Manchester Islamic Centre
 | |
| General Information | |
|---|---|
| Established | 1991 |
| Type | Islamic center • Mosque |
| Location | Manchester, England |
| Coordinates | 53°28′16.3″N 2°14′13.2″W / 53.471194°N 2.237000°W |
| Specifications | |
| Status | Active |
| Architecture | |
| Website | micuk.uk |
Manchester Islamic Centre is one of the biggest Muslim's centers in the northwest England. The Center was founded by the efforts of Iranian university students and financial aids from the representative of the leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Khamenei, in UISAE. This institute sits in a very good location in the downtown area and between the two major universities of the town. The Center offers services to Iranian and non-Iranian Muslims and even Christians.
Islam in Manchester
Manchester City is located in northwest England, with a population of nearly threemillion. It is the largest and most densely populated city in England after London. The population of the city and the surrounding towns is over ten million.
Tens of thousands of Muslims live in Manchester City. The three-hundred-year stellar reputation of Manchester universities in the fields of scientific and industrial innovations caused the city to be the destination for immigrants including forty thousand students, from various nationalities, studying in "Manchester", "Salford" and "Metropolitan" universities.
This flow of immigrants has provided a great opportunity for promoting and conveying the message of Shi'a Islam and also Iranian culture.
About the Center
Manchester Islamic Centre was founded by the efforts of Iranian university students and financial aids from Hujjat al-Islam Izhe'i, the representative of Ayatollah Khamenei in Europe Students Union. The Center is one of the biggest Muslim centers in the northwest England. This institute sits in a very good location in the downtown area and between the two major universities of the town. The center offers services to Iranian and non-Iranian Muslims and even Christians.
The current building of the center was originally a bakery factory. In 1991 and with the aids of some benefactors, it was bought and after reconstruction it was utilized as the Islamic center or mosque (as it called by some of Iranian). During these years a large number of Iranians and Muslims gained benefit from the Center for strengthening their faith and expanding their religious information. So far, hundreds of people have converted to Islam in this Center. Monthly, around 30 religious programs and annually several conferences and meetings are held in the Center.
Center's Goals
- Maintaining and strengthening the faith of Iranian residents and improving their knowledge about the teachings of Shi'a Islam
- Paying special attention to Muslim youth through special scientific, educational and recreational programs
- Promoting unity among Shi'a
- Promoting unity among various Muslim sects
- Creating unity among Divine religions and opposing non-religious bases
- Introducing Islam to non-Muslims and inviting them to Islam
Activities
The activities of the Center are divided into several types.
Annually: Manchester Islamic Centre holds conferences about national, religious and inter-religious issues.
Weekly:
Saturdays:
The activities on this day are done by two cultural associations: Muhibban al-Mahdi (a) for brothers and Muhibban al-Zahra (a) for sisters. The main subject of their activities is teaching the Qur'an.
The attendants of this program are divided into three age groups:
- Under six years old: who memorize, recite and learn basic teachings of Qur'an and also fundamental 'Aqa'id (theology) and Ahkam.
- From seven to fourteen years old: who learn Tajwid, Ahkam and 'Aqa'id.
- Above fourteen years old.
Thursdays:
There is a session for reciting and explaining the teachings of one Juz' of Qur'an. The session is held an hour before the Maghrib prayer.
Mondays:
The Hiydariyyun Hay'at, whose members are mostly youth, holds ceremonies in relation to religious events and occasions.
Daily:
Every day at 19 o'clock (local time), there is an Arabic program in the center.
Moreover, holding classes of interpretation of Nahj al-Balagha in English language for non-Iranians and converts is another program of the center.
Manchester Islamic Center collaborates with other Islamic centers as well. Also, it collaborates actively and closely with the TV channel "Hidayat TV" which is one of the successful Shi'a TV channels.
External Links
- Web address of Manchester Islamic Center: http://micuk.org
References
- The material for writing this article is mainly taken from مرکز اسلامی منچستر in Farsi WikiShia.