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Imam Hafiz Asim – Muharram Jummah Khutba

Administrator on January 3rd, 2010

Imam Hafiz Asim saheb delivers Jummah Khutba regarding the month of Muharram at Leeds Makkah Mosque.

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Tribute to Leeds city councillor Kabeer Hussain

Administrator on December 30th, 2009

The funeral prayer, Janazah, of Leeds city councillor Kabeer Hussain shall take place on 30 December 2009 at 3pm at Bilal Masjid.

Kabeer Hussain, Lib Dem councillor for Hyde Park and Woodhouse, passed away at St James’s Hospital on the morning of 30 December 2009 after suffering a suspected sudden heart attack. He was a young, hard-working and committed individual who cared for his community. He combined being a councillor, representing and helping his community, whilst having a full-time job.

Leeds Makkah Masjid, Madina Masjid and Woodsley Community Centre communities pay their deepest condolences to Kabeer Hussain’s family on his sudden departure from this world.

Councillor Richard Brett, leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said that he was “hugely saddened to hear of Councillor Hussain’s death and extremely sorry to lose such a good councillor.”

Leeds North West MP Greg Mulholland said Coun Kabeer Hussain “cared about the community he came from and the community he represented.”

Imam of Makkah Masjid, Qari Asim said: “At this very difficult time, our prayers, thoughts and deepest sympathy are with his family, friends and the whole community that he represented. He will be dearly missed by the whole community. May Allah grant him a place in Paradise and grant his loved ones strength and patience.” Aameen.

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Eid-ul-Adha Celebration with Madina Masjid Students

Administrator on December 30th, 2009

On 4th December 2009, a gathering was held at Madina Masjid to celebrate Eid-ul-Adha with the Madina Masjid students.

The event was videoed to enable the students to watch their performance and to improve their recitation, nasheed and speech for the future events.

Part 1

Part 2

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Important Islamic dates for 2010

Administrator on December 27th, 2009

Following are some of the important dates of the Islamic calendar for the year 2010:

All Islamic dates are subject to sighting of the moon.

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Remembering Imam Husain

Administrator on December 26th, 2009

A Gathering/Jalsa is held in memory of the great martyrs of Karbala and the family of the Prophet (may Allah be pleased with them).

The commemoration of Imam Husain’s martyrdom has been observed by the followers of Ahlul Sunnah for last fourteen centuries. Honoring the memories of Imam Husain and 72 great martyrs of Karbala who saved Islam by sacrificing their lives at the battlefield of Karbala(Iraq) on Ashura 10th Muharram 61 Hijrah is in accordance with the prophecy of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).

Yazid, when he became ruler of Muslims, he posed a great danger to Islam. Through his actions, he was distorting the teachings of Islam, in particular the political system of Islam. During his time:

• the ruler was becoming the master of the life, property and honour of his subjects – sovereignty of man was replacing sovereignty of God;
• the governing class were being given preferential treatment and were often exempt from many routine religious or legal obligations;
• justice, law and order were being replaced by oppression, disorder and injustice.
• a life of luxury, pomp and splendour was becoming the norm and the cherished goal;
• distinctions between the lawful and prohibited and the desirable and the doubtful were getting blurred; undesirable social activities were spreading like wildfire.

Imam Husain (may Allah be pleased with him) being the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), challenged Yazid and through offering his life and the lives of his family awaken the Muslims. Through his sacrifices he preserved the eternal teachings of Islam.

One of the most prominent preachers of Islam in India on whose hands many thousands of people embraced Islam, Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti Ajmiri says: Imam Hussayn gave his head, but did not put his hand into the hands of Yazid. Imam Husain did not accept Yazid as ruler of the Muslims. Indeed, Imam Hussain is the foundation of “la ilaha illa Allah”. Imam Hussain is the leader and the leader of the leader. Imam Hussayn himself is Islam and the shield of Islam. He gave his head (for Islam) but never pledged to Yazid. Truly Imam Hussayn is the founder of “La ilaha illa Allah” (“There is no God but Allah”).

A number of Western writers have written about the tragedy of Karbala. Charles Dickens is believed to have said that, ‘if Hussain fought to quench his worldly desires, then I do not understand why his sisters, wives and children accompanied him. It stands to reason therefore that he sacrificed purely for Islam.’

The tragic events of Karbala represent non-violent resistance. Imam Husain neither opted for suicide nor encouraged violence, rather till the very last moments of his life he was urging others to give up violence and tyranny and follow the true and peaceful message of Islam. It was the greed for this world that had blinded his opponents.

In order to underdtand the the histroy of Karbala and the reasons for whihc Imam Husain opposed Yazid, please order a free copy of The History of Karbala by Abu Amar. http://www.islamicinformationcentre.co.uk/booksonline.htm 

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Eid-ul-Adha Kutba 2009

Administrator on December 21st, 2009

Eid-ul-Adha 2009 Lecture (Khutba) delivered at Leeds Makkah Mosque by Imam Hafiz Qasim.

