Islam Festival Edinburgh
The Islam Festival Edinburgh (IFE, and also known as the Discover Islam Exhibition) is part of the Edinburgh Festival. It is held in this mosque during the entire month of August every year. The mosque is opened to the public.
The exhibition is held in the multi-purpose hall where Muslims and non-Muslims are welcome. There are posters that teach about specific Islamic topics, such as Islamic art, Qur'an translation, and so on. Entrance is free and there are no restrictions on entry, though visitors are reminded that they are in a place of worship.
Usually special events are held on Saturdays, such as classes on Arabic calligraphy and presentations of Arabic art. There are also lectures from various speakers, some of whom, such as Farkhanda Chaudhry, come back each year. For example, in 2007 Chaudhry gave a talk on "Women and Islam" and in 2009 he spoke on "Women, Islam and Liberation". Similarly, Idris Tawfiq has presented "Who's afraid of Sharia law?" and "The Muslim Jesus" several times. Well-known people have visited the exhibition, including the First Minister's advisors, and MPs including Sir Menzies Campbell.
Read more about this topic: Edinburgh Central Mosque
Famous quotes containing the words islam and/or festival:
“During the first formative centuries of its existence, Christianity was separated from and indeed antagonistic to the state, with which it only later became involved. From the lifetime of its founder, Islam was the state, and the identity of religion and government is indelibly stamped on the memories and awareness of the faithful from their own sacred writings, history, and experience.”
—Bernard Lewis, U.S. Middle Eastern specialist. Islam and the West, ch. 8, Oxford University Press (1993)
“Sabbath. A weekly festival having its origin in the fact that God made the world in six days and was arrested on the seventh.”
—Ambrose Bierce (1842–1914)