Published on Apr 20 2009 by Shakeel Amini (Motamid Bradford North)

 

School Visit

Children from the Ripon Cathedral Choir School visited the Al-Mahdi Mosque on the 16^th of March.  The 16 children were accompanied by their teacher, Ms Jill Woods, and Mr Brian Burton, the husband of the school’s Headmistress and a regular attendee of Jama’at functions.  The pupils were doing a project on Islam and the purpose of the visit was to get a deeper understanding of the religion and clear up any misconceptions that they may have had.

The group arrived shortly after 10am and were given a tour around the mosque by Saleem Amini Sahib.  The children were taken back by the size of the building and also the cost.  They had so many questions which Saleem Sahib answered briefly but were told to wait for the question and answer session for more details.

After the tour, the group watched a slide show presentation given by Nasir Amini Sahib, Qaid of Bradford North.  The presentation gave an introduction to Islam, giving details about the beliefs of Muslims and the 5 Pillars of Islam.  Qaid Sahib spoke of the similarities between Islam and the earlier religions like Christianity and Judaism, but at the same time explained that Islam was the final religion for all mankind.  The presentation then focussed on the five daily prayers, discussing the procedures, etiquettes and method of offering Salaat.

The question and answer session got underway, headed by the Regional Missionary, Maulana Naseem Ahmad Bajwa Sahib, and President of Bradford North, Dr Mohammad Iqbal Sahib.  The questions came in thick and fast on various themes, such as mosques around the world (from Makkah to Morden) and Salaat timings to the role of women in Islam and the different sects.  The children were also interested in the way the Ahmadiyya Jama’at operated and enquired about the Khilafat system and how decisions are made.  It was wonderful seeing the youngsters so involved and immersed in the discussions.

Although there were many more questions, it was time for lunch and the group made their way downstairs to the function hall, where Basharat Tahir Sahib had prepared a lovely meal for everyone.  Whilst eating their food, the children continued asking questions and discussing Islam, whilst Qaid Sahib and the other members asked about their school and their hobbies, making the children feel more comfortable.

After lunch, the group watched the Zuhr Salaat and were presented literature on the Jama’at.  The teacher, Ms Jill Woods, was given books for the school library, which included the Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam and Revelation, Rationality, Knowledge and Truth.