Annual Newsletter 2012 - 2013

Abdullah Quilliam Society

www.abdullahquilliam.com www.facebook.com/AbdullahQuilliam @quilliamsociety [email protected] Abdullah Quilliam Society Abdullah Quilliam Society Projects

educational classes covering a wide range of Abdullah Quilliam subjects that were attended by both Muslims AQS Projects Cost of Building and non-Muslims, and included a museum and science laboratory. William Henry Quilliam, a local The AQS has exciting plans and projects that it wishes to carry out in the new Heritage Centre. The We have completed phase one of the solicitor and resident embraced in 1887 In 1893 the Institute published a weekly AQS want to restore the original for use and restore its features. We wish to recreate the refurbishment of the mosque. This involved (aged 31), after returning from a visit to Morocco, magazine, named ‘The Crescent’, and later library, museum, lecture hall, residences, school and college. We will create a visitor centre where replacing the rotten timbers in the roof and and took on the name Abdullah. He claimed that added the monthly ‘Islamic World’, which Muslims and non-Muslims can come to see this historic site and learn about Islam and Muslim treatment for dry rot in the building. We also he was the first native Englishman to embrace was printed on the Institute’s own press and history in the UK and Europe. There will be a museum and exhibitions on Quilliam and his fellow stripped the mosque area of the reinforced Islam. His conversion led to a remarkable story distributed to over 20 countries. The Crescent Muslims. There will be lectures, seminars and conferences with a chance to learn about Islam for concrete that was being used to protect the of the growth of Islam in Victorian Britain. This was published every week from 1893-1908 non-Muslims. birth, death and marriage certificates that were Abdullah Quilliam Society history is now beginning to emerge and has (nearly 800 editions), and was effectively a dairy stored there. important lessons for Muslims in Britain and and record of Islam in Britain and around the We will also carry out further research and prepare archives on British and European Muslim around the world. We have now started work on phase two, which The Abdullah Quilliam Society (AQS) is a UK world. There are hundreds of archive copies of history. The building next door could be purchased and used as and extension to the Mosque, and involves painting the exterior and repairing the registered charity founded in 1998 by a small these magazines in the British Library. Without as an Islamic School/College and conference centre. It may be used for, marriage ceremonies and Georgian window frames, and cleaning the rear group of Liverpool Muslims, including Akbar this unique weekly record we would not know of special events and as a support centre for new Muslims. A full list of projects, is listed below: of the building. This phase also involves doing Ali, Galib Khan, Zia Choudri, Mrs. Abassi, the existence of this native Muslim community the minimum work necessary to number 8 Somaya and Rashid Macteer. They became of around 200 people in Liverpool, and many Mosque and Building Project Heritage and Visitor Project building, which is the one in which the historical aware of a unique heritage of Islam in Victorian other parts of Britain. These offer the first mosque is located. It will include creation of Britain, in the city of Liverpool. This history was attempt at Muslim journalism in the UK and offer a unique insight into a British Muslims ““Establish Quilliam Exhibition Room wudu facilities, and disabled access. We estimate located in the Liverpool City Council registry “ “Acquire Building that this phase will cost around £50,000. This office for births, deaths and marriages. This view of events and issues in Liverpool, the UK ““Establish Museum Rooms for History of ““Refurbish Building will enable the mosque to be able to be used for building was once the site of the historic first and the Muslim world, at a crucial period of Islam and Muslims in UK Muslims living under colonial rule. ““Restore features of mosque and rooms prayers once more and for us to create an office UK Mosque, Muslim community Institutions ““Organise Tours and visits to Mosque and at the front of the building, so we can be on site and Dawah activities of Sheikh Abdullah ““Build Café and Islamic gardens He also wrote and published a number of Centre for public information and visitors. Quilliam from 1889-1908. Staff at the registry ““Purchase & refurbish building next door books. In particular his “Faith of Islam” had ““Arrange visits for non-Muslim and Muslim office would often refer to the room where all ““Establish larger Prayer hall in new building three editions translated into thirteen different We are applying for major grants for phase three the files of births, deaths and marriages were schools languages, and was so popular that Queen which involves renovating all three buildings stored as “the little