BMHC Newsletter August 2014 / Issue 9

BMHCNEWSLETTER AUGUST 2014 / ISSUE 9 Reg. Charity No. 1110104

BMHC COMMUNITY  The Erasmus Programme  Eid Festival 2014  Friends of BMHC Iftar  Ramadan 2014 – Sheikh Abu

Bakr As-Shatri  Radio Ramadan 2014  Radio Ramadan Volunteers Dinner & Award Ceremony  Welcoming Ramadan Event  BMHC Fundraising Dinner  Thaddabur ul Qura’n Conference  Free Business Support and Business Planning Workshops  Weekly Youth Club  Health and Fitness Activities  Heritage Matrimonial  Made in Europe Living below The Line Barbeque  10 days Itikaf with Sheikh Mohammed Akram Nadwi  5 Year Community Radio Licence Award  Flynas Competition  THE CUPPING CLINIC

THE MARQUEE Saturday 9th August was a rather bizarre day at the BMHC. The mood should have been a lot spritely, almost celebratory, but we were all exhausted. Everything leading up to this point, our entire schedule, every ounce of personal energy and resource

BMHC ACADEMY

had been poured into a seemingly endless black-hole of uncertainty. The weeks

 SultanS of Science

leading up to the opening had been plagued with a myriad of problems and logistical

issues that had exacerbated an already tight schedule that lesser men would have

text Appeal  Islamic Geometric Patterns: Conference and Workshop  International Conference of Global Islamic Studies 2014  Beacon Institute Rashid Course  GCSE COURSES AND EXAM RESULTS

BMHC DEVELOPMENT  BMHC Strategy  The Marquee

BMHC ENTERPRISE  The Al-Razi Coffee & Gift Shop  Venue for hire– Shafaz

shied away from.

But there was no room for anyone to hide. ‘The Marquee’ simply HAD to be ready on time, at whatever cost. This wedding was going to happen!

While management and building staff took a well-earned weekend off, (their work was done having worked 20 hour shifts for the past few days), catering staff, waiters, event managers, the odd prying staff member and the families of the bride & groom could be seen milling around, slowly seeing the marquee come to life, one bit at a time.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 18 COLLEGE ROAD, WHALLEY RANGE, MANCHESTER, M16 8BP 0161 881 8062  ADMINistrator@bmhc.org.uk  WWW.bmhc.org.uk

“Oh mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other...” - Quran 49:13

BMHC COMMUNITY

TIMETABLE & EVENTS

Bi-Monthly events

 Al-Huda Urdu & English Tafseer Classes 07866 313 010 / alhudamanchester@gmail.com

 Heritage Matrimonial Service 26th April 2014. Register for free at www.heritagematrimonials.co.uk

 GCSE RE (Islamic Studies) One academic year course. administrator@bmhc.org.uk  GCSE Arabic Language Two year course. administrator@bmhc.org.uk  Thai Boxing Class for Men & Boys Qualified instructors. Children £2/session, Adults £3/session.

 Movie Screening: A Separation May 2014  Free Business planning and self-employment workshops with Blue Orchid.

August and September 2014

ANNUAL events  Islam and Science Conference 2014 August 2014

SUBJECT TO MOON SIGHTINGS

 Girls and Boys Study Circle & Youth Club 0161 881 8062 / administrator@bmhc.org.uk

 Eid Al Adha 3rd October 2014 (Subject to moon sighting)

 Muslim Scouts for Boys and Girls Every Sunday

ONE OFF EVENTS

 Archery Club Every Saturday (Start date TBC)

Al-Huda: English Tafseer Class

Boys Only Study Thai Boxing Class Circle/Youth Club

Sun Al-Huda: English Tafseer Class

Al-Huda: English Tafseer Class

Al-Huda: Urdu Tafseer Class

Al-Huda: English Tafseer Class Jumm'a

Sat

Weekly Events

 European Academy of Quranic Studies (EAQS) 0793 991 9872 / events@eaqs.org / www.eaqs.org

2

Fri

Girls Only Study Circle/ Youth Club

EAQS: Tajweed

GCSE: Arabic

GCSE: Islamic Studies

EAQS: Tajweed

Thur Al-Huda: Urdu Tafseer Class

Wed Al-Huda: English Tafseer Class

Tues Al-Huda: Urdu Tafseer Class

Mon 09:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00 17:30 18:00 18:30 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00 21:30

 1st National New Muslim Initiative Conference 18th October 201410am - 4pm administrator@bmhc.org.uk

BMHC COMMUNITY

Ramadan 2014 at the BMHC For the Holy month of Ramadan, the British Muslim Heritage Centre (BMHC) made arrangements for Taraweeh (Ramadan evening prayer) and a crèche was available every Friday and Saturday Iftars (fast-breaking meals) were held every Saturday and every day during the last 10 days of Ramadan.

Up to 700 people packed the Centre every evening to attend the taraweeh prayers. The prayers and Qur’an recitation were inspiringly led by Sheikh Hamadur Rahman Fahim from Manchester, Sheikh Mohammed Salata from Egypt and on two occasions by an esteemed and world renowned Qur’an reciter.

On the 19th and 24th of September we had the great pleasure and honour of hosting Sheikh Abu Bakr AshShatri from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia who led the full taraweeh prayers on both evenings. Together they

On the day of Eid, families attended the two Eid prayers

enabled us to have the pleasure of listening to their

en mass. We estimate that at least 3,000 people attended

individual and unique styles of recitation, which was a

the two Eid prayers. This year the Eid prayers were held in

most beautiful and fulfilling experience for all those who

the main building and also in the new marquee.

attended.

