The Manchester branch of Minhaj-ul-Quran was established in 2001 and has since become a thriving Islamic centre serving Greater Manchester’s Muslim community. The centre is located in the Whalley Range area (south of the city centre) at a site known as The Madina Hall on Withington Road. Interestingly, the building was originally a 40-room hotel that was purchased and converted into an Islamic community centre. This conversion gave the Manchester branch a sizable facility, with numerous rooms and halls to utilise. After renovation, the centre emerged with a bright new look and expanded space, officially inaugurated by Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri during a visit when he praised the extended facilities. Today, the Manchester Minhaj-ul-Quran centre stands out as a well-equipped mosque and community complex, easily accessible to Muslims from across Manchester.
Facilities: The Manchester Islamic Centre (Minhaj-ul-Quran) boasts a large main prayer hall that accommodates daily prayers and the Friday congregation. The prayer hall’s capacity can handle the sizable crowd that gathers for Jummah, with sermons delivered in English and Arabic/Urdu so that both the youth and elders benefit. For big events (such as Eid prayers or special conferences), additional space like an overflow hall can be used, thanks to the building’s many rooms. There are separate prayer areas or designated sections for women, ensuring comfort and inclusion for female worshippers. The centre includes several classrooms and lecture rooms – a legacy of the building’s former layout which has been repurposed for education. These rooms are used for everything from children’s evening madrasa classes to adult seminars. One room serves as a library and media centre, where Islamic books, as well as video recordings of lectures (including Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri’s famed speeches), are available for study. The Manchester branch also has office space for the administrative team that coordinates activities and liaises with Minhaj-ul-Quran International’s national office. The presence of kitchen and dining facilities allows the centre to host communal meals, such as iftar dinners in Ramadan or the langar (community kitchen) during events. Importantly, the site offers some off-road parking space and is adjacent to public transport routes, making it convenient for attendees.
Religious programmes and education: The Manchester centre is bustling with programmes aimed at spiritual growth and learning. There is a daily schedule of activities – for instance, after Fajr prayer there might be a short group supplication or reflection session, and after Maghrib prayer an Imam might deliver a 10-minute reminder (nasiha) to the congregation. The branch runs a evening school for children, teaching Qur’an recitation, memorisation of essential prayers, and imparting Islamic manners. On weekends, an expanded syllabus might cover seerah (Prophetic biography), basic fiqh (Islamic rulings for everyday life), and quizzes or competitions to keep children engaged. The quality of education is a priority; the teachers often are graduates or trained individuals from Minhaj institutes, ensuring the content is authentic and delivered in a child-friendly way. For adults and new Muslims, the centre provides beginner classes in reading the Qur’an and understanding Islamic beliefs, which are very useful for converts or those with little prior knowledge. A notable offering by the Manchester branch has been structured courses in classical Islamic sciences. In fact, the branch launched a comprehensive educational programme for the community’s men, women, and youth – covering religious education as well as social and recreational activities. During his 2024 visit, Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri was briefed on the array of activities offered in Manchester: these included educational classes, social gatherings, and even recreational clubs for the community. He expressed pleasure and advised the team to continue welcoming people without bias and benefiting as many as possible. This guidance encapsulates the ethos of the centre’s programmes: inclusive and beneficial to all.
Community and social activities: Minhaj-ul-Quran Manchester places a strong emphasis on serving not just the religious, but also the social needs of the community. The centre regularly organises community events such as family fun days, where people from all backgrounds are invited for food, stalls, and introductions to the mosque – these fun days help demystify the mosque for non-Muslim neighbours and provide a halal enjoyable environment for families. The branch has actively engaged in interfaith initiatives; it has welcomed local church groups and civic leaders for meet-and-greet sessions. Through the Manchester Council of Mosques and other forums, Minhaj-ul-Quran’s representatives join dialogues on issues like combating extremism, fostering integration, and charitable work. One significant aspect of the Manchester branch is its dedication to social welfare projects in the local area. Volunteers from the mosque participate in feeding the homeless in Manchester city centre, often partnering with other charities to distribute hot meals and necessities to those living on the streets. The Minhaj Welfare Foundation’s presence means appeals for global crises (such as earthquake relief or refugee support) are strongly backed here – fundraising dinners and charity drives are commonly held on the premises.
The centre also encourages personal development and recreation. For example, it may host health workshops, inviting doctors or experts to talk about mental health or medical advice from an Islamic perspective. Youth visiting the mosque can also join sports leagues (football or cricket teams facilitated by the community) or scouting groups that may meet at the centre. The building’s multi-room nature allows even for a small gym or exercise classes if the community expresses need. In 2024, after the renovation, the centre explicitly incorporated social and recreational activities as part of its offerings – this might include things like martial arts classes for kids or indoor games nights for teenagers, supervised in the safe environment of the mosque. These activities help young people form positive friendships and attach good memories to the mosque.
Youth and women’s involvement: The Manchester Minhaj-ul-Quran branch is youth-friendly and women-friendly. The youth group here is very dynamic – they have their own programmes, like monthly youth forums where topics such as “Challenges of growing up in Britain” or “Youth role models in Islamic history” are discussed. Youth leaders trained by Minhaj-ul-Quran often spearhead local campaigns, for instance, a neighbourhood clean-up drive or a social media initiative to spread messages of peace. There is also a focus on skills development: occasionally, the centre might hold short courses in public speaking, CV writing, or other practical skills for its young attendees, thereby contributing to their personal development in a holistic way. For sisters, the Minhaj Women’s League (MWL) North Zone has a strong representation in Manchester. When Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri visits, as noted in 2018, he specifically addresses gatherings of the Minhaj Sisters and Women’s League of the North, indicating how active these women’s groups are. The women organise halaqahs (circles) for collective study, and also events like women-only Mawlid or seminars on family life, which have been very well received. The Manchester women’s group also mentors teenage girls through initiatives like the “EAGERS” programme (aimed at engaging children in constructive activities, often run during events like spiritual retreats). Sisters are provided opportunities to volunteer in all departments – whether it’s teaching at the school, arranging the mosque’s decorations for Eid, or coordinating charitable collections.
The atmosphere encouraged by the branch leadership – as per Dr Qadri’s advice during the inauguration – is one of open-hearted inclusivity. Everyone who walks into the Manchester centre, regardless of background or level of religiosity, is to be welcomed without judgement. The volunteers and staff strive to uphold this by being friendly and helpful. Newcomers often comment on the family-like environment at the mosque, where elders are respected and newcomers are quickly made to feel part of the community. Regular attendees make it a point to greet unfamiliar faces, embodying the prophetic teaching of spreading peace and greetings.
In essence, the role of Minhaj-ul-Quran Manchester in the local Muslim community is multi-faceted and invaluable. It is a place of worship – where individuals strengthen their connection with Allah. It is a centre of learning – imparting sacred knowledge as well as life skills. It is a hub of community service – reaching out to the less fortunate and collaborating for the common good. And it is a bridge between communities – showcasing a moderate, compassionate face of Islam to the wider society in Manchester. The branch’s activities for men, women, and youth have fostered a generation of active, educated Muslims in Manchester who carry the Minhaj-ul-Quran ethos forward. By promoting integration and understanding, the Manchester centre has contributed significantly to the image of a cohesive multicultural Manchester. As a result, it enjoys a positive reputation, with local authorities and interfaith partners often acknowledging Minhaj-ul-Quran Manchester’s efforts in building community cohesion and promoting peace.
122 Withington Road, M16 8FB, Manchester
