Mass Gatherings: Health, Hajj and Olympic Games

Mass Gatherings: Health

Hajj and the Olympic Games

Dr. Mozammel Haque

In July, the city and communities of London will welcome the world for the Olympic Games. With millions of additional visitors expected in the capital, the event will prove to be an immense logistical challenge for the organisers, public services and the people of London. From transportation to accommodation, health and hospitality, London’s infrastructure will be put to the test.

Mass gatherings and health hazard

Mass gathering have been defined as groups of greater than 1,000 people; however most of the public literature reflects much larger events (25,000). A more inclusive definition is large number of people attending an event that is focused at specific sites for a finite time.”

Dr. Ziad Memish, Professor of King Faisal University, Riyadh, classified Mass gathering into two types: spontaneous and planned which is again divided into Recurrent Events: Different locations (e.g., Olympic, World Cup) and same location (e.g., Hajj, Wimbledon). No doubt, a mass gathering poses unique challenges for maintaining public health.

Hajj, the annual Muslim pilgrimage involving well over two million people required to follow a schedule of movements from one location to another within prescribed times, is perhaps the closes logistical comparison to London’s summer event. Each year the authorities are tasked with the responsibility of moving, catering and looking after millions of pilgrims at the same time, at the same place. There have been success stories, and there have been tragedies.

Before going into the management of the mass gathering during Hajj, let us see first the situation when millions of people will be in London during the Olympics.

Facts & Figures of Olympics

2012 Summer Olympic Games will take place in London, England, the United Kingdom for seventeen days, from 27 July to 12 August, 2012 in which 12,000 athletes, 29 sports, 302 gold medals will participate.

London will become the first city to officially host the modern Olympic Games three times, having previously done so in 1908 and 1948. Organisers estimate that some 8 million tickets would be available for the Olympic Games and 1.5 million tickets for the Paralympic Games. It is estimated that 80% of available Olympic tickets and 63% of Paralympic tickets will be sold. LOCOG aims to raise 375-400 million pounds in ticket sales.

There are criticisms from people in London that the Games will cause chaos, disrupt business and make life more difficult for many people. The organisers of London 2012 are creating 30 miles of Games Lanes for use by the “Olympic family”. The lanes apply to major routes that have two more carriageways and will be used by 4,000 BMWs and 1,500 coaches ferrying around Olympic VIPs, athletes, sponsors and the media. It has created anger about congestion and the preferential treatment of Olympic dignitaries and sponsors over ordinary Londoners. Anyone using the lane without authorisation will be fined heavily.

Facts & Figures of Hajj

Professor Ziad Memish briefly described Hajj, saying Hajj is once in a lifetime obligation. It brings pilgrims from 183 countries. It includes 2 million international pilgrims and one million domestic. Whereas, Umrah is a ‘mini pilgrimage’ which can be done any time of the year. The busiest month is Ramadan and the 3 months before Hajj. Close to 6 million pilgrims arrived from abroad last year for Umrah.

Comparison of Mass Gathering

between Hajj and Olympic

As it was mentioned, Olympic Games is a planned recurrent event at different location, whereas Hajj is also a planned recurrent event, but at the same location. Secondly, Olympic Games take place every four years in different location, whereas Hajj takes place in the same location every year. Thirdly, Olympic Games is sport, whereas Hajj is a religious obligation.

In spite of these differences, there is one common similarity, which is mass gathering and health issue. Let us first see. How the Saudi government planned, managed and running the Mass Gathering during Hajj. Recently, Professor Dr. Ziad Memish, Deputy Public Health Minister of Saudi Arabia, responsible for the Hajj, came to England and delivered a keynote address on “Health Protection during Mass Gatherings: The Hajj Experience” at the Symposium, entitled “Health, Hajj and the Olympics: How Mass Events Medicine Affect Communities” organised by Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine on 17 May, 2012.

How Saudi Arabia make Mass Gathering

preparedness during Hajj

Professor Memish said, when planning and running Mass Gatherings (MGs), we need to take into account: type of event, duration, size and location, and the effects of hot or cold weather. If the gatherings draw visitors from different nations, regions and cultures the potential for importing infectious disease becomes greater.

Mass Gathering constitutes a unique opportunity to study the public health issues in mobile populations. Speaking about the mass gathering preparedness, Professor Memish mentioned three areas, such as i) Risk assessment: What might happen? ii) Surveillance: How will we know when it happens? And iii) Response: What we will do when it happens?

Speaking about the Preventive Program Framework of Saudi Arabia, Professor. Memish mentioned the Supreme Hajj Committee (At Higher Level); Secondly, The Supervisory Committee for Preventive Medicine Program (At Ministry of Health Level) and Thirdly, The Executive Committee for Preventive Medicine Program (At Makkah Regional Level). The Supreme Hajj Committee consists of HRH Crown Prince and the Minister of Interior.

Professor Memish mentioned of the outbreaks of Meningitogoal Disease related to Hajj (1987-2003); there was large outbreaks in 1974 & 1987 (Serogroup A) and smaller outbreaks in 1992/1993 (mainly Serogroup A from non-Vaccinated); Serogroups W135 outbreak in 2000 and Serogroups W135 outbreak in 2001.

Professor Memish mentioned about “The Jeddah Declaration”, wherein it was resolved: Encouraging research and scientific institutions as well as research funding national and international universities and authorities to include MG health on their priority list; Holding a MG Health Conference periodically every two years and establish “Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Award for MG Health”

Professor Memish made some concluding remarks. He said, In view of the global public health threats that might originate from MGs, medicine relevant to MGs has become an essential, specialized, and interdisciplinary branch of PH. Agencies outside the realm of public health should be closely involved in MG medicine.

Dr. Memish also mentioned, in the operation and management of an MG, several sectors (e.g. health care, security and public communications) need to know how to interface with public health services and resources quickly and effectively. MGs pose complex challenges that require a broad expertise and a multidisciplinary collective approach.

Ziad Memish obtained his medical degree from the University of Ottawa in 1987. He is Fellow, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and the American College of Physicians. In November, 2007, he was awarded by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud “The King Abdulaziz Medal from the First Degree” – the highest award on a National level in Saudi Arabia for achievements in the field of infectious diseases and infection control.

Mass Gathering during Olympic Games

As mentioned earlier, this summer, an estimated 10,000 athletes and millions of visitors from all over the world will gather in London for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Such mass gatherings present special challenges for public health that need to be prepared for and managed.

8,000 inspirational people will carry the Olympic Flame as it journeys across the UK. The Olympic Flame will travel to 95 per cent of people in the UK, the Isle of Man, Guernsey and Jersey during the 70-day Torch Olympic Torch Relay. It is said that the Olympic Flame stands for peace, unity and friendship. It will be carried by 8,000 truly inspirational Torchbearers and will visit more than 1,000 communities over 70 days.

People are saying that there will be chaos in public transport. Earlier this year, the Network Rail chief executive Sir David Higgins warned that that “bad things will happen” to London’s transport system during the Olympics. The key thing is not to panic, he said. TfL says: “London’s transport network will, at certain times and in certain places, be very busy next summer. People planning to travel in London next summer are advised to visit getaheadofthegames.com to see what steps they can take to avoid transport hotspots and keep themselves, and London, moving."

What plan London has during Olympics

Some of the world’s leading experts in the health and medical issues around global mass gatherings and major sporting events gathered at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) to explore relevant issues and engage in a public panel discussion. This panel discussion, jointly organised by Chatham House, the Institute of Global Health Innovation at Imperial College London and LSHTM, held on 18th of May, 2012, examined progress over the past decade in health policies concerning mass gatherings, the development of medical sub-speciality of Mass Gatherings Medicine, and how international collaboration can increase resilience in future.

Participants included senior representatives of the UK Health Protection Agency London 2012, the World Health Organisation (WHO), and the Saudi Ministry of Health.

Dr. Brian McCloskey, London Regional Director and Olympics lead at the Health Protection Agency, UK, said: “In the lead up to the London Olympics we have liaised with public health experts from all over the world, to learn from their experiences with mass gatherings – including previous Olympic Games – in order to provide the best possible protection to the public and Games participants from threats to their health.

“Our risk assessments indicate that there is only a slight increased risk of infectious disease during the Olympics, such as diarrhoea and vomiting, and the reality is that serious outbreaks are relatively rare. Nevertheless, we have worked with public health experts from across the globe to put in place world class systems to monitor and respond rapidly to any outbreaks of infectious diseases or environmental hazards. This builds on existing tested, high quality capacity within the UK public health system.”

Professor David L. Heymann, Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at LSHTM and Head and Senior Research Fellow at the Centre on Global Health Security at Chatham House, said: “Global Mass Gatherings such as at London 2012 present specific challenges, and it is important that the public health risks are recognised and understood. Prevention is both a collective and a personal issue – collective by ensuring that water, sanitation and food are safe, and individual in knowing how to protect against infectious diseases that may be transported by persons who attend or participate in the games.

“Lessons from the Hajj, the world’s largest annual mass gathering, will be shared and have much to teach us about how best to prepare and respond. This is a global issue and it is vital that we collaborate on a global scale to minimise the risks to public health that mass gatherings can pose.”

