Abdullah Quilliam Society

Transcription

1 Annual Newsletter

2 The (AQS) is a UK registered charity founded in 1998 by a small group of Liverpool Muslims, including Akbar Ali, Galib Khan, Zia Choudri, Mrs. Abassi, Somaya and Rashid Macteer. They became aware of a unique heritage of Islam in Victorian Britain, in the city of Liverpool. This history was located in the Liverpool City Council registry office for births, deaths and marriages. This building was once the site of the historic first UK Mosque, Muslim community Institutions and Dawah activities of Sheikh Abdullah Quilliam from Staff at the registry office would often refer to the room where all the files of births, deaths and marriages were stored as the little Mosque without realising the significance or history behind it. AQS first objective is to obtain possession of the building and restore it back to the original historic mosque. In the year 2000 Liverpool City Council vacated the property and handed it to the AQS and Muslim community to look after and develop. It was handed over in poor condition and in need of renovation. Once the AQS has funds to renovate the building, Liverpool Council will transfer ownership to the Society. Over the years AQS has given numerous talks on this important history and hosted many visitors and media and kept this unique history alive. It has also encouraged people to further research this heritage. Last year, a new book was published, Islam in Victorian Britain: The Life and Times of by Professor Ron Geaves. The Society has exciting plans to renovate the building and re-create the first Institutions of Islam in Britain. It also has exciting plans to further research, exhibit and bring to life the stories of the 600 first native Britons to embrace Islam. Our plans to recreate this building and history are important to Muslims in Europe, America, Japan, and the Muslim world. You can contact the Society at: William Henry Quilliam, a local Liverpool solicitor and resident embraced Islam in 1887 (aged 31), after returning from a visit to Morocco, and took on the name Abdullah. He claimed that he was the first native Englishman to embrace Islam. His conversion led to a remarkable story of the growth of Islam in Victorian Britain. This history is now beginning to emerge and has important lessons for Muslims in Britain and around the world. After embracing Islam, Quilliam began a campaign of Dawah, which in the circumstances of Victorian England, has to be described as the most effective in the UK to date. He became an Alim, an Imam and the most passionate advocate of Islam in the Western world. In 1894 Sultan Abdul Hamid ll, the last Ottoman Caliph, appointed him Sheikh-ul-Islam of the British Isles. The Emir of Afghanistan recognised him as the Sheikh of Muslims in Britain. He was also appointed as the Persian Vice Counsel to Liverpool by the Shah. He became a prominent spokesman for Islam in the media and was recognised by Muslims around the world. He is the only Muslim in Britain to have officially held the position of Sheikh Ul Islam of Britain. He issued many Fatwas in his capacity as appointed Leader of Muslims in Britain. These fatwas are relevant even today. He established the Mosque and Liverpool Muslim Institute at No. 8 Brougham Terrace and later purchased the remainder of the terrace, and opened a boarding school for boys and a day school for girls. He also opened an orphanage (Medina House) for non-muslim children whose parents could not look after them, and agreed to for them to be raised in the values of Islam. In addition, the Institute operated Projects educational classes covering a wide range of subjects that were attended by both Muslims and non-muslims, and included a museum and science laboratory. In 1893 the Institute published a weekly magazine, named The Crescent, and later added the monthly Islamic World, which was printed on the Institute s own press and distributed to over 20 countries. The Crescent was published every week from (nearly 800 editions), and was effectively a dairy and record of Islam in Britain and around the world. There are hundreds of archive copies of these magazines in the British Library. Without this unique weekly record we would not know of the existence of this native Muslim community of around 200 people in Liverpool, and many other parts of Britain. These offer the first attempt at Muslim journalism in the UK and offer a unique insight into a British Muslims view of events and issues in Liverpool, the UK and the Muslim world, at a crucial period of Muslims living under colonial rule. He also wrote and published a number of books. In particular his Faith of Islam had three editions translated into thirteen different languages, and was so popular that Queen Victoria ordered a copy and then re-ordered copies for her children. The Institute grew, and at the turn of the century held a membership of 200 predominantly English Muslim men, women and children from across the local community. Quilliam s dawah led to around 600 people in the UK embracing Islam, many of them very educated and prominent individuals in British Society, as well as ordinary men and women. His efforts also led to the first Japanese man embracing Islam. Quilliam eventually had to leave England after facing hostility and persecution, the first Muslim experience of Islamophobia in the UK. He eventually returned to the UK and adopted the name Haroun Mustapha Leon, and passed away in 1932 near Woking, and was buried in Brookfield Cemetery where Abdullah Yusuf Ali, Marmaduke Pickthall and Lord Headly are also buried. Interior of UK s First Mosque 1887 AQS Projects Cost of Building The AQS has exciting plans and projects that it wishes to carry out in the new Heritage Centre. The AQS want to restore the original Mosque for use and restore its features. We wish to recreate the library, museum, lecture hall, residences, school and college. We will create a visitor centre where Muslims and non-muslims can come to see this historic site and learn about Islam and Muslim history in the UK and Europe. There will be a museum and exhibitions on Quilliam and his fellow Muslims. There will be lectures, seminars and conferences with a chance to learn about Islam for non-muslims. We have completed phase one of the refurbishment of the mosque. This involved replacing the rotten timbers in the roof and treatment for dry rot in the building. We also stripped the mosque area of the reinforced concrete that was being used to protect the birth, death and marriage certificates that were stored there. We will also carry out further research and prepare archives on British and European Muslim history. The building next door could be purchased and used as and extension to the Mosque, and as an Islamic School/College and conference centre. It may be used for, marriage ceremonies and special events and as a support centre for new Muslims. A full list of projects, is listed below: Mosque and Building Project Acquire Building Refurbish Building Restore features of mosque and rooms Build Café and Islamic gardens Purchase & refurbish building next door Establish larger Prayer hall in new building Heritage and Visitor Project Establish Quilliam Exhibition Room Establish Museum Rooms for History of Islam and Muslims in UK Organise Tours and visits to Mosque and Centre Arrange visits for non-muslim and Muslim schools Research and Archive Project Library Project Further research into Research into 600 Reverts to Islam in UK, their life and works Documenting and archiving of historical materials, (Crescent, The Islamic World, poetry and other writings) Training on heritage, archiving and history Develop and preserve Islamic identity and heritage Create library and Reading Room Preserve and digitize old manuscripts, photos, documents on Islam in UK Establish library of old books on Islam in UK Hold books and Information for all who want to learn about Islam Establish digital resource room for research Community Engagement Project New Muslims Project annual lecture annual awards Lectures, debates and seminars on Islam and Islamic history Produce materials on Islam for Schools and the media New Interactive website Resources for all Liverpool residents to increase understanding of Islam Advance co-operation between Muslims and non-muslims Become a centre for supporting new Muslims in the North of England Provide support for new Muslims and their families Produce free information packs Short courses on Islam for new Muslim Introductory courses on Islam for nonmuslims who are interested Put useful information on website We have now started work on phase two, which involves painting the exterior and repairing the Georgian window frames, and cleaning the rear of the building. This phase also involves doing the minimum work necessary to number 8 building, which is the one in which the historical mosque is located. It will include creation of wudu facilities, and disabled access. We estimate that this phase will cost around 50,000. This will enable the mosque to be able to be used for prayers once more and for us to create an office at the front of the building to so we can be on site for public information and visitors. We are applying for major grants for phase three which involves renovating all three buildings and turning them into a heritage centre. This phase is estimated to cost around 2M. If you want to help with fundrasiing for any stages of this unique building please contact us. More information about the Society can be found at:

