• Activities
• 29 Rabiul-Thani 1434

Marja’iya’s Representative plus a number of Ullema & Momineen acquire the building for Ahlul Bayt Centre in Oxford-UK

On Tuesday 12 March 2013, in the presence of the Marja’iya’s Representative Allama Sayyid Murtaza Kashmiri and a group of Ullema and Momineen, the building for Ahlul Bayt Centre in Oxford – UK was acquired.

The city of Oxford houses one of the oldest universities in the English-speaking world. Some form of teaching started in Oxford in 1096 AD. It was rapidly developed when Henry II banned English students from attending the university of Paris. Today Oxford has about 21,000 students from 150 countries attending 38 different colleges.

Till now, the followers of Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) had no centre of their own in this renowned city. For years they commemorated religious occasions in their own houses until Allah (swt) blessed them with this property in a well known street in Oxford. Initially the idea of purchasing the building was conveyed to the Marja’iya’s representative in Europe, who in turn visited the site; to find it not only currently adequate for the intended purpose, but also the basis for a much larger project - which is the establishment of ‘Ahlul Bayt University’ in the city. He agreed to begin purchasing procedures. With Allah’s grace, cooperation from some Momineen and Ijaza from H.E. Ayatullah Al-Udhma Seestani (long may he live) the building was purchased in a record time with no hindrance. Imam Ali Foundation was the biggest financial and moral contributor to this bless project. Also a considerable amount of contributions were made by Momineen as well as a loan taken out for this purpose.

The building, which is in need of various modifications for its eventual use and in preparation for the official opening ceremony, was acquired on the abovementioned date. In a brief acquisition gathering, congregational prayers were led by Sayyid Kashmiri and after a fragrant recitation from the Holy Qur’an, a member of the Executive Committee spoke about the history of establishing this centre. Then the Marja’yia’s representative spoke about the importance of this centre saying: “how hopeful he is that this place will be an international Islamic centre for the dissemination of the Ahlul Bayt school of thought and that is due to presence of gifted groups of intellectuals, lecturers and students in this city of knowledge.” Following him, Samahat Al-Sayyid Mohammad Al-Mousawi, Head of World Ahlul-Bayt Islamic League and others, who supported this project, graced the occasion with their fruitful speeches.

We ask the Almighty to let this place be among the glowing landmarks of the true Islamic Muhammadi light coupled with harmony and unity among all Muslims and other, for He [Allah] is the source of strength.

The building for Ahlul Bayt Centre