Mosque” without realising Victoria ordered a copy and then re-ordered and turning them into a heritage centre. This the significance or history behind it. copies for her children. The Institute grew, and Abdullah Quilliam phase is estimated to cost around £2M. If you AQS first objective is to obtain possession of at the turn of the century held a membership Research and Archive Project Library Project want to help with fundraising for any stages of the building and restore it back to the original of 200 predominantly English Muslim men, After embracing Islam, Quilliam began a this unique building please contact us. historic mosque. In the year 2000 Liverpool women and children from across the local campaign of Dawah, which in the circumstances City Council vacated the property and handed community. Quilliam’s dawah led to around ““Further research into Abdullah Quilliam of Victorian England, has to be described as the ““Create library and Reading Room it to the AQS and Muslim community to look 600 people in the UK embracing Islam, many of ““Research into 600 Reverts to Islam in UK, most effective in the UK to date. He became ““Preserve and digitize old manuscripts, after and develop. It was handed over in poor them very educated and prominent individuals their life and works an Alim, an Imam and the most passionate photos, documents on Islam in UK condition and in need of renovation. Once in British Society, as well as ordinary men and ““Documenting and archiving of historical advocate of Islam in the Western world. In 1894 ““Establish library of old books on Islam in the AQS has funds to renovate the building, women. His efforts also led to the first Japanese materials, (Crescent, The Islamic World, Sultan Abdul Hamid ll, the last Ottoman Caliph, UK Liverpool Council will transfer ownership to man embracing Islam. poetry and other writings) appointed him Sheikh-ul-Islam of the British ““Hold books and Information for all who the Society. ““Training on heritage, archiving and history Isles. Quilliam eventually had to leave England after want to learn about Islam ““Develop and preserve Islamic identity and Over the years AQS has given numerous talks facing hostility and persecution, the first Muslim ““Establish digital resource room for research The Emir of Afghanistan recognised him as heritage on this important history and hosted many experience of “Islamophobia” in the UK. He the Sheikh of Muslims in Britain. He was also visitors and media and kept this unique history eventually returned to the UK and adopted appointed as the Persian Vice Counsel to alive. It has also encouraged people to further the name Haroun Mustapha Leon, and passed Liverpool by the Shah. He became a prominent research this heritage. Last year, a new book was away in 1932 near Woking, and was buried in spokesman for Islam in the media and was Community Engagement Project New Muslims Project published, “Islam in Victorian Britain: The Life Brookfield Cemetery where , recognised by Muslims around the world. He is and Times of Abdullah Quilliam” by Professor and Lord Headly are also the only Muslim in Britain to have officially held ““ Abdullah Quilliam annual lecture Ron Geaves. buried. the position of Sheikh-ul-Islam of Britain. He ““ Abdullah Quilliam annual awards ““Become a centre for supporting new The Society has exciting plans to renovate the issued many Fatwas in his capacity as appointed ““ Lectures, debates and seminars on Islam Muslims in the North of England and Islamic history ““Provide support for new Muslims and their building and re-create the first institutions of Leader of Muslims in Britain. These fatwas are Interior of UK’s First Mosque 1887 Islam in Britain. It also has exciting plans to relevant even today. ““ Produce materials on Islam for Schools families further research, exhibit and bring to life the and the media ““Produce free information packs He established the Mosque and Liverpool stories of the 600 first native Britons to embrace ““ New Interactive website ““Short courses on Islam for new Muslim Muslim Institute at No. 8 Brougham Terrace and Islam. Our plans to recreate this building and ““ Resources for all Liverpool residents to ““Introductory courses on Islam for non- later purchased the remainder of the terrace, and history are important to Muslims in Europe, increase understanding of Islam Muslims who are interested opened a boarding school for boys and a day America, Japan, and the Muslim world. ““ Advance co-operation between Muslims ““Put useful information on website More information about school for girls. He also opened an orphanage and non-Muslims (Medina House) for non-Muslim children the Abdullah Quilliam You can contact the Abdullah Quilliam whose parents could not look after them, and Society can be found at: Society at: agreed to for them to be raised in the values www.abdullahquilliam.com [email protected] of Islam. In addition, the Institute operated How to get involved in the Abdullah Quilliam Society Raising the Profile of Abdullah Quilliam

