Leeds Makkah Masjid » Inter-Faith

Archive for the ‘Inter-Faith’ Category

Yorkshire and Humber Faiths Forum visits Makkah Mosque

Author Administrator on March 25th, 2010

Recently we had a couple of visits from Yorkshire and Humber Faiths Forum. Arshad Ghulam was the host for these visits:

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Inter-Faith, Leeds Makkah Mosque

Local community engagement team visits the mosque

Author Administrator on March 19th, 2010

Recently, Leeds Makkah Mosque was visited by Inspector Ian OBrian from the local police station to discuss community engagement and community cohesion. He was joined by other members of the community engagement team:

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Events, Inter-Faith, Leeds Makkah Mosque

Fatwa against Suicide-bombing & terrorism

Author Administrator on March 5th, 2010

A leading Islamic scholar has issued a fatwa in Britain condemning “terrorists” as the enemies of Islam, in a bid to deter young Muslims from extremism.

Shaykh Dr Muhammad Tahir ul-Qadri, head of the Minhaj ul-Quran, has released his 600-page long fatwa ,condeming Al-Qaeda and the terrorists that perform their vicious acts based on the Qur’an and Islam.

The anti-terrorism fatwa by renowned Muslim scholar Muhammad Tahir ul-Qadri pulled no punches and said that suicide bombers would be rewarded not by 72 virgins in heaven, as many terrorist recruiters promise, but with a suite in hell.

He continued: “Until now, scholars who were condemning terrorism were conditional and qualified what they said,” Qadri said in a phone interview, noting that his 600-page ruling left no room for interpretation. “I didn’t leave a single, minor aspect that, in the mind of radicals or extremists, can take them to the direction of martyrdom.”

In Washington, State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley welcomed the fatwa, saying it is important that “Muslims themselves make their own judgment about the vision that al Qaeda and [Osama] bin Laden have propagated.”

Generally, in the media experts have stated that his fatwa is a “significant blow” to terrorists.

Imam of Makkah Mosque, Qari Asim, said that Shaykh Dr Muhammad Tahir ul-Qadri works are always thought-provoking, well researched and evidenced. A comprehensive fatwa and edict was long due and therefore this fatwa is welcomed by the mainstream.

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Community, Events, Inter-Faith, London Terrorist Attacks

Meanwood Gentlemen’s Club

Author Administrator on March 5th, 2010

Members of Meanwood Men’s Society recently visited Makkah Masjid.

Makkah Masjid regularly receives visits from delegates from various clubs and institutions.

The aim of the visit was to learn about Islam and Makkah Mosque’s activities and initiatives.

Members of Meanwood Men’s Society were given a tour of the Mosque and a presentation about the fundamentals of Islam and services that are offered at the masjid. The presentation was followed by a Q& A session allowing both parties to learn about each other’s good practices and governance.

Mark Laurillard, Hon. Chairman made the following comments: “May I extend our thanks to you for a most informative and enlightening visit to your Mosque last night. Our members came away with a positive impression and a greater understanding, which is a very positive outcome.”

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Inter-Faith, Visits to Makkah Mosque

Loyal to God & to the Country

Author Administrator on February 9th, 2010

In a recent interview, Imam of Makkah Masjid, Qari Asim spoke against extremism. Qari Asim said that Islam holds the sanctity of human life in the highest possible regard. Allah tells us in the Quran that to kill one innocent person is akin to killing the whole of humanity [chapter 4, verse 32].

Qari Asim said that Muslims should be loyal to their religion but that does not mean that they cannot be loyal to Britain. Part of Islam is that a person is loyal to the country in which he or she lives and that he or she abides by the laws of that country.

Islam places a moral responsibility on a person to be committed to the general wellbeing and common good of the larger society to which he or she belongs.

