Masjid - E - Vali Blackburn

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Mega Mosque Masjid Vali Kiswa Exhibition

Historic Kiswah Exhibition Draws Huge Crowds to Masjid-e-Vali in Blackburn

Masjid-e-Vali in Blackburn welcomed hundreds, if not thousands, of visitors for a remarkable Kiswa exhibition celebrating Islamic art, history, culture and sacred heritage.

Organised by Kiswa Arts & Culture Gallery, the exhibition brought together families, scholars, community leaders, business figures and visitors from across Blackburn and the surrounding areas. Throughout the day, a steady flow of guests entered the exhibition space to view a rare collection of historic Kiswah artefacts connected to the Holy Kaaba and the blessed Rawdah.

The exhibition received further recognition with the attendance of Dunya News, whose media team visited the venue to cover the event and highlight the significance of preserving and sharing Islamic heritage with the wider public.

Among the respected scholars in attendance was Haji Abdus Sattar Sb and Mufti Nadwi Saheb of Saharanpur. Many other respected ulema, imams and Islamic scholars from across Blackburn and further afield also visited the exhibition, adding to the importance and spiritual atmosphere of the occasion.

The event was also attended by several prominent dignitaries and community leaders, including Hafiz Zubair Issa CBE, CEO of Euro Garages and the Issa Foundation. His attendance reflected the strong support shown by local business and community figures towards initiatives that promote Islamic history, education and cultural understanding.

A special acknowledgement must also be given to Brother Faz, who played a major role in supporting the organisation and successful delivery of the exhibition. His assistance, together with the efforts of the Masjid-e-Vali committee, volunteers and the Kiswa Arts & Culture Gallery team, helped ensure that the day ran smoothly from beginning to end.

Expert curation took place throughout the exhibition, with Hafiz Yusuf and Shaykh Ilyas explaining the history, purpose and spiritual significance of the artefacts. Visitors were guided through the collection and given an opportunity to learn about the Kiswah cloth, historic inscriptions, Ottoman-era textiles and items associated with the sacred sites of Makkah and Madinah.

The curators answered questions throughout the day and helped visitors understand how the different fabrics and artefacts would originally have been used. For many attendees, it was a rare opportunity to see such historic objects at close range and hear the stories behind them directly from knowledgeable presenters.

Following one of the congregational prayers, the Imam Sahib of Masjid-e-Vali also addressed the congregation and spoke about the artefacts on display. He explained the meanings behind some of the Qur’anic verses, poetry and inscriptions connected to the collection, allowing visitors to appreciate not only the artistic beauty of the pieces but also their deeper religious and historical significance.

The exhibition attracted sisters, brothers, young people, elderly visitors, scholars, business leaders and members of the wider community. The large turnout created a powerful sense of unity and community cohesion, with people from different backgrounds coming together through a shared appreciation of Islamic heritage.

Many visitors described the exhibition as emotional, educational and spiritually uplifting. Some spoke about how seeing the Kiswa artefacts had renewed their desire to perform Hajj or Umrah, while others expressed gratitude for the opportunity to introduce their children to an important part of Islamic history.

The day was a tremendous success and demonstrated the value of bringing mobile Kiswah exhibitions into mosques, schools, museums, civic venues and public community spaces. These exhibitions provide a unique opportunity for people to engage with history, ask questions and develop a stronger connection with the sacred heritage of Islam.

Kiswa Arts & Culture Gallery extends its sincere thanks to the Masjid-e-Vali committee, the Imam Sahibs, Hafiz Zubair Issa CBE, Brother Faz, Mufti Nadwi, the visiting ulema, Dunya News, the curators, volunteers, organisers and everyone who helped with marketing, catering, infrastructure and the general running of the event.

Most importantly, we thank every visitor who attended, supported and shared the exhibition with others.

It was a fantastic day, an outstanding response and another memorable chapter in the journey of Kiswa Arts & Culture Gallery.