One of the issues we have is that the story of Sheikh Abdullah Quilliam is still not widely known. Abdullah Quilliam Society Charity Trustees To address this, 18 months ago we embarked on a strategy to raise the profile of the Britain’s first Mosque and Sheikh Abdullah Quilliam. We launched our new website www.abdullahquiliam.com as a source of historical information and also news about the progress of project. Our website also has details of how people can donate online. The website is now receiving many hits a day and people are reading the different pages. Abdullah Quilliam We would encourage everyone to visit the website and High profile Patrons Champions Abdullah Quilliam Heritage Centre view the information on it and give us feedback. (Support and promote AQS (Promote fundraising and (Manages centre and projects) work) create awareness) “...Mashallah this is a great initiative. May Allah www.abdullahquilliam.com accept all your hard work. What an opportunity for muslims to engage with the wider community and demonstrate the true Prophetic tradition in our conduct...”

History Group Kash Sultan - Manchester Friends of Abdullah Quilliam (Research into Abdullah Heritage Centre Projects (Supporters who want regular Quilliam and his fellow information and involvement) Muslims) As well as this website we also have a popular facebook page where there are regular postings of the latest events and excellent comments. Please do visit this; ‘like’ our page and recommend us to your own friends to help spread the message.

We also launched an annual Abdullah Quilliam Memorial Lecture and Annual Communication and Educational Projects Community Engagement Awards. The media coverage associated Library Project Dawah Project Exhibiting Events in the (Produce information Engagement (Create archives and (Increasing awareness with these events has been good and led to the www.facebook.com/AbdullahQuilliam centre and around UK and visits for schools (Annual Awards and exhibitions) to non-Muslims) and others) Memorial Lecture) documentary Great British Islam. We also have plans to work with partners to produce a play and a feature film on Quilliam.

If you have ideas or want to help with raising the profile Getting Involved with Abdullah Quilliam Society of our work we would like to hear from you.

The first UK mosque building, and the writings and life stories of Abdullah Quilliam and his followers is a unique heritage. It You can contact the Abdullah belongs to all of us, Muslim and non-Muslim, and it is our duty to preserve it. So we invite everybody to get involved with us. There Quilliam Society at: are many ways you can become involved in our work. These are set “...I like the Society because it seeks out in the engagement structure in the diagram. Jahangir Mohammed: 07961427950 to engage with a part of the British We already have high profile patrons that support and promote our project. We want to appoint Champions in each town and city Galib Khan: 07900413038 Muslim identity which we have who can help either with fundraising or with the promotion of Abdullah Quilliam. been all to keen to ignore rather You can join our Friends of Abdullah Quilliam and you will be sent [email protected] regular information and invitation to events. Or you can volunteer than embrace...” @quilliamsociety to help with any one of the projects listed in the diagram. Haroon Mohamoud - Peterborough Abdullah Quilliam Events 2012 Abdullah Quilliam Events 2012

First Abdullah Quilliam Memorial Lecture Open Day Clean Up Day First Abdullah Quilliam Awards

