Militant Islam Monitor > Articles > Saudi run Edinburgh Central Mosque raises money for Hamas Islamic Relief 'charity' at Islamic (da' wa) Festival Aug, 1- 31 'O6

Saudi run Edinburgh Central Mosque raises money for Hamas Islamic Relief 'charity' at Islamic (da' wa) Festival Aug, 1- 31 'O6

August 28, 2006

http://www.islamfestival.com/

Broaden your horizons throughout August 2006 with the expanded Islam Festival Edinburgh, hosted by the city's largest mosque. An exciting exhibition and diverse events programme suitable for all the family.

The centrepiece of the Festival is the Discover Islam Exhibition hosted by the Edinburgh Central Mosque, 50 Potterrow [click for map].

Pop in any day between 12pm and 6pm (Fridays 2pm-6pm) to experience a unique display of art and knowledge, together with tours of the magnificent building. Friendly guides are on hand to answer your questions. Admission is free, as well as literature and refreshments.

See the links on the right for the line-up of events, including the Islamic Book Fair, Islam & the West conference, the Glorious Recital, Charity Fair and Islamic Calligraphy displays.

MIM: Last month, the head of Islamic Relief in Gaza was deported from Israel for fundraising for Hamas.

Charity Fair
An exciting weekend organised by Islamic Relief. Featuring a recreation of a refugee camp, art by child survivors of the Pakistan earthquake, various fundraising stalls and special activities for kids. In aid of the Lebanon & Palestine Appeal.
Sat 19 / Sun 20, 12pm-6pm

http://www.islamfestival.com/

The Edinburgh Central Mosque will be the venue for many exciting events as well as the daily Exhibition. From talks to courses, and live performances to weekend fairs, there is something for everyone, and you will want to keep coming back.

Islamic Book Fair
A wide selection on offer from leading UK Islamic booksellers, the Islamic Foundation (Leicester) and Maktabat al-Da'wah (London).
Fri 4, 2pm-6pm / Sat 5, 12pm-6pm

Islam & the West: Beyond the ‘Clash'
An evening conference with world-renowned Muslim speakers presenting prospects for increased understanding. With Jamal Badawi, Shabir Ally, Abdullah Hakim Quick and Yusuf Estes.
Mon 7, 6pm-9pm

Through the Veil

A video installation exploring the Islamic concept of Hijab. By Rusaila Bazlamit - see www.throughveil.com

Fri 11 - Sun 13, 2pm-4pm

The Glorious Recital: Noble Parables
A beautiful showcase of the recited Qur'an, with experts reciting live with real-time projected translations. Featuring Hajjaj al-Hindawi (Egypt), Yahya Hawwa (Jordan) and Abdurrahman Dimashqiah (Saudi Arabia). See www.quranica.com
Sat 12, 6pm-8.30pm

Muslim Women: On the Fringe?
A panel talk with prominent Muslim women presenting their thoughts on this highly controversial issue. [Speakers to be announced soon.]
Sun 13, 4pm-5.40pm

Introduction to Arabic
A 3-day course offering basics in the Arabic language, including reading its letters, and useful vocabulary.
Mon 14 - Wed 16, 12pm-3.30pm: register by emailing [email protected] (£15)

Charity Fair
An exciting weekend organised by Islamic Relief. Featuring a recreation of a refugee camp, art by child survivors of the Pakistan earthquake, various fundraising stalls and special activities for kids. In aid of the Lebanon & Palestine Appeal.
Sat 19 / Sun 20, 12pm-6pm

Islam, Our Choice
A panel of new Muslims share their individual journeys into the faith.
Wed 23, 4pm-6pm

"By the Pen": Live Calligraphy Display

Master calligrapher Haji Noor Deen Mi Guangjiang (China) will be exhibiting and selling some of his works from Aug 22nd. In this event, he will demonstrate his unique blend of traditional Arabic and Chinese styles.
Sat 26, 4pm-5.40pm

Islam in China
This lecture by Haji Noor Deen will give an insight into the long history of Muslims in China, and their reality today.
Sun 27, 4pm-5.40pm

Introduction to Calligraphy
A special 2-day course with Haji Noor Deen, giving participants basic skills in beautifying the Arabic script.
Mon 28 – Tue 29, 12pm-6pm: register by emailing [email protected] (£20)

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MIM: Communique from the Israeli government about the deportation of UK Islamic Relief worker for raising funds for Hamas.

http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Terrorism-+Obstacle+to+Peace/Terrorism+and+Islamic+Fundamentalism-/British+national+arrested+for+assisting+Hamas+29-May-2006.htm

Communicated by the Prime Minister's Office)

The Israel Security Agency (ISA) and the Israel Police, on 10 May 2006, arrested Iyaz Ali, a Pakistani-born British national, born in 1970. He admitted to being a member of the UK-based Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW), which is suspected of supporting Hamas. He admitted to working for IRW's Gaza branch as a project director since December 2005; he worked to transfer funds and assistance to various Hamas institutions and organizations, including the Al Wafa and Al Tzalah associations, which have been outlawed in Israel. He also admitted that he worked in Jordan and cooperated with local Hamas operatives.

Incriminating files were found on Ali's computer, including documents that attested to the organization's ties with illegal Hamas funds abroad (in the UK and in Saudi Arabia) and in Nablus. Also found were photographs of swastikas superimposed on IDF symbols, of senior Nazi German officials, of Osama Bin Laden and Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, as well as many photographs of Hamas military activities.

The IRW was established in 1984 in the British city of Birmingham. It has branches in Gaza and Ramallah. The IRW provides support and assistance to Hamas's infrastructure. The IRW's activities in Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip are carried out by social welfare organizations controlled and staffed by Hamas operatives. The intensive activities of these associations are designed to further Hamas's ideology among the Palestinian population.

These associations' educational and religious institutions incite against the State of Israel and advocate terrorist actions against it and its citizens. The associations provide support to the families of terrorists who were wounded in actions against Israel, and to Hamas prisoners and detainees. These associations thus promote Hamas's goals including the destruction of the State of Israel.

Ali admitted that he was aware that several of the organizations supported by the IRW in Judea, Samaria and Gaza were indeed identified with Hamas. By agreement, Ali was released today (Monday), 29 May 2006, with restrictions on his movements. He will be deported from Israel in the coming days and will be barred from returning.

The foregoing attests to the involvement of international funds and NGO's in transferring goods and funds to organizations identified with Hamas, which have been outlawed in the State of Israel. Israel is tightening its supervision over the activities of such organizations.

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School visits to the mosque education centre

http://www.discover-islam.com/col/htm/about/organisation.htm

Organisation of the Centre

To build a mosque and an Islamic centre of such size and in such a splendid location was a significant achievement. But it is more important to maintain and use them so as to realise their purpose and to achieve the aims for which they were established. It was therefore important that there be a system by which their affairs could be managed. These were thus organised on the lines of a religous endowment (waqf) and a Board of Trustees was elected in accordance with the laws of Scotland. The system and the names of the members of the Board of Trustees were registered with the relevant authorities.

The Board was given overall power over the project and unrestricted jurisdiction concerning mosque administration and the running of its affairs, organisation and all other related matters.

http://www.discover-islam.com/col/htm/about/finance.htm

Financing the Project

Work on the project was divided into three stages at a total cost of more than three million pounds.

Throughout all the stages of the project, beginning with the search for the land through to the completion of the building, the work encountered a number of serious setbacks and obstacles which almost brought it to a stop. But God sent those who would help in this good deed and who offered moral and material support for which we ask God to reward them on the Day of Resurection. The most important support was that generously given by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Fahad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (May God preserve him), who as soon as he heard of the financial difficulties which the project was facing provided a gift amounting to 90 percent of the total cost of the project. We ask God to bless him and all his affairs in his life and that He reward him with all that is good. There was also the unceasing patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Fahad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (May God grant him success) who embraced the project and took it as his own. Finally, there was the constant concern shown by His Excellency Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulmohsin Al-Turki. May God reward then and elevate their standing among the pious.

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