Rochdale Council of Mosques

19/03/2026

18/03/2026

Our monthly meeting will take place tomorrow evening at the Golden Mosque. We will update all our social media channels as soon as we have a verified report of the Crescent moon of Shawwal has been sighted.

Please use the time wisely to keep on praying and seeking Allah’s mercy in these precious moments.

18/03/2026

Dear Brothers and Sisters

Assalamualeykum


I pray we are gaining all the rewards of the last few nights of the blessed month of Ramadan.
The Mosques of Rochdale will convene on Thursday to reach a unified consensus regarding the sighting of the moon.
Rochdale has long been recognised as a trailblazer in fostering unity, striving wherever possible, to bring together our Mosques under a collective decision-making framework for the celebration of Eid. This approach has thoughtfully considered the diversity of scholarly opinions, with the shared aim of uniting Muslim residents across Rochdale.
This process has required cooperation, mutual respect, and flexibility from all involved, while remaining firmly grounded in the principles of our Deen. Achieving such unity has not been without its challenges; however, Alhamdulillah, a balanced and inclusive approach has been established, enabling many families to celebrate this blessed occasion of Eid together.
In today’s fast-paced digital age, numerous announcements regarding the day of Eid may circulate throughout the day, particularly via social media. This can understandably lead to confusion and uncertainty within the community.
Rochdale Council of Mosques will continue to follow its established and agreed procedure. This includes giving due consideration to verified local moon sightings, followed by the official process of The Kingdom Of Morocco, Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs. Consideration will also be given to confirmed sightings from South Africa.
It is important to note that when the moon is not sighted, announcements from the Rochdale Council of Mosques may be delayed. This is due to the comprehensive reporting process in Morocco, where over 278 observation sites must submit their negative findings before any official decision is announced by the Ministry. This thorough process ensures accuracy, but may result in a later communication.
To keep the community informed and reassured, the Rochdale Council of Mosques will issue an initial statement, followed by timely updates as information becomes available. We kindly ask for your patience and understanding during this period, as trustees work diligently to uphold a unified and reliable approach for the benefit of all.

Kind regards,

Nadeem Mir QPM
Chief Executive Officer
Rochdale Council of Mosques

18/03/2026

We encourage people to physically go out and fulfill this important Sunnah. Here are some guidelines for those who wish to go out tomorrow evening.

Tips for sighting the moon on Thursday 19 March -
(1) LOCATE the moon using binoculars first
(2) Then look in the place you have spotted it with your naked eyes

You can also use Venus to help you.

“Please ensure the Sun has well and truly set before looking for the Moon, as accidentally viewing the Sun with your naked eye could damage your eyesight.

At around 20 minutes after sunset, the Moon sits 5° above the horizon. Venus should be visible at this time, 9° above and left of where the Moon should be; that’s a fraction smaller than the 10° width of your fist at arm’s length.

At 30 minutes after sunset, the Moon will be around 3.5° above the horizon, probably close to its visibility limit. If you do manage to view or photograph this Moon, well done.

You’ll have caught the Moon at just 17 hours old!“

Source: https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/news/moon-venus-march-2026?

25/02/2026

Statement by Rochdale Council of Mosques:
“Armed Threat Inside Mosque During Ramadan
Foiled by Courageous Volunteers”

On behalf of Rochdale Council of Mosques, we express our profound alarm and outrage following the deeply disturbing incident at Manchester Central
Mosque, where two men entered during Taraweeh prayers carrying weapons, including an axe, knife, and hammer. This is both shocking and
completely unacceptable.

We place on record our sincere and heartfelt gratitude to the brave and vigilant volunteers whose swift and decisive actions prevented a terrorist
attack that could have become a catastrophic tragedy. By challenging suspicious behaviour, isolating the individual, and contacting the police
without delay, they demonstrated courage, responsibility, and an unwavering commitment to safeguarding the community. Their actions
undoubtedly protected lives.

Rochdale Council of Mosques expresses grave concern over the removal of security officers from Mosques. Under the Government’s Protective Security for Mosques Scheme, £29.4 million was allocated to strengthen Mosque security. The withdrawal of licensed security staff was meant to be replaced by a roaming patrol service; however, despite applications being submitted over 12 months ago, Mosques are still awaiting confirmation. It is not the responsibility of Mosque volunteers to confront or apprehend dangerous
offenders.

We acknowledge the response of Greater Manchester Police, however, this incident must be seen within the wider and deeply concerning rise in
Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred across the UK. Muslim communities continue to face vulnerability, hostility, and threats that seek to intimidate
and spread fear.

RCM urges all mosque attendees, particularly during Taraweeh and throughout the remainder of Ramadan, to remain vigilant. If you see anything
or anyone suspicious, report it immediately to mosque volunteers and contact the police.

Tahir Mahmood
Chair, Rochdale Council of Mosque
25th February 2026

25/02/2026

Official Statement from Manchester Central Mosque following last nights incident. We ask all our mosques to review their security measures and request all attendees to remain vigilant.
Allah protect us all in this blessed month.

Official Statement

On Tuesday 24th February 2026, an incident took place at Manchester Central Mosque.

Please find our official statement attached, which outlines the details of what occurred.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding.

22/02/2026

https://youtu.be/Sn0H55KB_3M?si=2-5kswFJRpkSZczD

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

22/02/2026

https://youtu.be/4VD94H9w-Us?si=kJesASDGGiZC_Yx3

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

22/02/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/181EsQ1PHG/

22/02/2026

https://youtu.be/72zOPwXBpMs

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

22/02/2026

Our Chief Officer, Mr Nadeem Mir speaks to Br Amjad in a series of in depth conversations.
We thank Br Amjad and his team from One World Many Voices for this important production.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/195q9tMdjN/

20/02/2026

RCM Day of Action - collectively Mosques and Imams will be addressing the menace of addiction today at Jummua.

Support will be at hand also for those who need.

Don’t suffer in silence this Ramadhan. Let’s break these haram habits together.

“For many people struggling with addiction, the toughest step toward recovery is the very first one: recognizing that you have a problem and deciding to make a change.”

“Addiction often reflects the loss of inner governance, where impulse overrides
intellect and desire dictates action.
When the inner self is left unchecked and impulses take charge, it’s not just strength
that is lost, purpose fades too, and life drifts toward emptiness.”

“To the one struggling: there is hope. Ramadhan is the opportunity. The same
determination by which you restrain hunger for Allah Ta’alaa can become the starting
point of your recovery.”

- Extracts from today’s collective khutbah.