Westminster Attack: Call for Solidarity and Prayer

The Muslim Council of Britain today commended the Metropolitan Police and the leadership of our Prime Minister and the Mayor of London as they reacted to the attack on Westminster yesterday. The MCB condemned the attack yesterday and today Secretary General, Harun Khan will join thousands of Londoners, including Muslims, as they converge on Trafalgar Square this evening in solidarity with the victims.

Harun Khan said: “This attack was cowardly and depraved. There is no justification for this act whatsoever. The best response to this outrage is to make sure we come together in solidarity and not allow the terrorists to divide us.

My condolences, thoughts and prayers go to the families of the victims.

My thoughts are also with the late PC Keith Palmer and his family. His bravery, and the response of the police and emergency services are to be commended.

In this regard, I would also like to thank Assistant Commissioner Rowley for his leadership yesterday in reassuring Muslim communities around the country.

That leadership has been echoed by our Prime Minister who has rightly said that we will ‘come together as normal’, and the Mayor of London who has spoken about how Londoners ‘respect, embrace and celebrate each other and that’s going to carry on.’

I hope my Muslim brothers and sisters will reach out to fellow Londoners and Britons in solidarity to demonstrate that such hatred will not defeat our way of life.”

Donald Trump thinks Islam is incompatible with the West. Britain’s mosques prove otherwise

Prince Charles spoke earlier this week warning of how the horrific lessons of the Second World War “seem to be in increasing danger of being forgotten“. It resonated in a week where the US president’s “Muslim Ban” has caused so much division, where turning vulnerable people away has rightly elicited protests worldwide.

Prince Charles highlighted the importance of reaching “across the boundaries of faith and community; to extend a helping hand wherever one might be needed.” This message is relevant for all of us, no less so for Muslims in the West who are on high alert following the terrorist attack against a Canadian mosque that killed six people. It comes amid an already hostile atmosphere against Muslims where we are seen as different, alien and not part of this country.

More at The Telegraph

Article by Harun Khan

Eid Mubarak

Beautiful-Eid-Mubarak-Backgrounds

Eid Mubarak to you all!

May the Guidence and Blessings of Allah be upon you and your family always and may He accept all your ibada (fasting, Qur’an reading, ziker, Salah, charity and all good deeds). Ameen.

Eid-ul-Fitr: Celebrations to mark the end of Ramzan

Eid, popularly known as Eid-ul-Fitr, is a festival observed by the Muslim community to celebrate the conclusion of the month of fasting.

Eid-ul-Fitr literally means ‘festival of breaking the fast’. Like other festivals observed by the Muslim community, this festival symbolizes faith. The festival is celebrated based on an Islamic belief by following the form of social practice.

Eid is celebrated on the first date of Shawwal, that is, the tenth month of the Hijra calendar. During the festival, Muslims exchange gifts, greeting their neighbours as a mark of solidarity and brotherhood.

According to the Islamic tradition, there are two festivals observed by Muslims every year – Eid-ul-Fitr just after Ramzan and Eid-ul-Zuha in the month of Haj.

Ramzan, the month of fasting, symbolizes a lot practices and beliefs of the community. It is not merely restraining oneself from having food but also to abstain from all kinds of evil and unlawful practices in Islam.

Muslims, just before the celebrations of Eid-ul-Fitr, keep a month long fast throughout the month of Ramzan. The practice of fasting is also known as ‘roza’ that starts from the break of dawn till dusk and during this whole day an individual has to refrain hinself from drinking, eating or having sexual intercourse. The term ‘roza’ us an Arabic word means abstinence. This year Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated on August 20 to mark the end of Ramzan, the Islamic holy month of fasting.

Many Muslims believe that fasting reminds a sense of responsibility within themselves.

The month long fasting ends with the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr that symbolizes a reward for their fasting.

Muslims on this day wear their best clothers and offer ‘namaz’ a congregational prayer at masjids or mosques. After offering their prayers they exchange good wishes of the festival with their neighbours and other people. They also donate alms to the poor on the auspicios occasion.

The celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr not only has religious essence but also carries a social connotation.

Like other festivals, Eid-ul-Fitr is also observed with great enthusiasm. Delicious food and drinks are an indispensable part of the festivity. People decoare their houses and prepare luscious traditional sweets and cuisines to celebrate the festival. The most common recipe in this festival is the delicious meethi seviyan (Sweet Vermicelli) prepared from various healthy and mouth-watering ingredients.

