BMHCNEWSLETTER JANUARY 2014 / ISSUE 7 Reg. Charity No. 1110104
BMHC COMMUNITY Re-energising the NHS:
An Evening with the Rt Hon Andy Burnham MP School Visit: Oswald Road
Primary School Movie Screening:
Le Grand Voyage Blue Orchid Self-employment
and Business Planning Workshops FIFA 14 Computer Games
Tournament 2013 Mind Your Money Seminar The Friday Project Weekly Youth Club Health and Fitness Activities
BMHC ACADEMY GCSE Islamic Studies Islamic Calligraphy and
Art Exhibition Launch Arabic Calligraphy Course
for beginners
A large ewer held by a kneeling female servant in a domed pavilion designed by Al-Jazari: once the bird whistles, water pours into a basin below; a duck then drinks the used water and releases it through its tail into a container hidden under the platform.
Great Muslim Engineer:
Badī al-Zamān Al-Jazarī
BMHC DEVELOPMENT
THE Great Muslim Engineer: BadI al-ZamAn Al-JazarI CONTINUED ON PAGE 8
BMHC Strategy
Al-Jazarī (died c. 1206) was one of the original and most prolific mechanics and
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
engineers of science and technology of the Muslim Civilisation. His book of mechanics, Al-Jāmicbayn al-cilmwa’l-camal al-nāficfī Sinācat al-hiyal is the most
BMHC ENTERPRISE
significant and well-known treatise of the Islamic tradition of mechanical engineering and a ground-breaking work in the history of technology.
Al-Razi Coffee and Gift Shop BMHC food to go Venue for hire
COLLEGE ROAD, WHALLEY RANGE, MANCHESTER, M16 8BP 0161 881 8062 ADMINistrator@bmhc.org.uk WWW.bmhc.org.uk
“Oh mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other...” - Quran 49:13
BMHC COMMUNITY
TIMETABLE & EVENTS
Weekly Events Al-Huda Urdu & English Tafseer Classes 07866 313 010 / alhudamanchester@gmail.com NHS Physical Activity Referral Service Referral through your GP only. European Academy of Quranic Studies (EAQS) 0793 991 9872 / events@eaqs.org / www.eaqs.org GCSE Islamic Studies Full academic year course. 0773 830 1775 / administrator@bmhc.org.uk Thai Boxing Class for Men & Boys Qualified instructors. Children £2/session, Adults £3/session. Girls and Boys Study Circle & Youth Club 0161 881 8062 / administrator@bmhc.org.uk
Bi-Monthly events Heritage Matrimonial Service Register for free at www.heritagematrimonials.co.uk Movie Screening: A Separation Free Business planning and self-employment workshops with Blue Orchid. Business Awareness Workshop, 6:00pm – 7:00pm, 17th February 2014 / Business Planning Workshop, 10:00am – 4:00pm, 25th February 2014
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Al-Huda: English Tafseer Class
Boys Only Study Thai Boxing Circle/Youth Club Class
Girls Only Study Circle/ Youth Club
Jumm'a
Sun
EAQS: Tajweed and Arabic
Al-Huda: Urdu Tafseer Class
Sat Al-Huda: English Tafseer Class
Fri
Al-Huda: English Tafseer Class
Al-Huda: Urdu Tafseer Class
Al-Huda: English Tafseer Class
Thur
EAQS: Tajweed
NHS: Fitness Clinic
Wed Al-Huda: Urdu Tafseer Class
Tues EAQS: Tajweed
Mon
GCSE: Islamic Studies
09:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:00 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00 17:30 18:00 18:30 19:00 19:30 20:00 20:30 21:00
Monthly events The Friday Project Third Friday of every month, 6:30pm – 8:30pm Islamic Heritage Workshop Last Saturday of each month starting 25th January 2014
ANNUAL events International Islamic Heritage Conference April 2014 International Conference on Diabetes and Ramadan 4th March 2014 Ramadan and Eid Prayers Depending on moon sighting: Ramadan 28th June to 27th July 2014 Eid al Fitr 29th July 2014 Eid Al Adha 3rd October 2014
ONE OFF events An Inspirational Evening with His Excellency Ebrahim Rasool 27th January 2014 New Year. New Campaign. Training Day 28th January, 2014 Evening with Rt Hon Nick Clegg MP Deputy PM 7th January 2014 Islamic Arts and Calligraphy Exhibition 16th December 2013 to 9th February 2014 Arabic Calligraphy for beginners classes 16th February to 19th March 2014
BMHC COMMUNITY
Re-energising the NHS: An Evening with the Rt Hon Andy Burnham MP Shadow Secretary of State for Health The Patchwork Foundation in partnership with the British Muslim Heritage Centre (BMHC) organised an evening with the Rt Hon Andy Burnham, MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Health on 17 October 2013. The evening was titled ‘Re-energising the NHS’ and it represented a fantastic opportunity for frontline healthcare professionals from across the UK to hear of Andy Burnham’s vision for the NHS under a Labour government. A packed audience of over 200, mostly Muslim frontline healthcare professionals, engaged, discussed and debated the current challenges facing the health service.
