A Muslim service in Welsh was held for the first time on the National Eisteddfod Maes in north Wales
Imam Mirazam Khan, originally from Caernarfon and currently a chaplain at Wrexham Maelor Hospital, led the service, which was attended by men, women, and children in the Eisteddfod’s dedicated prayer room.
The Imam gave the traditional call to prayer, and the prayers were recited in Arabic, as required by the Quran. He then delivered a khutbah (sermon) in Welsh.
Before the service, he said the prayers demonstrated that “everyone belongs here, irrespective of how we look,” and that delivering a khutbah in Welsh sends a “powerful” message.
“Wherever we are—whether in a church or a mosque—it’s important that we have these religious buildings to keep us connected, to remind us that we are Christians, Muslims, or Jews, and that we belong to our traditional roots,” he said.
The service was organised by the Cardiff-based group Now in a Minute.
Co-founder Mariyah Zaman said the Eisteddfod’s prayer room was highly significant.
“It shows that everyone is welcome at the festival,” she said.
She explained that the khutbah is usually delivered in the local language of the community.
“I was in China recently, and the khutbah was in the local language. Here in Wales, almost all Muslims speak English, so it’s usually delivered in English. But here, we recognise that Welsh is the main language, and the Imam was able to deliver it in Welsh.”
Following the service, a discussion was held in the Communities tent where Welsh-speaking Muslims talked about Welsh identity and Islam. Later, at Sinemaes, a new video titled O’r Mosg i’r Maes was screened for the first time. Created in partnership with the National Eisteddfod, the video showcases Muslim life in the Wrexham area.