The Muslim Faith
Islam is a monotheistic faith, one of the Abrahamic religions, and the world's second-largest religion. Muslims believe that God revealed his divine word directly to mankind through many prophets and that Muhammad was the final prophet of Islam. Muslims believe that God (or, in Arabic, Allāh; also in Aramaic, Alaha) revealed his direct word for mankind to Muhammad and other prophets. Muslims believe that Muhammad is the last or the seal of the prophets. Thus, his preachings for humankind will last until Qiyamah (The Day of the Resurrection). Muslims assert that the main written record of revelation to humankind is the Qur'an which they believe to be flawless, immutable, and the final revelation of God to humanity.
Muslims in York
There are now over 1500 Muslims living in York from many different backgrounds and nationalities. A significant number are British with relatives coming from Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Arab countries, Turkey and Afghanistan. There are also a considerable number of international Muslim students studying in the city.
The main mosque in York is on Bull Lane. Prayers take place here five times every day as well as the Friday prayers for which the mosque is usually full to overflowing. Children’s teaching, a women's circle, mothers and toddlers and a men’s study circle also take place at the mosque. Muslims in York work and study in many sectors and are also involved in fund raising, social action and charity work. Recently dinners have been held to raise money for the survivors of the earthquake in Pakistan and Kashmir and two mosque open days have taken place which have been widely attended by the citizens of York.
The Muslim Advisers
Sheikh Zubair Ahmad is the imam at the mosque on Bull Lane and has worked and lived in York as an imam for twenty years. His birthplace was Allahabad in India. Since moving to York he has found himself working as an imam not only at the mosque but also in Wetherby prison, at Askham Grange and representing the faith by receiving visitors from and making visits to schools, colleges, universities, York community groups and sections of the City Council.
Mrs Huma Rahman was born in Pakistan to Afghan parents and first lived in York in the 1970s. Since then she has also spent time back in Pakistan and Skegness before return to York. She is an accomplished cook, running a well respected catering business in York and recently arranged charity dinners in the area. As well as being a mother and housewife, she is a person who offers hospitality to many students who are living and studying in York.
The York Mosque is situated on