Olympic Games during Ramadan

As the games fall during the month of Ramadan the occasion will also be a challenge for Muslims choosing to observe the fast – be they visitors or the communities in the UK. The MCB symposium also heard from volunteers and service providers ready to cater for fasting Muslims during the Olympics.

Dr. Muhammad Abdul Bari, former Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, mentioned, London won the Olympic Games bid in 2005 and France was the forerunner. London won the bid for its diversity, youthfulness and of course the legacy.

As a board member of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), Dr. Abdul Bari said, from the day one the faith communities, especially the Muslim community, realise that Olympic is happening during the month of Ramadan. “We tried to make sure that the facilities for prayers have been made. Different prayer places, dozens of mosques have been gearing up to massive Iftar gatherings; organised by London city all Muslim organisations.”

 

 

 

Read more and more the Qur'an in its month of revelation

Read more and more the Qur’an
In its month of revelation

Dr. Mozammel Haque

The Noble Qur’an was revealed in the month of Ramadan (Al-Qur’an, 97:1-3.). The Qur’an was sent down in the month of Ramadan on the Night of Power Lailatul Qadr. (Al-Qur’an, 91:1-3.). It is the month of Ramadan that Allah has honoured by revealing the Qur’an. Because of this strong relation between the Qur’an and the month of Ramadan, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to read the Qur’an to Archangel Jibreel every Ramadan. I think this is the right place to discuss the purpose and objective of the revelation of the Qur’an, its importance, the campaigns against it and the do’s and don’ts of the Qur’an.

First of all, Allah the Most High, created mankind and gave him the gift of expression. For the guidance of mankind Allah sent Prophets (peace be upon them all) to every single community. In the words of the Qur’an, "There has been no community to which God’s messengers have not come" and "Muslims should make no distinctions between them." So it is the duty of a Muslim to honour all the prophets equally.

The Qur’an represents the culmination of all other earlier Revealed Books. The Qur’an is the last of the Revealed Books. The Qur’an is the first religious book in the world, which requires the belief in other revelations, a part of its Faith. This Sacred Book was revealed to the last Messenger, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the month of Ramadan. Allah Himself said in the Qur’an: “Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur’an, as a guide to Mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong).” (2:185). Allah the Most High has especially mentioned the exact date and month of the revelation: “We have indeed revealed This (Message) in the Night of Power.” (97:1) So the purpose of the revelation of the Qur’an was for guidance of Mankind.

The Qur’an is emphatic in proclaiming that Islam is the religion of Jesus, Moses, Abraham and the Prophets Jesus and Moses were not Jews but Muslims. "Surely those who believe (in that which is revealed to Muhammad Peace be upon him) and those who are Jews, and the Christians, and the Sabaeans – whoever believes in Allah, and the Last Day and does good, surely their reward is with their Lord, and there is no fear for them nor shall they grieve." (2:62). "A Guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and judgement (between right and wrong)." This is the most important characteristic of the Qur’an, the Book that Allah has revealed in the month of Ramadan. It is guidance for mankind. It is clear proof, clear proof of guidance and of judgement.

Before the revelation of the Qur’an, it was preserved and guarded from corruption in the "Mother of the Book". Allah Himself said: "Nay this is a Glorious Qur’an (inscribed) in a Tablet Preserved" (85:21-22). When Allah wanted to give this Trust to someone, the Heavens, the Earth, and the Mountains, i.e. other creatures of Allah, besides man, refused to undertake this Trust or responsibility. They preferred to submit their will entirely to Allah’s Will, which is All-Wise and Perfect, and which would give them far more happiness than a faculty of choice, with their imperfect knowledge. Allah says in the Qur’an: "We did indeed offer the Trust to the Heavens and the Earth and the Mountains; but they refused to undertake it, being afraid thereof: but man undertook it: He was indeed unjust and foolish." (33-72).

So it is the human beings who took the responsibility of the Trust without realising its importance. This Sacred Book was revealed to the last Messenger Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in the month of Ramadan. The Qur’an is the revealed book of God which has been in existence for more than four hundred years and the Word of Allah is available in its original form. There has not been an iota of change in this unique historic record. Its originality and authenticity has been guaranteed by no other than Allah the Almighty who challenges in the Qur’an itself.

Allah said, "This Qur’an is not such as can be produced by other than Allah: on the contrary it is a confirmation of (revelation) that went before it, and a fuller explanation of the Book - wherein there is no doubt – from the Lord of the Worlds." (10:37). In another verse of the Qur’an Allah challenges, "Or do they say, "He forged it?" Say: "Bring then a Surah like unto it; and call (to your aid) anyone who can, beside Allah if it be you speak the truth!" (10:38). "Or they may say, "He forged it." Say, "Bring you then ten Suras forged, like unto it, and call (to your aid) whomsoever you can, other than Allah! – if you speak the truth!" (11:13).

Allah said in the Qur’an, "And if you are in doubt as to what We have revealed from time to time to Our servant then produce a Sura like thereunto, and call your witness and helpers (if there are any) besides Allah, if you are truthful." (2:23) Allah places many verses before you. Can you produce one like it?

The world is challenged to produce a Book like it and has not produced one. It is the only Revealed Book whose text stands pure and uncorrupted today. Allah said, "Say: "if the whole of mankind and jinns were to gather together to produce the like of this Qur’an, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they backed up each other with help and support." (17:88)

Since the revelation of the Qur’an, the enemies of Islam have been trying to distort it. Firstly, they said, it is not revelation, it is written by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Then they started attacking its authenticity and originality. In spite of their conspiracy, the Qur’an has been preserved in its original form.

The Qur’an is the only Book in the world which has remained for the past fourteen centuries pure without any interpolation or change and will remain so till the Last Day as Allah has guaranteed its purity. (15:9).

The purity, preservation and propagation of the Qur’an were maintained by two methods: memorization of Qur’an in Qur’anic schools and the recitation of the complete Qur’an in Ramadan. In the month of Ramadan every year the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) was asked by Archangel Jibreel to recite the whole of it twice. It was a Muzakira between the two. Abu Huraira reported that Jibreel used to repeat the recitation of the Qur’an with the Prophet once a year, but he repeated it twice with him in the year the Prophet (peace be upon him) passed away. The Qur’an was recited in the Taraweeh for the first time during the era of Caliph Omar.

So far as the memorization of the Qur’an in Qur’anic schools is concerned, many Huffaz and Islamic scholars have been killed in different parts of the world at different times. But still there is no dearth of Islamic scholars who can recite the complete Qur’an from memory. Severe campaigns have been launched against the Qur’anic schools, which teach the study, recitation and memorization of the Qur’an. The Qur’an is the main Book of the Muslims; it is the duty of the Muslims to learn Qur’an, which contains their code of life and ethical values whose benefits have been experienced by mankind throughout the ages.

I have already mentioned the objective and importance of the Qur’an and how its originality and purity have been maintained. Our Prophet (pbuh) and his Companions dedicated their days and nights for worship. Their lives revolved completely around the Book of Allah, the Qur’an, reciting it in and out of Salah.

The Qur’an is the basis of the religion of Islam, and on the preservation and propagation of the Qur’an depends the very existence of this Faith. Hence the virtue of learning and teaching the Qur’an is self-evident and does not need further elucidation. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The best amongst you is he who learns the Qur’an and teaches it.” (Bukhari, Daud and Tirmidhi).

A great Islamic scholar wrote in his book entitled Toward Understanding of the Qur’an: “The present arrangement of the Qur'an is not the work of later generations, but was made by the Prophet under God's direction. Whenever a surah was revealed, the Prophet summoned his scribes, to whom he carefully dictated its contents, and instructed them where to place it in relation to the other surahs. The Prophet followed the same order of surahs and verses when reciting during ritual Prayer as on other occasions, and his Companions followed the same practice in memorizing the Qur'an. It is therefore a historical fact that the collection of the Qur'an came to an end on the very day that its revelation ceased. The One who was responsible for its revelation was also the One who fixed its arrangement. The one whose heart was the receptacle of the Qur'an was also respon¬sible for arranging its sequence. This was far too important and too delicate a matter for anyone else to dare to become involved in.”

“Not even the most skeptical person has any reason to doubt that the Qur'an as we know it today is identical with the Qur'an which Muhammad (peace be on him) set before the world; this is an unquestionable, objective, historical fact, and there is nothing in human history on which the evidence is so overwhelmingly strong and conclusive. To doubt the authenticity of the Qur'an is like doubting the existence of the Roman Empire, the Mughals of India, or Napoleon! To doubt historical facts like these is a sign of stark ignorance, not a mark of erudition and scholarships,” he added.

Ramadan Mubarak from Masjid al-Haram and Balad al-Ameen

Ramadan Mubarak from Masjid
al-Haram and Balad al-Ameen

Dr. Mozammel Haque

Makkah al-Mukarramah: Ramadan Mubarak and Ramadan Greetings from the Masjid al-Haram and the Balad al-Ameen to all of you, especially to all the readers of the Islamic Monitor blog: May this holy month bring barakah, and Allah's boundless mercy upon the believers and harmony and tolerance for the world. The Supreme Judicial Council of Saudi Arabia called on all Muslims in the Kingdom to sight the crescent of the lunar month of Ramadan on July 30 (Saturday) evening. But the lunar moon was not sighted at sunset Saturday evening. So the holy month of Ramadan begun on Monday, 1st of August, 2011.

