The Denmead Church Study Group, led by Revd David Lindsay, visited Al Mahdi Centre on Monday 25th April 2016 from 7:30pm. The aim of the visit was to meet local Muslims and to hear something of what it means to be a practising Muslim in Britain today - the joys and the trials. Mu'minin joined Sheikh Fazle Abbas to host the guests and participate in this unique opportunity of interfaith conversations.
Herebelow is report of their visit:
On the evening of Monday April 25th, nine members of a study group from All Saints’ Church, Denmead, visited the Al Mahdi Centre, near Fareham. The visit proved to be an unforgettable experience that was enjoyable, informative, and of deep spiritual significance for us all. To begin with, we were greeted with great warmth and friendliness by Sheikh Fazle Abbas, and given a tour of the grounds and the building. Everyone was impressed with the beauty of the premises and the way they harmonised so well with the surrounding countryside.
We then went inside, where we met a similar number of members of the Muslim community (including one quite youthful member) who had very kindly given up their evening to be our hosts. We could not have been made more welcome. Dr Mohamedabbas Jaffer invited members of the study group to share their expectations for the session. This was then followed by an interactive question/answer following which a very friendly and informative discussion ensued.
One person admitted that she had reached her seventies without hitherto entering a place of worship of another faith, and was sorry she had not done so earlier! At 8.30 pm, it was time for evening prayers, and we felt deeply honoured to be allowed to remain in the room. It was a deeply spiritual experience for us all.
After prayers, there were welcome refreshments, and finally more questions and discussion, during which every member of the Al Mahdi community spoke. We left at 10.30, with everyone feeling that it had been an immensely worthwhile evening.
Here are some comments from group members:
- We enjoyed the warmth of welcome by Sheikh Fazle Abbas and others present, and the open and illuminating discussions about the Muslim faith which
ensued. It was a privilege and a joy to be invited to join them all in prayer. - I was very moved by the warm welcome we received from the members and the strenuous effort to assimilate into the local community. I thoroughly enjoyed everything about our visit to the Al Mahdi Centre. The experience was so interesting and enlightening; but most of all I felt so very privileged to be invited to observe Sheikh Fazle Abbas and members of his community at evening prayer.
- It was an honour and privilege to be accepted into the prayer and worship that evening. An awesome experience.
- It was lovely to meet them all and to be welcomed with such warmth and friendliness. And whoever made those wonderful cakes deserves special thanks!
- We were given such a warm welcome – by all the members of the community. What a thoughtfully-planned, beautiful, and forward-looking centre it is.
In conclusion, I would want to add my own warmest thanks; I had high expectations, but the evening outdid them!
- Reverend David M Lindsay