3 How to get involved in the One of the issues we have is that the story of Sheikh is still not widely known. Charity Trustees Champions (Promote fundraising and create awareness) Heritage Centre (Manages centre and projects) History Group (Research into Abdullah Quilliam and his fellow Muslims) Friends of (Supporters who want regular information and involvement) Library Project (Create archives and exhibitions) Exhibiting Events in the centre and around UK Dawah Project (Increasing awareness to non-muslims) High profile Patrons (Support and promote AQS work) We already have high profile patrons that support and promote our project. We want to appoint Champions in each town and city who can help either with fundraising or with the promotion of. You can join our Friends of and you will be sent regular information and invitation to events. Or you can volunteer to help with any one of the projects listed in the diagram. To address this, 18 months ago we embarked on a strategy to raise the profile of the Britain s first Mosque and Sheikh. We launched our new website as a source of historical information and also news about the progress of project. Our website also has details of how people can donate online. The website is now receiving many hits a day and people are reading the different pages. We would encourage everyone to visit the website and view the information on it and give us feedback....mashallah this is a great initiative. May Allah accept all your hard work. What an opportunity for muslims to engage with the wider community and demonstrate the true Prophetic tradition in our conduct... Kash Sultan - Manchester Heritage Centre Projects As well this website we also have a popular facebook page where there are regular postings of the latest events and excellent comments. Please do visit this; like our page and recommend us to your own friends to help spread the message. Educational Projects (Produce information and visit for schools and others) Community Engagement (Annual Awards and Memorial Lecture) We also launched an annual Memorial Lecture and Annual Communication and Engagement Awards. The media coverage associated with these events has been good and led to the documentary Great British Islam. We also have plans to work with partners to produce a play and a feature film on Quilliam. If you have ideas or want to help with raising the profile of our work we would like to hear from you. Getting Involved with The first UK mosque building, and the writings and life stories of and his followers is a unique heritage. It belongs to all of us, Muslim and non-muslim, and it is our duty to preserve it. So we invite everybody to get involved with us. There are many ways you can become involved in our work. These are set out in the engagement structure in the diagram. Raising the Profile of You can contact the Abdullah Quilliam Society at: Jahangir Mohammed: Galib Khan: I like the Society because it seeks to engage with a part of the British Muslim identity which we have been all to keen to ignore rather than embrace... Haroon Mohamoud -