I welcome Ramadan, the month of Mercy and Repentance, the month of the Qur’an, of laylatul qadr (the night of power) and of repentance and forgiveness. Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the Pillars of the Islamic faith. It was declared an obligatory duty (Fard) in the second year of the Hijrah upon each and every mukallaf (one capable of carrying out religious duties, i.e. a sane adult).

Allah the Almighty made Ramadan fasting compulsory for Muslims. Allah said, “O those who believe, the fasts have been enjoined upon you as were enjoined upon those before so that you be God-fearing.’ [Surah Baqarah, 183]. Literally, Sawm means ‘to abstain’. In the terminology of Islamic law, Sawm means ‘to abstain from eating, drinking and sexual intercourse: with the conditions that one abstains continuously from dawn to sunset, and that there is an intention to fast.’ Therefore, should one eat or drink anything even a minute before sunset, the fast will not be valid. Similarly, if one abstained from all these things throughout the day but made no intention to fast, there will be no fast here too.

Allah the Almighty said in the Qur’an “…And eat and drink, until the white thread of dawn appears to you distinct from its black thread…” (Al-Qur’an, 2:187) Literally defined, fasting means to abstain “completely” from foods, drinks, intimate intercourse and smoking, before the break of the dawn till sunset, during the entire month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic year.

Fasting in Islam is based on the lunar calendar and is tied to the sightings of hilal, the crescent, or new moon. Allah the Almighty stated: “They ask you concerning the new moons. Say: They are but signs to mark fixed periods of time… (Al-Qur’an, 2:189). And the Traditions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Eat until you see the crescent and break not until you see the crescent. If it is cloudy calculate the period of the month.” (Muslim and others).

Fasting in Ramadan is compulsory upon every Muslim, male or female, who has these qualifications, e.g. mentally and physically fit, adult full of age which is normally fourteen and fairly certain that fasting is unlikely to cause any harm, physical or mental, other than the normal reactions to hunger, thirst etc.

The said qualifications exclude the following categories: children under the age of puberty and discretion; men and women who are too old and feeble to undertake the obligation of fast and bear its hardships; sick people whose health is likely to be severely affected by the observance of fast; travellers may break the fast temporarily during their travel; pregnant women and women breast-feeding their children may also break their fast and women in the period of menstruation (of a maximum of ten days or of confinement (of a maximum of forty days. They must postpone the fast till recovery and then make up for it.

The holy month of Ramadan is the month of mercy, forgiveness, and seeking release from the Hell-fire. It is the month of repentance and acceptance of prayers. It is the month when the devils are chained, the gates of Hell are looked and the gates of Paradise are opened. That’s why; Muslims welcome Ramadan each year with energy and happiness, and are saddened only when the month departs. Fasting is for the living, not for mourning.

Ramadan is a month of worship. Muslims should welcome the month with repentance and seeking Allah’s pardon. We should keep away from committing sins; worship Allah sincerely and spending the night and day in prayer, supplication and recitation of the Holy Qur’an.

Fasting is a shield which helps prevent many sins and with which Muslim protects himself from Hell-fire. Fasting is more than abstaining from food and drink. It also means to abstain from any falsehood in speech and action, from any ignorant and indecent speech, and from arguing and quarrelling. Therefore, fasting helps to develop good behaviour.

Fasting inculcates a sense of brotherhood and solidarity, as a Muslim feels and experiences what his needy and hungry brothers feel. This gives Muslim a new sense of togetherness and association.

Allah the Almighty said in the Qur’an: The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the criterion (between right and wrong). (Surah Al-Baqarah 2: 185) As Ramadan is the month of the Qur’an, every Muslim should prepare himself to welcome the blessed month of Ramadan by strengthening his relationship with the Qur’an. A Muslim is encouraged to complete one recitation of the Holy Qur’an during Ramadan.

We should engage more and more in the recitation of the Qur’an, in dhikr (remembrance of Allah), perform extra Salah (ritual prayers) at night and renew identity with one another in our obedience to Allah.

Ramadan is called the month of charity and sympathy; a month of giving in charity and sharing meals to break the fast together. Many Muslims also pay Zakah in the month of Ramadan.

Ramadan is an excellent opportunity to bring about permanent improvement into our lives. We can do this by making a goal to remove a harmful trait from our character or speech, whether it be argumentation, backbiting, making false promises, or resentment against a fellow Muslim, or a sinful matter from our lives. Insha’Allah by the baraka of this month, this effort will result in change that will benefit us in this world and the next.

I would again like to take this opportunity to wish all of you a blessed Ramadan. May this blessed month bring unadulterated peace to everyone in the world. May Allah make this Ramadan a month of increasing nearness to Him, and May He accept all of our fasts and worship. Ameen.

Thus Ramadan becomes a blessed month of physical, moral and spiritual renewal through fasting, charity and worship. This is the moral and spiritual gifts of Ramadan. “We can say that Ramadan gives us the great gift of Taqwa (Piety). Taqwa is the sum total of Islamic life. It is the highest of all virtues in the Islamic scheme of things. It means God-consciousness, piety, fear and awe of Allah and it signifies submission to Allah and total commitment to all that is good and rejection of all that is evil and bad,” said Dr. Muzzammil H. Siddiqi, former President of Islamic Society of North America (ISNA).

King Abdullah and Crown Prince
Greet Muslims on Ramadan
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and the Crown Prince Sultan, deputy Premier greeted Muslims in the Kingdom and the rest of the world on Sunday on the beginning of the blessed month of Ramadan. In a joint address read out by the Minister of Culture and Information Abdul Aziz Khoja, the King and the Crown prince said, “We pray to Almighty Allah to make the advent of this month an opportunity for the Muslim Ummah to learn more, to strive to reject disunity and to achieve the ideals of brotherhood. That is when the strong stands by the weak, the wealthy supports the needy and the oppressed forgives the oppressor. Thus, they will build a tolerant society where people coexist peacefully preserving the rights and respecting the rights of others.”

British Foreign Secretary sent
very best wishes to Muslims
The British Foreign Secretary, William Hague, M.P. sent his “very best wishes to Muslim communities in Britain and across the world”. In his Ramadan Message, Mr. Hague said, “Ramadan is a time of intense devotion and reflection. Its importance is emphasised in prayer and as a time when families and friends gather to remember those less fortunate. Its values remind us of the principles that we hold in common – tolerance, justice, progress and the dignity of all human beings. The key messages of selflessness, charity, and compassion are values that unite Muslims and non Muslims alike.”

Imams lead Taraweeh Prayer at Grand Mosque
Imam of Taraweeh prayers at the Grand Mosque of Makkah was announced. Sheikh Abdullah Bin Awwad Al-Juhani will lead the first 10 rak’as of Taraweeh and Witr prayers, while Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais will lead the last 10 rak’as at the Grand Mosque, it was announced Saturday.

Dr. Saud Al-Shuraim and Sheikh Maher Bin Hamad Al-Muaiqli will lead the prayers in even nights during the last ten days of the holy month. During this period Al-Juhani and Al-Muaiqli will lead the Taraweeh prayers and Al-Shuraim and Al-Sudais will lead the Tahajjud (voluntary night) prayers.

On the night of the Khatm (completion or conclusion) of the Qur’an, the congregation will be led by Sheikh Al-Sudais. Ramadan Friday sermons will be delivered by Sheikh Saleh Bin Muhammad Aal Taleb, Dr. Osama Bin Abdullah Khayyat, Dr. Saleh Bin Abdullah Bin Humaid, and Dr. Saud Bin Ibrahim Al-Shuraim, respectively.

King Abdullah: Double efforts in
serving Umrah pilgrims
King Abdullah has directed all agencies to spare no effort in providing quality services for Umrah pilgrims and visitors to the two Holy Mosques. The Grand Mosque is already full of worshippers and Umrah pilgrims. Over 4.5 million Umrah visas have been issued to this year’s Ramadan. Authorities have devised elaborate plans to provide all comfort to visitors to the holy city. The General Presidency of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has a special Ramadan plan in place to ensure millions of worshippers and Umrah pilgrims can perform their rituals in ease and comfort.

Hand out Ramadan meals
Close to 500 new officials including supervisors are appointed to ensure the hand out the free Ramadan meals at the courtyards of the Grand Mosque.

Makkah Health Plan for Ramadan Pilgrims
The General Health Directorate in Makkah has worked out an integrated plan to provide comprehensive health services to the Umrah pilgrims and visitors to the Grand Mosque. There will be 36 health and first aid centres at the Grand Mosque for Umrah pilgrims and visitors this Ramadan said Dr. Khaled Obaid Zafar, Director General of Health affairs in Makkah region. The centres are Ajyad Al-Sufli Gate, Ajyad Al-Alwi Gate, Gate 94, Gate 64 and Nadwa Gate. The directorate plans to operate three new first aid centres at the Grand Mosque plazas in addition to 29 permanent first aid centres, the official said.

