As there is confusion regarding the announcement of Ramadan by the main Mosques in Dublin and the difference of opinion of some smaller Mosques, the Muslims in Ireland are confused about the start of Ramadan.

The Islamic Centre has been receiving calls and e-mails since last night. Please see a letter that is written by the Imam of the Islamic Centre in regards to this confusion.

Assalamu Alaikum WWB.

In the name of Almighty Allah, the Lord of all the worlds. Peace & Blessings upon the best of all creation the Beloved Prophet Muhammad

In regards to the decision by the Irish Council of Imams of observing 1st of Ramadan on Saturday 28th June 2014 I would like to share my thoughts.

I am writing to you in regards to the serious issue of disunity among Irish Muslims that has come up in regards to the observation of Ramadan for 2014 / 1435H.

Decision of Irish Council of Imams

The Irish Council of Imams was established in 2005. Currently the council has more than 15 members.

The ICI adopted a policy that ICI will accept the announcement of ANY Muslim Country and adopt it respectively. This policy was adopted democratically in a meeting in ICI a few years ago.

According to this policy ICI announced that since Turkey and Yemen have announced Saturday 27th June 2014 to be the first of Ramadan 1435 H, Irish Council of Imams will also do the same.

Disunity among Muslims in Ireland on this issue

Even though personally I was not in favor of the decision of the ICI, for the sake of unity among Muslims and acknowledging the authority of the ICI,I announced in Al-Mustafa Islamic Centre Ireland that Tarawih will be held Friday 27th June 2014 and after Tarawih found out that some mosques have decided NOT to accept the announcement of the Irish Council of Imams.

These mosques are Limerick Mosque, Cork Mosque, Longford Mosque, Lucan Mosque, Dawah Centre, Madinah Mosque (Dublin City) and Sligo Mosque

This came as a shock to me as Cork Mosque, Luca Mosque and Limerick Mosque have representation in the Irish Council of Imams.

Why did these Imams choose to go against the decision of ICI. To differ in opinion is one thing but to decide to go against the decision of ICI is weakening the unity of Muslims in Ireland on this important issue.

The best approach would have been, in my opinion,  to accept the decision of the authority and internally lobby to change the policy of ICI. This would not only avoid the disunity and confusion among Muslims, but at the same time address the concerns of these Imams including myself.

Unfortunately the approach taken by the Mosques has created for the first time in the history of Ireland a situation that is common and embarrassing in the UK.

Recommendations for the ICI

• The ICI must meet at the 29th of Shaban every year to ensure that the decision of the ICI is effectively communicated to all members and all members sign a document that they agree with the decision.

• ICI must organize a meeting to review its current policy as the announcements by Turkey and Yemen are absolutely wrong since there was no possibility of moon visibility Friday night. ICI must adopt a different policy and method. This could be following Saudi Arabia or adopting scientific calculation. This is to be discussed by the members. Once this is decided in light of the majority opinion it must be documented with signatures of all members.

• ICI must organise an urgent meeting to address the current issue as some Muslims are observing 1st Ramadan today on Saturday 28th June and some will observe 1st Ramadan on Sunday 29th June 2014.

Advice to Muslims in Ireland

The advice to Muslims in Ireland is to stick to the announcement to observe Ramadan from Saturday 28th June 2014. This is because the decision has been made by an umbrella organisation of Imams. It has been made by an authority of scholars based in Ireland.

The decision not to fast from today is only of 3 Imams. The other Mosques that have decided not to fast do not have an Imam representative in the Irish Council of Imams and have chosen to follow the UK.  It is the best approach to follow the umbrella body Irish Council of Imams which since 2005 has been announcing the beginning and end of Ramadan.

May Almighty Allah give us taufiq to unite and avoid such situation in future, ameen.

Wassalaam,

Dr. Muhammad Umar Al-Qadri

Imam Al-Mustafa Islamic Centre Ireland www.islamiccentre.ie 

Founding Member Irish Council of Imams

Taraweeh and Ramadan Announcement

Alhamdulillah, we are pleased to announce that Ramadan starts on Saturday 28th June 2014.

We wish you a very blessed Ramadan.

Ramadan Kareem!

Click on Ramadan Timetable Image below

يطيب للمركز الإسلامى بأيرلندا  أن يبعث  لكم أحر التهاني وأصدق التبريكات بمناسبة حلول شهر رمضان المبارك، جعله الله شهر خير وبركة، ووفقنا جميعاً لصيامه وقيامه، والفوز بالمغفرة ، والرضوان     

وكل عام وأنتم بخير

Please download the Ramadan Timetable in PDF Format below

ramadan 2014

Download the Ramadan Checklist !  The checklist is very useful to make the most out of the blessed Ramadan

Please note that you can send your Zakat, Sadaqah and Fir to the Islamic Centre’s bank account.

Night of 15th Shaban Laylatul Baraa’ah(Urdu Shab-E-Baraat ) – Night Of Salvation

The Prophet, peace and mercy be upon him, said, “There are five nights in which du’a (supplication) is not  rejected:

1. the eve of Rajab,2. the 14th night of Sha‟aban, 3. the eve of Friday, 4-5. on the eve of Eid Al-Fitr, and on the

eve of Eid Al-Adha.”[Al-Suyuti in his Al-Jami’].

The Ulema Say say:
Rajab is the month of repentance (istighfar), and Sha’aban is the month of sending peace and mercy
(salawat/durood shareef ) upon the Prophet, and Ramadan is the month of Qur’an.

Imam Ibn Maja (r.a.) records a Hadith narrated by Syedina Ali (r.a.) that the Holy Prophet (SAW) said that the 15th night of Shaban is the night in which Almighty Allah descends to the closest sky to his servants and accepts the prayers.

Syeda Aisha (r.a.) narrates that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said that in this night Almighty Allah forgives as many people equal to the number of hair on the animals on the tribe of Banu Kalb. (Banu Kalb was one of the largest tribes in Arabia which was famous for its abundance of goats and cattle).

Syedah Aisha R.A. narrates: „One night, which was the 15th of Shabaan, I did not find the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu
alaihi wasallam) in the house so I went in search of him. After a long search, I found him in Baqiah (the cemetery of
Madinah ) offering Du’a for the deceased and praying for their forgiveness”. (Baihaqi)

Ibne Habaan (radi Allahu anhu) that Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said: “When the night of 15th Shabaan
arrives spend the night awake and keep fast the next day”.

This year the Night of Salvation will fall between Thursday 12th June 2014 and Friday 14th June 2014.
In Al-Mustafa Islamic Culural Centre there will be Qiyam ul Layl whole night insha Allah with Zikr, Salaah
Tasbeeh, Duaa,. There will be special duaas recited in congregation.

All brothers and sisters are welcome.

If you are unable to visit the Islamic Centre on this blessed night please download the print below in which instructions are given how to spend this blessed night.

For more information please call the Islamic Centre at 01- 5156206