Mosque Factor
This cheesy title is enabled by X factor no longer being known as Pop Idol - otherwise I would have got into trouble. I'm talking here about Islam Channel's competition to discover Britain's top mosque.
The mosques are being assessed on their interfaith work, women's facilities, youth services and their transparency on finances, policies and management.
As much as I love it, I was surprised to see my local Glasgow Central Mosque on the final short leet. I'm even more surprised to see Edinburgh Central Mosque not on it. There can't be many more progressive mosques. On the basis of their annual Islam Festival alone, they should be winning the competition hands down. And particularly because I'm fasting at the moment, don't get me started on the Mosque Kitchen mmmm....
I'm not Muslim, but like many people in Edinburgh (though I now live in Glasgow) I've been the Edinburgh Central Mosque many times. Primarily for the curry, which is the best value you can get anywhere in the city, but I've also been to their 'Discover Islam' exhibition. On Doors Open Day they were really great at not only showing people a prominent and interesting building, but explaining to people a bit more about Islam and how the mosque works.
Posted by: maccoinnich | 11 October 2007 at 02:01 AM
Salam Osama,
I dont usually respond on this me and politics dont go hand in hand. I saw the first episode and yes i was shocked to see Glasgow Central mosque and others claiming to do things they definitely do not. However, the reason Edinburgh Central Mosque is not on it is because it receives external funding (Saudi) and therefore excluded from the competition
Posted by: Faisal Hussein | 11 October 2007 at 03:26 PM
Aww, cheers Osama.
What's amusing is that 2 of the judges were guest speakers at the Islam Festival 2006!
Posted by: Sohaib | 11 October 2007 at 05:12 PM
AA. Edinburgh's got its own issues. And just to correct Faisal - Saudi do not "fund" the Mosque. The day-to-day running is through local funds, as is the Islam Festival, recent refurbishment of the men's wudhu area etc.
Posted by: Umar Malik | 11 October 2007 at 11:32 PM
And particularly because I'm fasting at the moment, don't get me started on the Mosque Kitchen mmmm....
Yeah, they should win for the lamb and spinach alone. Fantastic.
Posted by: Gabriel | 15 October 2007 at 11:09 AM