There are 29 permanent primary healthcare centres in Makkah. All Makkah hospitals have been prepared to work at full capacity in Ramadan.

120 units of blood donated for pilgrims
Pilgrims who come for Hajj and Umrah sometimes face tough challenges. King Fahd Medical City (KFMC) organised Blood donation campaign in view of the forthcoming month of Ramadan to alleviate some of the problems by donating blood for pilgrims coming to Saudi Arabia on Umrah. About 150 people participated and donated 120 units (50 litres) of blood that would be delivered to blood banks in Makkah and Madinah.

Improved Zamzam water coolers
The Holy Mosques General Presidency has launched new improved Zamzam water coolers in the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque during Ramadan. The new coolers are easy to move and distribute, can maintain the water temperature, and are made of materials resistant to bacteria. It will guarantee a high-level of cleanliness and preserve the purity of water. They can be sealed so that only workers can open them for filling or washing, it is reported.

Prophet’s Mosque ready to welcome worshippers
The Presidency of the Affairs of the Prophet’s Mosque has initiated a new operational plan to enable worshippers and visitors to perform their prayers at ease and comfort during the Holy Month of Ramadan.

The plan includes an increase in the number of female inspectors, preachers conducting religious sessions and cleaning personnel, as well as an expansion of facilities and services provided to those who visit the Prophet’s Mosque, it is reported. The presidency has hired 1,000 seasonal female inspectors to help its staff deal with the growing number of female worshippers and visitors, which it is thought will reach more than three million, he said. More preachers have also been engaged to hold religious teaching sessions to meet the demand of worshippers who seek to increase their understanding of Islamic issues.

Eid Mubarak to all of you from Masjid al-Haram Makkah

Happy Eid Mubarak from the
Masjid al-Haram in the Balad al-Ameen

Dr. Mozammel Haque

I, on behalf of the Islamic Cultural Centre, London, wish all of you a happy Eid Mubarak from the Masjid-al-Haram in the Balad al-Ameen.

The Saudi Royal Court announced on Thursday, the 9th of September quoting the Supreme Court that the Eid Al-Fitr would be celebrated in the country on Friday, the 10th of September, 2010 after completing 30 days of Ramadan. It said no one sighted the new Shawwal Crescent on Wednesday evening. Thus, the joyous Islamic festival Eid-ul-Fitre comes at the end of the month of Ramadan and it came this year 2010 on Friday, the 10th of September, throughout most of the countries. Muslim brothers and sisters are enjoying and celebrating their Eid on the same day in Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom and other places.

It is very good news that the month of Ramadan is completed this year in 30 days. It’s my pleasure to extend my Eid Mubarak and good wishes to all my Muslim brothers and sisters all over the world on the occasion of the celebration of the Eid after the conclusion of fasting in the blessed month of Ramadan. I pray to Almighty Allah for all the benefits and the rewards. I am in the Haram and I would like to pray to Allah the Almighty for myself and for you all, May Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala accept our fasting, our prayers, our worship and all our good deeds done in the blessed month of Ramadan.

Eid Al-Fitr prayers were held on Friday morning at big mosques and vast grounds in Saudi Arabia. King Abdullah, senior princes and ministers including Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior Prince Naif joined Eid prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, along with nearly 2.5 million faithful.

On the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, have urged all Muslims to unite on the basis of the Qur’an and Sunnah.

In a joint Eid Al-Fitr message to the nation, read on Saudi radio and television by Culture and Information Minister Abdul Aziz Khoja, King Abdullah and Prince Sultan reminded those Muslims who are better-off to sympathize with and support their less fortunate brothers.

Eid Message from the British Prime Minister
The British Prime Minister, Mr. David Cameron, M.P. send his warmest best wishes to celebrate the end of the Holy month of Ramadan and the start of Eid-ul-Fitr. In his message, he said, “As families, friends and communities come together around the United Kingdom to celebrate the end of the Holy month of Ramadan and the start of Eid- ul-Fitr I want to send you all my warmest best wishes.”

“Eid is a special time, a time for celebration but also a time for contemplation,” said British Prime Minister and added, “The terrible scenes of devastation in Pakistan have shocked us all. I am hugely impressed by how we in the UK have responded to this tragedy, with communities up and down the country coming together to mobilise support.”

Mr. Cameron also said, “As Eid begins we should enjoy this very special time but our thoughts will of course turn to those less fortunate. Eid Mubarak.”

Eid ul Fitr Message from the British Foreign Secretary
On the occasion of the Eid-ul-Fitr, the British Foreign Secretary, Mr. William Hague, M.P. issued Eid-ul-Fitr message on 08 September, 2010, saying, “I’m delighted to send my very best wishes to you and your families in Britain and around the world as you celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr and the end of the holy month of Ramadan.”

Mr. Hague also said, “At this time of celebration but also of remembrance we, of course, must have first in our minds the so many people in Pakistan and India whose homes and livelihoods have been stricken by the terrible floods who, of course, we’re trying to help in every way that we can.”

He concluded his Eid message by saying: “And so I say to Muslims all over the world that I hope you have a happy, peaceful and prosperous Eid. Eid Mubarak.”

British Communities Secretary wishes all Muslims “Eid Mubarak”
The British Communities Secretary Mr. Eric Pickles has sent out a message on 9th September, 2010 to all Muslims in the UK as the holy month of Ramadan comes to an end.

Mr Pickles said: “The message of compassion, giving and justice is strong in the Islamic faith. And this period of Ramadan and Eid, in particular, inspires Muslims to focus more on others than themselves and think about those who are less fortunate.

“I wish to join you in celebrating the Eid al Fitr festival after a long, hard month of fasting during Ramadan.

“The principles and actions demonstrated during this time - of empathy, generosity and concern for the welfare of others - can be an inspiration to everyone, irrespective of faith.

Mr. Pickles also mentioned, “I, and my fellow ministers in Government, recognise and commend the huge contributions Muslims have made and continue to make to enrich British society.

“From now, everyone - Muslims and non-Muslims alike - will have a part to play in creating the Big Society, in which people come together, think about what they can offer others and start to mould their own communities and neighbourhoods.

Mr Pickles concluded by saying,“Eid is a time for family and friends; and for prayer, contemplation and reflection. As British Muslim communities across the United Kingdom enjoy their Eid celebrations, may I take this opportunity to wish you a peaceful and blessed Eid. Eid Mubarak!”

Eid Message from The Custodian of Two
Holy Mosques King Abdullah
Eid Al-Fitr prayers were held on Friday morning at big mosques and vast grounds. King Abdullah, senior princes and ministers including Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior Prince Naif joined Eid prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, along with nearly 2.5 million faithful.

From Saudi Arabia, the King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, who prayed along with millions of Muslims at the Masjid al-Haram also issued Eid Message for the Muslims throughout the world on this auspicious occasion.

Close ranks to preserve unity, King Abdullah
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, on Thursday urged Muslims all over the world to stand united on the basis of the Qur’an and Sunnah.

In a joint Eid Al-Fitr message to the nation that was read on Saudi radio and television by Culture and Information Minister Abdul Aziz Khoja, King Abdullah and Prince Sultan also called upon rich Muslims to support and sympathize with their less fortunate brethren.

“We are now bidding farewell to the blessed month of Ramadan after the Almighty honoured us to fast and pray during the month. We hope we were successful in making use of the blessed days and nights to establish closer relations with God,” the message said.

King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan emphasized the importance of the fasting month of Ramadan. “This annual occasion offers Muslims a great opportunity for retrospection and self evaluation and strengthening their mental capabilities to engage in righteous activities.”

The King and the Crown Prince said: “The Eid days and its celebrations come for Muslims to support and sympathize with one another. The rich among them sympathizing with the poor and the big showing kindness toward the small enables all to love one another with clean hearts and peaceful minds.

King Abdullah and Prince Sultan expressed their hope that God would unify Muslim ranks who follow the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah. “May Allah unite Muslims on goodness, improve their condition and make them victorious over their enemies,” the message said.

Meanwhile, Prince Naif extended Eid greetings to the families of security officers who fell martyr while fighting terrorists and defending the Kingdom.

As soon as the authorities declared after the Maghreb prayer on Thursday evening that the Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated on Friday, the 10th of September, I met some of the foreign dignitaries with whom I have been performing fasting, prayers, Iftars, Taraweeeh and Qiyam al-Lail behind the Imam at the Masjid al-Haram for the month of Ramadan, particularly the last ten days, I enquired about their Eid Message for the Muslim brothers and sisters throughout the world.

Eid Message from Senator Muniruddin Adekunle Muse of Nigeria
I interviewed Senator Muniruddin Adekunle Muse from the Lagos State of Nigeria, who is a Member of the Upper House of the National Assembly of Nigeria, about his Eid Message. He said: “We are in Makkah right now and the purpose of coming here is to perform the Umrah. And Umrah, as everybody knows as a Muslim, is a kind of purification. So we are here on the call of Allah and pray to Allah for peace and to enable Islam to continue to grow. I appeal to all the Muslims to be patient about what is going on against us in the world. I wish that everybody, all Muslims, should continue to pray fervently to Allah to enable us and Islam to grow from strength to strength.”