EID FESTIVAL The British Muslim Heritage Centre (BMHC) was

The family friendly event featured an exciting

delighted to once again host a family and community

array of activities such as a family tent with

event on a huge scale. The rich and diverse community

workshops, activities and henna, stalls,

of Manchester was reflected in the people who attended

a fantastic family funfair, and halal food

in their thousands over the weekend. The event brought

stations where people experienced a variety

communities together regardless of faith, race and

of food. The highlight of Sunday was the

11AM TO 6PM SATURDAY 2ND AUGUST & SUNDAY 3RD AUGUST

Fun For All The Family

ALL ARE WELCOME - JOIN

COLLEGE ROAD, WHALLEY

• BBQ • VARIETY Of fOOD • DAWAH STALL • ICE CREAM, SWEETS, CAKES • JEWELLERY • CLOTHING • ISLAMIC ART • MANY MORE STALLS • fAIRGROUND RIDES • fUN AND GAMES • CHILDRENS ACTIVITIES • fACE PAINTING • HENNA PAINTING • BOUNCING CASTLES • THAI BOxING • NASHEEDS • fACILITIES fOR PRAYER • TOUR Of THE BMHC

THE WHOLE COMMUNITY

AT THE BMHC!

FOR FURTHER DETAILS, CALL 0161 881 8062, OR EMAIL ADMINISTRATO R@BMHC.ORG.UK 8BP  WWW.BMHC.ORG.

RANGE, MANCHESTER, M16

background. The festival was held over two days on

inaugural BMHC Eid Festival games where

Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd August 2014, where we

families took part in a baton relay race, egg and spoon

hosted over 4,000 people.

race, sack race and tug of war.

UK  REGISTERED CHARITY

NO. 1110104

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BMHC COMMUNITY

Weekly Youth Club A weekly get together to relax, have some fun, and aspire to do more and aim higher. The British Muslim Heritage Centre has dedicated two permanent rooms for youth activities with a wide range of facilities such as pool tables, table tennis, and computer game stations.  Girls 11 -18 years old

Every Friday, 7:00pm - 9:00pm

 Boys 11 - 18 years old

Every Sunday, 12:00pm - 4:00pm

 Boys Thai Boxing Classes 5+ years old

Every Sunday, 12:00pm - 1:00pm

Health and Fitness Activities  Weekly NHS Physical Activities Referral Service

Every Tuesday - 2:00pm - 3:30 pm

 Weekly Walking Club in partnership with the NHS

starting from May 2014

Scouting Taster Day Would you like to join the Scouts?

The British Muslim Heritage Centre (BMHC) and a group of dedicated volunteers have started the process of setting up a Scouts group at the Centre. Once set up, the Scouts group will offer regular structured learning and development for children through activities and even offer qualifications for volunteers involved in running the group.

The BMHC organised a free taster session for parents and children to find out more about the Scouts on Sunday 11th May 2014 from 12:00pm – 3:00pm. The taster day showcased a whole host of activities for parents and children to enjoy and experience. The day also presented an opportunity for parents to get involved and register as a volunteer for the Scouts group. Around 150 children and parents attended the taster day. There was a lot of

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interest from all who attended.

BMHC COMMUNITY

The ERASMUS Programme at the BMHC The ERASMUS Programme (European Community

This year we have 13 students from various Turkish

Action Scheme for the Mobility of University Students) is

universities, including Fatih University, Gediz University

a European Union (EU) programme established in 1987.

and Konya Mevlana University. The students are here for

Students who join the ERASMUS Programme study or

three months from June to September 2014. So far the

do an internship for a period of at least 3 months of an

students have had great experience under the supervision

academic year in another European country.

of Professor Salim Ayduz who is the senior researcher at the Heritage Department of BMHC. The students

The ERASMUS Programme guarantees that the period

are receiving many academic and cultural experiences

spent abroad is recognised by their university when

through the various events, activities, conferences and

they go back. As with previous years, the British Muslim

seminars which regularly take place at the BMHC. We

Heritage Centre (BMHC) is hosting students on the

have also designed special workshops and training for

ERASMUS programme.

the students. BMHC will host new Erasmus students for 2015 as well.

Award winning Living Below the Line campaign effort by Team BMHC The British Muslim Heritage Centre (BMHC) staff and volunteers joined over 20,000 people around the world in living on ÂŁ1.00 a day for 5 days. Live Below the Line is an initiative of the Global Poverty Project.

Live Below the Line is an innovative campaign which challenges thousands of individuals across the world to live on ÂŁ1.00 a day for 5 days, to deepen understanding of the challenges faced by individuals living in poverty, and to raise vital funds for crucial anti-poverty initiatives.

Team BMHC and hundreds of others who participated in Live Below The Line campaign this year attended a special BBQ at Willowbrook Farm in Oxfordshire. Team BMHC won an award for raising the most money as an organisation and one of the members of the team won an award for raising the most money as an individual.

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BMHC COMMUNITY

The Cupping Clinic

Welcoming Ramadan

The Prophet (pbuh) said: “Indeed the best of remedies

The British Muslim Heritage Centre (BMHC) in

you have is cupping (Hijama)”

association with Islamic Relief UK organised a special Welcoming Ramadan event on 17th June 2014. The

In partnership with The Cupping Clinic (Blackburn) we

attendees discussed ways of gaining reward during

are proud to introduce an ancient treatment method

Ramadan other than praying and fasting. Other ideas

that is part of Muslim heritage and also from the

that were discussed were how we, as a community

sunnah (teachings of the Prophet pbuh).

can gain additional reward during this blessed month.

The discussions were led by Shaykh Reda Bedier and

Over centuries, cupping, also known as hijama in Arabic has been a means of treatment and preventing acute and long-term health conditions. It is a simple, safe and painless procedure of applying cups to specific meridian points on the body to help release toxins Cupping is also considered to be the fastest way to detoxify. It increases blood circulation, boosts the immune system, regulates the hormones and helps the body find its own natural balance.

