Leeds Islamic Society - Fresher's Guide
Local Mosques and Prayer Areas
The local mosques around Leeds have some really cool events for everyone to come to so check out their websites for recent updates.
The Green Room
The Green Room is the prayer area for Muslim students on campus. It has prayer halls and communal areas for both brothers and sisters, as well as Wudhu facilities and a mini-library. It can be found behind the Sports Hall and is next to the Conference Auditiorium. The entrance is accessed via the Sports Hall Car Park (look for the Leeds University Union Islamic Society banner).
It's important to note that the Green Room is owned by the University and not the Islamic Society. The ISoc has been entrusted to manage and care for the facilities - if this trust is abused, our priveleged access to the room can easily be revoked. So no staying over in the Green Room because your flat is no longer inhabitable. And yes, playing hide and seek in the Green Room IS completely inappropriate.
During term-time only, Jum'ah Salaah takes place in the Riley Smith Hall, which is in the union building. Outside of term time, the numbers are fewer so Jum'ah takes place in the Green Room.
Leeds Grand Mosque
Leeds Grand Mosque provides an excellent service to both students and the local community. They have regular circles, classes and other activities. Take a look at their website for more information on what events they have on.
- 9 Woodsley Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire, LS6 1SN
- 0113 244 5400
- contact@leedsgrandmosque.com
- http://www.leedsgrandmosque.com/
Makkah Masjid
- 36 Thornville Road (off Brudenell Road), Leeds, LS6 1JY
- mail@makkahmasjid.co.uk
- http://www.makkahmasjid.co.uk/
Leeds Islamic Centre
- 46-48 Spencer Place, Leeds, LS7 4BR
- 0113 262 1300
- info@leedsic.com
- http://www.leedsic.com/
Al Madina Mosque
- 31-33 Brudenell Grove, Leeds, LS6 1HR
- 0113 275 2535
Halal Grocers and Butchers
Abu Bakar Supermarket
37 Queens Rd
Leeds, LS6 1NY
Tel: 0113 289 9152?
Web: http://abubakar-supermarkets.com/
Places to Eat
If you're anything like most freshers, within the first week of your arrival in Leeds, you'll be tired of fish and chips, vegetable pizza and pasta dishes. It'll be weeks before you see your mum's biryani again and you don't actually know what raw meat looks like. So let me prepare you for the 5 sweet letters you will often see plastered on food outlets around Leeds University and city centre...Halal.
Fast Food
Where do we begin? How about a taste of chicken grill at Charcos opposite the Parkinson Building on Woodhouse Lane? or perhaps some grease in Flames or Mahmoods along the same road. Lebanese anyone? Shawarma do some great meaty breads and hot snacks, opposite the Engineering department on Woodhouse Lane. Is Chinese your thing? Well, Fortune Cookie (next to Shawarma) is your best bet for a quick lunch, and there's also Lucky Dragon on Queens Road, which has an all-Halal menu with set menus for 1, 2, 3 or more.
Wait, you're lazy and don't want to leave the campus to find food? Just a sec, I think we can accommodate, Jaldi Jaldi (the Mumtaz takeout in the Union basement) do great kebabs, curry and biryani - Asian shtayl! Then there's the Green Room - Not only is it a place where you can pray your Salaah, it also boasts a wide selection of Halal Cuisine for when cooking isn't an option. And by cuisine we mean the three Bs - Burgers, Biryani and Bebsi.
Restaurants
Ok so now we've got all the basics covered, what about when you want something a bit decent? When the parents are coming round and grease really isn't mum's thing. Mumtaz in Clarence Dock will really impress, with a whole range of Asian dishes on offer and an extensive fruit cocktail menu (just make sure they're paying). For a 'posher' burger and chips place how about Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK) on East Parade in the city centre? Their bread-crumb chicken burger meals are halal (note: only the chicken is halal).
Just round the corner to GBK is Akbar on Greek Street offering Asian food. Finally, if your parents are Arab then nothing but Persian food will do, so please bring them round to Haftsin on Burley Road or Darvish Traditional Persian Tea House & Restaurant on Roundhay Road. If all else fails, investing on a one way ticket to bring mum over would be well worth it, just remember to book first class.
Disclaimer: alcohol is also sold in GBK and Darvish.
Disclaimer 2: eateries mentioned in the commentary are not recommendations but a summary of some of the varied Halal cuisine found around Leeds. Please refer to food guides and online review websites.
Accommodation
Finding the right place to live can be a very tricky situation, particularly if your new to the city and don't really know where to turn. But don't worry; the ISOC is here to help! Chances are, there are also other people in the same situation as you so we will try our best to offer you suitable suggestions.
If you are struggling to look for a place to live and want to move in with a group of Muslim girls or boys, your first point of call should be the accommodation forum, as there may be people there also on the lookout for shared accomodation. You'll be able to see who's already looking for accommodation and if you can't find anyone suitable, start your own thread. If after a couple of days you still can't find anyone, then contact the general secretary on info@leedsisoc.com stating your requirements and explaining your situation and we will try our very hardest to accommodate you in the best way possible.
You may also want to check out our properties page, which contains the latest information about local properties up for rent, whether it be a self contained flat or a shared same gender muslim accommodation.
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