LS6 1JY.
The program shall start at 7:30pm with a short welcome, brief introduction about Ramadan, with an opportunity to ask questions about fasting, and brief talks by representaitves of various faiths.
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 8:45pm.
During the day on Sunday 5th August, young volunteers from Makkah Masjid will be distributing hampers to their neighbours, the elderly and refugees.
Administrator on July 7th, 2012
On the seventh anniversary of 7/7, we express solidarity with victims of terrorism. The atrocities committed on 7/7 and the whole war on terror has cost too many lives and it must be stopped.
Imam of Leeds Makkah Mosque, Imam Qari Asim, said : “violent extremism, terrorism and taking lives of innocent people is against the teachings of Islam.
All forms of terrorism must be stopped and the root causes that lead to such extreme actions must be fully explored and eliminated in the most efficient and amicable manner.
On the anniversary of 7/7, we must resolve to work towards creating a better world for all – a world full of hope, justice and harmony.”
Now is the time to look to the future with greater optimism. Our common humanity, our spirit of community, the values we share as human beings, will give us the strength to confront those – individuals, organisations or governments- that seek to cause chaos in the world.
The anniversary of 7/7 is also a time to reflect why British Muslims are still seen as “outsiders” when they often express a stronger sense of belonging to the UK than other citizens.
A recent report by the University of Essex found that Muslims actually identify with Britishness more than any other Britons.
This study is just one of several recent studies that have consistently found that British Muslims express a stronger sense of belonging in Britain than their compatriots. Consider the following finding:
• 83% of Muslims are proud to be a British citizen, compared to 79% of the general public.
• 77% of Muslims strongly identify with Britain while only 50% of the wider population do.
• 82% of Muslims want to live in diverse and mixed neighbourhoods compared to 63% of non-Muslim Britons.
• 90% of Pakistanis feel a strong sense of belonging in Britain compared to 84% of white people.
“Muslims live a life of service to God and to fellow human beings. The constant negative depictions of Muslims portray Muslims as similar to the 7/7 bombers who caused mayhem and destruction seven years ago but an average Muslim living in Britain is no different to a non-Muslim Briton in having a sense of belonging to Britain and identify with Britishness – the recent report by the University of Essex, once again re-affirms that;” said Imam Qari Asim
The report by the University of Essex can be found by visiting the following link:
https://www.iser.essex.ac.uk/2012/06/30/ethnic-minorities-living-in-the-uk-feel-more-british-than-white-britons
Imam Qari Asim’s interviews on the 7th anniversary of 7/7 can be listened on Leeds Aire Radio and BBC Leeds Radio.
Administrator on June 16th, 2012
Imam of Makkah Masjid, Qari Muhammad Asim has been awarded an MBE for his groundbreaking initiatives in enhancing community relations and for his work in engaging young people.
Imam Qari Asim has been named in the Birthday Honours list and will be invited to Buckingham Palace to receive the award. He is the first Imam ever, who leads daily prayers in a mosque, to be awarded an MBE.
Imam Qari Asim has served the Muslim communities of Leeds as an Imam from a very young age and has won the award of “UK’s Model Mosque” for his mosque, Makkah Masjid.
Imam Qari Asim said, “I am incredibly humbled and immensely honoured by the MBE award. I am deeply indebted to my family and friends and the attendees of Leeds Makkah Masjid, all of whom have played an important part in enabling me to serve the Leeds communities.”
“I dedicate this award to my late father Professor Hafiz Fateh Muhammad, who has been an inspiration throughout my life”, said the Imam.
http://www.itv.com/news/calendar/2012-06-16/queens-birthday-honours/
A spokesperson for Makkah Masjid, said, “Imam Qari Asim’s award is a cause of celebration for us all because it signifies and recognises the ground-breaking work that Qari Asim has being doing to enhance communal relations, engage with disenfranchised young people and lead the way in tackling some of the taboo issues in the British Muslim community.”
A young member of the Mosque’s congregation, commented, “We are delighted that Imam Asim has received this prestigious award and we are immensely proud to have him as our leader.”
A female student of Imam Asim stated that she is “thrilled” by his award, which is “richly deserved.”
Leeds Muslim Council said, “We offer our heartfelt congratulations to Imam Qari Asim and his family and wish them every success and blessings for the future, insha’Allah.”