With its unique success rate, cupping is gaining rapid popularity as an alternative treatment for thousands of people including celebrities and sports personalities.

Separate clinics are held for men and women regularly at the BMHC by fully qualified and fully insured medical practitioners.

The next cupping clinic will be held at the BMHC on:  Men: Sunday 14th September 9:00am – 11:30am  Ladies: Friday 19th September 10:30am – 3:00pm For more information or to book and appointment please call:  Men booking line: 07870 555 522  Women booking line: 07561 313 460

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Shaykh Abdul Bari Yahya.

BMHC COMMUNITY

Heritage Matrimonial Service – Marriage Introduction Event Are you looking to get married, or do you know

The British Muslim Heritage Centre (BMHC) has

someone who would like 2014 to be the year that they

developed its marriage introduction service that will

find their soul mate and life partner?

provide an opportunity for aspiring couples to meet in an Islamic environment. With the help of our excellent volunteers, our last event was held on 26th April 2014 and the next event is planned for 13th September 2014.

It will be an opportunity to invite suitable candidates of your choice, for a chaperoned meeting in the magnificent buildings at the BMHC, on selected and advertised dates.

We will ensure you are well looked after at the events and any queries will be handled sensitively and discreetly.

All information on clients is carefully monitored and there will be an opportunity to speak directly to a member of the Heritage Matrimonials team on the phone.

Register for free at Heritage Matrimonials today at www.heritagematrimonials.co.uk

BMHC FUNDRAISING DINNER On 20th August 2014 the British Muslim Heritage Centre

Over 900 people attended the fundraising dinner which

(BMHC) held a fundraising Iftar (fast breaking dinner)

was held at the Sheridan Suite in Manchester. After the

to raise much needed funds for the BMHC’s proposed

dinner Sheikh Abu Bakr Ash-Shatri led the full tarawee

flagship projects which are the Sultans of Science

prayers at the BMHC.

interactive exhibition and for the community radio project.

This was a joint event with Human Appeal International.

Our special guest for the evening was the world renowned and esteemed Qur’an reciter Sheikh Abu Bakr Ash-Shtari from Saudia Arabia.

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BMHC COMMUNITY

5 Year Community Radio Licence Awarded to the BMHC Ofcom officially announced the award of a Community

Cllr Angeliki Stogia of Whalley Range where the BMHC is

Radio Licence, in Manchester, as one of seven in the

based, spoke on behalf of the ward and her colleagues,

whole of the North West.

saying ‘…Community radio has a vital role to play in Manchester, no more so than in the heart of our diverse

The application by British Muslim Heritage Centre (BMHC)

city. That’s why I’m as proud as I am pleased as a

for our Heritage Community Radio project stood out as

Whalley Range resident and Councillor, that our very

a clear winner, in being able to provide a station that

own BMHC has won the North West Community Radio

will reflect the needs and interests of its audience. The

Licence. A victory by Manchester, for Manchester and led

Centre provided demonstrable experience of excellent

by Whalley Range. Well done everyone.’

community engagement during their Radio Hajj and the Radio Ramadan project this year.

It is anticipated that ‘Heritage Community Radio’ will be launched in 2015, with support from the local community

With strong local support, the BMHC Community Radio Licence has been granted for 5 years from the date of the launch. It will be a 24 hour station, reaching out to thousands of listeners.

In response to the fantastic news, the Chairman Mr Nasar Mahmood thanked everyone involved in the application; volunteers, staff, and well-wishers. ‘…it’s going to be an amazing project, serving the needs of the community, and aiming to build on the already excellent and diverse range of projects at the BMHC. We will really use this opportunity to be different, to be innovative, and to tackle issues that matter to the local community. This project will no doubt strengthen community cohesion; creating greater awareness, understanding and collaboration amongst the vibrant mosaic of communities that make up Greater Manchester.’

8

as well as partner organisations.

BMHC COMMUNITY

Radio Ramadan Volunteers Dinner & Award Ceremony Radio Ramadan 2014 was a community project which brought together a section of young people to do something new and fresh. Radio Ramadan created a vibrant and unique environment for over 50, mainly local volunteers and provided youngsters with a platform to discuss their concerns and express their views towards progression within the community freely.

The British Muslim Heritage Centre hosted a special dinner and awards ceremony on 8th August 2014 for all the volunteers and their families to celebrate their achievements. Those involved in the Radio Ramadan project were awarded prizes for various aspects of running the radio station for a month.

@1 BMHC

87.7FM

BritishMuslim HeritageCentre

LISTeN LIVe NOW BROADCASTING LIVE FROM 28TH JUNE - IN MANCHESTER 29TH JULY 2014

REGISTERED CHARITY NO.

RECEPTION: 0161 881 8062 STUDIO: 0161 881 8059 (LIVE) TEXT: 07968 619 040 EMAIL: RADIO@BMHC.ORG.UK

1110104  COLLEGE ROAD,

WHALLEY RANGE, MANCHESTE

R, M16 8BP  WWW.BMHC

.ORG.UK

9

BMHC COMMUNITY

10 Days Itikaf With Sheikh Mohammed Akram Nadwi The British Muslim Heritage Centre (BMHC) had

I took 10 days out to sit in a mosque, or was buried 6ft

the great honour and pleasure of hosting Sheikh

under until the end of the world, it makes no difference

Mohammed Akram Nadwi to lead Itikaf (period of

in this superficial, temporary, changing and imperfect

retreat) at the BMHC during the last ten days of

world. All that matters is Him. My Sustainer, my Protector,

Ramadan 2014. We had up to 100 people (men and

my Guide and my Love. After a tafseer (translation

women) who attended the Itikaf. The Itikaf programme

and commentary of the Qur’an) session about Prophet

included an early morning class with the Sheikh for

Ibrahim (Abraham) by our esteemed Sheikh Akram Nadwi,

those participating in the Itikaf progamme and classes

I sat on a prayer mat and visualised the day that the entire

during the day which were also open to the public

universe will disintegrate into nothingness. Every atom

and broadcast live on Radio Ramadan and through

and photon shattered, from the buildings we inhabit to

webcast. The following is a blog written by one of the

the cells in our bodies, from the oceans to the mountains,

participants of the Itikaf.

