Edinburgh Central Mosque

Infobox religious building


caption=Main entrance to the mosque
building_name=Edinburgh Central Mosque
location= Potterow, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
geo=coord|55|56|42|N|3|11|10|W|region:GB_type:landmark
religious_affiliation=Islam
website= [http://www.edmosque.com www.edmosque.com/]
architect=Basil Al-Bayati
architecture_type=Mosque
architecture_style=Modern that incorporates both Scots and Islamic features
year_completed=1998
construction_cost=£ 3.5 million
capacity=1100 men and 150 women
dome_quantity=2
minaret_quantity=1 (also 3 towers on the corners) [cite web | url=http://homepages.inf.ed.ac.uk/rbf/MOSQUE/ | title=Colour Correction | accessdate=2008-07-26]

Edinburgh Central Mosque (officially known as the King Fahd Mosque and Islamic Centre of Edinburgh) is located on Potterrow near the University of Edinburgh central area and the National Museum of Scotland. The mosque and Islamic centre was designed by Basil Al-Bayati, and took more than six years to complete at a cost of £3.5m. The main hall can hold over one thousand worshippers, [cite web | url=http://www.muslimdirectory.co.uk/viewdetails.php?id=6134&orgtype=&city=Edinburgh | title=Muslim Directory | accessdate=2008-07-02] with women praying on a balcony overlooking the hall. The mosque holds chandeliers and a vast carpet, with very little furniture.

History

Prior to its construction, there was no major mosque in Edinburgh. However, as Edinburgh's Muslim population increased, a large mosque became viable. Eventually, the project was able to purchase land from the City Council with the proviso that an existing listed building was preserved and used. The project ran into funding difficulties; but these were solved when King Fahad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia donated 90% of the project's total cost. On 31 July 1998 (8 Rabi' al-thani 1419) the mosque was opened by his son Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Fahd, who was also the project patron. [cite web | url=http://www.microview.org.uk/millennium/Pages/central_mosque.htm | title=Bryophytes and Buildings of the Southside | accessdate=2008-07-26]

The Mosque

Main prayer hall

The main hall is where the Friday prayer (Jumu'ah) and the five daily prayers (Salah) are held. There are two chandeliers, a vast carpet and chairs for the elderly and disabled. Many short lectures and small discussion groups are held here although the groups must give notice. The mosque also offers funeral services and the prayer Salat al-Janazah. There are two side entrances to the hall and a small glass room which also has a separate entrance/exit which has a ramp for the disabled.

Ablution

The are separate ablution (wudu) rooms for both male and female. The males' contains 21 ablution washers, nine flush toilets, four Squat toilets and six sinks. A toilet for the elderly is also available near the door. The room is constantly cleaned and is very modern.

Multi-purpose hall

A second hall is located downstairs; it is much smaller than the main prayer hall. The room is sometimes opened for Friday prayers and Salat al Eid. The room is usally used for storage but is opened up for the Islam Festival Edinburgh.

The library

There is a medium sized library that holds a large variety of Islamic books for selling and lending. The library is opened from the morning to evening. It also holds many services such as classes in Arabic and the Qur'an.

Mosque Kitchen

The Mosque Kitchen (formerly called the Lunch Box) was opened up to the public in 2004 to give the city's diners a unique new dining experience. The menu consists of halal middle Asian food. This consists of a heaped plate of chicken, lamb or spinach and potato curry, with rice or naan on the side. The staff also prepare other curries on certain days - Wednesday is chickpea day, for example, while barbecued chicken, shish kebabs and corn on the cob are Saturday's specials. [cite web | url=http://www.list.co.uk/place/102602-mosque-kitchen/| title=Mosque Kitchen by The List | accessdate=2008-07-02] . In August 2007, the Scotsman newspaper placed the Edinburgh Central Mosque's adjoining restaurant top of their list of Best Festival Food. [cite web | url=http://islamfestival.wordpress.com/2007/08/02/mosque-kitchen-is-scotsmans-number-1/| title=Article on Kitchen| accessdate=2008-07-02]

Islam Festival Edinburgh

The Islam Festival Edinburgh (IFE, and also known as the Discover Islam Exhibition) is part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. It is held in this mosque during the entire month of August of every year. The mosque is opened to the entire public who are free to come and go as they please. The exhibition has been a massive success and has been given good reviews.

The exhibition is held in the multi purpose hall where Muslims and non-Muslims are welcomed. There are posters that teach about specific Islamic topics, such as Islamic art, Qur'an translation, and so on. Entrance is free and there are no restrictions, though visitors are reminded that they are in a place of worship.

Usually special events are held on Saturdays. For example, in 2007 there was a calligraphy display and lectures from various figures, such as Idris Tawfiq on "Who would be a Muslim today?" and Farkhanda Chaudhry MBE on "Women and Islam"; and in 2008, there was "Who's afraid of Sharia law?" and "The Muslim Jesus". Lastly, there have been many well known figures visiting the exhibition; for example the First Minister's advisors, and MPs, i.e. Sir Menzies Campbell. [cite web | url=http://islamfestival.wordpress.com/| title=Islam Festival Edinburgh| accessdate=2008-07-28]

References

ee also

*Islam in the United Kingdom
*List of mosques
*Timeline of Islamic history

External links

* [http://www.kingfahdbinabdulaziz.com/main/m4505.htm Islamic Centre in Edinburgh, Scotland]
* [http://islamfestival.wordpress.com/ Islamic Festival Exhibition]