Archive for the ‘Media Coverage’ Category
Administrator on November 23rd, 2011
Leeds Makkah Masjid has come together with NHS Leeds to develop a guide for the Muslim community to tackle the taboo subject of domestic violence which will be launched on Friday 25 November 1pm.
‘Domestic abuse – a guide for Muslim communities’ will be launched before Friday prayers at Makkah Masjid in Hyde Park Leeds. The guide aims to help the Muslim community to understand, raise awareness and respond appropriately to domestic abuse.
Thousands of women, as well as men, around the world are victims of abuse every year by their husbands and other family members, usually in-laws. Domestic abuse and violence occurs against women in all societies. However, Muslim victims of domestic abuse find it more difficult to seek help due to cultural pressures.
This new resource helps the Muslim community to identify and understand what domestic abuse is, recognise the signs that someone is at risk of domestic abuse and ensure that they are aware of support services available to them locally.
Bushara Bostan, Health Improvement Specialist for NHS Airedale, Bradford and Leeds, says: “Domestic abuse – a guide for Muslim communities’ deals with domestic abuse in the Muslim community. It aims to help the Muslim community to understand, raise awareness and respond appropriately to domestic abuse. This guide has been produced not because Muslim women are more likely to be subjected to violence than non-Muslim women, but because the way it impacts on them can be different.
“It is hoped that Muslim advocates and communities can use this resource to understand the issue of domestic abuse and provide appropriate support to individuals and families affected by domestic abuse.”
Qari Muhammad Asim, Imam for Makkah Masjid, adds: “Makkah Masjid is pleased to support the development of this guide and hopes that it helps to reduce incidences of domestic abuse within the Muslim community. We also hope that it will help people to talk more openly about any concerns they may have both in their own households or those of their friends and families.
“Domestic abuse and violence occurs against women in all societies regardless of culture, ethnicity, religious background and socioeconomic status. This guide reminds Muslims that such un-Islamic practices should not take place in Muslim households.”
Maulana Shahid Raza OBE, Chair of the MINAB said:
“The Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board (MINAB) welcomes the efforts of the Leeds Makkah Masjid and NHS (Leeds) who have produced this guide to support Muslim communities to tackle domestic abuse. The guide provides practical recommendations to enable faith institutions, leaders and their congregations to respond to domestic abuse.”
”This is an excellent example of how faith institutions and statutory agencies can work together to address pertinent issues by providing resources, guidance and advice which is both practical and culturally sensitive.”
What is domestic abuse?
Domestic abuse (also referred to as domestic violence) is any form of physical, non physical, sexual, emotional or financial abuse that takes place within the context of a close relationship. This relationship will usually be between partners or ex-partners (usually in the home) but it can also occur in extended family situations where abuse may be from other family members.
Some common abusive acts include:
- physical assaults i.e. hitting, punching, slapping, kicking;
- calling your partner names;
- not allowing them to see friends or relatives;
- refusing to interpret properly; and
- blaming your partner for your own behaviour
Key facts about domestic abuse
- 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men will experience at least one incident of domestic abuse in their lifetime. Women are more likely to experience multiple repeat incidents and fear as a result of this pattern.
- In Europe, domestic abuse is the major cause of ill health for women aged between 16-44, more common than cancer or traffic accidents.
- In the UK at least 2 women are killed each week by a current or former partner
- The Police in the UK receive one call from the public every minute for assistance for domestic violence.
- In an average year 1 in 10 women are known to have experienced violence form a partner or ex-partner. In Leeds this equates to over 35,000 women.
- Although men are also victims of abuse, the vast majority of victims are women.
- Domestic abuse has direct health consequences including higher rates of mental illness in women, contributing to depression, anxiety, stress, self-harm and suicide.
- For children the emotional effects of witnessing domestic violence are very similar to the psychological trauma associated with being a victim of child abuse.
Administrator on September 7th, 2011
Following news appeared in Yorkshire Evening Post regarding the plans of Leeds Muslim Council (management committee of Makkah Mosque) to start up nursery and independent school for the local communities.
Click here to read the news
Administrator on April 16th, 2011
Imam of Makkah Mosque, Qari Muhmmad Asim, recently shared a platform with the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu along with the Leader of Kirklees Council, Cllr Mehboob Khan, and the Chief Executive, Adrian Lythgo. The Imam addressed the Muslim and Christian faith leaders at Anwar-e-Madina masjid in Dewsbury, and highlighted the importance of different faiths working together and building good community relationships.
The Archbishop of York, as a leading figure in the Anglican church, encouraged members of different faiths to be wary of labelling each other.
Dr John Sentamu said: “If you are homeless, you are homeless. If your family is in need, your family is in need. We need to rise above the labels we give people.”
The event was organised by Kirklees Faiths Forum. Fakhara Rehman, from Kirklees Faiths Forum, said: “The Archbishop’s visit demonstrated the importance he puts to good relations between all people.”
Qari Asim said: “People of different backgrounds share the same concerns about their neighbourhood and it is important that people of different faiths come together to demonstrate unity of purpose in this regard.”
The event was featured in the ITV Calendar.
Administrator on September 6th, 2010
ANNUAL COMMUNITY IFTARI
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 over 2 million Muslims in the UK have been fasting 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.