all will be gone. Only His Majesty will remain. Prophet Ibrahim’s (Abraham) dua (prayer) came to mind from the

Itikaf at the BMHC was a healing for my heart,

Quran in Surah Al An’am, verse 79; “For me, I have set

replenishment for my soul, rejuvenation for my mind, and

my face firmly and truly towards Him who created the

ultimately, the most precious realisation that exists in

heavens and the earth…”

this universe. A realisation that I pray will burn within me once the mysterious Ramadan energy and spirituality has

Allah (swt) is the only reality, and the extent to which

subsided, and the light from which I hope to see once

we turn to Him holds the key to the state of our hearts,

my soul has departed from this world. Our existences

minds and affairs. We must shut our eyes to creation

were stripped down to the absolute bare minimum in this

and open our minds to the Creator, turn our hearts away

dunya (world), we had minimal food, bedding, luxury, and

from this world and turn them towards He who owns it.

contact with people. The clutter of our lives was placed

We control nothing, if He willed me to stop breathing

aside in order to focus on the Absolute. The decorations

while writing this, I would die, and if He willed me to live

of work and education and society were left at the door,

forever I would. So we must turn to Him fully and wholly,

and it was just souls, our exhausted, disorientated and

submit with every modicum of our existence, and then

lost souls gathered in His house at the BMHC. We walked

have blind trust and faith that He, the Most Kind and

towards Him, and as promised, He ran towards us.

Compassionate, will take us into His care, and walk with us on the path back to Him. I realised something far

I realised that I have my priorities all wrong. Rather than

more precious than all the gold in the world, something

looking at the problem in front of me, I need to look to

Prophet Ibrahim understood when he summarised the

the One who can solve it. Rather than busying myself

true definition of success in those words. As in a Maori

with the world around me, if I busy myself with He who

proverb; “Turn your face towards the light and all the

created it, all else will all fall into place. And above this,

shadows will fall behind you.” I have the Ultimate light

I will be content. I will have what the entire human race

source. I have the Light of the

is desperately searching and fighting for. Sakinah (heart

heavens and the earth. Light

at peace).Contentment.Tranquility. Incredibly, after ten

upon Light. If I turn myself

days without family, friends, work and social media,

towards Allah swt, all the

television and everything else that we convince ourselves

shadows of this world will fall

we need, I remained very much alive, in fact, even more

behind me.

so. I may have been missed by some, but in my absence,

10

the earth had not stopped turning, organisations had

May His light illuminate all of

not stopped running, humans had not stopped living.

our souls and our steps.

Even with positions of authority, soon enough I would

By Hiba Noor Khan

be replaced, and everything would continue almost as if

(Student, University of

I had never existed, as is the way of the world. Whether

Oxford)

BMHC ACADEMY

FLynas Family History The British Muslim Heritage Centre (BMHC) in conjunction with www.flynas.com offered 5 lucky winners a free 10 day return-trip from Manchester to

2nd International Conference on Islam and Science: Past, Present and Future of Food and Medicine

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in the month of May 2014. Each travel with a companion.

sponsored by Shipleys Tax Advisers www.shipleystax.com

The main aim of the competition was to help the

In Partnership with The Blueshift Project®

winner received a pair of tickets to enable them to

BMHC build a picture of the Muslim community in the UK today. To enter the competition participants had

The British Muslim Heritage Centre (BMHC) and

to submit a creative piece of work – a presentation

The Blueshift Project® are pleased to announce the

detailing Genealogy or Family history, covering at

organisation of the second international conference

least 2 generations.

on Islam and Science: Past, Present and Future of Food and Medicine.

We received some fantastic creative pieces of work from all over Britain. 5 winning entries presented

This conference is the second of many scholarly

fascinating narratives of family histories in Britain

events to be organised by BMHC, which aims to offer

with examples of extraordinary contributions made to

a better appreciation of Islamic culture and civilisation

British society.

and the Muslim contribution to modern science and civilisation, aspects which are poorly appreciated or

Winners of the ‘British Muslim Family History Writing

totally misunderstood today.

Contest’ competition and supporters of BMHC went to perform Umrah between 21st to 30th May 2014.

The aim of the conference is the promotion of the Islamic scholars’ achievements throughout history.

The conference is open to scholars, students and people interested in civilisations. It is also open to those involved in the teaching profession who are interested in scholarship in general and Islamic thought in particular. The conference subjects open wide and diverse discussion and should be accessible to most elements of the general public.

The conference will take place on the 18th - 19th October 2014. Following the conference, all papers will be published in the www.islamandscience.

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BMHC ACADEMY

2014 Global Islamic Studies International Conference In partnership with the National University of Malaysia and the University of Salford, the British Muslim Heritage Centre (BMHC) organised the International Conference of Global Islamic Studies 2014 (ICGIS 14) on 5th June 2014.

The ICGIS 14 was a premier conference for presentations of new and advanced thoughts in global Islamic Studies.

The objective of the conference was to establish Islamic knowledge in the eyes of the global community. The conference brought together researchers, academicians, Masters and PhD students, and practitioners in the domain of interest from around the world.

