Adeel Malik
In less 24 hours since the Manchester Arena bombing which took the lives of 22 people, including children, mosques were attacked by Islamophobes and extremists.
Yet still, this didn’t stop Masjid Khizra to make a heartwarming public announcement on their billboard as well as Facebook page stating their doors are open to all those who wish to have a safe place to rest.
As we hear of the awful events of last night at the Manchester Arena, Khizra masjid has opened it’s doors with refreshments and a safe place for anyone looking for family members and for all the emergency services working so brilliantly.
Our thoughts and prayers are with those deceased and the injured for whom we pray for a speedy recovery.
On their Facebook page, it further stated:
Please call the centre on 0161 2056662, if you need to speak to someone or would like any further help or assistance to come to you.
Muslim charities, taxi drivers, doctors, police officers and mosques go the extra mile for Manchester bombing’s victims
The act of kindness by this mosque alongside the many other Muslims and non-Muslims looking to help those affected is undoubtedly wonderful to see. However, there were some who responded to the event with hatred.
An arsonist intentionally set alight a mosque in Oldham during the night that followed the bombing. Large flames were observed by the CCTV footage. Thankfully no one was hurt.
Hamad Mukhtar Irfani, a committee member at the mosque, said:
“It’s absolutely disgusting. It’s a disgrace someone would do this. There is no place for this kind of thing. Of course it’s in relation to what happened earlier in the night…
It’s just vile. Disgusting. Stupid. The mosque only teaches to live peacefully and in harmony.”
Another mosque in Glasgow, Scotland – the Glasgow Central Mosque, was also targeted as vandals drew a disturbing and uncalled for graffiti on it’s main wall.
A passer-by went on Twitter to report the drawing to the mosque who weren’t aware of it till then and thereupon took the steps to remove it.
Shocking graffiti on @GlasgowMosque today @theenvtaskforce please remove ASAP @Glasgow_Live @STVNews @GlasgowCC @ScottishSun @Daily_Record pic.twitter.com/NYdoqX4yxH
— Alisdair woodburn (@Naburn2) May 23, 2017
As always, after every such incident, we have to put aside hatred for a community which in fact suffers the most from the evil actions of those who claim to be part of the faith, when in reality they are far from it.
Please, respond an evil with an act of good. Don’t be divided. Practice forbearance and know we are all together in this. As Allah says most fittingly in the Qur’ān (41:34):
“And not equal are the good deed and the bad. Repel [evil] by that [deed] which is better; and thereupon the one whom between you and him is enmity [will become] as though he was a devoted friend.”
