Source: crawleynews.co.uk
A NEW mosque has been officially opened in Langley Green after being converted from a former church.
COMMUNITY FUNDING: Members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association’s Crawley branch paid for the external and internal renovations
The first Ahmadiyya Muslim Association mosque in Sussex, the Masjid Noor Mosque, had its opening ceremony on Saturday to mark the end of eight months of renovation work.
His Holiness, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the fifth Caliph (spiritual leader) and world head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, visited Crawley for the first time to unveil the new religious centre.
The building, in Langley Drive, was previously used by the Elim Pentecostal Church and internal and external redecoration has taken place.
LEADERSHIP: The association’s Sheikh Rahman (vice president), Abdul Ghafoor (president), Rafiq Hayat (national president), Ahsan Ahmedi (regional president) and Nasir Khan (vice president)
The association’s regional president Ahsan Ahmedi said: “We have built a small extension and installed a minaret (a spire which provides a visual focal point) as well as redecorating inside and out.
“The renovations in total cost more than £100,000, all paid for by our community.”
About 500 people attended on the day, including 180 who were not part of the Muslim faith.
Mr Ahmedi added: “We want to reach out to the larger public in Crawley.
“Any person of any faith is welcome to come inside the mosque and pray. There are no restrictions.
“During the opening a Roman Catholic and a Protestant both offered their prayers inside the mosque with us.
EXCITED: Young members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association prepare for the opening of the new mosque
“This is one of the main purposes of our mosque. As well as being a centre for education and prayer it is a place where we can integrate with the whole Crawley community.”
The mosque has a capacity of 250 people.
The Ahmadiyya community in Sussex is made up of about 200 people, from 50 families, with the majority living in Crawley.
The mosque will also attract people who live in Brighton, Eastbourne and Haywards Heath, as well as Gatwick Airport workers.
Crawley’s Ahmadiyya community also plans to use the mosque to help people in need across the town.
Mr Ahmedi added: “We want this to become a centre for the homeless and there are plans to set up a weekly coffee morning.
“This will be for people who are struggling and… continue reading at crawleynews.co.uk
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Categories: Ahmadiyyat: True Islam, Europe, ISLAM, Islam, UK
Hii
Can someone help me regarding my q plz..I wanna know regarding ahmodiya marriage
I hope some properly informed person will reply to you. I can say that Ahmadis are Muslims who believe in the coming of the reformer of later times, that is a person who appeared in India in Qadian (1835-1908). He claimed to be the Promised Messiah and Imam mahdi as prophesied by the prophet Muhammad s.a.w.s. He was more than just a reformer.
He established the Jama’at Ahmadiyah in year 1889. Upto now, more than 160 Million persons have joined the Jama’at.
Your question about marriage: Normally Ahmadi men marry the Ahmadi ladies only, rarely they marry outside of the Jama’at. That is because of severe opposition from other Muslim sects.
The procedure for marriage is simple. The marriage can be an arranged marriage or mutual acceptance of the two persons.
There is marriage form which has to be filled in and witnessed. The president of the area Jama’at endorses the form after some inquiry.
Th best thing that you could do would be to visit a nearby Jama’at Ahmadiyah center or mosque and meet some one in person. They will, Insha Allah, try to understand you problem and will give you all details. All legal help is provided. Best wishes. wassalam.