Edinburgh Central Mosque
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The Edinburgh Central mosque (also known as the King Fahd Mosque and Islamic Centre of Edinburgh) is located near University of Edinburgh, the Royal Museum and Church of Scotland, in Potterrow Street Edinburgh, Scotland. The mosque and Islamic centre has taken more than six years to complete at a cost of £3.5m. It was financed by King Fahd of Saudi Arabia and was opened by his son Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Fahd on the 31/07/1998 AD and 08/04/1419 AH. The main hall can hold over one thousand worshippers,[1] with women praying on a balcony overlooking the hall. The mosque holds chandeliers and a vast carpet, with very little furniture.
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[edit] The Mosque
[edit] Main prayer hall
The main hall is where the five prayers and the friday prayer is held. There are two chandelier's, a vast carpet and chairs for the elderly and disabled. Many short lectures are taken place here and funeral prayer is also read here. There are two side entrances and a small glass room which also has a separate entrance/exit which has a ramp for the disabled.
[edit] 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. The room is constantly cleaned and is very modern.
[edit] Multi-purpose hall
A second hall is located downstairs, it is much smaller than the main prayer hall. The room had been opened on Fridays for worshipers but is closed now due to the storage. It is mainly opened for the Islamic Festival.
[edit] 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 i.e. Arabic/Quran Classes
[edit] 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 heaped plate of delicious chicken, lamb or spinach and potato curry, with rice or naan on the side. The staff also prepare other curries as the mood takes them on certain days - Wednesday is chickpea day, for example, while barbecued chicken, shish kebabs and corn on the cob are Saturday's specials. [2] All meat is halal and can be offered to be served to anyone. On August 2007 The Scotsman newspaper placed the Edinburgh Central Mosque’s adjoining restaurant top of their list of Best Festival Food. .[3]
[edit] Islam Festival Edinburgh
The Islam Festival Edinburgh (IFE) also known as Discover Islam Exhibition is part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival also known as Discover Islam Exhibition as venue 48. It is held in this mosque form the 1st to the 31st of August of every year. It is opened to the entire public and they are free to come and go as pleased. The exhibition is 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, islamic art i.e. Asain jewelry, Bilingual Qu'rans for example English, French and more translated, guides for questioning or tours and etc. Entrance is free and there is no restrictions but people should be advisied to note that there are in a place of worship.
Usually speical events are held on saturdays. For example in 2007 there were Live Calligraphy Display and lectures from various figures i.e. Idris Tawfiq on "who would be a muslim today" and Farkhanda Chaudhry MBE on "women and Islam". There have also been many well known figures visiting the exhibition for example The First Ministors advisors and MPs i.e.Sir Menzies Campbell .[4]
[edit] References
- ^ Muslim Directory. Retrieved on 2008-02-07.
- ^ Mosque Kitchen by The List. Retrieved on 2008-02-07.
- ^ Article on Kitchen. Retrieved on 2008-02-07.
- ^ Islam Festivle Edinburgh. Retrieved on 2008-04-28.