Blue Orchid Free Self-employment and Business Planning Workshops The British Muslim Heritage (BMHC) has teamed with Blue Orchid to provide a series of free flexible programmes on business planning support for those considering self-employment or starting their own business. The programmes have been very successful and well attended. The BMHC will be organising regular programmes and workshops with Blue Orchid starting from February 2014. The next instalments of workshops will be held on the following dates: Business Awareness Workshop: 6:30pm – 7:30pm, 25 February 2014 Business Planning Workshop: 10:30pm – 3:30pm, 13th March 2014
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BMHC COMMUNITY
Weekly Youth Club A weekly get together to relax, have some fun, and aspire to do more and aim higher. The British Muslim Heritage Centre has dedicated two permanent rooms for youth activities with a wide range of facilities such as pool tables, table tennis, and computer game stations. Girls 11 -18 years old
Every Friday, 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Boys 11 - 18 years old
Every Sunday, 12:00pm - 4:00pm
Boys Thai Boxing Classes 5+ years old
Every Sunday, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Health and Fitness Activities Weekly NHS Physical Activities Referral Service
Every Tuesday - 2:00pm - 3:30 pm
Walking Club in partnership with the NHS
March 2014
Movie Screening To mark the end of the Hajj (Pilgrimage) season, the British Muslim Heritage Centre (BMHC) screened ‘Le Grand Voyage’. A few weeks before his college entrance exams, Réda, a young man who lives in the south of France, finds himself obligated to drive his father to Mecca for Hajj. They both embark on an epic journey, driving from France, through Italy, Serbia, Turkey, Syria, Jordan to Saudi Arabia. The two embark on a road trip that will change their lives forever. The Movie was screened on 2 November 2013 and it was enjoyed by a packed audience made up of mainly families.
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BMHC COMMUNITY
The Friday Project Islamophobia event As part of the Islamophobia Awareness Month, on 15 November 2013, the Friday Project, together with Engage and Community Safety Forum, organised an evening of discussions on how to tackle Islamophobia and hate crimes. The event included an exhibition on Islamophobia, discussions, presentations and a Q&A session. The aim of the event was to encourage British Muslims to engage more effectively with political and media institutions and play a greater role in British politics and society. Key note speakers included Tony Lloyd (PCC for Greater Manchester) and Sir Peter Fahy (Chief Constable, Greater Manchester Police).
Standing for Justice On 22 November 2013, the Friday Project invited veteran civil rights activist, Imam Khalid Griggs, from the USA to lead the discussion on ‘Standing for Justice’. The guest speaker reflected on his motivations and experiences of half a century of standing for justice in the USA. The overall message was that the Muslim community empower themselves to take action to tackle the issues being faced in the UK rather than sit back and complain.
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BMHC COMMUNITY
FIFA 14 Computer Games Tournament 2013 The British Muslim Heritage Centre (BMHC) held its annual FIFA computer games tournament on 9 November 2013. The tournament was attended by 60 local youths form the age of 11 to 18. After four hours of intense gaming on four separate games stations that were set up for the evening, two youngsters battled their way to the final. After a very intense final, Omar Muhideen (15) was crowned as the undisputed champion of the Al-Islah FIFA 14 Computer Games Tournament 2013.
