UK Mosques: dogs allowed
Published 25 September, 2008, 14:08
A blind Muslim student was the first person in the world to be allowed to attend his local mosque accompanied by his guide dog, reports The Guardian. The Muslim Law (Sharia) Council UK hopes that more mosques in Britain and worldwide will soon follow suite.
Previously, 18 year old Mahomed-Abraar Khatri had to be accompanied by a sighted helper in order to attend the mosque. The teenager's father says that since acquiring Vargo, the guide dog, his son has become more independent and confident in day-to-day life.
Historically, all dogs were banned from entering Muslim places of worship. The religion sees them (and especially their saliva) as being unclean, with their function restricted to hunting and guarding only. However, a fatwa – a religious verdict in Islam – has been issued by the Muslim Law (Sharia) Council UK, allowing Khatri's four-legged companion into the mosque by introducing the class of “working dog”.
For hygienic and religious reasons, dogs will not be allowed into the prayer hall itself – in traditional Islam a prayer in the presence of a dog is deemed to be contaminated and ineffective. Nevertheless, guide dogs will be permitted to accompany their owners to the area where shoes are placed. A special pen has been built for Vargo in the entrance foyer of Khatri's local mosque, where the dog will be allowed to wait for his master during times of prayer.
The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association says that the situation will set a precedent for other mosques. The Association also hopes more blind and partially-sighted Muslims will be encouraged to own a guide dog, making them more independent and integrated.
Muhammad Shahid Raza, director of the Imams and Mosques Council UK and secretary of the Muslim Law (Sharia) Council UK, said after issuing the fatwa: “I hope that all existing mosques will follow Bilal mosque in serving the disabled people in a similar way by providing facilities to them. I also believe that, in all new mosques, such facilities for disabled people will be an essential part of their design.”
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