Kirkin’ of the Council 2019 in Cumbernauld Mosque
Kirkin’ of the Council, Cumbernauld Mosque, Friday 30 August 2019
The 2019 Kirkin’ of the Council was held at Cumbernauld Mosque on Friday 30 August, at 12:30.
This is the first time North Lanarkshire Council has held the event in a Mosque.
Summary of Proceedings
- The meeting was opened by Danish Ashraf, Councillor Cumbernauld North (SNP) and Junaid Ashraf, Councillor Cumbernauld South (SNP).
- The First Reading: Qur’an Chapter 49, verses 11-13. Read by Councillor Jean Jones, Provost of North Lanarkshire Council.
- The Second Reading: Qur’an Chapter 2, verse 177. Read by Des Murray, Chief Executive of North Lanarkshire Council.
- The Third Reading: Qur’an Chapter 19, verses 16-33. Read by Councillor Jim Logue, Leader of North Lanarkshire Council.
- Call to Prayer (Athan)
- Vote of Thanks by Provost Jean Jones
- Imam’s sermon
- Second Call to Prayer
- Jumuah (Friday gathering) prayer
Video Highlights:
The Kirkin’ of the Council is a long-standing tradition of Scottish Local Government and is an event which North Lanarkshire Council attaches great importance. North Lanarkshire Council was established in 1995 and on 1 April 1996, the council assumed responsibility for local government throughout North Lanarkshire.
One of North Lanarkshire’s earliest decisions was that a Kirkin’ of the Council should take place annually. The first Kirkin’ of the Council took place in Our Lady of Good Cathedral, Motherwell in May 1996. Since then the event has taken place in various churches throughout North Lanarkshire (however, there was no event in 2018). The event took place in a mosque for the first time in 2019 – Cumbernauld Mosque.
Cumbernauld Mosque opened in 2013 under the auspices of the Islamic Education Trust Cumbernauld. A number of open days have been held for the local community and Lanarkshire schools are welcome to visit the mosque (e.g. to support the religious education curriculum).
