Shacklewell Lane Mosque, in East London, will hold a “night of prayer and reflection” in memory of all those who have lost their lives in the devastating earthquakes in Turkiye and Syria.

It takes place on Friday, 17 February, which this year falls on Miraç Kandil Gecesi (Lailat al Miraj) – a holy night in Islam that commemorates Prophet Muhammed’s ascent to heaven.

The prayer night, or ‘mevlit’, at Shacklewell Lane Mosque is organised in conjunction with the Cyprus Islamic Association. It will be led by Hoca Husayn Hashim El Bakayi – the leading Muslim cleric for the British Turkish Cypriot community, who will be joined by Imam Muhittin Aydın (pictured top) from Shacklewell Lane Mosque.

Friday’s prayer service will be delivered in English and Turkish, and attendance is open to all members of the public.

The Turkish-owned mosque in Dalston and Cyprus Islamic Association have been working together from the outset of the huge disaster to provide vital aid to the victims of the two earthquakes.

Prayer details

Date: Friday 17 February 2023

Start Time: 7.30pm

Venue: Shacklewell Lane Mosque, 15 Shacklewell Lane, Dalston, London E8 2DA

Language: a mix of English and Turkish

Admission: free and open to all

Main photo, top, of Imam Muhittin Aydın at Shacklewell Lane Mosque for recording of Kanal T’s London Mevlit programme, 16 May 2020. Photo © Halil Yetkinlioglu