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| Ruling allows guide dog in mosque | Ruling allows guide dog in mosque |
| (19 minutes later) | |
| An 18-year-old blind Muslim student in Leicester is the first to be allowed to take his guide dog into a UK mosque. | An 18-year-old blind Muslim student in Leicester is the first to be allowed to take his guide dog into a UK mosque. |
| In Islam dogs are regarded as unclean and are not allowed in mosques. | |
| However, the Muslim Law (Shari'ah) Council UK has now issued a fatwa which allows guide dogs inside mosques but not into prayer rooms. | |
| The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and the Muslim Council of Britain worked together to support Mohammed Abraar Khatri's request. | The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association and the Muslim Council of Britain worked together to support Mohammed Abraar Khatri's request. |
| Guide Dogs for the Blind said it was "a massive step forward for other blind and partially-sighted Muslims". | Guide Dogs for the Blind said it was "a massive step forward for other blind and partially-sighted Muslims". |
| An association spokesman said: "It is also hoped that mosque leaders both in the UK and internationally will now make similar adjustments to enable Muslim guide dog owners to enter their mosque." | An association spokesman said: "It is also hoped that mosque leaders both in the UK and internationally will now make similar adjustments to enable Muslim guide dog owners to enter their mosque." |
| Such a facility will highlight the Islamic attitude of helping disabled people Mohammad Shahid RazaImams and Mosques Council UK | Such a facility will highlight the Islamic attitude of helping disabled people Mohammad Shahid RazaImams and Mosques Council UK |
| Mr Khatri, who owns a guide dog called Vargo, said the religious authorities felt they had a duty to help him. | |
| "They were actually very good and they were the ones who were willing to help because they said it is their duty to accommodate. | "They were actually very good and they were the ones who were willing to help because they said it is their duty to accommodate. |
| "He does just lie down and relax there and sit here. Being a guide dog, their whole manner is to be calm and relaxed and just out of the way." | |
| A special rest area has been set up in the entrance of the Bilal Jamia Mosque for Vargo to stay in while his owner is praying. | |
| Mohammad Shahid Raza, director of the Imams and Mosques Council UK, said: "I believe that in all new mosques such facilities for disabled people will be an essential part of their design. | |
| "The Bilal Mosque is going to provide special provision for such guide dogs to be kept safely and securely within the mosque complex during such visits. | "The Bilal Mosque is going to provide special provision for such guide dogs to be kept safely and securely within the mosque complex during such visits. |
| "Such a facility will highlight the Islamic attitude of helping disabled people and enhance the services we provide to the Muslim community." | "Such a facility will highlight the Islamic attitude of helping disabled people and enhance the services we provide to the Muslim community." |
| Mohammed's father Gafar Khatri said: "Now instead of being dependant on other people to take him places he can now go where ever he wants when he wants. | |
| "Obviously it is early days but his confidence is growing daily." |