Ihsan Youth & Family Centre

Services

Support for life’s important moments. We help individuals, couples and families in Belfast with Islamic marriage, faith guidance and practical reference requests.

Payment in advance

Payment is required in advance for paid services. We will confirm the service, final fee and payment details with you before your appointment or request is processed. Shahadah support is free.

Islamic Marriage (Nikah)

£40–£150Depending on venue and location

We help couples prepare for their Nikah and arrange an Islamic marriage ceremony. Contact us to discuss your plans, the documents required and appointment availability.

What we help with

We guide you through planning your Islamic marriage ceremony, discuss the religious arrangements with you and help you understand the next steps before confirming an appointment.

Before your appointment

  • Tell us your preferred date and how to contact both partners.
  • Ask our team which identity and marital-status documents are needed for your circumstances.
  • Discuss consent, witnesses, mahr (the marriage gift) and any other religious arrangements with the team in advance.

Booking your Nikah

Contact us before making final arrangements. We will confirm availability, the documents to bring and the ceremony arrangements with you. The Nikah service fee is £40–£150, depending on the venue and location. Please tell us where you would like the ceremony to take place so we can confirm the final price before booking.

Ask us about the religious ceremony and confirm civil marriage arrangements separately with your local registrar.

Enquire about Islamic Marriage (Nikah)

Marriage Advice

£20Per session · 30–60 minutes

A supportive space to discuss marriage, communication and family life from an Islamic perspective. We offer pastoral guidance for people preparing for marriage and couples facing difficulties.

How we can support you

Talk through preparing for marriage, expectations, communication or concerns in family life. Our support is pastoral guidance from an Islamic perspective, with space to explain your situation and ask questions.

Before you contact us

  • Give a brief outline of what you would like to discuss; you do not need to share sensitive details in your first message.
  • Tell us whether you would like to speak individually or as a couple.
  • Let us know a suitable way and time to contact you.

What happens next

Marriage Advice costs £20 per session, lasting 30–60 minutes. Contact us to discuss your needs and arrange a suitable time.

Contact us to arrange a conversation and discuss the support you need.

Enquire about Marriage Advice

Conversion (Shahadah)

FreeShahadah support

We explain the declaration of faith, answer your questions and support you in taking your Shahadah when you feel ready. We also help you connect with learning and the Ihsan community afterwards.

A welcoming place to begin

Whether you are learning about Islam or feel ready to become Muslim, you can speak with us at your own pace. We explain the meaning of the Shahadah, listen to your questions and support you in saying the declaration of faith when you are ready.

What to expect

  • A conversation about the declaration of faith and what it means.
  • Support with the words and pronunciation when you choose to take your Shahadah.
  • Guidance towards introductory learning, prayer resources and community support afterwards.

Arrange a conversation

There is no fee for this support. Contact us to arrange a suitable time, and let us know if you have any language or access needs. You are welcome to ask questions before deciding your next step.

You are welcome to speak with us whether you are exploring Islam or ready to embrace it.

Enquire about Conversion (Shahadah)

Countersignature

£15Per application

We can consider requests to countersign forms or photographs where a suitable member of our team meets the receiving organisation’s requirements and can verify the information.

What this service covers

We review requests to countersign an application or photograph when an appropriate member of our team is eligible to do so and can confirm the required information. Each organisation sets its own rules.

What to prepare

  • The application form, photographs if requested, and the full countersignatory instructions.
  • Identification and any supporting documents requested by the receiving organisation.
  • Details of the deadline and whether the application is on paper or online.

Checking eligibility

Contact us first so we can check whether a suitable team member can help, including any requirement to have known you personally. The fee is £15 per application we can countersign; bringing identification alone does not establish eligibility.

Please bring the form and its instructions. Eligibility, identity checks and any required period of knowing you must be confirmed first.

Enquire about Countersignature

Faith (Reference) Letter

£10Per letter

We provide faith reference letters where we can verify your connection to Islam and the information requested. Tell us what the letter is for so we can check the requirements with you.

What the letter can cover

A faith reference can confirm relevant information about your faith or involvement with our community where we have a basis to verify it. We tailor the letter to the purpose and requirements you provide.

What to prepare

  • Your full name and contact details.
  • The purpose of the letter and the name of the organisation receiving it.
  • Any required wording, supporting evidence and submission deadline.

Requesting your letter

Send an initial enquiry with the purpose of the request. We will discuss what can be confirmed and any documents needed. The fee is £10 per letter, subject to the team being able to verify the requested information.

Letters are subject to verification. Please check what the receiving organisation requires before requesting one.

Enquire about Faith (Reference) Letter

Personal and School Reference

£20Per person or child

We help with personal and school reference requests where we can confirm the relevant information from our knowledge of you or your involvement with our community. Bring the receiving organisation’s form, criteria and deadline so we can review your request.

How we can help

We consider personal references about your character or community involvement where these are known to us, and school references covering relevant faith or community participation. We follow the receiving organisation’s requirements where we are able to meet them.

What to prepare

  • Your name, your contact details and the receiving organisation’s name. For a school reference, include your child’s name.
  • The reference form, the purpose of the request and any published requirements.
  • The application deadline and instructions for returning the completed reference.

Submitting a request

Contact us as early as possible so we can review the requirements and discuss whether we can help. Personal and school references both cost £20 per person or child. A reference supports an application but does not guarantee acceptance.

We can only confirm information known to us. The receiving organisation makes the final decision on your application.

Enquire about Personal and School Reference

How can we help?

Contact our team with the service you need and any relevant dates. We will confirm availability, what to prepare and how to arrange your appointment. Please check with us before sending identity documents or sensitive information.

Contact the centre