Imam Qari Asim’s interviews can be heard today on BBC Leeds Radio, Real Radio , Radio Aire and Asian Fever. There is also coverage of this prestigious award being given to Imam Asim on BBC Look North, ITV Calendar, Yorkshire Evening Post and other local Asian newspapers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOD3R-zJR48
http://www.northleedslifegroup.com/2012/06/20/makkah-masjid-imam-awarded-mbe/
http://www.asianimage.co.uk/news/north_of_england/9764671.Leeds_Imam_awarded_MBE/
http://www.leedsliveitloveit.com/residents/news~page/leeds-lawyer-and-imam-awarded-mbe
http://www.domesticviolence.co.uk/domestic-violence-news/leeds-imam-qari-asim-honoured-by-queen
http://leedsisoc.com/news/201206/imam-makkah-masjid-awarded-mbe
http://www.european-freedom-initiative.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=351:queen-of-england-honours-imam-with-obe-medal-&catid=39:eu-news-england&Itemid=60
http://menmedia.co.uk/asiannews/news/s/1462537_mosque-toolkit-will-help-engage-young-people
http://www.ramadanfestival.org/?p=186
http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/yep-letters/letter-well-deserved-award-for-community-leader-1-4677658
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-18461420
Administrator on April 21st, 2012
Open Days: 28th & 29th April 2012, 12pm-7pm
Venue: Makkah Masjid 36 Thornville Road Leeds LS6 1JY
Leeds Makkah Mosque welcomes all, regardless of gender, faith or cultural background. Makkah Masjid holds various Open Days throughout the year.
The Open Days offer a fantastic opportunity to gain an insight into Islam, Muslim Culture and interact with British Muslims.
In Spring, the Open Days & Islamic Exhibition are held as part of Leeds Treasures Revealed. This is in keeping with the Mosque’s longstanding aim of promoting and encouraging understanding and mutual respect within the wider community. The management of the Mosque, Leeds Muslim Council, has historically been committed to helping achieve harmony within the local community by planning initiatives that actively engage with different community organisations, with the aim of providing opportunities for visitors to explore and share the beauty of Islam.
Please see the links below for more information about previous years exhibitions:
http://www.leedsliveitloveit.com/visitors/places-to-go~page/leeds-makkah-mosque
http://www.leedsliveitloveit.com/visitors/whats-on~page/islamic-exhibition2010
http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/leeds/hi/people_and_places/religion and_ethics/newsid_8651000/8651409.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7388868.stm
EVERYONE IS WELCOME
Administrator on April 19th, 2012
Islam is probably the least understood and most demonized religion today. A negative image of Islam and Muslims has been presented to the public, by certain quarters for centuries, this persona is based primarily on misconceptions, ignorance and malice.
In this week’s seminar, we will analyse some of the common misconceptions about Islam and Muslims. The following are some of the common misconceptions.
• Muslims worship a new God called Allah
• Muslims are violent and extremists.
• Islam promotes clash of civilization
• Islam does not grant human rights
• In Islam Women are inferior to Men
• Islam oppresses women
• All Muslim men marry four wives
• Jihad means killing non-Muslims
• Islam was spread by the sword
• Muslims worship Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)
• Islam allows domestic violence & forced marriages
• Islam is an obstacle to integration
The talk will be given by Imam Qari Muhammad Asim.
Date & Time: Sunday 22 April at 7pm, after Asr prayer
Venue: Leeds Makkah Masjid, 36 Thornville Road Leeds LS6 1JY
EVERYONE IS WELCOME.
Administrator on April 14th, 2012
In the month of April, the great works and significant contribution of honourable Shaykh Professor Hafiz Fateh Muhammad Sahib (May Allah have mercy on his soul) is particularly remembered.
It has been 7 years since the founder of Leeds Makkah Masjid, Professor Qari Fateh Muhammad Sahib suddenly passed away on the evening of Tuesday 26 April 2005 (17th Rabi ul-Awwal 1426).
As Leeds Makkah Masjid was built on the vision of Shaykh Qari Fateh Muhammad, it is only appropriate that the following video on ‘My Yorkshire’ is shared with everyone.
My Yorkshire is a collection of digital stories created with communities by museum, library and archive collections in Yorkshire. My Yorkshire website states:
“The Makkah Masjid Mosque in Leeds 6, which was built in 2003, has a forward thinking progressive mission to encourage visitors to learn about the Islamic faith, to marvel at the unique and fascinating interior, especially the beautiful hand painted dome and to come to the programmed exhibitions, displays and lectures held there every year.
The Imam has already been a TV star appearing on Look North and works for a Leeds legal firm. In this short film he describes the stunning decorations inside this unique and inspirational Mosque, and a second clip shows the service at the end of Eid (see links below).”
http://www.myyorkshire.org/playback-video.asp?resourceid=265&journeyid=141
Administrator on April 5th, 2012
A talk about Islamic view on Easter, Virgin Mary, Jesus (peace be upon him), his birth, rising to Heavens and resurrection.
Date & Time: Sunday 8 April at 6:30pm, after Asr prayer
Venue: Leeds Makkah Masjid, 36 Thornville Road Leeds LS6 1JY
EVERYONE IS WELCOME.