After the conference all participants attended a special dinner and a Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony at the BMHC. The Memorandum of Understanding detailed an agreed strategy between the two organisations to work together to disseminate knowledge and information about Islam and Muslims to the wider world and was signed by Prof. Dr. Mohamed Nasran (Dean of Faculty of Islamic Studies, National University of Malaysia) and Mr Adnan Saif (Chief Executive of the BMHC).

BEACON INSTITUTE RASHID Course The British Muslim Heritage Centre (BMHC) in partnership with the BEACON institute supported by Gift of Knowledge (GOK) will be launching the Rashid Course in Manchester on 16th and 17th November 2014.

The course is designed for those wishing to develop their fundamental understanding of religion, gain practical knowledge to practice and to disseminate to others. Interested individuals will go through a structured course on a part-time basis, without affecting any full time education or employment commitment.

There are two primary objectives of the course, which are: ď Ž Learn your religion - To equip all participants with fundamental knowledge of religion. ď Ž Teach your religion - To enable interested individuals to teach the fundamentals

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of religion.

For more information or to register for the course please visit www.beaconinstitute.co.uk or call 0203 743 9350.

BMHC ACADEMY

SOS – Sultans of Science Text MESSAGE Fundraising Appeal As part of our fundraising effort for the proposed Sultans

To donate £2, simply text “BMHC11 2” TO 70070.

of Science exhibition, the British Muslim Heritage Centre has launched a £2 Text Appeal. This new way to donate,

It is also possible to donate other amounts via

will allow donations to be made quickly and easily.

text message if you wish to do so. To donate, type BMHC11, leave a space, enter the amount you

This project is about bringing hidden knowledge and

wish to donate (in pounds), then send to 70070. So

authentic history to the forefront of British Society, and

for example, if you wished to donate £10, just text

helping to develop a more understanding, caring, open,

“BMHC11 10” to 70070.

and connected Community, in the UK and indeed the world. The project aims to:  Help dispel the myths, breakdown cultural and religious

We thank you for your continued support. Without your kind help, the BMHC could not function.

barriers, and do a service to the community at large.

 Promote community cohesion and create a fairer and

SULTANS of SCIENCE

more loving society.

 Inspire generations by exemplifying the contributions

of the Muslim community over centuries of

forgotten history.

ExplorE thE GoldEn AGE

of SciEncE And tEchnol

oGy

 Leave a lasting legacy, and be rewarded in this life

and the next.

What better endowment, and legacy, than one that helps sustain an organisation, and increase knowledge of Islam’s contribution to a society, where Islam is seen in such a negative light. It is indeed a collaborative opportunity that provides a win-win situation for all involved.

BMhc collEGE roAd, WhAll Ey rAnGE, MAnchEStEr, 0161 881 8062  AdMini M16 8Bp StrAtor@BMhc.orG.u k  WWW.BMhc.orG.uk

Blue Orchid Business Start-up and Business Planning Workshops As part of the British Muslim Heritage Centre (BMHC)

We have organised 2 free workshops and free follow up

partnership with Blue Orchid, the Centre has organised

personal 1-2-1 support. The next cohort of workshops

another round of free workshops and training

will be held on:

programmes on business start-up and business planning support for those considering self-employment and

 Thursday 21st Aug 2014 - 9:45am-4:00pm

starting their own business.

 Thursday 25th Sept 2014 - 9:45am-4:00pm

Previous programmes have been very successful and well

To book your free places please contact

attended. So far 6 individuals have successfully started

administrator@bmhc.org.uk or call 0161 881 8062.

their businesses from attending these free workshops at the BMHC.

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BMHC ACADEMY

Islamic Geometric Patterns Conference and Workshop The British Muslim Heritage Centre (BMHC) organised

There were a number of positive comments left

a full day conference and workshops on Islamic

for this session, in particular, a vast amount of

Geometric Patterns in Art and Architecture which was

students wrote that it was ‘a great workshop,

held on Saturday 3rd May. The event was presented

it was clear, concise and supportive’. Most

by an experienced team of expert international

students also commented that this session was

speakers: Eric Broug (UK), Huseyin Sen and Mesut

a great contribution to their learning, as he had

Balik (Netherlands) and Hasret Brown (Birmingham).

successfully managed to get the students to

ISLAM GEOME PATTE Register For

£25

A full day Conference and Geometric Patterns in Islami cA

Saturday, 3rd May

Conference Eric Broug - ‘An introduction Speak to Islam

Workshops: 1. Hasret Brown - ‘A Practic to Creating Islamic Geomet r

2. Huseyin Sen & Mesut Balik - ‘M. History and Techniqu

Registration includ Lunch Refreshments Admission to the confe and both workshops

expand their learning and apply their own creativity The event was devised into four sessions throughout the

through detailed and interactive teaching.

REGISTERED CHARITY NO.

day to enable students to learn at a steady and structured pace.The first session was presented by Huseyin Sen and

The third session was commenced after lunch

Mesut Balik who delivered a workshop on the historical

and continued by Eric Broug. During this session Eric

and methodological development of Escher’s art. In this

delivered a lecture and presentation designed to give

session, they gave students the opportunity to interact

students a visual tour of the masterpieces of geometric

and participate in the construction of some Escher like

designs in Islamic art and architecture. The feedback for

drawings using specific techniques and methodology.

this session acknowledged and praised how ‘detailed,

The feedback we received from our attendees around

informative and interesting’ this lecture was. Students

this session was remarkable. According to the comments

felt that they had received a great deal of knowledge and

left by the participants, it was a thoroughly enjoyable

information about the characteristics of the excellence

session as it was ‘very interactive’ and enabled them to

of geometric design, and its contemporary and historical

‘work at different levels according to their ability’. Huseyin

relevance. One student said ‘I particularly enjoyed seeing

and Mesut managed to effectively engage the students

the modern applicants of design – and to get a better

and help them understand the art and concept of Islamic

overview of the subject than I had before was really

Geometric Patterns and therefore the students found this

useful’.

to be a very ‘informative and interesting introduction’.