Moreover, ahead the festival, the markets are filled with fascinating items in the shopping list for Eid. Fancy and food items mostly dominate the festival and as the festival approaches excitement to celebrate gains momentum not only with Muslims but also with shopkeepers and traders doing a brisk business.

The celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr is no-doubt perks up the spirit inherent in all the festivity. The significance of this festival is also interpreted as a good time to bring people together in harmony and gratitude.

Ramadan Kareem

BHMF wishes all our brothers and sisters around the world a very happy Ramadan.

We pray that Allah tala allows this to be our best ever Ramadan for all of our brothers and sisters. May we all excel in our worship and may all our fasting, Quran reading, ziker, salah and charity be accepted by Allah tala. ameen, ameeen, ameen.

We ask Allah tala to remove the difficulties of our brothers and sisters around the world and spread guidance to all of humanity. Ameen, ameen, ameen.

What is Ramadan?

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is a time of fasting for the Islamic people. Each day during this month, Muslims all over the world abstain from eating, drinking, smoking, as well as participating in anything that is ill-natured or excessive; from dawn until the sun sets. Fasting is intended to educate the Muslim in spirituality, humility and patience. It is a time to cleanse the soul, focus attention on God, and put into practice selflessness. Ramadan is a time for Muslims to fast for the sake of God and to put forward more prayer than is customary.

Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of the Islam religion, and one of the main types of Islamic worship. Restraint from everyday enjoyment and curbing wicked intentions and cravings are considered as an act of compliance and obedience to God, as well as amends for sins, faults, and mistakes. Ramadan is also called Ramazan. During Ramadan, Muslims request forgiveness for sins in the past, pray for direction and assistance in abstaining from everyday troubles, and endeavor to cleanse themselves through self-control and great acts of faith.

In comparison to the solar calendar, the Ramadan dates differ, moving forward approximately ten days every year due to the fact that it is a moving holiday which is dependent on the moon. Ramadan was the month in which the initial verses of the Qur’an were said to be shown to Muhammad, the Islamic Prophet.

The name “Ramadan” had been the name of the ninth month in Arabian tradition prior to the onset of Islam; the word itself originated from an Arabic root “rmd”, in words like “ramida” or “ar-ramad” which means severe heat, burnt ground as well as shortness of provisions. Individuals say it is named Ramadan because it burns out the sins with good deeds, as the sun scorches the ground. In the Qu’ran, God declares that “fasting has been written down upon you, as it was upon those before you”. In accordance with the first hadith, this is in reference to the Jewish custom of fasting on Yom Kippur.

The lunar cycle determines the Islamic calendar, therefore the month of Ramadan, which is the ninth month commences with a mixture of the sighting of the new moon as well as astronomical calculations. The precise time of Ramadan will at times vary from place to place because some depend a great deal on moon sightings, while others rely on science. An Imam which is a Muslim holy man will make known the correct time of Ramadan right before it begins. The fasting phase finishes upon the sighting of the next new moon, which take place after 29 or 30 days.

Ramadan conveys an extraordinary sense of emotional enthusiasm and religious eagerness among Muslims of all ages. Even though fasting is compulsory for adults alone, children as young as eight readily watch fasting with their elders. Children look forward to the thrill of the moon sighting and eating unique meals with their relatives. Adults are grateful for the chance to double their rewards from God and ask for pardon for their past sins. Ramadan highlights Muslim brotherhood and customs and brings about a special feeling of closeness.

MCB – Muslims Make Joint Declaration to Fight Climate Change

The Islamic Climate Declaration released today calls on 1.6 billion Muslims to work towards phasing out fossil fuel use, as a religious duty to fight climate change. It also calls on all leaders and politicians to do their part for a better future for all.

In common with all the Abrahamic faiths, Islam considers mankind to be stewards of resources endowed by Allah. This implies responsible stewardship of these resources. In particular this leads to the avoidance of asraf (abuse) of God-given resources.

In this context Islamic investments and activities have to have a moral and ethical framework. This clearly lays the foundation of protection of the environment as a key requirement.

Given Islam’s emphasis on equality and justice the present order of predatory capture of global ecological capital would be challenged.

Although climate impacts in the UK dwarf those of countries on the front lines, greater heat wave related mortality, flood induced pauperisation and drought are realities for which we will all be preparing.

British Muslims can respond to climate change in a countless number of ways. We would urge caution over public relations-orientated work in this sector, as it is seldom sustainable and recommend genuine grass roots dialogue, creativity and negotiation. Citizens might be moved to become supporters of the community energy agenda and neighbourhood led climate safeguarding activity.

