Islam & Europe - Peace, Identity & Integration — Page 34
34 ISLAM & EUROPE: PEACE, IDENTITY & INTEGRATION As I said, this incident has been mentioned in the Holy Quran and so will forever serve as a solemn warning and reminder for Muslims. It illustrates that if a mosque does not serve as a centre of peace, where people join to fulfil the rights of their fellow beings and instead serves as a breeding ground for extremism or inciting dissent, it can never fulfil its real purpose or be deemed a true mosque. A mosque’s objectives can only be fulfilled when the worshippers enter the mosque with a firm intention to worship Allah the Almighty and to work for the betterment of humanity. A mosque’s purpose can only be fulfilled when the worshippers are infused with a spirit of selflessness, humility and true sympathy and love for all mankind. Another thing I wish to make clear is that a mosque is a purely religious and spiritual house of worship and should remain free from materialism and clear of anything through which the peace of society is jeopardised. All such activities are utterly prohibited by Islam and the Founder of Islam (peace and blessings be upon him) expressed hatred for such things. It is only permitted to hold those events or gatherings within mosques that encourage the worship of the One God or which peacefully convey Islam’s teachings or which serve to fulfil the needs of humanity. Thus, when we build mosques, where we join together for the worship of God Almighty five times a day, and where we hold religious events to enhance our moral and spiritual development, we also hold regular events and establish schemes to serve our neighbours and the wider society. We devise plans through which we can help the poor and