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Copenhagen Climate Summit falls short of Expectations

Administrator on December 19th, 2009

The UN Climate Change Summit at Copenhagen, held between 7-18 December, was the biggest environmental meeting/conference held in the known history. It was a historic summit but the agreements made are not so landmark and historic.

A green and low carbon future for the world is what is desired. Climate scientists are convinced the world must stop the growth in greenhouse gas emissions . They purport that the increase in global temperature should be below two degrees. In order to achieve that cuts of 25%-40% relative to 1990 levels are needed, rising to 80%-95% by 2050. So far, there has been disappointment in achieving this target.

The collective commitment by developed countries to provide new and additional resources amounting to $30bn for 2010-12 is welcomed. Their further commitment to aim to mobilise jointly $100bn a year by 2020 to address needs of developing countries is indeed a positive step. However, the scale of catastrophe is huge and therefore an urgent substantial sum needs to be devoted to saving the mother nature. Some of the world leaders urged decisive action on climate change, but not showed much sign that their respective countries will take such steps themselves.

HRH Prince Charles reminded the world leaders during his speech at Copenhagen that “the eyes of the world” were upon them but it has to be said that Copenhagen Climate Summit fell short of expectations. Although the leaders have hailed the agreement as “meaningful”, the progress has not been “enough”, as the US President Barack Obama acknowledged.  UK’s Prime Minister echoed this by noting that  the agreement was a “vital first step” and accepted there was a lot more work to do to get assurances.

 We echo HRH Prince Charles’ conclusion which he mentioned during his speech when he said: ” The conclusion I draw is that the future of mankind can be assured only if we rediscover ways in which to live as a part of nature, not apart from her.” Each one of us needs to play our part to ensure that  our children and grandchildren can live in a healthier, safer and more sustainable world.

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Happy New Islamic Year 1431 AH

Administrator on December 18th, 2009

Today, 18 December 2009, is the first day of the Muslim calendar 1431 A.H.

The Muslim calendar began when the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and his followers immigrated (Hijra) from Makkah to Madina to establish a new Islamic state based on the teachings of the Holy Qur’an. ‘A.H’ stands for ‘After Hijra’/ after migration from Makkah to Madinah.  This was a turning point for the Muslim community. 

The Hijri year is based on the lunar calendar. The Holy Qur’an says: “Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion way, so do not wrong yourselves during them…” (At-Tawbah: 36).

The Islamic calendar was first introduced by the second caliph and close companion of the Prophet, ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) during his caliphate.

As 1431 A.H and 2010 C.E arises on us, it is hoped that it will be a year of peace, where every one’s precious life is safe, every one’s dignity and honour is preserved, every one’s freedom, so long as it is exercised with due responsibility, is respected. We hope that 1431 A.H and 2010 C.E is a year where universal humanitarianism is at the forefront of people’s minds. We hope that it is a year where discrimination against particular religious and ethnic groups does not take place. It is a year of harmonious coexistence of humanity transcending various stereotypes that keep raising their heads. As Muslims, we also hope that this a year when religion, faith and in particular Islam is not blamed for all the global political, social and moral challenges that are posed on us in post-modern world. We hope that it is a year when the inflamed stereotypes that Islam is in conflict with Western values are diminished.

On example of such inflamed stereotypes is the recent ban on mosque minarets in Switzerland. On Sunday 29 November 2009, a majority of Swiss voters approved a proposed referendum to ban the construction of minarets in their country. This vote can be seen a new obstruction on the road to coexistence, a discriminatory action and more importantly it is an indication of mistrust, not trusting European Muslims and creating fear of “Islam” in people’s minds. It is noted that campaign against the minarets was fuelled by such anxieties and allegations.

It was encouraging to see that not only Muslims but other religious institutions, including the Vatican, and some international organisations denounced the vote as a blow to religious freedom. It is praise-worthy that UK local governments up and down the country have permitted magnificent mosque minarets to be erected, which add to the beautiful architecture of our cities and towns in the UK. Long it may continue!

We hope that the ban on minarets of masjid in Europe will be rejected at the European level.

We take this opportunity to wish the Muslims a very happy and prosperous New Muslim Year. We ask Allah to continue to shower His blessings on all of us and make this a year in which we become closer and closer to His Divine presence.  We thank Allah Almighty for the manifold blessings that He showers upon us every day and pray that He enables us to implement the true teachings of Islam in our lives. We pray that He gives us the strength to be steadfast on the religion of Islam.

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Eid-ul-Adha 2009

Administrator on November 20th, 2009

Insha-Allah, Eid ul-Adha will be celebrated on Friday, 27th November 2009.

Eid ul-Adha prayer will be held at 9.30am. Please try to come early and encourage your friends to come before time, as well.

Praying facilities are available for sisters.

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Eid-ul-Fitr Khutbah 2009

Administrator on November 20th, 2009

Eid-ul-Fitr 2009 Lecture (Khutba) delivered at Leeds Makkah Mosque by Imam Hafiz Asim.

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