City South Manchester Housing Trust - Mind your money SEMINAR The British Muslim Heritage Centre (BMHC) hosted Manchester’s first Financial Inclusion Conference on 18 November 2013. The Mind Your Money IFC project was also officially launched at the conference. This is a three year project supporting young tenants moving in and out of work to build their financial confidence through a menu of flexible, innovative products and training. The event included workshops that looked at financial inclusion challenges facing Manchester.The event was very well attended by a diverse audience with an interest in financial inclusion and financial capability.
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BMHC ACADEMY
SCHOOL VISIT
GCSE Islamic Studies
Year 4 and 5 students from Oswald Road Primary
With the aim to encourage school children to adopt
School visited the Centre on 8 and 9 October 2013.
an enquiring, critical and reflective approach to the
The students had a fun-filled day which included
study of religion, the British Muslim Heritage Centre
activities such as a tour of the building, interactive
(BMHC) launched a GCSE Islamic Studies course on 1
workshops, various presentations and games.
October 2013. The course is run one evening a week. There are currently around 30 school children on the course. The BMHC hopes that the course will help explore religions and beliefs, reflect on fundamental questions and engage with the students intellectually. The course will develop student’s interest and enthusiasm for the study of religion and relate it to the wider world.
Arabic Calligraphy classes for beginners 4 week course at the BMHC with Master Calligrapher Hamed Azeemi starting on 16th Februray. All calligraphy tools (ink, wooden qalem, paper) will be provided. The course will teach you how to create calligraphy master pieces in the historical Ottoman Calligraphy script.
Health and Fitness Activities The NHS Physical Activity Referral Service (PARS) weekly classes led by PARS staff and volunteers are open to people through referral from their GP. The aim is to provide a variety of opportunities across Manchester to encourage people to become more physically active in their local communities. Currently the service is provided every Tuesday between 12:30pm – 3:30pm at the British Muslim Heritage Centre (BMHC). As part of Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, the NHS delivered a Bowel Cancer awareness session at the BMHC to attendees of our regular activities and events.
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BMHC ACADEMY
THE Great Muslim Engineer: BadI al-ZamAn Al-JazarI CONTINUED FROM THE FRONT PAGE
Al-JazarI’s Book on Mechanical Arts Al-Jazarī’s Book al-Jāmicbayn al-cilmwa’l-camal al-nāficfī
Abū al-’lzz Ismāīl b. al-Razzāz al-Jazarī, known as Badī
Sinācat al-Hiyal (A Compendium on the Theory and
al-Zamān (Prodigy of the Time), worked in Diyarbakır for
Useful Practice of the Mechanical Arts) was written on
Artuqid Sultan Nāsīr al-Dīn Mahmūd (1200-1222). The
the request of Artuqid ruler Sukmān and was completed
appellation ‘Al-Jazarī’ refers to his homeland, Al-Jazīra or
in 1204 or 1206 A.D. There are number of manuscripts
Mesopotamia, which lies between the upper reaches of
of Al-Jazarī’s work in world libraries. This work and its
the Tigris and the Euphrates in current day Iraq.
theoretical and practical information about the topic reached to their peaks of Sinācat al-Hiyal is in six
All that we know of his life is contained in his own
categories.
statement in the introduction to his work. He tells us that, at the time of writing his book, he was in the service of
The book describes in detail with colour drawings fifty
Nāsīr Al-Dīn, the Artuqid ruler of Diyarbakır (Āmid). He had
devices (ashkal), which are grouped into six categories
then spent twenty-five years in the service of the family,
(anwā’):
having served the father and brother of Nāsīr al-Dīn before him, and the first year of his service to the family being 1181-2 AD.
water clocks, the elephant water clock, the candle
clock of scribe, etc.
