 | | A Muslim man kneels in prayer (Sujud). |
Jersey's Catholic Church has come to the aid of the Muslim community. When the planning authorities ruled that the room in a restaurant they were using to pray was a fire hazard, they had to find a new location. | "Our Church has very much taught in recent years the importance of respect and the healing of past quarrels; particularly with Islam." | | Canon Nicholas France |
They temporarily decamped to a living room of someone's home where evening prayers were held every day during Ramadan. Now Jersey's St Thomas' Church has offered the use of its Community Centre for Friday prayers. Canon Nicholas France explains how the idea came about: "We are in the universal Catholic Church and our Church has very much taught in recent years the importance of respect and the healing of past quarrels; particularly with Islam."
 | | Dr Abdelbaky gives a talk before prayers |
With around 25 people present at only the second time prayers were held there, it's not a bad turn out. Dr. Alla Abdelbaky, the community's Imam and the leader of the prayers, says he's happy to have a room: I appreciated the offer and I thank very much the people who help us, to offer this place for Friday praying." In the longer term Jersey's Muslim community would like to build an Islamic centre in the island. Jersey's Islamic Trust would like them to be recognised as a key part of island's multi-cultural society.
 | | Muslims gather to pray each Friday |
To read the rest of the 'Islam in Jersey' series, simply click on Parts 1, 2, 4, 5 & 6 on the right hand side of this page. Listen to Islam in Jersey This part of Jo Sokill's six-part BBC Radio Jersey series can be heard again by clicking on the audio link at the top right hand side of this page. | 