4 Events 2012 First Memorial Lecture Events 2012 Open Day First Awards Date: September 29, 2012 Venue: Historical Mosque of, Liverpool Speaker: Jahangir Mohammed, Galib Khan Date: April 22, 2012 Venue: Pakistan Centre, Liverpool Chair: Jahangir Mohammed Speakers: Professor Ron Geaves, Author Islam in Victorian Britain: The Life and Times of ; Al Hajj Ahmad Thomson, At the end of September we received a request from a inter faith group in Newcastle Young people in conversation to visit the mosque. The young people wanted a unique memory to take back with them, so we arranged for a clean up on the same day. Around 20 young people of different backgrounds came to learn about the history of the building and helped in a clean up. Other people who heard of the clean up on facebook and the website also came along. It was a fun day and the young people were inspired and have decided to organise fundraising for the mosque. We are now receiving regular requests from schools, groups and people to visit the building. Many individuals have also visited the mosque. Look out for more events in Barrister and Author of numerous books on Islam In April to mark the 80th anniversary of the death of we held the first annual memorial lecture in his honour. The lecture was delivered by Professor Ron Geaves on Quilliam s contribution to the establishment of Islam and Muslim Institutions in Britain. Writer Ahmad Thomson also delivered a lecture on the media portrayal of Islam and Muslims then and now. At the event we released for the first time Half a Century of Islam in England - An Early English Muslim Man Speaks a speech delivered by Sheikh Quilliam in Cairo in 1928 and reported on by Al Fath newspapers. This article was discovered for us by Professor Salih Al Samarrai of Saudi Arabia a long time supporter of AQS. We also launched our annual awards and presented and honourary Communication Award to Ron Geaves and a Honourary Engagement Award to Bishop James Jones. The recording of event and the 1928 speech can be found on our website. We are planning next years lecture for April The theme we are working on is Security in an age of terror. If you are interested in helping us organise or attend this event then please contact us. Clean Up Day Date: September 2, 2012 Venue: Historical Mosque of, Liverpool Speaker: Jahangir Mohammed Tour: Galib Khan Date: November 25, 2012 Venue: Eastern Pearl Banqueting Hall, Manchester Speakers: Galib Khan, The work of ; Prof. Mehmet Seker, in Turkey; Lord Nazir Ahmed, The Legacy of ; Ron Geaves, The Life of Abdullah Quilliam After the announcement of our first Communication and Engagement Awards we received many applications and made a shortlist of 10 worthy people. We had an excellent turn out of nearly 200 people at the presentation ceremony in Manchester. The Communication Award went to writer and journalist Victoria Britain and the Engagement Award to Liverpool Councillor Alan Dean. Professor Mehmet Seker, Lord Nazir and Ron Geaves were key speakers. Prof. Seker from Turkey shared his research on Quilliam and unveiled for the first time in the UK the appointment letter of Quilliam as Sheikh ul Islam of Britain by Sultan Abdul Hameed ll. This event is also on our website. In September we held our first open day for people to view the historic mosque and find out about the heritage of this building. This was in response to demands to visit the mosque. We had a very successful day with people coming from as far a way as London. Muslim and non Muslims attended. Sisters brought food on their own initiative, so we had plenty to eat. In keeping with Sheikh Quilliam s tradition of feeding the poor, leftover food was delivered to the homeless of Liverpool by Sister Hikmah. Applications are now open for the 2013 awards for details on how to apply contact us or visit our website. Victoria Brittain received Communication Award Rt Rev.Bishop James Jones-Liverpool received Honorary Engagement Award Councillor Alan Dean received Engagement Award Professor Ron Geaves, author of Islam in Victorian Britain received Honorary Communication Award...It was a very informative talk delivered by Ron Geaves about Muslim history in the UK. I want to hear more Ismail Kaduji As non-muslims we were made to feel very welcome and found the talks and the tour very interesting Carmel Malone and Roy Middleton I really enjoyed the clean up day and want to do this kind of thing again... Adam Mohamed (10 years of age)...i truly felt honoured to have had an opportunity to be in the same room as so many wonderful people... Moheeb Ali (Accountant)

5 The UK Charity Reg No: The Holy Prophet (SAW) said: Whoso builds a masjid for Allah, Allah will build a house for him in Jannah....Protect our Heritage Don t Lose It Preserve It... Donate and save our Heritage The AQS want to restore the original Mosque for use and its features. We wish to recreate a library, museum, lecture hall, residences, school and college. We will create a visitor centre where Muslims and non-muslims can come to see this historic site and learn about Islam and Muslim history in the UK and Europe. Donation Form Total Donation: Personal Details: Name: Address: Direct Ways to Donate Bank details are as follows: Account Name: Bank: HSBC Bank Plc, 32 Rodney Street, Liverpool L1 2TP. Account No: Sort Code: IBAN: GB59MIDL Branch Identifier: MIDLGB2139A Post Code: Telephone: Cheques Payable to: Address: Gift Aid Declaration Tick if donator would like AQS to reclaim tax back on all the donations made and any future donations Credit/Debit Card Cheque Standing Order Donate 100% securely on-line using the PayPal online secure platform Account Name: Address: A Standing Order enables you to make regular donations to The Society. A standing order form can be obtained from our website Mobile: