Ahlul Bayt Islamic Centre
Encyclopedia
The Ahlul Bayt Islamic Centre is the main Shia Islamic centre in Ireland and is situated at Milltown Bridge
, Dublin. It is commonly known as ‘Hussainia’ and was previously the only Shia Muslim Islamic centre and mosque in the whole of Ireland.
It aims to serve the social, cultural and spiritual needs of the entire Shia Muslim population of Ireland, and it draws Shia members from throughout the country, particularly at festival times and during Muharram
. At present there are about 6,000 Shias working, studying and living in Ireland.
is Imam Dr. Ali Al Saleh, a graduate of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
and a religious scholar who studied in the Hawza
of Najaf
, Iraq
and Qum, Iran
.The centre has very good relationships with many politicians and diplomats of Ireland as well as politicians and diplomats of countries abroad and also with the two other Islamic Centres of Ireland. Imam Dr. Ali Al Saleh is a member of the Irish Council of Imams
,in which he represents the Shia community.
The Centre is a resource for Shia Muslims in Dublin. It is an active and vibrant Islamic institution and it provides a programme every Saturday and holds daily prayers and the Jumu'ah
prayer. There is evident social commitment among the community and clear efforts to support one other in developing their spiritual lives. Friday prayers are well attended, even by those living far from the Dublin area, and the community conscientiously gathers to mark the various observances set down in the Shia calendar, especially in the month of Muharram
and the month of Ramadan
where nearly 1500 or more people attend.
The Ahlul Bayt Islamic Centre is the main Shia Islamic centre in Ireland and is situated at Milltown Bridge
Milltown, Dublin
Milltown , Dublin 6, Ireland, is a suburb on the southside of Dublin. The townland got its name well before the 18th or 19th century. Both Milltown and Clonskeagh were "Liberties" of Dublin, following the English invasion and colonisation in 1290....
, Dublin. It is commonly known as ‘Hussainia’ and was previously the only Shia Muslim Islamic centre and mosque in the whole of Ireland.
It aims to serve the social, cultural and spiritual needs of the entire Shia Muslim population of Ireland, and it draws Shia members from throughout the country, particularly at festival times and during Muharram
Muharram
Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar. It is one of the four sacred months of the year in which fighting is prohibited...
. At present there are about 6,000 Shias working, studying and living in Ireland.
Formation in the 1980s
It was founded by Imam Dr. Ali Al Saleh who was studying in Ireland during the 1980s, moving through several rented houses before finally getting its own building in September 1996.The centre was built from personal funds under the supervision of Ayatollah Sayyed Abdullah Al Ali.Administration and Activities
The Centre's ImamImam
An imam is an Islamic leadership position, often the worship leader of a mosque and the Muslim community. Similar to spiritual leaders, the imam is the one who leads Islamic worship services. More often, the community turns to the mosque imam if they have a religious question...
is Imam Dr. Ali Al Saleh, a graduate of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland , is a Dublin-based medical institution, situated on St. Stephen's Green. The college is one of the five Recognised Colleges of the National University of Ireland...
and a religious scholar who studied in the Hawza
Hawza
Hawza or ḥawza ʻilmiyya is a seminary of traditional Islamic school of higher learning. It is a term used mostly by the Shi'a Muslims communities to refer to a traditional Shi'a centre where clerics are trained...
of Najaf
Najaf
Najaf is a city in Iraq about 160 km south of Baghdad. Its estimated population in 2008 is 560,000 people. It is the capital of Najaf Governorate...
, Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
and Qum, Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
.The centre has very good relationships with many politicians and diplomats of Ireland as well as politicians and diplomats of countries abroad and also with the two other Islamic Centres of Ireland. Imam Dr. Ali Al Saleh is a member of the Irish Council of Imams
Irish Council of Imams
The Irish Council of Imams is an umbrella organization for all Islamic establishments in Ireland. Its formation was announced in a press-release on September 15, 2006. It represents all 35 imams in Ireland, of both the Sunni and Shia denominations...
,in which he represents the Shia community.
The Centre is a resource for Shia Muslims in Dublin. It is an active and vibrant Islamic institution and it provides a programme every Saturday and holds daily prayers and the Jumu'ah
Jumu'ah
Jumu'ah is a congregational prayer that Muslims hold every Friday, just after noon in lieu of dhuhr...
prayer. There is evident social commitment among the community and clear efforts to support one other in developing their spiritual lives. Friday prayers are well attended, even by those living far from the Dublin area, and the community conscientiously gathers to mark the various observances set down in the Shia calendar, especially in the month of Muharram
Muharram
Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar. It is one of the four sacred months of the year in which fighting is prohibited...
and the month of Ramadan
Ramadan
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which lasts 29 or 30 days. It is the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex during daylight hours and is intended to teach Muslims about patience, spirituality, humility and...
where nearly 1500 or more people attend.
Facilities
The centre covers a large area, and it includes a library, a main prayer hall, a kitchen, administrative offices and ablution areas. All of these are open to be used by the whole Shia community of Ireland who come from several countries.External links
- Ahlul Bayt Islamic Centre, Ireland
- About - Ahlul Bayt Islamic Centre, Shia ithna’ashari community of Ireland