New to Islam

Islam is one of the world's major monotheistic religions, founded on the belief in one God (Allah) and the prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him). The word "Islam" means peace and submission — a peaceful surrender to the will of God. Muslims follow the guidance of the Qur'an, the holy book revealed to Prophet Muhammad, and the Sunnah, his example and teachings.

The Shahada is the declaration of faith: "I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah." This declaration is all that is required to become a Muslim. At Leeds Grand Mosque, we offer a warm and supported environment for you to take your Shahada, with guidance and celebration from our community. Please contact us and we will arrange everything with you.

When you visit Leeds Grand Mosque, you will be welcomed by friendly staff and volunteers who are happy to guide you. You are asked to dress modestly — covering your arms and legs. Women are encouraged to bring a scarf to cover their hair. You will be asked to remove your shoes at the entrance. The mosque has separate prayer areas for men and women. Do not worry if you do not know what to do — we are here to help at every step.

No. Arabic is the language of the Qur'an and is used in prayers, but you do not need to speak Arabic to be a Muslim. Many Muslims around the world learn their prayers phonetically and gradually build their Arabic knowledge over time. Our classes and sessions provide English explanations of key prayers and concepts to support you at every stage of your journey.

Yes. Leeds Grand Mosque has dedicated facilities and programmes for women, including a separate prayer hall, women-only study circles, and a Sisters' New Muslim Circle specifically for women who have recently embraced Islam. Female advisors are available for one-to-one guidance sessions if you would prefer to speak with a woman.

We offer weekly Qur'an Basics sessions open to all new Muslims, covering the Arabic alphabet, correct pronunciation (Tajweed), and the meaning of key passages. We also have one-to-one Qur'an sessions available by appointment. For self-study, we recommend beginning with a reliable English translation such as Saheeh International or The Clear Qur'an. Our team can recommend further resources tailored to your level and pace.