The final session was conducted by Hasret Brown, who

14

The second session included another workshop

delivered another practical workshop. During Hasret’s

presented by Eric Broug. His workshop was designed to

session students were taught how to develop unique and

build on from the first activity, and provided an interactive

practical skills in constructing and re-creating a pattern by

exercise session where the students were taught how

the use of a traditional compass and ruler. She inspired

to draw other simple geometric patterns, and apply their

students to apply individual creativity to their designs

own individual creativity with the use of colour. Once

through the application of colour and then explored

again, the feedback from the participants was fantastic.

methods to tessellate the patterns to a larger scale.

TO REGISTER, CALL 016 OR EMAIL ADMINISTRA

1110104  COLLEGE ROAD,

WHALLEY RANGE, MAN

BMHC ACADEMY

MIC ETRIC ERNS

d Workshops on Art and Architecture

y 2014 BritishMuslim HeritageCentre

ker: mic Geometric Design’

cal Introduction ric Patterns’.

. C. Escher Style Art, ues’

des:

erence s

By the end of the session, the students had all

Overall, there was a large number of positive feedback left

individually created some fantastic geometric designs

by students on the interactive and informative deliverance

from the same pattern, which was all bought together

of the workshops. A number of students have said that

and tessellated on to a canvas to create a larger piece

they would attend this event again, commenting that

of wonderful Islamic art. The participants found this

it was well structured and enabled them to enjoy their

session highly ‘inspirational, creative and fun’. Most

learning experience. This event has been a tremendous

students were left in awe by her work as a professional

success and one which the BMHC wants to repeat again,

artist and found her paintings to be ‘very inspirational

as such, we will be planning to organise similar events in

because, in such a short period of time, Hasret has

the near future.

gained tremendous skill’ as a credible artist.

61 881 8062, ATOR@BMHC.ORG.UK

NCHESTER, M16 8BP  WWW.BMHC

.ORG.UK

Tadabbur Al-Qur’an Conference 2014 The European Academy of Quranic Studies (EAQS) was launched in partnership with the British Muslim Heritage Centre (BMHC) in 2013 with a 2-day international seminar on Tadabbur Al-Quran.

Tadabbur is the process of using intellect to ponder, analyse, contemplate, reflect, examine and understand the text of the Holy Quran. Since the launch last year, EAQS have been holding many short courses and regular classes at the BMHC on topics such as; reading and writing Arabic and tajweed (pronunciation of the Qur’an).

On 21st and 22nd June 2014 EAQS held their second

Key Topics covered at the seminar:  Tadabbur: The practice of the Sahabah

(Companions of the Prophet PBUH) and the early

scholars of Islam.

international seminar on Tadabbur Al-Quran. The theme

 Personal life changing experiences from Tadabbur

of this year’s seminar was ‘Tadabbur Al Qur’an - Between

Traditional and Modern Methodology’. The seminar was

 Training to practice Tadabbur Al-Quran.

delivered by a whole host of prominent speakers and intellectuals from the UK and abroad.

Al-Qur’an.

 Mechanisms of Tadabbur Al-Quran for non-Arabic

speakers.

 The use of Scientific Miracles in Tadabbur

Al-Quran.

EAQS seeks to promote a balanced and comprehensive understanding of the Qur’an and its relevance to contemporary issues by organising courses and seminars and by publishing educational materials for a wide variety of audiences including students, teachers and both Muslims and non-Muslims of the wider society.

For more information about EAQS and its activities please visit www.eaqs.org.

15

BMHC ACADEMY

A Sultan and a Scientist: MIrzA Ulugh Beg Ulugh Beg (Turkish for ‘great prince’) whose full name was

The circular main building had a diameter of about 46 m and

Mirza Muhammad Taraghay b. Shahrukh b. Amir Timur was

was three stories high (approximately 30 m above ground

born on 22 March 1394 at Sultaniyya, (Today in Iran). He was

level). The north–south axis of the main building was occupied

the eldest son of Ruler Shahrukh (1405-1447) (son of Timur or

by a huge sextant with a radius of 40 m (called Fakhri sextant

Tamerlane (1370-1405) and was called Guragan, the Turkic

after that of Khujandi). In 1908, the archaeologist V. L. Vyatkin

equivalent of Timur’s title Amir-i Kabir.

uncovered the underground part of this sextant.

Ulugh Beg was governor of Turkestan and Transoxiana from

Salah al-Din Musa b. Mahmud Qadizade al-Rumi (1337-1430),

1409 until 1447. After Shahrukh’s death in 1447, Ulugh Beg,

was chief instructor in Ulugh Beg’s madrasa, and probably

the only surviving son, became the ruler. However, Ulugh Beg

responsible for introducing the teaching of astronomy and

had trouble with neighbouring amirs and his own son Mirza

mathematics. Ghiyath al-Din Jamshid al-Kashi (d. 1429), who

Abd al-Latif openly rebelled against him, defeated him in battle,

came from Kashan in ca. 1420, soon became a leading figure

and had him killed (27 October 1449) near Samarqand. Ulugh

at the observatory, inventing several instruments most notably

Beg was buried in Samarkand in the Gur-i Amir.

a planetary equatorium. Ghiyath al-Din Jamshid Kashi was in charge of observations at the Samarqand Observatory until his death, after which he was succeeded by Qadizade al-Rumi. The

Ulugh Beg As an Intellectual and Scientist

observational program was completed by Ali Qushji (d. 1474).

