Dublin, Ireland (Report : Atif Bangash/pakistani.irish) The Islamic Centre of Ireland (Masjid Al-Mustafa) hosted a range of activities during Ramadan 2023. To make the month more special, the Chief Imam, Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri, requested the Ministry of Awqaf in Egypt to appoint two scholars to spend the Holy month of Ramadan in Ireland.
The Egyptian Ministry of Awqaf and Al-Azhar University appointed two Egyptian scholars, Shaykh Dr. Khaled Sarhan Al-Azhari and Shaykh Ahmed Farag Al-Azhari, who spent the holy month leading with Tahajjud and Tarawih prayers in the Islamic Centre of Ireland.
The Islamic Centre also held daily Iftar dinners, which were attended by more than 200 people. On the 15th of April, the Islamic Centre hosted the ninth annual community Iftar of Irish Muslim Peace and Integration Council. This event was attended by 300 people from various backgrounds, including politicians, faith leaders, and NGO representatives. During the event, Shaykh Dr. Umar Al-Qadri gave a presentation on Islam in Ireland, and an Irish guest proclaimed the Shahadah and became a Muslim, Alhamdulillah.
A Ramadan Youth camp was held for two weeks during the Easter holidays, where 30 students were taught by Shaykh Umar Al-Qadri, Shaykh Khaled Sarhan and Shaykh Anwar Shah on various subjects (Quran, Hadith, Adab, Fiqh, and Histiory). There were also discussions on the Islamic position on LGBT issues and Islamophobia, and the children also played football daily. The students were presented with a certificate of excellence during the 27th night of Ramadan. This camp was highly successful and the feedback from students and their parents was phenomenal.
In the last 10 days of Ramadan, after Taraweeh prayers, there was a 30-minute tea break, followed by Tahajjud led by Shaykh Khaled and Shaykh Ahmad.
On the 27th night of Ramadan, Muslims from all over Ireland gathered in the Masjid to spend the holy night together. The whole night activities included Taraweeh, Tahajjud, Salat Tasbih, Dhikr, and Duaa. Shaykh Ahmed beautifully recited the Holy Quran, and Shaykh Al-Qadri gave a speech on the importance of Laylat ul Qadr and asking for forgiveness from Allah.
Eid day was also celebrated with three separate prayers led by three different scholars, goodie bags for children, and a bouncing castle was arranged for them. Tea and snacks were provided as it was a very busy and joyous day. We thank Allah for the blessings in Ramadan and pray that Allah accepts the fasting, prayers, and supplications in Ramadan.
Overall, it was an incredible Ramadan for the Islamic Centre of Ireland, with Shaykh Dr Umar Al-Qadri leading the way and a lot of community support. Alhamdulilah for a blessed Ramadan !