Eid Message from former Governor of Sokoto state of Nigeria
I also interviewed former Governor of the Sokoto State of Nigeria, Attahiru Bafarawa, who said, “My message to the Muslim community of the world is: I want to congratulate them for the Eid and want to advise them to unite and to bring peace to the world. As a Muslim let us show good example and show the difference and the other way the religious people can make. Our Islam is for peace and therefore acts together and looks for peace collectively to put this world forward.”

Mr. Attahiru Bafarawa, the former Governor of the Sokoto State of Nigeria, it is learnt, has bright prospects to be, Insha Allah, the next President of Nigeria.

Former commissioner of works of the Lagos State of Nigeria
Former commissioner of works of the Lagos State of Nigeria, Abdur Rauf Aregbesola, who will be contesting as Governor of Osun State of Nigeria in the coming elections in April 2011, sent Eid messages to the Muslims throughout the world. He said: “It’s my pleasure to extend my Eid felicitations and good wishes to all our Muslim brothers and sisters all over the world on the conclusion of fasting of the month of Ramadan and as we are looking forward for the celebration of the Eid. I pray that the Almighty Allah will give us all the benefits and rewards of the month and the prayers exercised. I am in the Haram with Dr. Mozammel Haque and we, Muslims, here of the belief that the desires of the Muslims for peace, the desire of the Muslims to that we banish poverty, misery, hunger and demonisation we try for us Muslim in collaboration with all the Muslims.”

Mr. Abdur Rauf Aregbesola, Mechanical Engineer by profession, was in the government of Nigeria as a functionary of state for the Lagos State of Nigeria for a period of eight years with the involvement of social development of people resources. Today he is planning to lead another State, Osun State, as a governor and supplicating Allah to support winning enjoying all the Muslims and all the good people of the world to join him in the prayer for the salvation of humanity.

Welcome Ramadan Mubarak and Ramadan Greetings for all of you

Welcome Ramadan Mubarak and
Ramadan Greetings to all of you

Dr. Mozammel Haque

It is very happy and good news that most communities and schools of thoughts of the United Kingdom have decided to start Ramadan from the same day, Wednesday, the 11th of August 2010 like their brothers and sisters in other parts of the world. Alhamdo Lillah, the wish of the Imam and Khateeb of the Masjid Al-Haram Sheikh Abdul Rahman al-Sudais expressed in his meeting with Muslim leaders at the Regents Park London Central Mosque and the Islamic Cultural Centre has been accepted and fulfilled. Of course, in Canada, the first fasting will be on Thursday 12 August 2010, Insha-Allah.

I am sending my Ramadan greetings and prayer to all of you. May this holy month brings barakah, and Allah's boundless mercy upon the believers and harmony and tolerance for the world. Saudi Arabia also started Ramadan on the same day, Wednesday, the 11th of August 2010.

I welcome Ramadan, the month of Mercy and Repentance, the month of the Qur’an, of laylatul qadr (the night of power) and of repentance and forgiveness. Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the Pillars of the Islamic faith. It was declared an obligatory duty (Fard) in the second year of the Hijrah upon each and every mukallaf (one capable of carrying out religious duties, i.e. a sane adult).

Allah the Almighty made Ramadan fasting compulsory for Muslims. Allah said, “O those who believe, the fasts have been enjoined upon you as were enjoined upon those before so that you be God-fearing.’ [Surah Baqarah, 183]. Literally, Sawm means ‘to abstain’. In the terminology of Islamic law, Sawm means ‘to abstain from eating, drinking and sexual intercourse: with the conditions that one abstains continuously from dawn to sunset, and that there is an intention to fast.’ Therefore, should one eat or drink anything even a minute before sunset, the fast will not be valid. Similarly, if one abstained from all these things throughout the day but made no intention to fast, there will be no fast here too.

Allah the Almighty said in the Qur’an “…And eat and drink, until the white thread of dawn appears to you distinct from its black thread…” (Al-Qur’an, 2:187) Literally defined, fasting means to abstain “completely” from foods, drinks, intimate intercourse and smoking, before the break of the dawn till sunset, during the entire month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic year.

Fasting in Islam is based on the lunar calendar and is tied to the sightings of hilal, the crescent, or new moon. Allah the Almighty stated: “They ask you concerning the new moons. Say: They are but signs to mark fixed periods of time… (Al-Qur’an, 2:189). And the Traditions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Eat until you see the crescent and break not until you see the crescent. If it is cloudy calculate the period of the month.” (Muslim and others).

Fasting in Ramadan is compulsory upon every Muslim, male or female, who has these qualifications, e.g. mentally and physically fit, adult full of age which is normally fourteen and fairly certain that fasting is unlikely to cause any harm, physical or mental, other than the normal reactions to hunger, thirst etc.

The said qualifications exclude the following categories: children under the age of puberty and discretion; men and women who are too old and feeble to undertake the obligation of fast and bear its hardships; sick people whose health is likely to be severely affected by the observance of fast; travellers may break the fast temporarily during their travel; pregnant women and women breast-feeding their children may also break their fast and women in the period of menstruation (of a maximum of ten days or of confinement (of a maximum of forty days. They must postpone the fast till recovery and then make up for it.

The holy month of Ramadan is the month of mercy, forgiveness, and seeking release from the Hell-fire. It is the month of repentance and acceptance of prayers. It is the month when the devils are chained, the gates of Hell are looked and the gates of Paradise are opened. That’s why; Muslims welcome Ramadan each year with energy and happiness, and are saddened only when the month departs. Fasting is for the living, not for mourning.

Ramadan is a month of worship. Muslims should welcome the month with repentance and seeking Allah’s pardon. We should keep away from committing sins; worship Allah sincerely and spending the night and day in prayer, supplication and recitation of the Holy Qur’an.

Fasting is a shield which helps prevent many sins and with which Muslim protects himself from Hell-fire. Fasting is more than abstaining from food and drink. It also means to abstain from any falsehood in speech and action, from any ignorant and indecent speech, and from arguing and quarrelling. Therefore, fasting helps to develop good behaviour.

Fasting inculcates a sense of brotherhood and solidarity, as a Muslim feels and experiences what his needy and hungry brothers feel. This gives Muslim a new sense of togetherness and association.

Allah the Almighty said in the Qur’an: The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the criterion (between right and wrong). (Surah Al-Baqarah 2: 185) As Ramadan is the month of the Qur’an, every Muslim should prepare himself to welcome the blessed month of Ramadan by strengthening his relationship with the Qur’an. A Muslim is encouraged to complete one recitation of the Holy Qur’an during Ramadan.

We should engage more and more in the recitation of the Qur’an, in dhikr (remembrance of Allah), perform extra Salah (ritual prayers) at night and renew identity with one another in our obedience to Allah.

Ramadan is called the month of charity and sympathy; a month of giving in charity and sharing meals to break the fast together. Many Muslims also pay Zakah in the month of Ramadan.

Ramadan is an excellent opportunity to bring about permanent improvement into our lives. We can do this by making a goal to remove a harmful trait from our character or speech, whether it be argumentation, backbiting, making false promises, or resentment against a fellow Muslim, or a sinful matter from our lives. Insha’Allah by the baraka of this month, this effort will result in change that will benefit us in this world and the next.

I would again like to take this opportunity to wish all of you a blessed Ramadan. May this blessed month bring unadulterated peace to everyone in the world. May Allah make this Ramadan a month of increasing nearness to Him, and May He accept all of our fasts and worship. Ameen.

Thus Ramadan becomes a blessed month of physical, moral and spiritual renewal through fasting, charity and worship. This is the moral and spiritual gifts of Ramadan. “We can say that Ramadan gives us the great gift of Taqwa (Piety). Taqwa is the sum total of Islamic life. It is the highest of all virtues in the Islamic scheme of things. It means God-consciousness, piety, fear and awe of Allah and it signifies submission to Allah and total commitment to all that is good and rejection of all that is evil and bad,” said Dr. Muzzammil H. Siddiqi, former President of Islamic Society of North America (ISNA).

Message from British Foreign Secretary
British Foreign Secretary, William Hague, MP, also sent his “good wishes to Muslims across the world for the holy month of Ramadan” in his Ramadan Message to the British Muslim Community. Hague said, “This is a very important time in the calendar. It’s a time of fasting, of prayer, of introspection, of the gathering of families and I’m very conscious as a British politician of the huge contribution that so many Muslims in Britain make across the whole breadth of our society and that is something of course that we want to see even more of in the future.”
“So it’s a very, very important time of year celebrating what Ramadan is about, important values of selflessness, of charity, of compassion, of looking after people less fortunate than ourselves. And these are values of course that unite Muslims and non Muslims alike. So at this special time of year I say to you, your friends and your relatives, Ramadan Mubarak,” Hague said in his Ramadan Message.

Message from the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques
Imbibe the True Spirit of Islam
King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, urged Muslims around the world on Tuesday to compete with one another in righteous deeds and work to alleviate the pain and suffering of the poor and needy, inspired by the spirit of the holy month of Ramadan.

“This blessed month has taught us many lessons. We have to contemplate them to learn how people should be compassionate to their fellow beings, how the rich feel the suffering of the poor, and how Muslims compete with one another to win the pleasure of God,” the king said in his Ramadan message.

In their message, the king and crown prince called upon Muslims to participate actively in the creation of a human civilization. In this respect, the message referred to Saudi Arabia’s efforts to promote dialogue with followers of other religious faiths and cultures.

“Our interfaith dialogue initiative was aimed at building a civilized world bringing people closer in order to work for establishing peace and justice and enhancing the welfare of the whole humanity,” said the message that was read out on Saudi Television by Culture and Information Minister Abdul Aziz Khoja.

They also emphasized the role of Ramadan in deepening the qualities of kindness, forgiveness, mercy and showing sympathy to those who are less well off. “It revitalizes the high values that our religion has taught us,” the message said. “It’s a month when the doors of the Heaven will be kept open and of Hell remain locked.”

“Islam is a religion of love, compassion and tolerance, and that its message has been revealed as a mercy for the entire mankind. It is a way of guidance and welfare and it is a method that advocates dialogue and coherence. It also calls for effective participation to build mankind’s civilization,” the address said.

“From this standpoint, the Kingdom, on which Almighty Allah bestowed the honour of the service of the Two Holy Mosques, has a duty and responsibility to defend and protect this religion, serve Muslims’ interests and renew and revive their dialogue with the world’s cultures, societies and others’ religions with the objective of building a civilized and coherent world that finds its roots in the principles of peace and justice,” the address concluded.

Seek the Greatest Night of the Year

The Last 10 days and nights of Ramadan
Seek the Greatest Night of the Year

Dr. Mozammel Haque

I still remember my childhood when an old man of 70 years, Abdul Jabbar, used to come from the district of Faridpur (now in Bangladesh) took the silent alleys of our village in the night, chanting and calling, to wake up Muslims for the last meal before another day of Ramadan fasting begins. Abdul Jabbar reminds one of a character from the book The Thousands and One Nights. He is a strange person who comes out from the depth of the night to disturb the quietness by a shrill cry calling, Suhuoor…Suhoor.

Now that person is replaced in a big city like London by Muslim Community Radio (MCR) – Ramadan Radio – in East London, Kismat Radio and Islam TV Channel calling Muslims to wake up for their breakfast. In Ramadan, all Muslims should eat before starting to fast.

I'tikaf
The Month of Mercy came and is passing away very fast. The last 10 days and nights have already started. Muslims started coming to the mosque for Itikaf. Itikaf means seclusion and staying in the Mosque with the intention of becoming closer to Allah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) would perform Itikaf for last 10 days every Ramadan. In the year that he died, he performed it for twenty days. (Related by Al-Bukhari, Abu Dawud, and Ibn-Majah). The next Friday will be the Jumatul-Widah, the last Friday of the Blessed Month of Ramadan.

As the month of blessings and mercy is coming to the end, similarly the recitation of the complete Qur’an is also coming to the Khatam which would be on the 27th night of Ramadan. The last ten nights are very important nights. Ayesha (may Allah be pleased with her) said that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to exert himself in night prayer especially during the last 10 days of Ramadan.

Lailatul Qadr (The Night of Decree)
Lailatul-Qadr is the greatest night of the year like the Day of Arafah is the greatest day of the year. It is a night about which Allah revealed a full Surah, Suratul-Qadr (97:1-5) and the 3rd to the 6th verses of the Surat ad-Dukhan (44:3-6). Allah the Almighty said in the Qur’an, “Indeed We have revealed it (Qur’an) in the Night of Decree. And what will explain to you what the Night of Decree is? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. Therein descends the Angels and the Spirit (Jibreel) by Allah’s permission, on every errand: (they say) “Peace” (continuously) till the rise of morning!” (97:1-5). A person who misses Lailatul Qadr is really a deprived person!

Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The blessed month has come to you. Allah has made fasting during it obligatory upon you. During it the gates to Paradise are opened and the gates of Hellfire are locked, and the devils are chained. There is a night (during this month) which is better than a thousand months. Whoever is deprived of its good is really deprived (of something great). (Ahmad, an-Nisai and al-Bayhaqi).

Aishah said, “Allah’s Messenger used to practice Itikaf in the last ten nights and say: ‘Seek out Lailatul-Qadr in the (odd nights) of the last ten days of Ramadhan.” (Bukhari and Muslim).

Zakah
The word Zakat in Arabic means purification. The giving of Zakat (obligatory charity) is the third pillar of Islam. There are two types of Zakat: Zakat-ul-Fitr (charity of Eid-ul-Fitr, given to the poor before Eid prayer) and Zakat Al-Maal (purifying charity, paid on one’s wealth).

It is to be noted that Zakat-ul-Fitr was declared by the Prophet (peace be upon him) as a prerequisite for the acceptance of fasting. But when and whom to pay Zakat-ul-Fitr? First of all, who has to pay? Each and every Muslim, regardless of his social status, is required to give a certain amount of charity usually in the form of food grains, barley, raisin etc. called Zakat-ul-Fitr at the end of Ramadan and before the Eid-ul-Fitr so that every member of the Muslim community, especially the poor, have something to eat on the day of Eid. It is meant to cement the relationship between the members of the Muslim society, to alleviate the pain of the poor, to cultivate the sense of brotherhood and solidarity in the hearts of the Muslims, etc., said Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi.

Dr. Qaradawi also said, “If a person dies before Maghrib on the last day of Ramadan, Zakat-ul-Fitr would not be obligatory upon him even if he fasted all the other days of the month. Conversely, if a child is born after Maghrib on the last day of Ramadan, i.e. the first night of Shawwal, it would be obligatory to pay Zakat: Zakat-ul-Fitr on his or her behalf. This view is unanimously agreed upon by Muslim scholars.” The head of the household must pay for every member of the family, even for the newborn. The Muslim is supposed to pay Zakat-ul-Fitr (i.e., Zakah of breaking the fast) in the country where he or she spends the first night of the month of Shawwal. The amount of Zakat-ul-Fitr for this year, as declared by the Islamic Cultural Centre, is four pounds per person.

So far as the Zakat-ul-Maal is concerned, it is also obligatory for a Muslim, who possesses the minimum wealth on which Zakat is applicable, to give out Zakat. In his Friday sermon at the Grand Mosque in Makkah al-Mukarramah, Imam and Khateeb Sheikh Dr. Saleh Bin Mohammad Aal-Talib, urged Muslims to be God-Conscious and give charity to the poor and the needy. He said Zakat removes miserliness and cleans the heart from cruelty.

Allah has stressed on payment of Zakat, which appears in the Holy Qur’an more than 30 times. There are many verses of the Holy Qur’an and sayings of the Prophet (peace be upon him) that urge Muslim to give charity for the sake of Allah. Sheikh Aal-Talib said charity is an act that attracts Allah’s mercy. He said giving charity secretly extinguishes God’s anger and it is a blessing for the person’s wealth. A person who does not give in charity will be punished by removal of the blessing (barakah) from his wealth.
Zakat-ul-Fitr is associated with the Eid and is meant to create happiness in such a way that includes the poor and the needy. That is why the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Make them (i.e., the poor) rich on this day (i.e. the day of Eid)”.

Charity in Ramadan
Ramadan is also the month of charity. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “...Whoever draws nearer (to Allah) by performing any of the (optional) good deeds in (this month), shall receive the same reward as performing an obligatory deed at any other time; and whoever performs an obligatory deed in (this month), shall receive the reward of performing seventy obligations at any other time. It is the month of patience, and the reward of patience is Paradise. It is the month of charity, and a month in which a believer’s sustenance is increased. Whoever gives food to a fasting person to break his fast shall have his sins forgiven, and he will be saved from the Hell-Fire, and he shall have the same reward as the fasting person, without his reward being diminished at all.” (Reported by Ibn Khuzaymah)

Spend more time with the Qur’an. Read the Qur’an every day. Try to finish at least one time the whole Qur’an during this month by your own personal reading. Pray on time and observe all the prayers. Do not ignore the Tarawih. Make more extra and voluntary prayers. Do as much worship as you can. Do more dhikr (remembering Allah) and du’a (supplication) for yourself and for others. Repent and seek forgiveness for yourself and for others as much as you can. This is the best time for devotion and seeking Allah’s forgiveness. Seek the Night of Qadr by special devotion during the last 10 nights of this month.

The month of blessing and forgiveness is passing away very quickly. Do not miss the remaining last ten days and nights. Let us clear our sins. Let us seek the Night of Qadr.

Ramadan - The Month of the Qur'an

Ramadan: The Month of the Qur’an

Dr. Mozammel Haque

The Noble Qur’an was revealed in the month of Ramadan (Al-Qur’an, 97:1-3.). The Qur’an was sent down in the month of Ramadan on the Night of Power Lailatul Qadr. (Al-Qur’an, 91:1-3.). It is the month of Ramadan that Allah has honoured by revealing the Qur’an. Because of this strong relation between the Qur’an and the month of Ramadan, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to read the Qur’an to Archangel Jibreel every Ramadan. I think this is the right place to discuss the purpose and objective of the revelation of the Qur’an, its importance, the campaigns against it and the do’s and don’ts of the Qur’an.

First of all, Allah the Most High, created mankind and gave him the gift of expression. For the guidance of mankind Allah sent Prophets to every single community. In the words of the Qur’an, "There has been no community to which God’s messengers have not come" and "Muslims should make no distinctions between them." So it is the duty of a Muslim to honour all the prophets equally.

The Qur’an represents the culmination of all other earlier Revealed Books. The Qur’an is the last of the Revealed Books. The Qur’an is the first religious book in the world, which requires the belief in other revelations, a part of its Faith. This Sacred Book was revealed to the last Messenger, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the month of Ramadan. Allah Himself said in the Qur’an: “Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur’an, as a guide to Mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong).” (2:185). Allah the Most High has especially mentioned the exact date and month of the revelation: “We have indeed revealed This (Message) in the Night of Power.” (97:1) So the purpose of the revelation of the Qur’an was for guidance of Mankind.

The Qur’an is emphatic in proclaiming that Islam is the religion of Jesus, Moses, Abraham and the Prophets Jesus and Moses were not Jews but Muslims. "Surely those who believe (in that which is revealed to Muhammad Peace be upon him) and those who are Jews, and the Christians, and the Sabaeans – whoever believes in Allah, and the Last Day and does good, surely their reward is with their Lord, and there is no fear for them nor shall they grieve." (2:62). "A Guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and judgement (between right and wrong)." This is the most important characteristic of the Qur’an, the Book that Allah has revealed in the month of Ramadan. It is guidance for mankind. It is clear proof, clear proof of guidance and of judgement.

Before the revelation of the Qur’an, it was preserved and guarded from corruption in the "Mother of the Book". Allah Himself said: "Nay this is a Glorious Qur’an (inscribed) in a Tablet Preserved" (85:21-22). When Allah wanted to give this Trust to someone, the Heavens, the Earth, and the Mountains, i.e. other creatures of Allah, besides man, refused to undertake this Trust or responsibility. They preferred to submit their will entirely to Allah’s Will, which is All-Wise and Perfect, and which would give them far more happiness than a faculty of choice, with their imperfect knowledge. Allah says in the Qur’an: "We did indeed offer the Trust to the Heavens and the Earth and the Mountains; but they refused to undertake it, being afraid thereof: but man undertook it: He was indeed unjust and foolish." (33-72).

So it is the human beings who took the responsibility of the Trust without realising its importance. This Sacred Book was revealed to the last Messenger Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in the month of Ramadan. The Qur’an is the revealed book of God which has been in existence for more than four hundred years and the Word of Allah is available in its original form. There has not been an iota of change in this unique historic record. Its originality and authenticity has been guaranteed by no other than Allah the Almighty who challenges in the Qur’an itself.

Allah said, "This Qur’an is not such as can be produced by other than Allah: on the contrary it is a confirmation of (revelation) that went before it, and a fuller explanation of the Book - wherein there is no doubt – from the Lord of the Worlds." (10:37). In another verse of the Qur’an Allah challenges, "Or do they say, "He forged it?" Say: "Bring then a Surah like unto it; and call (to your aid) anyone who can, beside Allah if it be you speak the truth!" (10:38). "Or they may say, "He forged it." Say, "Bring you then ten Suras forged, like unto it, and call (to your aid) whomsoever you can, other than Allah! – if you speak the truth!" (11:13).

Allah said in the Qur’an, "And if you are in doubt as to what We have revealed from time to time to Our servant then produce a Sura like thereunto, and call your witness and helpers (if there are any) besides Allah, if your are truthful." (2:23) Allah places many verses before you. Can you produce one like it?

The world is challenged to produce a Book like it and has not produced one. It is the only Revealed Book whose text stands pure and uncorrupted today. Allah said, "Say: "if the whole of mankind and jinns were to gather together to produce the like of this Qur’an, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they backed up each other with help and support." (17:88)

Since the revelation of the Qur’an, the enemies of Islam have been trying to distort it. Firstly, they said, it is not revelation, it is written by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Then they started attacking its authenticity and originality. In spite of their conspiracy, the Qur’an has been preserved in its original form.

The Qur’an is the only Book in the world which has remained for the past fourteen centuries pure without any interpolation or change and will remain so till the Last Day as Allah has guaranteed its purity. (15:9).

The purity, preservation and propagation of the Qur’an were maintained by two methods: memorization of Qur’an in Qur’anic schools and the recitation of the complete Qur’an in Ramadan. In the month of Ramadan every year the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) was asked by Archangel Jibreel to recite the whole of it twice. It was a Muzakira between the two. Abu Huraira reported that Jibreel used to repeat the recitation of the Qur’an with the Prophet once a year, but he repeated it twice with him in the year the Prophet (peace be upon him) died. The Qur’an was recited in the Taraweeh for the first time during the era of Caliph Omar.

So far as the memorization of the Qur’an in Qur’anic schools is concerned, many Huffaz and Islamic scholars have been killed in different parts of the world at different times. But still there is no dearth of Islamic scholars who can recite the complete Qur’an from memory. Severe campaigns have been launched against the Qur’anic schools, which teach the study, recitation and memorization of the Qur’an. The Qur’an is the main Book of the Muslims; it is the duty of the Muslims to learn Qur’an, which contains their code of life and ethical values whose benefits have been experienced by mankind throughout the ages.

I have already mentioned the objective and importance of the Qur’an and how its originality and purity have been maintained. Our Prophet (pbuh) and his Companions dedicated their days and nights for worship. Their lives revolved completely around the Book of Allah, the Qur’an, reciting it in and out of Salah.

The Qur’an is the basis of the religion of Islam, and on the preservation and propagation of the Qur’an depends the very existence of this Faith. Hence the virtue of learning and teaching the Qur’an is self-evident and does not need further elucidation. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The best amongst you is he who learns the Qur’an and teaches it.” (Bukhari, Daud and Tirmidhi).

Eid al-Fitr is a festival that we can all learn from -british Prime Minister Gordon Brown

Dr. Mozammel Haque .

LONDON: The British Muslim Community is celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr on Tuesday, the 30th of September 2008. On this auspicious occasion, the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, MP. has sent his Eid Message on 30 September 2008 to the British Muslims wishing them all best wishes. “I am aware that Eid al-Fitr is a special time of year for Muslim communities in the UK and all across the world. It marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan - the month of fasting for Muslims, which is also the month of charity, family, contemplation, and recitation of the Qur'an.”

“I know Eid al-Fitr is a joyous occasion but also a day of gratitude for the everyday blessings we enjoy in life. It brings together friends and families, and encourages Muslims to continue the teachings from the month of Ramadan throughout the rest of the year- particularly the lessons of giving, community and charity. These shared values are reflected in the generosity that British Muslims have shown over the years in helping those less fortunate than themselves across the world,” said the British Prime Minister.
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Gordon Brown, MP, also said, “At this special time for Muslim communities we can also reflect on the tremendous contribution of British Muslims to British life over many decades.”

British Prime Minister also said, “Eid al-Fitr is a festival that we can all learn from.” He sent his “Best wishes to you and your family. Eid Mubarak.”

Eid Message from the Muslim Council of Britain
The Muslim Council of Britain, the umbrella organisation of the British Muslims has issued also Eid Message on 29 September 2008. “All praises are due to Allah Almighty alone who has made it possible for us to fast and enjoy the fruits of another Blessed month of Ramadan. We praise and thank Him as we should. And we send our best greetings of peace upon our beloved Messenger, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), his family, companions and righteous followers,” the press release said.

The Secretary General of the Muslim Council Council of Britain (MCB), said, “Eid al-Fitr, a most joyous occasion on the Muslim calendar is with us once again, and I on behalf of the Muslim Council of Britain, take this opportunity to send my choicest greetings to all Muslims and humanity during this auspicious time.

“The day of Eid is rooted in the sacrifice and self-awareness cultivated in the month that has gone before, and our celebration marks a time when we give thanks to God for partaking in the spiritual feast that was offered to us during the month of Ramadan,” He said.

Dr. Muhammad Abdul Bari, the Secretary General of the MCB, said, “During this month, the MCB encouraged all its affiliated mosques and community associations to use the opportunity to open their doors to the local community. We encouraged British Muslims to engage open heartedly with our neighbours, whether Muslim or not, and of course in striving to make a real positive impact on the lives of countless millions around the world who suffer needlessly. The day of Eid is also a timely reminder that we can share our joy and happiness with others. In London, the MCB will be assisting the Mayor as he invites thousands of Londoners to celebrate Eid in the world-famous Trafalgar Square.”

"We hope such initiatives are repeated across the country. When our community comes under sustained attack from cynics keen to expose our supposed separatism and our inability to integrate we must remain steadfast, reach out to our neighbours of all faiths and none, be vigilant in upholding our rights but be ever ready in discharging our responsibilities to all those around us, with humility and compassion,” Dr. Abdul Bari said.

Dr. Abdul Bari also said, “The month of Ramadan has seen numerous accounts of British mosques and charities raising record amounts for the needy around the world. Eid al-Fitr translates as the 'festival of charity'; I hope each and every one of us can uphold this spirit of charity in the year to come. I urge those in power to also strive to provide a better world for the millions that rely on their generosity and kindness.”

Ramadan: The Month of the Qur'an

Dr. Mozammel Haque

The Noble Qur’an was revealed in the month of Ramadan (Al-Qur’an, 97:1-3.). The Qur’an was sent down in the month of Ramadhan on the Night of Power Lailatul Qadr. (Al-Qur’an, 91:1-3.).

It is the month of Ramadhan that Allah has honoured by revealing the Qur’an. Because of this strong relation between the Qur’an and the month of Ramadan, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to read the Qur’an to Archangel Jibreel every Ramadan. I think this is the right place to discuss the purpose and objective of the revelation of the Qur’an, its importance, the campaigns against it and the do’s and don’ts of the Qur’an.

First of all, Allah the Most High, created mankind and gave him the gift of expression. For the guidance of mankind Allah sent Prophets to every single community. In the words of the Qur’an, "There has been no community to which God’s messengers have not come" and "Muslims should make no distinctions between them." So it is the duty of a Muslim to honour all the prophets equally.

The Qur’an represents the culmination of all other earlier Revealed Books. The Qur’an is the last of the Revealed Books. The Qur’an is the first religious book in the world, which requires the belief in other revelations, a part of its Faith. This Sacred Book was revealed to the last Messenger, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the month of Ramadan. Allah Himself said in the Qur’an: “Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur’an, as a guide to Mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong).” (2:185).

Allah the Most High has especially mentioned the exact date and month of the revelation: “We have indeed revealed This (Message) in the Night of Power.” (97:1) So the purpose of the revelation of the Qur’an was for guidance of Mankind.

The Qur’an is emphatic in proclaiming that Islam is the religion of Jesus, Moses, Abraham and the Prophets Jesus and Moses were not Jews but Muslims. "Surely those who believe (in that which is revealed to Muhammad Peace be upon him) and those who are Jews, and the Christians, and the Sabaeans – whoever believes in Allah, and the Last Day and does good, surely their reward is with their Lord, and there is no fear for them nor shall they grieve." (2:62). "A Guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and judgement (between right and wrong)." This is the most important characteristic of the Qur’an, the Book that Allah has revealed in the month of Ramadhan. It is guidance for mankind. It is clear proof, clear proof of guidance and of judgement.

Before the revelation of the Qur’an, it was preserved and guarded from corruption in the "Mother of the Book". Allah Himself said: "Nay this is a Glorious Qur’an (inscribed) in a Tablet Preserved" (85:21-22). When Allah wanted to give this Trust to someone, the Heavens, the Earth, and the Mountains, i.e. other creatures of Allah, besides man, refused to undertake this Trust or responsibility. They preferred to submit their will entirely to Allah’s Will, which is All-Wise and Perfect, and which would give them far more happiness than a faculty of choice, with their imperfect knowledge. Allah says in the Qur’an: "We did indeed offer the Trust to the Heavens and the Earth and the Mountains; but they refused to undertake it, being afraid thereof: but man undertook it: He was indeed unjust and foolish." (33-72).

So it is the human beings who took the responsibility of the Trust without realising its importance. This Sacred Book was revealed to the last Messenger Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in the month of Ramadhan. The Qur’an is the revealed book of God which has been in existence for more than four hundred years and the Word of Allah is available in its original form. There has not been an iota of change in this unique historic record. Its originality and authenticity has been guaranteed by no other than Allah the Almighty who challenges in the Qur’an itself.

Allah said, "This Qur’an is not such as can be produced by other than Allah: on the contrary it is a confirmation of (revelation) that went before it, and a fuller explanation of the Book - wherein there is no doubt – from the Lord of the Worlds." (10:37). In another verse of the Qur’an Allah challenges, "Or do they say, "He forged it?" Say: "Bring then a Surah like unto it; and call (to your aid) anyone who can, beside Allah if it be you speak the truth!" (10:38). "Or they may say, "He forged it." Say, "Bring you then ten Suras forged, like unto it, and call (to your aid) whomsoever you can, other than Allah! – if you speak the truth!" (11:13).

Allah said in the Qur’an, "And if you are in doubt as to what We have revealed from time to time to Our servant then produce a Sura like thereunto, and call your witness and helpers (if there are any) besides Allah, if your are truthful." (2:23) Allah places many verses before you. Can you produce one like it?

The world is challenged to produce a Book like it and has not produced one. It is the only Revealed Book whose text stands pure and uncorrupted today. Allah said, "Say: "if the whole of mankind and jinns were to gather together to produce the like of this Qur’an, they could not produce the like thereof, even if they backed up each other with help and support." (17:88)

Since the revelation of the Qur’an, the enemies of Islam have been trying to distort it. Firstly, they said, it is not revelation, it is written by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Then they started attacking its authenticity and originality. In spite of their conspiracy, the Qur’an has been preserved in its original form.

The Qur’an is the only Book in the world which has remained for the past fourteen centuries pure without any interpolation or change and will remain so till the Last Day as Allah has guaranteed its purity. (15:9).

The purity, preservation and propagation of the Qur’an were maintained by two methods: memorization of Qur’an in Qur’anic schools and the recitation of the complete Qur’an in Ramadan. In the month of Ramadan every year the Noble Prophet (peace be upon him) was asked by Archangel Jibreel to recite the whole of it twice. It was a Muzakira between the two.

Abu Huraira reported that Jibreel used to repeat the recitation of the Qur’an with the Prophet once a year, but he repeated it twice with him in the year the Prophet (peace be upon him) died. The Qur’an was recited in the Taraweeh for the first time during the era of Caliph Omar.

So far as the memorization of the Qur’an in Qur’anic schools is concerned, many Huffaz and Islamic scholars have been killed in different parts of the world at different times. But still there is no dearth of Islamic scholars who can recite the complete Qur’an from memory. Severe campaigns have been launched against the Qur’anic schools, which teach the study, recitation and memorization of the Qur’an. The Qur’an is the main Book of the Muslims; it is the duty of the Muslims to learn Qur’an, which contains their code of life and ethical values whose benefits have been experienced by mankind throughout the ages.

I have already mentioned the objective and importance of the Qur’an and how its originality and purity have been maintained. Our Prophet (pbuh) and his Companions dedicated their days and nights for worship. Their lives revolved completely around the Book of Allah, the Qur’an, reciting it in and out of Salah.

The Qur’an is the basis of the religion of Islam, and on the preservation and propagation of the Qur’an depends the very existence of this Faith. Hence the virtue of learning and teaching the Qur’an is self-evident and does not need further elucidation. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The best amongst you is he who learns the Qur’an and teaches it.” (Bukhari, Daud and Tirmidhi).

Ramadan teaches humility, Gordon Brown

By Dr. Mozammel Haque
Saudi Gazette
8 September 2008

“RAMADAN teaches patience and humility, and reminds us of our shared moral universe; our obligation to others,” said British Prime Minister Gordon Brown in his Ramadan Message in September 2008 on this auspicious occasion of the Blessed month of Ramadan.

While saying “Ramadan Mubarak” to the two million Muslims living in the United Kingdom, the British Prime Minister said, “I would like to give you, your family, and all Muslim communities, my sincerest best wishes for the holy month of Ramadan.”

“The message of empathy for the less fortunate is reflected in Ramadan by the daily fast. And Ramadan’s message of compassion and social justice spreads beyond Muslim communities; it speaks of shared values that unite us all,” Brown said and quoted one of the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

“The hadith of the Prophet Muhammad emphasize(s) the duty of care we owe one another. So during this special month, let us also celebrate the diversity that contributes to Britain’s strength,” said Gordon Brown.

Acknowledging the huge contribution of the British Muslim community, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom said, “Muslims make a huge contribution to Britain’s success – to our prosperity, our society and our culture. And of course, Ramadan is an opportune time to consider the contribution of Islam not just to Britain, but to the world: Islamic art, science, and philosophy have enriched our lives over many centuries.”

Concluding his Ramadan Message, the British Prime Minister said, “Finally, Ramadan is also a time to recall the Prophet’s message that “the best richness is the richness of the soul.” This speaks to me, as it speaks to so many others. I look forward to continuing positive engagement with British Muslim communities across the UK.”

British Foreign Secretary, David Miliband also issued his Ramadan message. “This is the first week of Ramadan and I am delighted to be able to send my very good wishes to the two million Muslims in Britain who will be celebrating this important festival and of course to Muslims around the world as well,” Miliband said.

“Ramadan is a month of contemplation, prayer and spirituality. A chance for Muslims to look at their own lives and judge them against the high standards that they set for themselves. Ramadan is also a chance to look outwards as well as inwards. To look at compassion, charity, responsibility. Not just within the Muslim community but across all of our communities.”