“We believe in Allah (God), the revelation given to us,
to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, the Tribes, the given
to Moses and Jesus, and that given to all Prophets from
their Lord: We make no difference between one and
another of them: And we submit to Allah”
Holy Qur’an (2:136)
Introduction
The Islamic Centre of England-London (ICEL) was founded
in December 1995, and opened officially in November
1998.
The Centre, in common with other Islamic organisations
in Europe, wishes to provide spiritual guidance for the
Muslim community at large, and also wishes to cater for
the social, cultural, educational and recreational needs
of members of the community – especially women and the
next generation.
The Centre’s other main objective manifests itself in
its sincere effort to disseminate authentic knowledge
about Islam and to provide non-Muslims with a better and
clearer understanding of Islam.
ICEL seeks to build bridges with the society at large
and establish closer ties between peoples of different
faiths and cultures all over the world.
Facilities
The building of the Islamic Centre of England is a
listed building, which has been refurbished to assume an
Islamic decorative hue. On its ground level the building
boasts a grand hall, measuring 20 x 16m, which is
capable of accommodating some 450 people; it is used for
holding major functions. There is also a smaller hall on
a raised platform, measuring 20 x 6m, used mainly for
prayers. The first floor comprises two halls, the first
measuring 20 x 6m and the second 8 x 8m; they are
capable of accommodating 150 and 50 people respectively.
The library is situated on the first floor.
The main hall is equipped with state of the art
audio-visual equipments, such as projectors, a giant
screen for showing films, public address and
simultaneous translation systems. There is also a stage
that can be used, amongst other things, for theatrical
performances.
The availability of such facilities makes the centre an
ideal venue for holding conferences, seminars and social
gatherings. For further information on terms and
conditions of hiring and charges please contact the
administration on 02076045511 or email: core@ic-el.com
About us
The Islamic Centre of England wishes to provide services
to members of the Muslim community, in particular*, and
the wider community at large, across a number of fields;
religious guidance and cultural issues are at the
forefront.
Highly qualified religious scholars have offered their
services to The Islamic Centre of England in order to
provide religious guidance, advice and counselling.
*The community members are from wide and different
backgrounds and ways of life, culture, race and
language, including non-Muslims, indigenous and migrated
namely; Afghani, Arabs, British, Eastern European,
Canadian, Germans, Indian, Italian, Pakistani,
Philippines.
Religious Enquires Section
In an attempt to fulfil man’s quest for knowledge, the
Religious Enquires Section (RES) of the Islamic Centre
of England was set up at the very beginning. It
comprises a highly competent team of multilingual
experts who will deal with every question according to
the linguistic background of the enquirer. Following an
initial assessment, queries will be answered.
Questions are received from all over the world via
telephone, fax, and email and in person. Since the
questions stem from Muslims as well as non-Muslims
coming from different ethno-religious backgrounds, our
answers aim to provide a modern, detailed and clear
response. These answers are compiled for a publication.
RES has already published many books containing these
questions and answers.
Family and Social Affairs Department:
Human beings are social beings and social interactions
need a thoughtful approach if one wishes to keep one’s
religious values. Communities have a duty to educate and
be educated in the art of communicating with others. A
good and healthy relationship between husband and wife
can have a huge impact on the upbringing of children who
are constantly looking for role models to follow.
The Family and Social Affairs Department of the Islamic
Centre of England was one of the first departments to be
set up upon the establishment of the Centre. This
section is a refuge and reference for the community to
seek advice and consideration of their family and social
affairs, individually and collectively.
The main areas of work covered by this department are:
Solemnisation of Marriages, Family Consultation,
Miscellaneous social affairs, Islamic Divorce procedures
and responding to many other queries related to the
above issues as well as conversion to Islam. The
department offers an excellent opportunity to gauge the
extent of problems or trends in Islamic communities due
to having direct access to real people.
There are several causes that can bring about disputes
in a family. Among the general causes that can be
mentioned are legislation, egoism and ignorance.
Unfortunately prompt action in the form of mediation and
intervention by a neutral party is often delayed. In
this respect Islamic Centres and religious organisations
have a very delicate and important role and duty to
perform by providing necessary professional assistance
especially for the families of the immigrant community.
Cultural Activities:
In its drive to disseminate authentic knowledge about
Islam, the Islamic Centre of England organises several
conferences and seminars every year in collaboration
with British and other International educational and
cultural institutions. In the last few years a number of
such seminars were organised on a variety of topics.
From the purely religious to the day-to-day, the Centre
invites specialists in different topics to give weekly
lectures. Since Muslims in the UK form a mosaic of
ethnicity, ICE provides speakers in four different
languages for these weekly lectures: English, Arabic,
Persian, and Urdu. These lectures are available on our
website.
Educational Activities:
The Islamic Centre of England provides a range of
educational classes for both Muslims and non-Muslims.
The Islamic Community in London can benefit from a
variety of courses and educational activities designed
to improve one’s understanding of Islamic principles and
practices.
In addition to the above, the Centre also opens its
doors to any groups or individuals interested in
acquiring a better understanding of Islam and Muslims.
Educational sessions can be held for groups or on a
one-to-one basis.
To this effect the Centre has established direct links
with a number of schools and universities for which it
provides regular lessons to visiting students.
Islamic Calendar Events:
Numerous events adorn the Islamic calendar. Ramadan, the
fasting season, and Muharram are just two such
auspicious and sacred occasions.
ICEL celebrate the occasion of the month-long fast of
Ramadan by holding gathering for congregational prayers,
recitation of the Holy Quran, giving lectures and
providing meals for the devotees to break their daytime
fast.
ICEL also celebrates the anniversary of the Public
Declaration of the Mission of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be
upon him and his pure progeny).
Islamic Centre of England seizes the opportunity of the
anniversary of the birth of the Messenger of Allah to
observe a week of celebrations with the theme of “Islam
Unity”. While celebrating this auspicious event, the
occasion is utilised to serve as a reminder that the
Muslim Ummah (community) is one.
ICEL also celebrate the birth anniversaries of other
luminaries of Islam and commemorates their deaths. This
is done with the objective of drawing lessons from their
principled lives and providing spiritual enrichment for
members of the community.
Publications and Distribution:
The Islamic Centre of England has a team of competent
staff and advisers who are charged with the
responsibility of the publication and distribution of
printed material in English, Persian, Arabic and Urdu.
'Living Islam' is a monthly newsletter which is
published and distributed in these four languages.
Library and Bookshop:
Other aspects of the cultural landscape, which ICEL
strives to make an impact on, include the publication of
printed matters such as books and leaflets, audio
cassettes CDs and DVDs materials. These deal mainly with
Islamic issues and religious practice.
The Library contains a few thousand volumes on different
topics. It regularly receives magazines, periodicals and
newsletters dealing with Islamic issues and studies.
Other publications, in English, Persian, Arabic and
Urdu, aimed at giving information about Islam, can be
acquired free of charge. The Centre welcomes scholars,
researchers and students to make use of the library.
The Bookshop stocks a wide range of multilingual books,
magazines, journals, audio tapes, CDs and DVDs. In
addition, there are posters, calendars and items of
Islamic arts.
urdu Jashn-e-Milad un Nabi SAWWS