Date: April 22, 2012 Date: September 29, 2012 Venue: Pakistan Centre, Liverpool Venue: Historical Mosque of Abdullah Quilliam, Liverpool Chair: Jahangir Mohammed Speaker: Jahangir Mohammed, Galib Khan Speakers: Professor Ron Geaves, Author “Islam in Victorian Britain: At the end of September we received a request from a inter faith group The Life and Times of Abdullah Quilliam”; Al Hajj Ahmad Thomson, in Newcastle “Young People in Conversation” to visit the mosque. The Barrister and Author of numerous books on Islam young people wanted a unique memory to take back with them, so we arranged for a clean up on the same day. Around 20 young people of In April to mark the 80th anniversary of the death of Abdullah Quilliam different backgrounds came to learn about the history of the building we held the first annual memorial lecture in his honour. The lecture was and helped in a clean up. Other people who heard of the clean up on delivered by Professor Ron Geaves on “Quilliam’s contribution to the facebook and the website also came along. It was a fun day and the young establishment of Islam and Muslim Institutions in Britain”. Writer Ahmad people were inspired and have decided to organise fundraising for the Thomson also delivered a lecture on the “media portrayal of Islam and Date: November 25, 2012 mosque. We are now receiving regular requests from schools, groups Muslims then and now”. At the event we released for the first time “Half Venue: Eastern Pearl Banqueting Hall, Manchester and people to visit the building. Many individuals have also visited the a Century of Islam in England - An Early English Muslim Man Speaks” a Speakers: Galib Khan, The work of Abdullah Quilliam Society; Prof. mosque. Look out for more events in 2013. speech delivered by Sheikh Quilliam in Cairo in 1928 and reported on by Mehmet Seker, Abdullah Quilliam in Turkey; Lord Nazir Ahmed, Al Fath newspapers. This article was discovered for us by Professor Salih Al Date: September 2, 2012 The Legacy of Abdullah Quilliam; Ron Geaves, The Life of Abdullah Samarrai of Saudi Arabia a long time supporter of AQS. We also launched Venue: Historical Mosque of Abdullah Quilliam, Liverpool Quilliam our annual awards and presented an Honourary Communication Award Speaker: Jahangir Mohammed to Ron Geaves and a Honourary Engagement Award to Bishop James After the announcement of our first Communication and Engagement Tour : Galib Khan Awards we received many applications and made a shortlist of 10 Jones. A recording of the event and the 1928 speech can be found on our worthy people. We had an excellent turn out of nearly 200 people at the website. We are planning next years lecture for April 2013. The theme In September we held our first open day for people to view the historic presentation ceremony in Manchester. The Communication Award went we are working on is “Security in an age of terror”. If you are interested in mosque and find out about the heritage of this building. This was in to writer and journalist Victoria Britain and the Engagement Award to helping us organise or attend this event then please contact us. response to demands to visit the mosque. We had a very successful day Liverpool Councillor Alan Dean. Professor Mehmet Seker , Lord Nazir with people coming from as far a way as London. Muslim and non– and Ron Geaves were key speakers. Prof. Seker from Turkey shared Muslims attended. Sisters brought food on their own initiative, so we had his research on Quilliam and unveiled for the first time in the UK the plenty to eat. In keeping with Sheikh Quilliam’s tradition of feeding the appointment letter of Quilliam as Sheikh-ul-Islam of Britain by Sultan poor, leftover food was delivered to the homeless of Liverpool by Sister Abdul Hamid ll. This event is also on our website. Hikmah. Applications are now open for the 2013 awards for details on how to apply contact us or visit our website.

Victoria Brittain receiving Councillor Alan Dean receiving Communication Award Engagement Award

Rt Rev.Bishop James Jones-Liverpool Professor Ron Geaves, author of received Honorary Engagement “Islam in Victorian Britain” received Award Honorary Communication Award

“...It was a very informative talk delivered by Ron “…As non-Muslims we were made to feel very “...I truly felt honoured to have had an “…I really enjoyed the clean up day and want to do Geaves about Muslim history in the UK. welcome and found the talks and the tour very opportunity to be in the same room as so many this kind of thing again...” I want to hear more…” interesting…” Adam Mohamed (10 years of age) wonderful people...” Ismail Kaduji Carmel Malone and Roy Middleton Moheeb Ali (Accountant) The Abdullah Quilliam Society UK Charity Reg No: 1086228 ...Protect our www.abdullahquilliam.com Heritage The Holy Prophet (SAW) said: Don’t Lose It “Whoso builds a masjid for Allah, Preserve It... Allah will build a house for him in Jannah.”

Donate and save our Heritage The AQS want to restore the original Mosque for use and its features. We wish to recreate a library, museum, lecture hall, residences, school and college. We will create a visitor centre where Muslims and non-Muslims can come to see this historic site and learn about Islam and Muslim history in the UK and Europe.  Abdullah Quilliam Society Ways to Donate Donation Form Bank details are as follows: Total Donation: £ Account Name: Abdullah Quilliam Society Direct Bank: HSBC Bank Plc, 32 Rodney Street, Personal Details: Liverpool L1 2TP. Account No: 01158945 Name: Sort Code: 40-29-28 IBAN: GB59MIDL40292801158945 Address: Branch Identifier: MIDLGB2139A

Donate 100% securely on-line using the Credit/Debit Card PayPal online secure platform www.abdullahquilliam.com Post Code:

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Email: Account Name: Abdullah Quilliam Society Cheque Address: Abdullah Quilliam Society Cheques 8-10 Brougham Terrace, Liverpool, L6 1AE Payable to: Abdullah Quilliam Society Address: Abdullah Quilliam Society 8-10 Brougham Terrace, Liverpool, L6 1AE

 Gift Aid Declaration A Standing Order enables you to make Tick if donator would like AQS Standing Order regular donations to The Abdullah Quilliam to reclaim tax back on all the www.abdullahquilliam.com Society. A standing order form can be donations made and any future obtained from our website donations

Abdullah Quilliam Society 8-10 Brougham Terrace, Liverpool, L6 1AE Mobile: 07961427950 Email: [email protected] www.abdullahquilliam.com