Alhamdulillah The Islamic Council of Europe held its first ever symposium, with over 35 (of the 55 registered) scholars and Imams from around the world participating to discuss Ramadan guidelines

‘Virtual Taraweeh’, fasting for frontline NHS workers and Covid-19 burials were just some of the important topics discussed.

Main conclusions:

• Taraweeh should not be prayed virtually. Instead, one should recite from memory whatever Qur’an they know or from a mushaf
• Fasting for frontline NHS workers: no blanket policy. Instead, NHS workers’ concerns can be addressed on a case-by-case basis in discussion with local scholars and imams
• Burials for Covid-19-related deaths:
  • Where ghusl is not possible due to extenuating circumstances, the scholars have permitted Tayammum over the deceased body.
  • In the situation where there is a conflict between hastening the burial without ghusl or delayed burial with ghusl, the scholars present were in majority agreement that due to current circumstances and limited availability of ghusl facilities, that hastening with burial with Tayammum is the preferred option.
  • The scholars also made special mention that the wishes of family members should be taken into account ahead of final decisions.

May Allah SWT reward all those that participated, make the gathering a source of benefit for the Ummah and make it the first of many ICE Symposiums to come.

Scholars present:

• Chair of Symposium: Shaqur Rehman, Islamic Council of Europe
• Haitham Al-Haddad, Islamic Council of Europe
• Amjad MOHAMMAD, WIFAQUL ULAMĀ
• S.M. Abdul Qayum, East London Mosque
• Mustafa Hussein, Green Lane Masjid
• Inaam Malik, Croydon Mosque
• Imtiyaz Damiel, Abu Hanifah Foundation
• Farid Haibatan, MRDF
• Mohamed Ali Mohamed, Al-Furqan Mosque
• Wasim Kempson, The Wise Muslim
• Khidir Hussain, Masjid Ayesha
• Mu’aawiyah Tucker, alMadaar
• Ahmad Barouni, SAIS
• Akhter Raouf, AL-NOOR
• Muhammad Ahmad, Shadwell Islamic Centre
• AbdulBasir, Poplar Mosque & Community Center
• Fuad Abdo, Al Ansar IEC
• Refi Shafi, WISE
• Mohammad Athar, Al-Huda Welfare Foundation UK
• Mohammad Zaheer
• Sanel Haskic, Apex Primary School
• Ibrahim Hourani, Halalcheck 4u
• Sajid Patel
• Mohamed Ed Denguir, Masjid Tayba
• Zahed Fettah, Ibn Rushd Centre of Excellence for Islamic Research
• Khalil Laher, Misbaah Academy
• Abdul Jamil
• Yaser Saleh, Norbury Muslim Centre
• Jahangir Hussain, Newbury Park Masjid
• Ebrahim Walele, Bracknell Islamic Cultural Society
• Musab Panjwani
• Mirazam Khan, UKIM
• Mohamed Ismail Abdul Manaff, Albayaan Arabic Foundation
• Mohammed Irfan, Al Ansar IEC
• Hilal Patel
• Chakil Omarjee, Institut NADWI