The blessed month of Ramadan is nearing and Green Lane Masjid & Community Centre (GLMCC), have begun preparations to accommodate thousands of worshippers in the masjid. Ramadan comes to develop the qualities of piety, patience and restraint on both an individual and communal level. GLMCC would like to take a moment to reflect on the essence of the holy month and some of the challenges locally.

During the days of Ramadan Muslims are obligated to fast every day as this helps Muslims to put aside their physical desires and focus on developing their spiritual character. Fasting` entails focusing on one’s character and conduct, as deeds such as being hurtful, offensive and unkind severely diminish the worth of one’s fast and defeats its purpose. The nights of Ramadan are considered to be precious times of worship and many Muslims will therefore pray extra night prayers in their local mosques.

It is therefore unfortunate to note that holding extravagant nightly festivities on the streets is becoming a growing trend during the nights of Ramadan. Imam Mustafa, Imam at GLMCC, explained: “We want our community to enjoy Ramadan, for families and friends to spend time together, however, this should be done in the most blessed manner. The month of Ramadan should be dedicated to worship, charity, and righteous deeds, and not to causing harm and distress to others. It is a blessing to eat with others and to offer iftar to others, but do so in a manner of observing good behaviour and avoiding sin, which is worse during this time than any other.”

In recent years we have witnessed a range of antisocial behaviour including youth gang fights, littering, noise disturbance for residents, illegal trading, road blockages, unauthorised food outlets without hygiene certification, and young children walking the streets alone. Some youth have also been misleading their parents by claiming to go to the mosque while socialising at the markets instead. Gangs of youth have been intimidating others, including women. Additionally, both young and old have been found inhaling laughing gas in the local vicinity during the blessed month.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “When any one of you is fasting, he should neither indulge in obscene language nor should he raise his voice.”

As we prepare for Ramadan 2025 at GLMCC, we urge our community to be mindful of the following:

Safety of Local Residents:

Alongside antisocial behaviour, we have witnessed careless parking on Coventry Road that led to residents being inconvenienced, and in one case, an ambulance struggled to reach a resident for an emergency call. Careless parking and blocking roads could lead to fatality. We are currently working with West Midlands Police to prioritise community safety and security. We also request our community to prepare for the blessed month and ensure that we conduct ourselves responsibly. The Prophet (peace be upon him) emphasised on several occasions the importance of taking care of one’s neighbour, the surrounding areas of our masjid are considered our neighbours,

Abdullah ibn Amr reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The best companion to Allah is the best to his companions, and the best neighbour to Allah is the best to his neighbours.”

Litter on the Streets:

The issue of littering during Ramadan reflects very poorly on our community and has a negative impact on the local environment. As Muslims, we are taught to value cleanliness and are highly encouraged to keep streets safe and clear. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: ‘Removing harmful things from the road is an act of charity.’ It is therefore our responsibility as a community to ensure that we are not littering and making our area untidy and bothersome for others.

Socialising:

It has come to our attention that during the nights of Ramadan, there is a lot of free-mixing of genders, which can cause a great loss of Islamic morals and etiquette. Some families enjoy the time together, however, the atmosphere also creates space for young people to have their intentions misplaced and possibly sin in the holy month. The nights of Ramadan are precious in the virtues that they hold, and it is a time that should be spent in worship and reflection rather than socialising in environments that distract and at worst cause sin.

Abstention in Ramadan:

Fasting long hours during Ramadan helps us to cultivate the qualities of self-restraint and abstention from our worldly and physical desires. It is a time in which we train our souls to reach a higher level of faith by forgoing some of our immediate wants. Ramadan is therefore not a time to increase indulgence be it increasing food, socialising or shopping as this is opposed to the values that Ramadan comes to instil.

Celebration is for Eid:

Instead of nightly celebrations during Ramadan, it is more fitting that we channel our energy and enthusiasm into a collective celebration on the day of Eid. This ensures that we respect the sanctity of Ramadan through a month of dedicated effort and sincere worship, which then culminates in the joy of Eid Day.

At GLMCC we are committed to addressing the concerns of our community and providing clear Islamic guidance so that we can maintain a safe and spiritually uplifting environment for everyone. We encourage community members to be mindful of their actions and consider the broader impact on our shared experience of Ramadan.

May this Ramadan be a source of peace, reflection, and positive transformation for us all.

Green Lane Masjid and Community Centre is a leading UK mosque situated in the heart of Birmingham serving the community since 1979. Operating from its award-winning grade II listed Victorian building, GLMCC fulfils its mission of inspiring, educating and serving through its educational college, outreach work, welfare services, international humanitarian wing, as well as its fully functional mosque, which is attended by thousands every week.

For more information about our work and services visit: www.greenlanemasjid.org

Or access our annual report at: 2023 Annual Report

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