York Mosque and Eid-Ul-Fitr
York Mosque welcomed more than 200 guests from across the city through its doors to come and join their Muslim neighbours in breaking their fast (Iftar) during Ramadan and getting to know the deeper meaning of Ramadan. Of course outwardly it is well known Ramadan involves giving up food and drinks for a period of time but this is only one small aspect of Ramadan compared to the deeper purpose of connecting with the creator in this holy month through worship and good deeds and coming closer to him through reading, pondering and acting upon the Quran which was revealed during the month of Ramadan.
Iftar is the meal that Muslims break their fast with during the Islamic Holy month of Ramadan, in which Muslims across the world fast from food and water from dawn till sunset for 30 days. It ends with the Eid-Ul-Fitr festival which lasts for three days!
York Mosque, in Bull Lane, invited the many guests to have Iftar and learn about Islam on Saturday, April 1, including Rachael Maskell, MP for York Central, members of the City of York Council, and North Yorkshire Police.
It was the second ‘Unity Iftar’ that the mosque has held, following the success of last year’s event, to build good relationships with the local community. Ms Maskell said: “It’s a pleasure to be here yet again. Every time I come to York Mosque I not only learn new things but I make new friends. They really do open their door and show incredible hospitality as well as teach about their faith and share that with the whole community, which is amazing.”
Cllr Darryl Smalley, an executive member of City of York Council, said: “I’d like to thank everyone at York Mosque for their openness and warmth – experiencing the blessings of Ramadan was a new experience for me and many others attending. It was a privilege to join York’s Muslim community breaking fast and learn more about York Mosque’s considerable charitable work and community action across the city, from litter picks to running a food bank.
As well as learning about Islam and of course sharing some delicious food together as a community, guests got to see the wider life of the York mosque in the community. President Naser of the York Mosque talked about the charity that the mosque is involved with, including running a food bank and soup kitchen, helping with the refugee council in York and Selby, and helping the homeless in and around York with sleeping bags and blankets. Ramadan is also a month of doing good and having empathy towards those in need in which charity is especially emphasised from the teachings of Islam.
One special event I wish to share with you which means so much to all Muslims is something called the Tarawih prayers. This is a special night prayer done either individually or ideally collectively at the Mosque which occurs only in Ramadan. The Mosque at York Mosque was packed with worshippers coming together to pray but also witness the the recitation of the entire Quran – That’s 6000+ verses recited over 30 nights! What makes this more special is that across the globe in mosques ranging from the millions that congregate in Makkah (Mecca) in Arabia to shanty towns of tin Mosques in obscure towns and villages everywhere across the globe the Muslims all unite over reading from the timeless Quran which is the exact verbatim same throughout history and throughout all lands. The feeling of unity you feel is truly distinct and powerful and you really feel connected to the world as one family; something in Islam called ‘Ummah’ which is one of the aims and goals of Ramadan but more than that Islam at large.
After the auspicious and holy month of Ramadan with all it’s struggling and striving, we have Eid which is celebrated with much merriment and joy but there is always the blues of having seen the beloved Ramadan with all it’s spiritual buzz leave (at least till next year!). We are also very fortunate to have had an Eid party here on campus on the 25th April organised by YSJU Global with we hope to have next year too so come along to all the events which are always open door!
If you would like to attend the Mosque for one of it’s many open days simply get in touch with the Mosque (contact@yorkmosque.com) for more information on upcoming events and regarding the various events on campus please email islamicsociety@yorksj.ac.uk. And don’t hesitate to get in contact with me as a faith adviser for anything Islam! (s.dewan@yorksj.ac.uk)
Till next Ramadan Insh’Allah!
Salah Dewan,
Ysju Muslim Faith Adviser