The Artuqids were a Turcoman dynasty descended
2 Ten vessels and figures suited for drinking sessions;
from Artuq, a General who served Mālik Shāh, the
including a goblet which arbitrates at drinking parties,
Seljuq Sultan, at the end of the 11th century. They were
a man holding a goblet and a bottle etc.
divided into two main branches, descended from two sons of Artuq; llghāzī and Sukmān. Al-Jazarī’s masters belonged to the Sukmān branch of the family. Nūr al-Dīn Muhammad, the first of al-Jazarī’s masters, felt if prudent to come to terms with Salāh al-Dīn (Saladin), and in 1181
3 Ten pitchers and basins for phlebotomy and washing
before prayers; including a pitcher from which hot
water, cold water and mixed water is poured, a
pitcher which dispenses water for the King to perform
his absolution (wudu) etc.
was awarded the town of Āmid.
4 Ten fountains that change their shape alternately and
It was at about this time that al-
machines for the perpetual flutes; including fountain
Jazarī entered the service of the
of the two tipping-buckets, instrument for perpetual
family. The door described by
flute, with two spheres etc.
al-Jazarī in his book, was for the
5 Five water raising machines; including a machine for
King’s palace at Āmid, and it is
raising water (by means of an endless chain of pots),
legitimate to suppose that this
a machine for raising water from the pool (by means
town was the seat of government
of a flumed swipe operated by a crank driven,
during al-Jazarī’s years of
through gears, by an animal), pump driven by a
service. It can be assumed
water- wheel etc.
that conditions during this period were fairly quiet, and allowed alJazarī to pursue his vocation in peace.
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1 Ten water and candle clocks; including the castle
6 Five miscellaneous devices; including a door of a cast
brass for the King’s palace, a lock for locking a chest
by means of 12 letters of the alphabet, four bolts on
the back of a door, a boat clock etc.
Article by Dr Salim Ayduz - Senior BMHC Researcher
BMHC ACADEMY
Islamic Calligraphy and Art Exhibition Launch Calligraphy is a major part of the Muslim heritage.
The exhibition was intended to bring a greater
Traditionally calligraphy with verses from the Qur’an
understanding and appreciation of Islamic art and culture.
decorated many things: buildings, pottery, glass, metal
The British Muslim Heritage Center (BMHC) aims to
and weapons. Over the centuries, different styles of
enrich the community by facilitating access to Islamic art,
writing evolved to fit different functions; angular Kufic,
heritage and culture through exhibitions such as these, as
flowing Naskh, ornamental Thuluth, elaborate Diwani,
well as events, conferences and publications.
and so on. In this Naqooksh exhibition, one will find many samples of these different styles of calligraphy.
The exclusive exhibition will be at the BMHC from Monday 16th December 2013 to Sunday 19th
In the early periods of Islamic history, when the art of
January 2013 and we hope that it will bring a greater
Islamic calligraphy was still developing, those who made
understanding and appreciation of Islamic art and culture.
manuscript copies of beautifully written books were
The British Muslim Heritage Center (BMHC) aims to
known as khattat (Calligrapher). It should be noted that
enrich the community by facilitating access to Islamic art,
during the 20th and 21st centuries, the number of people
heritage and culture through exhibitions such as these, as
in the field of calligraphy increased in various parts of the
well as events, conferences and publications.
world. Arabic, Persian and Ottoman Turkish calligraphy is associated with abstract arabesque motifs on the walls and ceilings of mosques as well as on the page. Contemporary artists in the Islamic world draw on the heritage of calligraphy to use calligraphic inscriptions or abstractions in their work. Master calligrapher, Hamed Azeemi, who comes from a long lineage of master calligraphers, has created this exhibition. Hamed spent six years in Lahore, Pakistan, studying under various prominent calligraphy masters, artists and painters. He has taught art and calligraphy at various art institutes both here in the UK and abroad.
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BMHC DEVELOPMENT
BMHC Strategy Our Vision for BMHC
Our Vision for BMHC
Our Offer
A centre of excellence,
Developing pioneering
A welcoming environment
celebrating the rich and diverse
initiatives that promote the
Muslim heritage, inspiring
rich and diverse Muslim
all communities to embrace
heritage and making it
diversity and be instrumental in
accessibale to all.
A learning environment Outreach Partnership Centre of expertise
shaping a cohesive society. Our aspiration is of a Centre “celebrating Islam’s rich
The BMHC will only achieve these aspirations with your
and diverse heritage, inspiring all communities to
help through the following:
embrace diversity and be instrumental in the shaping of a cohesive society”. We remain committed to the following principles: 1 The BMHC will be a centre for all communities
Muslims and non-Muslims.