Dr Shuja Shafi, Secretary General of the MCB said, “We are encouraged by the Pope’s recent encyclical on climate justice and look forward to joining hands and hearts with our sisters and brothers in different faiths to explore each other’s ecological traditions and challenge the systems of  inequality that endanger humans and non-humans on our common home.

We are pleased that some of our key affiliates are playing a significant role to raise awareness and are in Istanbul to officially launch the Islamic Declaration on Climate Change.

The MCB believe it is our role as Muslims to be caretakers of the earth and we will be looking to play a supportive role in ensuring that all natural resources are protected and that our future generations continue this legacy”.

For further information please contact:
The Muslim Council of Britain
PO Box 57330
London
E1 2WJ
Tel: 0845 26 26 786
Fax: 0207 247 7079
media@mcb.org.uk

Eid Mubarak

eid-mubarak

Eid Mubarak to you all!

May the Guidence and Blessings of Allah be upon you and your family always and may He accept all your ibada (fasting, Qur’an reading, ziker, Salah, charity and all good deeds). Ameen.

The Eid prayers will inshAllah take place on Friday 17th July 2015 at:

  • Al-Medinah Mosque: 08:30 and 09:30
  • Shahjalal Muslim Cultural Centre: 08:30 and 09:30

Eid-ul-Fitr: Celebrations to mark the end of Ramzan

Eid, popularly known as Eid-ul-Fitr, is a festival observed by the Muslim community to celebrate the conclusion of the month of fasting.

Eid-ul-Fitr literally means ‘festival of breaking the fast’. Like other festivals observed by the Muslim community, this festival symbolizes faith. The festival is celebrated based on an Islamic belief by following the form of social practice.

Eid is celebrated on the first date of Shawwal, that is, the tenth month of the Hijra calendar. During the festival, Muslims exchange gifts, greeting their neighbours as a mark of solidarity and brotherhood.

According to the Islamic tradition, there are two festivals observed by Muslims every year – Eid-ul-Fitr just after Ramzan and Eid-ul-Zuha in the month of Haj.

Ramzan, the month of fasting, symbolizes a lot practices and beliefs of the community. It is not merely restraining oneself from having food but also to abstain from all kinds of evil and unlawful practices in Islam.

Muslims, just before the celebrations of Eid-ul-Fitr, keep a month long fast throughout the month of Ramzan. The practice of fasting is also known as ‘roza’ that starts from the break of dawn till dusk and during this whole day an individual has to refrain hinself from drinking, eating or having sexual intercourse. The term ‘roza’ us an Arabic word means abstinence. This year Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated on August 20 to mark the end of Ramzan, the Islamic holy month of fasting.

Many Muslims believe that fasting reminds a sense of responsibility within themselves.

The month long fasting ends with the festival of Eid-ul-Fitr that symbolizes a reward for their fasting.

Muslims on this day wear their best clothers and offer ‘namaz’ a congregational prayer at masjids or mosques. After offering their prayers they exchange good wishes of the festival with their neighbours and other people. They also donate alms to the poor on the auspicios occasion.

The celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr not only has religious essence but also carries a social connotation.

Like other festivals, Eid-ul-Fitr is also observed with great enthusiasm. Delicious food and drinks are an indispensable part of the festivity. People decoare their houses and prepare luscious traditional sweets and cuisines to celebrate the festival. The most common recipe in this festival is the delicious meethi seviyan (Sweet Vermicelli) prepared from various healthy and mouth-watering ingredients.

Moreover, ahead the festival, the markets are filled with fascinating items in the shopping list for Eid. Fancy and food items mostly dominate the festival and as the festival approaches excitement to celebrate gains momentum not only with Muslims but also with shopkeepers and traders doing a brisk business.

The celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr is no-doubt perks up the spirit inherent in all the festivity. The significance of this festival is also interpreted as a good time to bring people together in harmony and gratitude.

Introduction to Islam & the Muslim Culture Course

This course offers and excellent opportunity to ask any questions in a friendly & comfortable environment.

The course is specifically designed for Non-Muslim public, private and voluntary sector professionals who work with Muslims from diverse backgrounds, but is open to anyone who wishes to learn more about Islam & the Muslim culture.

Venue: The Camden Centre, Market Square, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 2SW
Date: Monday 9 March 2015 or Tuesday 10 March 2015
Time: 9:30am to 4:00pm

Please see attached documents for more details on the event and to download the booking form.

Introduction to Islam courseClick here to download
Introduction-to-Islam-course

Introduction to Islam course booking formClick here to download

Introduction-to-Islam-course-booking-form