First Guide Dog Allowed to Enter UK Mosque
Leicester guide dog is first to be allowed to enter UK mosque
After months of work by The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), guide dog Vargo has become the first guide dog in the UK to enter a mosque after the Islamic Shari’ah Council issued a historic fatwa11 stating “a blind person, in the light of Shariah Law, will be allowed to keep a guide dog to help him and if required to take him to the mosque for his prayers2”.
In this momentous event today (on Wednesday 24 September), Vargo accompanied his 18-year-old owner Mahomed-Abraar Khatri to his local mosque in Leicester, seen as a massive step forward for other blind and partially sighted Muslims. Previously a guide dog has not been able to accompany its owner into a mosque as the Islamic faith recognises dogs as being used for guarding and hunting only. However Vargo – and other guide dogs – are working dogs and so necessary adjustments to encourage independent mobility are supported.
A specially constructed rest area has been set up in the entrance of the mosque for Vargo to stay in whilst Mahomed-Abraar is praying. Previously Mahomed-Abraar – who attends the RNIB College in Loughborough – had to be accompanied to the mosque by a sighted assistant.
Mahomed-Abraar and his father Gafar attended an event organised by Guide Dogs and MCB in November 2007 – held to increase awareness of how guide dogs help their owners and their high standards of grooming and cleanliness – to ask if Mahomed-Abraar could have a guide dog. Mahomed-Abraar was given the full support of local mosque leaders and the partnership qualified in June 2008; the fatwa allowing Vargo to enter the mosque was issued in September 2008.
Guide Dogs hopes the fatwa and Mahomed-Abraar and Vargo’s story will set a precedent, encouraging other blind and partially sighted Muslims to consider guide dog ownership. It is also hoped that mosque leaders both in the UK and internationally will now make similar adjustments to enable Muslim guide dog owners to enter their mosque.
Mohammad Shahid Raza, OBE, the Director of Imams and Mosques Council U.K and the Secretary of Muslim Law (Shariah) Council U.K who issued the fatwa commented:
“I am pleased to know that Bilal Jamia Mosque in Leicester is providing a unique facility to our blind Muslim brothers to take their guide dogs with them while visiting the mosque to join the prayers. Such a facility will highlight the Islamic attitude of helping disabled people and enhance the services we provide to the Muslim community.
“I hope that all existing Mosque will follow Bilal Mosque in serving the disabled people in 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”.
Gafar Khatri – Mahomed-Abraar’s father – commented: “Since Mahomed-Abraar has had his guide dog, Vargo he has regained his independence. Now instead of being dependant on other people to take him places he can now go where ever he wants when he wants. Obviously it is early days but his confidence is growing daily, so far he can travel to Loughborough for college and even as far as Cardiff for his cricket matches with Vargo’s help”.
Assistant Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra said: “I hope this development will help Muslim communities to better understand the teachings of Islam with regards to dogs especially guide dogs that make such a difference to the quality of life of their owners. The scholars who have deliberated this ruling have explored the issue from all angles and we are delighted with their fatwa.”
Bridget Warr, Chief Executive of Guide Dogs commented: “The issuing of this fatwa to allow Mahomed-Abraar to enter his local Mosque with Vargo is a truly historic event. Guide Dogs made a commitment in 2006 to increase our efforts to reach groups with which we don’t currently have strong links, including minority ethnic communities. Through working closely with The Muslim Council of Britain we have helped open up the possibility of the life-changing freedom and independence that a guide dog can provide to thousands of blind and partially sighted Muslims around the world.”
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Well done the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB)that is very good to hear. Lets hope understanding like this spreads.
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