2 We will strive to provide a welcoming environment for
BMHC scheme.
We are always looking for dedicated volunteers. You can donate to the ongoing work directly to the
BMHC bank account: Royal Bank of Scotland, Withington Branch
all, and work in partnership for the common good.
3 In focusing on Muslim heritage we mean: Muslim
We invite you to become a member of the Friends of
history and contribution to human civilisation.
friend OF BMHC
467 Wilmslow Road, Withington, Manchester M20 9AP
A/C No.:10088053
Sort Code: 16-34-27
IBAN: GB85RBOS
Swift: RBOSGB2L
Send us the following details and we’ll do the rest:
This is an opportunity for you to help contribute to the vision of BMHC, and be part of an inspiring and
Name:
unique project which aims to enrich, bring together,
________________________________________________
and benefit all members of the community. Through a monthly subscription of only £10 per month, the
Address:
scheme aims to:
________________________________________________
Raise the profile of the BMHC
________________________________________________
Raise much needed revenue to run activities Offer exclusive benefits to members including:
- Priority booking for BMHC events
- Annual Friends Dinner
- Exclusive preview of exhibitions, book
launches and other similar events
________________________________________________ Tel: ________________________________________________ Email: ________________________________________________
- Regular email newsletter of developments. I am a UK tax payer and would like the BMHC to treat my donations as Gift Aid Eligible until notified otherwise
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BMHC ENTERPRISE
Urgent! Volunteers needed! join our talented team
The Al-Razi Coffee And Gift Shop
Receptionist / PA This varied role requires delivery of effective and confidential administrative support to the BMHC staff. This great opportunity will give you the chance to gain valuable insight in to the organisation and/off: Working within an Islamic Environment Flexibility to suit your needs Gain experience as a PA / Receptionist Be part of the vibrant BMHC team 10 – 20 per week The ideal candidate is likely to have a proven track record within a PA and office receptionist role. Excellent communication, IT and prioritization skills are essential, as are the ability to work independently and as part of a team. The British Muslim Heritage Centre is excited to
Coffee Shop Assistant
announce that the Al-Razi Coffee and Gift Shop is
This role is suited to someone with a keen interest in
in the process of opening. The coffee shop takes
social enterprise. It will offer experience of customer
its name from Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Zakariya
service and working within an Islamic environment.
Al-Razi (850-922 AD, approx. 236-309 AH) or Rhazes
Main duties include:
as he is known in Europe, an Iranian physician who
Stock display and replenishment
is purported to be the first writer to make reference to coffee in his treatise on medicine. It will provide a
Housekeeping
comfortable and welcoming environment in which the
Cash handling
Centre’s visitors can stop and take some time out to
10 – 20 hours per week We are looking for enthusiastic people who perhaps want to gain some retail experience whilst knowing that they are helping an Islamic Charity in the BMHC.
enjoy a hot drink and sweet treat whilst browsing the gifts and Islamic wares on offer. Starting small, the shop currently stocks books for adults and children, Islamic educational resources, HMC halal sweets, Palestinian fair-trade products and BMHC souvenir items, but the range of merchandise
We respect and honour our volunteers by building trust and understanding. Such a partnership is not intended to be a legally binding contract or to have mutuality of obligation, but instead express a voluntary two-way commitment where everyone gains satisfaction from being part of our organisation.
on offer will grow as the shop becomes more established. Please come and have a look around if you are passing by, the shop currently opens on Fridays after prayer and main event days. We look forward to seeing you.
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BMHC ENTERPRISE
THE MARQUEE AT THE BMHC The BMHC will be opening a brand new marquee in Summer 2014, catering for events of 600+ people, with the option of sectioning off for smaller events. The marquee will be provisioned to cater for events all year round. This exciting new space aims to be the ideal location for: Weddings Conferences/Seminars Charitable Events / Fundraising Private Events Exhibitons Special Occasions Our event management team offer their bespoke services to assist the planning of your event, giving you the opportunity to personalise your event. For further information please contact our Events Team on 0161 881 8062 or by email on events@bmhc.org.uk.
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Marquee location as displayed above