Islamic Cultural Center of Madrid

http://www.ccislamico.com/

The relationship of Madrid with Islam is as old as its name; as Muslims built the city in the eighth century and named it (Magrait) in reference to the water runlets, then the changed gradually to Madrid.

In consideration of the fact that, this relation was ancient and significant, came the establishment of the Islamic Center of Madrid, which is considered the largest Islamic cultural institution in Spain. It was opened on 21 September 1992 in the presence of both King  Juan  Carlos 1 of the Kingdom of Spain and Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz Al-Saud, Governor of Riyadh Region, and representative of late King Fahad Ibn Abdul Aziz Al-Saud  (May Allah rest his soul in Paradise). The Center was established on a piece of land donated by the Municipality of Madrid to the Muslim World League, hence setting a good example for the possibility of coexistence among civilizations.

Facilities of the Center Premises:  They comprise the following:

·          Mosque: This was built on the style of Cordoba mosque, marrying modern architecture and original Islamic architrave

·        ** School: This educational institution, which is officially recognized by the Spanish Ministry of Education, consists of classes ranging from kindergarten to secondary stage.

·        Library: This is replete with a number of Islamic reference books and journals in Arabic, Spanish, French, and English.

·        Assembly Hall: This is a modern style-conference hall, furnished with advanced interpretation system for live languages, and having a seating capacity for more than 500 individuals.

·        Exhibition hall: This is a hall which furnished with the means required for display of various art works.

·        Zahra Restaurant: It is a luxurious Arabic restaurant that serves its customers with daily distinctive Arabic meals at reasonable prices.

·        Cafeteria: This is situated at an appropriate site and serves customers with tea, coffee and Arabic confectionery.

·        Gymnasium hall: It is furnished with training apparatus for physical fitness and muscle building.

Centre Objectives:

These comprise the following:

·        Concern with the affairs of Muslim community

·        Acquaint the Spanish community  with the tolerance of Islamic religion via organizing cultural participations , conducting of symposiums and delivering of lectures that expound the teachings of Islam as well as making active and constructive media contribution at Spanish newspapers, radio and TV channels with a view to rectifying the distorted image of Islam.

Center’s Activities: This is composed of various aspects of Dawah, cultural, educational, and social and media activities as per programs and strategies developed and applied by the centers and detailed as follows:

Educational Activities:

These are as follows:

·        The Saudi School: It is an official educational institution recognized by the government of Spain and comprises the three stages of general education- elementary, intermediate and secondary.

·    School for Non-Arabic Speakers: This accommodates 50 enrolled students at either evening or weekend classes.

·        Weekend School: This teaches Arabic language and Islamic education to the children of Muslim community who study at the Spanish schools.

·        A weekly two-hour class for the Spanish new converts comprising training courses that are intended to teach them principles of Islam with specific emphasis on creed and jurisprudence.

Cultural Activities:

They include:

·        Deliverance of special classes to Spanish Muslims for elevating their level of knowing Islamic religion and refuting allegations and suspicions leveled against it.

·        Giving Juma Khotba (Friday Congregation ceremony) and ceremonies of the two Eids (Greater Barium and lesser Barium) in Spanish language.

·        Fostering close cooperation with the Spanish universities for provision of researchers and students with correct information about Islam and Muslims.

·        Promoting cooperation with center’s library and the Spanish academic institutions and universities for making available for researchers and students the required research service.

·        Distributing Islamic literature and publications as well as copies of the Holy Qur’an in Arabic and Spanish languages.

·        Conducting series of symposiums as well as cultural and literal lectures that concern the Muslim community for the public Spanish as well as for those concerned with the Arabic culture.

·        Attending and participating at symposiums, lectures and conferences that serve the objectives of the center whether inside or outside Madrid.

 

Religious and Dawah Activities:

Among the first duties of the center are the regular observance of the five prescribed daily prayers as well as celebrating religious rituals, memorization of the Holy Qur’an and teaching Muslim children and adult principles of Islam.

Social Activities:

These are represented in rendering of material assistance to needy families; the elderly, widowed and divorced as food stuff are distributed over more than 200 families.

Other social activities are as follows:

·        Woman activities: These include sewing, qualification of woman, organizing of social symposiums as well as Qur’anic recitation and memorization circles.

·        Exhibition: The Center organizes a number of various exhibitions at the rate four ones per annum.

·        Sports Activities: The Centers organizes training courses on Karate and taikundo under the supervision of highly qualified trainees.

·        Media Activities: The Center makes regular contacts with both Spanish and international media apparatus for clarification of the correct image of Islam and Muslims as well as the questions that  frequently crop up about Islam and reception of individual and group visits.