Ulugh Beg is better known for his interest in intellectual

Observations made under the direction of Ulugh Beg include

activities than for statecraft. A childhood visit to the ruins of

the measurement of the obliquity of the ecliptic as 23° 30’ 17’’

the Maragha Observatory of Nasir al-Din al-Tusi (d. 1274) may

and that of the latitude of Samarqand as 39° 37’ 33’’ N. Most

have stimulated his interest in mathematics and astronomy,

of the planetary eccentricities and epicyclic radii were newly

particularly construction of an observatory. In 1417-8, he

determined, and the longitudes and latitudes of the more

founded madrasas in Bukhara and Samarkand, both supported

than 1,000 stars in Ptolemy’s star catalogue were verified and

by large wakfs. Unusually, these madrasas taught primarily

corrected.

mathematics and astronomy. Ulugh Beg personally invited scholars to his capital Samarqand, collecting a group of sixty or seventy scholars engaged in the design of instruments and

Ulugh Beg’s Works

the discussion of astronomical and mathematical problems.

Zij-i Ulugh Beg (Zij-i of Ulugh Beg) (Persian) is also called: Zij-i In 1420, Ulugh Beg set up outside Samarqand, the most

Jadid-i Sultani / Gurgani (New Zij of Sultan / Guragan). Ulugh

advanced astronomical observatory of its time and the second

Beg’s main work is an astronomical handbook with tables.

biggest in history. Although it operated for little more than 30

In the preface, Ulugh Beg praised his team explaining that

years and was finally destroyed in the 16th century, it made the

he compiled the zij with the collaboration of colleagues such

most extensive observations of planets and fixed stars of any

as Qadizade al-Rumi, Ghiyath al-Din Jamshid Kashi, and Ali

Islamic observatory.

Qushji who made the observations as well as computing the tables. It comprises the preface plus four chapters dealing with chronology, trigonometry and spherical astronomy, planetary positions, and astrology. It mentions of movements of the Sun, the Moon, and the planets, of parallax and eclipses, of visibility of the crescent, table of geographical coordinates of 240 points, table of ecliptical coordinates of 1018 fixed stars, astrological tables.

16

BMHC ACADEMY

GCSE RESULTS The significance of Ulugh Beg’s Zij lies in the new observations

After successfully passing the application process

and computations underlying the tables most of which were

and inspections by the Joint Council for Qualifications

calculated to a greater precision than before. New types of

(JCQ), the British Muslim Heritage Centre (BMHC)

tables were added that simplified the calculation of planetary

successfully gained accreditation from the

positions. Ulugh Beg’s star catalogue for the year 1437

examination board Edexcel to become an examination

represents the only large-scale observations of star coordinates

centre for GCSEs.

made in Islamic territory in the medieval period.

The BMHC delivered an accelerated Religious Studies Ulugh Beg’s Zij became the standard star tables and continued

GCSE Islamic Studies course in 2013/2014 academic

to be widely used in both the Islamic and Western world until

year. The course was delivered by an experienced

the 19th century. It was soon translated into Arabic by Yahya

and qualified teacher.

ibn Ali al-Rifai and into Turkish by the Ottoman astronomer Abd al-Raḥman ibn Uthman in Cairo. Persian, Arabic, and Hebrew

In May and June 2014 altogether 52 students sat

scholars reworked it. Commentaries to the Zij were written by

their GCSE Islamic Studies examinations here at the

Qushji, Miram Chelebi, Birjandi, and many others. Abbas Wasim

BMHC. We are pleased and proud to announce that

Efendi (1689-1760) made a Turkish commentary on Ulugh Beg’s

all of our students who sat their examinations passed.

ZiFj and presented the completed work to the Ottoman Sultan

All of our students did exceptionally well, with over

Mahmud I (r. 1730–1754). The worked examples in the book are

71% of the students attaining the top grades of A* or

all based on Abbas Wasim Effendi’s own calculations for the

A and over 98% receiving A* - C.

longitude and latitude of Istanbul. He also explains Ulugh Beg’s method for finding the sine of 1°, which was based upon the work of Jamshid al-Kashi. Hundreds of manuscript copies of the Persian original of Ulugh Beg’s Zij exist in libraries all over the world. In 17th century England, various parts of the Zij were published in edition and/or translation.

We are now enrolling students for GCSE Islamic Studies and GCSE Arabic Language.

The available courses are:  GCSE Islamic Studies - Accelerated Religious

Risala fī istikhraj jayb daraja wahida b’’a mal mu’assasa ala qawa’id hisabiyya wa handasiyya aala tariqa Ghiyath al-Din al-Kashi (Treatise on Determining the Sine of 1° by operations based on Arithmetic and geometric rules by principles of the method of Ghiyāth al-Din al-Kashi). This contains descriptions of the determination of Sine 1° by the method of al-Kashi (Risala al-watar wa’l-jayb) and by the method of the author.

Risāla-yi Ulugh Beg (Treatise of Ulugh Beg). Little is known about

Studies GCSE course conducted over 1 year.

 GCSE Arabic - 2 Year GCSE Arabic course

consisting of four units based on the following

skills: Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing.

(For GCSE Arabic prior knowledge is a

pre-requisite).

Course Details:

other works of Ulugh Beg. A marginal note by him in the India Office

 Courses are taught by qualified teachers

manuscript of Kashi’s Khaqani Zij presents a clever improvement

 Classes: Tuesday 7pm - 8:30pm at the BMHC

of a spherical astronomical calculation. A Risala fi istikhraj jayb daraja wahida (Treatise on the extraction of the sine of 1°) has been

 Minimum age: Year 9 students

attributed to Ulugh Beg because of a citation in Birjandi, although

 Course Fees are £150 (£75 payable in September

most manuscripts of this work give Qadizade as the author.