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Inter-Faith, London Terrorist Attacks, Media Coverage

Public consultation on proposal to stop providing girls-only secondary education in Leeds

Author Administrator on January 19th, 2010

There is a consultation running over a proposal to close girls only school in Leeds. The proposal is to replace Parklands Girls High School with a co-educational (girls and boys) Academy, sponsored by the EACT, in September 2011. The dates, time and locations of the consultation meetings are set out below. An electronic version of a booklet giving full details of the consultation is now available on the Education Leeds website, go to: www.educationleeds.co.uk/schoolorganisation

This proposed closure shall affect the whole community but ethnic groups, in particular Muslims are likely to be affected more than others. We shall therefore urge Muslims to take part in the consultation and express their views. There is also a petition that can be signed to express one’s concerns about the proposed closure. Please click on http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/girlseducation

Girls-only education consultation: public meeting

East Monday 18 January 2010, 7pm
Parklands Girls’ High School, South Parkway, Seacroft, Leeds, LS14 6TY

West Wednesday 20 January 2010, 7pm
Pudsey Civic Hall, Dawsons Corner, Pudsey, LS28 5TA

South Tuesday 26 January 2010, 7pm
South Leeds Academy, Old Run Road, Leeds, LS10 2JU

City centre (two meetings) Wednesday 27 January, 12noon and 7pm
Civic Hall, Calverley Street, Leeds, LS1 1UR

North east (outer) Monday 1 February 2010, 7pm
Boston Spa School, Clifford Moor Road, Boston Spa, Wetherby, LS23 6RW

Morley Thursday 4 February 2010, 7pm
Bruntcliffe High School, Bruntcliffe Lane, Morley, Leeds, LS27 0LZ

North West Monday 8 February 2010, 7pm
Lawnswood School, Ring Road, West Park, Leeds, LS16 5AG

Searcroft 23rd February 2010, 7pm
Parklands Girls’ High School, South Parkway, Seacroft, Leeds, LS14 6TY

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Inter-Faith, Media Coverage

Attempted Bombing of an Airline and planned march by Islam4UK is condemned

Author Administrator on January 8th, 2010

The Muslim community of Leeds Makkah Masjid strongly condemns the planned march by Islam4UK through the Wiltshire town of Wootton Bassett.

Islam4UK do not represent British Muslims or the teachings of the Prophet of Islam (may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Actions such as these usually have the intention of raising the profile of a particular organisation rather than expressing the sentiments of a community. As suspected, it is encouraging to see that the planned march by Islam4UK is condemned by all the Muslims thought the UK and Muslims are stating clearly to Islam4UK “NOT IN MY NAME”.

Leeds Muslim Council also strongly condemns the alleged attempted bombing aboard an airliner in Detroit, USA on Christmas Day. Islam holds the sanctity of human life in the highest possible regard. Allah tells us in the Quran that to kill one innocent person is akin to killing the whole of humanity [Qur'an, chapter 4, verse 32].

Imam of Leeds Makkah Mosque, Qari Asim, said : “violent extremism and taking the lives of innocent people is against the teachings of Islam and therefore we are pleased to note that no loss of life or otherwise was suffered as a result of the attempted bombing”.

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 so that all human beings throughout the world can live in peace and harmony.

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Inter-Faith, London Terrorist Attacks

Caring for the World

Author Administrator on January 7th, 2010

Woodsley Community Centre is delighted to invite you to ‘Caring for the World’ event held on Tuesday, 12 January 2010.

The event will be held at Woodsley Community Centre, 64 Woodsley Road, Leeds, LS3 1DU, Tel: 0113 2442684) between 5 – 7pm.

The event will feature a talk by Samar Minallah. Samar is an award winning Pakistani human rights activist, documentary film maker and writer. In her talk, she will discuss the contribution of Muslim women in working with disadvantaged groups in Pakistan.

This is a unique opportunity to meet and hear from someone who has first-hand experience of dealing with human rights, women rights and fighting for injustices in Pakistan

The event will also feature Yasrab Shah, who is a project manager for an international charity organisation, providing relief work in those areas which have been affected by natural disasters. He will discuss how the youth can bring positive changes in the world by being part of relief work.

