Here - Dundalk Muslim Community

In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
DUNDALK MUSLIM
COMMUNITY
1
BRIDGING
THE GAP
Dundalk Muslim
Community
The project is supported by the European Union’s PEACE III Programme as awarded by Louth Peace and Reconciliation Partnership.
The Project is managed by Co. Louth VEC’s PEACE III funded Diverse Leaders’ Project.
This short leaflet from Dundalk Muslim Community aims to increase
the local awareness of the Muslim community, the commonalities
we share with our non-Muslim brothers and sisters to allow a better
understanding of what being a Muslim in Ireland entails.
In doing so we aim to break down barriers and prejudices in order to
build good relations at a local level.
2
Dundalk Islamic Centre
3 Rampart Court
Rampart Rd Dundalk
Co Louth
Muslim Community
in Dundalk Louth
There are currently approximately
600 people in the Muslim
General Information
Community in Dundalk. Our main
activity is centred in the Mosque
All five daily prayer and Friday
that is based in the Ramparts,
prayer and madrasa on weekends
Dundalk. The Mosque as well as
and school holidays.
providing daily prayer services and
spiritual guidance, provides various
Activities 1 12.00pm-2.00pm
supports for example marriage
Weekends, Circle Study, Women
guidance, family support and
counselling. The Mosque also has a
Activities 2 6.00pm-8.00pm
madrassa for children.
Weekdays, Circle Study, Children
In terms of good relations, the
Activities 3 1.30pm-5.00pm
Muslim Community has already
Weekends, Madrassa, For children
established a number of valuable
and on-going relationships with
Activities 4 1.30pm-5.00pm
local education providers, the
Sundays, Circle Study, Women
community and voluntary sector
Children
and state agencies. Non-Muslims
are able to freely visit the Mosque
Activities 5 1.15pm-1.50pm
as individuals or groups.
Friday, Prayer, Men/Women/
The Muslim Community regularly
holds clinics with a Garda
Community Officer, and we also
Children
General Activities
operate on a cross border basis with
All five Salat (Prayers) offered
some activities taking place with the
check timings in the Musalla.
Crossmaglen community.
Tarawehh Prayer Daily After Ishaa
Prayer
3
What is Islam?
The Arabic word Islam literally
means “surrender” or “submission”.
Islam, as a faith, means total and
The Six Articles of
Faith
sincere surrender to God so that one
In order to be considered a Muslim,
can live in peace and tranquillity.
one must believe the following
Islam is a complete way of life,
articles of faith:
implying total submission to God.
One who surrenders his or her will
to God, voluntarily is known as a
Muslim.
4
Islam is not a name chosen
by humans, it was divinely
communicated from God.
1 Belief in God
2 Belief in his Angels
3 Belief in his Books
4 Belief in His Prophets and
Messengers
Islam is a global faith, not of the
East or the West.
5 Belief in the Day of Judgement
Allah is an Arabic word, meaning
6 Belief in God’s Divine Decree.
“The One and Only True Deity”,
the proper name of The One who
created the heavens and the earth.
For a Muslim, Allah is the greatest
and most inclusive of names for
God, denoting The One who is
adored in worship, The One who
created all that exists.
Ssalam (Greeting in Islam)
“Assalam Alaikum”
Peace upon you
Answer
“Wa-Alaikum Ssalam”
The Five Pillars of
Islam
And upon you Peace of Allah
There are five obligatory acts of
Or
worship that every Muslim must
dutifully carry out.
1 The declaration of faith to Testify
that there is no true deity except
God and that Muhammed is His
Messenger (Shahaadah)
2 To Pray five times a day (Salah)
3 To pay the yearly alms (Zakah)
4 To fast during the month of
Ramadan (Sawm)
5 To make the pilgrimage to
Makkah (Hajj)
“Assalam Alaikum warahmatuAllah”
Peace upon you and the mercy of
Allah
Answer
“Wa-Alaikum Ssalam warahmatuAllah”
And upon you Peace and the
Mercy of Allah
Or
“Assalam Alaikum warahmatuAllah wa-Barakatuh”
Peace upon you, the mercy and
the Blessing of Allah
Answer
“Wa-Alaikum Ssalam warahmatuAllah wa-Barakatuh”
And upon you the Mercy and the
Blessing of Allah
5
Muslim Culture
It is important to treat Muslims that you meet as individuals. Be sensitive
and greet them in a way that is culturally significant to them. It is polite
to know how to act around people of a different culture and how to treat
them with the utmost respect.
6
How to Greet
Muslim Men
or female to female except for “non
When approaching a Muslim
give a big, genuine smile is an act of
(a follower of the Prophet
charity.
Muhammed) it is customary to give
the greeting of peace: “Assalamu
alaikum.” This greeting has a short
meaning of “Peace be upon you,”
similar to the Jewish greeting of
“shalom alekum” and the Christian
greeting “May the peace of the
Lord be upon you.” But assalamu
Maharam” (family members not
permissible for marriage ) and to
The person being greeted may
respond with the customary
“Walaikum as salaam” which means
and “peace unto you.”
Male to Male
Greetings
alaikum has a deeper meaning:
Say “Salamalaikum,” which literally
“May you remain safe from pain,
means “Peace be upon you.” If you
sorrow or harm.”
have been greeted with this phrase,
Pronounce the a’s in the greeting
“Assalamu alaikum” not as the a in
cart, i.e. “ah.” Instead, but as the
“a” in “cat.”
At the same time as making the
greeting “Assalamu alaikum,” it
is customary to shake the other
person’s hand. Only male to male
you may want to say “Walaikumssalam” which means “Peace be
upon you as well,” in return.
Shake hands with a Muslim man
you are greeting. Don’t pull away
quickly. Western and Muslim cultures
differ on how long physical contact
should be maintained, so extend the
handshake a bit longer than you
Greet Muslim women with the
normally would. A handshake is a
greeting “Assalamu alaykum,”
comforting gesture to Muslims.
which is interpreted as peace be
Greet Muslim women with words
only. There should be no physical
contact between two people of
the opposite sex except for “non
Maharam” (family members not
permissible for marriage).
How to Greet Muslim
Women
Muslim women are raised and
taught to guard their modesty.
This is reflected in their dress and
actions. Knowledge of the modest
dress and behavior codes for Muslim
women may give rise to questions
regarding the etiquette of greeting
Muslim women, particularly if you
upon you, if you are a Muslim man
or woman; they should respond
with “Wa alaykum assalam,”
which means upon you be peace.
Offering the salam is a means of
maintaining and enhancing love and
affection. In some Muslim cultures,
it is common for Muslim women to
kiss each other on the cheeks three
times upon greeting. If you are nonMuslim man or female, you are not
obligated to give Muslim women the
salams. Instead, it is appropriate to
respectfully greet them with hello, hi,
good morning, good afternoon or
good evening.
Note:
are male. Greetings vary based
Both men and women, should avoid
on cultural background, setting,
shaking hands and should avoid
whether you are Muslim or not and
prolonged eye contact or gazing
whether you are a man or woman.
when greeting with the exception of
It is important to remember to
the non Maharam (family members
always respect Muslim women’s
not permissible for marriage).
modesty when approaching and
greeting them.
7
On Entering the
Mosque
Muslims would usually be delighted
to show others their place of worship.
It is the sharing of what they hold
very dear to their heart. It is hoped,
however, that the visitors observe
certain basic rules of conduct.
8
can often be provided for elderly,
infirm or disabled visitors.
Clothing in a Mosque
Clothing should be modest for both
men and women. For women this
means to cover their whole body
except the face and the hands
and their clothes should not be
The term Mosque is commonly used
transparent to show their hidden
by non-Muslims to define the Muslim
ornaments.
place of worship but its correct name
Entering a Mosque
is Masjid and this is the term used by
Muslims. It would be preferable for
Where women attend the
non-Muslims to adapt to this correct
Mosque, men and women usually
terminology.
enter the prayer hall by separate
Whether visiting alone, or as a group,
it is important to follow the guidelines
for clothing and behaviour so as not
to cause offence.
entrances. Vistors may be greeted
by the Arabic greeting “Assalamu
Allaikum” which means “peace be
upon you.” The answer, if the visitor
would like to use it, is “Wa alaikum-
For groups, it is important not to
as-salam”, which means “Peace be
talk loudly, thus disturbing anyone
upon you too”.
who may be at prayer. If any group
members have special needs, let the
place being visited know in advance
so that they can prepare to help. For
example, although the custom of the
Mosque is to sit on the floor, chairs
Do not offer, or expect, to shake
hands with people of the opposite
sex. Before entering the prayer hall
or prayer room, Muslim men and
women perform wudhu or ablution
if they have not already done so
physical gesture of respect to holy
earlier or from home. This is not
objects (except removing their shoes
necessary for the non-Muslim visitor
and acting respectfully in the prayer
who will not be joining in the prayer.
hall).
Entering a Mosque
Prayer Hall
Women visiting a
Mosque
Go quietly into the hall, and sit on
The main place of prayer is often used
the floor, avoiding pointing the feet
only by the men and a separate area
in the direction of the Qibla (the
is usually provided for women. Where
wall with the niche or alcove in it,
men and women pray in the same
indicating the direction of Makkah),
hall, they remain in separate groups.
unless a medical condition makes this
the only possible posture. If visiting
as a group during a time when
prayers are taking place, sit together
Muslim women are expected not to
come to the Mosque during their
menstrual period. This does not apply
toward the rear of the hall.
to Non-Muslim women. Muslim
Worship in a Mosque
obligated to attend the Mosque for
women pray at home, as they are not
prayer in congregation and therefore
When salat (Arabic) or namaz
(Persian/Urdu), one of the five daily
prayer is in progress, non-Muslim
visitors are welcomed but simply
to observe rather than to join in. If
arriving at such a time, find a place
near the rear wall and sit quietly
observing the prayer. No sacred or
blessed food will be offered, nor will
visitors be expected to make any
do not frequently attend the Mosque.
9
fundamentally about obeying God.
Dietary laws for Muslims are very
the forbidden foods (haram) which
clear. As outlined in the Qur’an (the
are mentioned in the Qur’an and
“bible” for Muslims), Muslims are
in the sayings of the final prophet
forbidden from consuming pork,
Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).
alcohol, blood, meat dedicated to
The following are a list of Muslim
false gods, etc. The meat must be
dietary practises. Muslims follow
slaughtered in a “Halal” way i.e by
these because it is God’s word in
saying “Bism-Allah”(in the name
the Qur’an. The health benefits
of Allah) before slaughtering the
(which are now apparent with the
animal. All food that is allowed to
development of science) of the
be eaten by Muslims is called halal.
Muslim diet merely qualify the
All practising Muslim believers
obey God Almighty by eating the
allowed foods (halal) and avoiding
wisdom of God’s word and shed
light on God’s benevolence. It is
God’s commandments that are
What are the main
laws or beliefs
relating to food?
crucial; the health benefits are
secondary.
Eating is a matter of faith in
Islam. Muslim dietary practise is
Photo Ahmad Faizal Yahya
10
What type of food
can Muslim people
eat?
Which ingredients
are forbidden?
U Pork, lard or any porcine
substance
U Gelatine from animal source
which is not halal
U Meat that is not slaughtered in
the prescribed Islamic way
U Meat coming from a lawful
animal which died before
slaughter
U Blood (direct or indirect)
U Any food or drink with alcohol
in it (all intoxicant and hazardous
drinks)
U Any human substance or part
U All carnivorous animals and birds
of prey
U Some non halal additives (E
numbers like E120, E441, E542
etc)
11
Francis Street
River Lane
Hotel
Imperial
Mizu
Parking
Parking
Rampart Lane
To Dundalk
Shopping
Centre
Rampart
Court
Hagan
House
To Marshes
Shopping
Centre
We are Here
Dundalk Muslim Community
Dundalk County Louth Ireland
t
m
+353 42 9320687
+353 87 6418506 (Imam)
+353 87 6638538 (Secretary)
designed by element design