Professor Salim Ayduz, Senior Researcher, BMHC

More info can be found at www.bmhc.org.uk.

and £75 in January).

17

BMHC DEVELOPMENT

THE MARQUEE

CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE

systems sprung into life, the sound system awoke and

So what makes The Marquee different from other venues?

the waiting staff arrived, donning their crisp new uniforms,

The key reason behind the popularity of the venue

colour co-ordinated with the resplendent décor that

is the setting itself. Located amongst Grade 2* listed

was now adorning the ‘arena’. Wedding favours were

architecture, the overwhelming sense of opulence and

being meticulously arranged across the hall. And then

tranquillity lets you instantly know that you’re in an

it happened. That was the moment we knew that we’d

altogether different place. A place where class, manners,

done it…Alhamdulillah! (Praise is to God!).

decency and respect for the client is our guiding principle.

We thought it was going to be plain sailing from here

 All our food is arranged in-house, housed within

on in, but how wrong we were. Within hours of the first

The stage lights were switched on, the climate control

images of The Marquee going online, utter pandemonium ensued…

Suddenly, Manchester had a new events venue. A venue surrounded by stunning architecture, magnificent grounds, ample car-parking, brilliant catering all run in a

 We do not use agency staff; we train and keep our

own staff.

 We arrange all décor and lighting ourselves.  We do not hire or borrow crockery and table settings.

halal setting. This is what people had been wanting for a

 We always maintain an Islamic ethos and can

long time…and it was now a reality.

The clamour for bookings overwhelmed our office. Staff

You can see more on our Facebook pages or visit

members who’d previously been fielding a couple of

www.themarquee.org.uk for more information.

tentative enquiries a week we suddenly have to drop their own work to deal with the avalanche of enquiries that followed. People unable to get through to us by phone or email, were driving to the BMHC to sit outside our office until they had secured their booking.

18

our new, purpose-built, state-of-the-art kitchen.

accommodate segregation where needed.

BMHC DEVELOPMENT

BMHC Strategy Our Vision for BMHC

Our Vision for BMHC

Our Offer

A centre of excellence,

Developing pioneering

 A welcoming environment

celebrating the rich and diverse

initiatives that promote the

Muslim heritage, inspiring

rich and diverse Muslim

all communities to embrace

heritage and making it

diversity and be instrumental in

accessibale to all.

 A learning environment  Outreach  Partnership  Centre of expertise

shaping a cohesive society.

Our aspiration is of a Centre “celebrating Islam’s rich

The BMHC will only achieve these aspirations with your

and diverse heritage, inspiring all communities to

help through the following:

embrace diversity and be instrumental in the shaping of a cohesive society”. We remain committed to the following principles: 1 The BMHC will be a centre for all communities

Muslims and non-Muslims.

2 We will strive to provide a welcoming environment for

BMHC scheme.

 We are always looking for dedicated volunteers.  You can donate to the ongoing work directly to the

BMHC bank account: Royal Bank of Scotland, Withington Branch

all, and work in partnership for the common good.

3 In focusing on Muslim heritage we mean: Muslim

 We invite you to become a member of the Friends of

history and contribution to human civilisation.

friend OF BMHC

467 Wilmslow Road, Withington, Manchester M20 9AP

A/C No.:10088053

Sort Code: 16-34-27

IBAN: GB85RBOS

Swift: RBOSGB2L

Send us the following details and we’ll do the rest:

This is an opportunity for you to help contribute to the vision of BMHC, and be part of an inspiring and

Name:

unique project which aims to enrich, bring together,

________________________________________________

and benefit all members of the community. Through a monthly subscription of only £10 per month, the

Address:

scheme aims to:

________________________________________________

 Raise the profile of the BMHC

________________________________________________

 Raise much needed revenue to run activities  Offer exclusive benefits to members including:

- Priority booking for BMHC events

- Annual Friends Dinner

- Exclusive preview of exhibitions, book

launches and other similar events

________________________________________________ Tel: ________________________________________________ Email: ________________________________________________

- Regular email newsletter of developments.

19

BMHC ENTERPRISE

VENUE FOR HIRE

The Al-Razi Coffee And Gift Shop

The BMHC is an 18th century Grade II listed building located in the heart of Manchester and situated within eight acres of attractive greenery.

Among the facilities we can provide are the following:  Large conference / meeting and banqueting hall

capable of accommodating up to 200 people.

 Two large meeting rooms capable of

accommodating up to 100 people.

 Four meeting rooms capable of accommodating

up to 40 people in each room.

 A boardroom capable of accommodating

14 people.

 A fully equipped kitchen and serving area.  On-site free car parking for up to 250 vehicles.  Green space capable of hosting a variety of

outdoor events.

The British Muslim Heritage Centre is excited to

For further information please contact our

announce that the Al-Razi Coffee and Gift Shop is

Events Team on 0161 881 8062 or by email on

in the process of opening. The coffee shop takes

events@bmhc.org.uk.

its name from Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Zakariya Al-Razi (850-922 AD, approx. 236-309 AH) or Rhazes as he is known in Europe, an Iranian physician who is purported to be the first writer to make reference to coffee in his treatise on medicine. It will provide a comfortable and welcoming environment in which the Centre’s visitors can stop and take some time out to enjoy a hot drink and sweet treat whilst browsing the gifts and Islamic wares on offer.

Starting small, the shop currently stocks books for adults and children, Islamic educational resources, HMC halal sweets, Palestinian fair-trade products and BMHC souvenir items, but the range of merchandise on offer will grow as the shop becomes more established.

Please come and have a look around if you are passing by, the shop currently opens on Fridays after prayer and main event days. We look forward to

20

seeing you.