In the spirit of the month of Ramadan during which Muslims fast, Leeds Muslim Council annunly holds a community iftar reception. This year, Leeds Muslim Council cordially invites the whole community of Leeds to share a meal with them at Leeds Makkah Mosque on Tuesday, 7 September 2010. 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.
PAKISTAN FLOOD APPEAL
Refraining from food and drink teaches people to empathise with those who cannot afford to have a meal and have access to clean water.This year, Muslims of Leeds have been focusing on this aspect of fasting more than ever due to the terrible floods that have swept away villages upon villages in Pakistan. Consequently, there are people in Pakistan who have not had food for 3 days, not by choice but because they have lost everything that they owned. Families and friends of people who are caught up in the floods have reported that some of them have been eating leaves from trees as that is the only dry thing that is available for them to chew. According to UN the effects of floods in Pakistan have exceeded the combined total in three recent mega disasters being, Tsunami, the 2005 Kashmir earthquake and the 2010 Haiti earthquake. Concerted efforts have therefore been made at Leeds Makkh Mosque to raise funds for the victims of flood in Pakistan.
The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Coun. Jim McKenna, launched his eight week long Pakistan flood appeal on Monday 16 August 2010 from Leeds Makkah Mosque and he will be a special guest of honor at the community Iftar dinner. Leeds Muslim Council will handover the funds raised at Makkah Mosque to the Lord Mayor of Leeds to form part of his Pakistan flood appeal. The donations will then be sent to Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC).
The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Coun. Jim McKenna, will be an honoured guest at the event.
Please see below coverage regarding the Pakistan Flood Appeal:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-10877528
http://www.northleedslifegroup.com/tag/makkah-masjid/
http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/Leeds-Pakistan-appeal-off-to.6480475.jp
http://www.guardian.co.uk/leeds/2010/aug/15/leeds-makkah-mosque-qari-asim-pakistan-floods-ramadan
http://www.guardian.co.uk/leeds/2010/aug/04/bookmarked-leeds-mosque-prays-for-pakistan-earthquake-victims
The iftar dinner will be served on Tuesday 7 September 2010 @ 7:45pm
Administrator on August 5th, 2010
The death toll from flooding in north-west Paksitan has risen to over 1,500 as rescue workers struggled to save more than 27,000 people still trapped by the water.
Around 14 million people have been displaced due to the flooding. The full scale of disaster will only be revealed once the water start to recede.
There are also fears growing that the floods could cause a huge humanitarian crisis in the region as hundreds of thousands of survivors come under threat from water-borne diseases.
Aid is desperately needed for those who have suffered and every little can help.
In Makkah Mosque special prayers are being held for those who have suffered as a result of this flood and people are being urged to donate as much as they can to provide relief to those who have suffered as a result of disaster.
Imam of Makkah Masjid, Qari Asim, said: “The significant loss of lives, and infrastructure in Pakistan, following the recent floods is deeply saddening. Everyone is urged to show support for this humanitarian issue.”
http://www.guardian.co.uk/leeds/2010/aug/04/bookmarked-leeds-mosque-prays-for-pakistan-earthquake-victims
Whilst giving an interview to Yorkshire Evening Post, Qari Asim said: “”Ramadan is just round the corner and the whole point of it is to empathise with people who cannot afford two meals a day, about spiritual cleansing and also understanding practically. These people’s basic needs have been taken away and I think people will be giving generously to help them.”
Ramadan is a month of charity.
Ibn `Abbas, one of Muhammad’s Companions, narrated: “The Prophet was the most generous amongst the people, and he used to be more so in the month of Ramadan when Jibreel visited him, and Jibreel used to meet him on every night of Ramadan till the end of the month. The Prophet used to recite the Holy Qur’an to Jibreel, and when Jibreel met him, he used to be more generous than a fast wind (which causes rain and welfare).” (Reported by Al-Bukhari)
Please click on the linkn below to see the full article:
http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/Leeds-rallies-to-aid-Pakistan.6458193.jp
An interview with ITV can be seen on the following link:
http://www.itv.com/yorkshire/aid-for-pakistan93595/
Lord Mayor of Leeds launched his flood relief charity appeal at Makkh Mosque on 5 August. The event was coved by BBC Look North and be seen at:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006mj5m
Administrator on May 5th, 2010
On 3 May 2010 Makkah Masjid was delighted to host a visit by Home Secretary Alan Johnson. The Home Secretary took time out of his busy campaign schedule to visit the Mosque during its annual Islamic Exhibition, for which the Mosque is open to the whole community: people of faith and no faith.
During his visit, the Home Secretary enjoyed a tour of the Mosque during which he looked at the items on display as part of the Exhibition. He was extremely impressed with the Mosque’s award winning dome, which features more calligraphy work than any other mosque in the UK. Mr Johnson also took the opportunity to speak to members of the Mosque’s congregation about a wide spectrum of issues pertaining to the forthcoming election, including immigration, social cohesion, anti-social behaviour, policing and the economy.
The Home Secretary commented that he was impressed with the Makkah Masjid’s architecture, as well as with its long standing commitment to opening its doors to non-Muslims in an attempt to improve community cohesion.
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.
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
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.”
Administrator on September 23rd, 2009
Yorkshire Post today published an article on Imam of Makkah Masjid, Qari Asim.
In the published article, Qari Asim said:
“I have been a full-time Imam for five years, following an intensive training programme which I undertook at the same time as studying to pursue a career in law.
My vision has always been to make the mosque a beacon for the whole of the country.”
