Mosques across the country opened their doors to all visitors on the weekend, with organised tours, gifts and free learning resources. Locally, Madinah Mosque, Hockwell Ring Mosque and Discover Islam Luton collaborated with Luton Town Football Club to welcome fans and wish the teams well for the Premiership Luton Town v Wolves match.
Volunteers gifted more than 1,900 water bottles and Borders cookies as part of a fun, footie quiz, while promoting the Club charity feeding the homeless. More than £600 was raised in donations, mostly at the Friday congregational prayers the day before the event.
The event was featured by the BBC and Gary Sweet, Chief Executive at Luton Town Football Club joined the volunteers during the event. Madinah Mosque is a forerunner of the Open Mosque Day concept which began when Trustee, Maqsood Anwar, was approached by a colleague almost 25 years ago, who mentioned they had always wondered what its like in a mosque. “Once you learn about each other’s faith it brings people closer and then breaks down those barriers,” Maqsood said.
Positive feedback and testimonials poured in from fans, members of the public and stewards on the day who all enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about the Muslim community and appreciated the welcome to home and away fans. Erin Stewart, Deputy Headteacher at Glebe Farm School said “For the longest time, Discover Islam have demonstrated unconditional love and kindness to bring our wonderful town together.”
Donations are still being welcomed to sponsor LTFC’s Supporter Liaisons Officer, Lisa McEvoy with her Madagascar trek to support at her Justgiving page..