Everyone is welcome.

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Events, General, Inter-Faith, Youth Development

Makkah Masjid Welcomes New Muslims

Author Administrator on October 12th, 2009

By the grace of Allah Almighty, in the blessed month of Ramadan a number of people declared their belief in the oneness of Allah and in the last and final Messenger, Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and embraced Islam at Makkah Masjid, Leeds. These were reverts who opened their hearts to Islam.

Makkah Masjid has long been committed to opening the eyes of the wider community to the beauty of the religion of Islam, through holding annual Exhibitions during which the doors of the Mosque are open to the entire community, hosting inter-faith events and inviting non-Muslims to share in the opening of the fast during Ramadan in a community iftari.

Reversion to Islam involves a person declaring: “ I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is the Messenger of Allah.”

Islam was not sent for any one nation or group of people; any one can become a Muslim no matter what his or her race, language or colour. Islam was sent as a complete way of life for the whole of humanity. Allah (swt) says in the Holy Qur’an:

“This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion” (Quran 5:3)

All sins committed by the person embracing Islam before becoming a Muslim are forgiven by Allah, no matter how serious they were. The person who converts to Islam is totally reborn and starts with a clean record, in much the same way as a new baby is born free of any sin or wrong doing. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) confirmed that this was the case when he said to a person accepting Islam:
“Do you not know that accepting Islam destroys all sins which come before it?” (Sahih Muslim)

Today it is estimated that there are 2.4 million Muslims in the UK, the Muslim population having grown by more than 500,000 in just four years according to official research collated for the Times newspaper. Research by the Office for National Statistics reveals that the Muslim population in the UK multiplied 10 times faster than the rest of society. Europe is home to 38 million Muslims For further details see http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article5621482.ece#

According to a comprehensive report of the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, the global Muslim population stands at 1.57 billion, meaning that nearly one in every four people in the world practice Islam. The report, which was published in October 2009,also identified about 317 million Muslims – or one-fifth of the world’s Muslim population – living in countries where Islam is not the majority religion.
To see the full report click on http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article5621482.ece#

The Imam of Makkah Masjid, Qari Asim commented: “By the grace of Allah Almighty, Makkah Mosque holds a long tradition of welcoming people into the fold of Islam and people from Leeds and neighbouring cities come to Makkah Mosque to take their Shahadah (embrace Islam). A number of people have embraced Islam during the holy month of Ramadan and one of the blessed ceremonies during which a girl took the Shahadah was witnessed by people throughout the country who watched the event on TV. We pray to Allah Almighty that He enables us to continue striving in His way and educating people of the peaceful message of Islam.”

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Events, General, Inter-Faith, Leeds Makkah Mosque, Media Coverage

Open invitation to Leeds-wide communities to break fast with us

Author Administrator on September 8th, 2009

In the month of Ramadan Muslims fast, which involves refraining from food, drink, smoking and conjugal relations from dawn until sunset for a whole month. Fasting is one of the pillars of Islam and 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.

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

The management committee of Makkah 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.

As Leeds is host to over 60,000 students who come to the city at the beginning of each academic year, the community Iftar dinner is also a welcome to students by Makkah Mosque. It provides an opportunity for the student population of Leeds to learn more about the fasting rituals observed by many of their peers, as well as by many people in the communities in which they will live whilst at Universities . Makkah Mosque is at the heart of the community and is conventially located between both the University of Leeds and Leeds Met.

Last year’s event was a tremedous success and was attended by over 700 people, including Muslims, non-Muslims, students, professionals, businesses, law-enforcements agencies, policians and others.

The Community Iftar will be held on Thursday, 17th September 2009. The program starts at 6:30pm 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.

Visitors to the Mosque are asked to respect the Muslim code of dressing modestly.

The Iftar dinner will be served at 7:30pm