Oxford Cambridge

Oxford Cambridge

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Muslim Travel Guide London: Oxford, Cambridge, Islamic Heritage and Heathrow Prayer Rooms

Articlesyusuf908 posted the article • 0 comments • 4 views • 2 hours ago • data from similar tags

Reposted from the web

Summary: This London, Oxford, and Cambridge Muslim travel guide continues through Cambridge colleges, campus scenes, Palestine support gatherings, historic sites, airport details, Heathrow prayer rooms, and the author's reflections after traveling through Italy, the UK, and Canada.



Cambridge is a city in Cambridgeshire. It is famous for the University of Cambridge and functions like a university town.



The University of Cambridge has produced 88 Nobel Prize winners. While this number is impressive, we do not need to be overly surprised. The Nobel Prize originated in Europe, and academic connections like mentorships and professional networks are closer here, so it is normal for the number of winners to be high.





I happened upon a Malaysian Chinese restaurant in Cambridge. There are a lot of Chinese people in this area.



The Polar Museum

At the Polar Museum in Cambridge, the owner even built a statue for a dog.



Europeans treat their dogs like people. The Christian world likes to keep dogs, while the Muslim world prefers cats.



The Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge was named after its main donor, Sir Paul Judge. It was founded in 1990 and is a place for MBA training.



















Lawns are for people to sit on, not just for decoration. You can walk on them, not just look at them.



The country paths in Cambridge are quiet. The weather was nice, and I took a walk there at sunset.





Corpus Clock

The Corpus Clock, also called the Grasshopper Clock, is a popular spot for photos. It is set into the outer wall of the library at Corpus Christi College, University of Cambridge. It consists of a metallic gold disc and a metal grasshopper sculpture. It is called the Chronophage, which comes from the Greek words for time and eating, meaning the time eater. It reportedly cost 1 million pounds, but it is full of craftsmanship. Stephen Hawking attended the unveiling ceremony.

I do not like Hawking because his comments outside of physics were too shallow and felt like publicity stunts. He was basically an internet celebrity. Besides, many in the field think his physics achievements are overrated. In December 1999, Physics World magazine polled top physicists. Out of 130 people asked, they chose five top physicists. Einstein got the most votes (119), followed by Newton (96), Maxwell (67), Bohr (47), Heisenberg (30), Galileo (27), Feynman (23), Dirac (22), and Schrödinger (22). Only one person out of those 130 mentioned Hawking anywhere on their list.



Supporters of Palestine gathered on campus, with someone speaking in the middle.



It happens to be the graduation ceremony at Cambridge today, and many students are wearing their gowns to attend.









Thuluth College is the most powerful college at Cambridge. Both Newton and Bacon came from here. Russell was there too, but I think his influence is far less than the other two. Even Russell's student, Wittgenstein, had more influence than him.





The apple tree in front of Thuluth College is said to be a transplant of the one that hit Newton, but there is no sign on site to prove it. I recommend reading a biography of Newton called The Last Sorcerer. It talks about the origins of his ideas. Newton studied theology his whole life and was a true theologian. His scientific achievements were just a byproduct of his theological research. It is not like some cheap books claim, where he only turned to religion because he was confused in his old age. Newton was a total heretic who denied the Thuluth and insisted the Bible had been tampered with. Because he held such a high position at the Royal Society, the church did not dare to do anything to him.



A miniature sand table model of Cambridge.









Cambridge still keeps its medieval architectural style. I thought universities abroad were completely open to the public, but at least Cambridge and Oxford are not. You need to book tickets in advance to enter some colleges, and some areas are not open to visitors at all.





The Mathematical Bridge designed by Newton.

This bridge and the monument for Xu Zhimo's poem 'Second Farewell to Cambridge' (Zai Bie Kang Qiao) are both closed. You can only look from a distance. Kang Qiao is just another way to translate Cambridge.







The biological garden at Cambridge.

I said goodbye to Cambridge and returned to London that evening to enjoy the night view of Big Ben.





London nights in June are still a bit chilly, and it is windy by the River Thames.



London Eye





I crossed the bridge from Big Ben to find a restaurant on another street. It was already 11 p.m. and not many places were open, but I found this kebab shop.





Two white brothers were grilling meat inside. They spoke Arabic, and when I asked, they said they were from Algeria.









I had a platter of grilled lamb chops and chicken pieces with a side salad and a cola. It cost nearly 200 yuan, but it was delicious.



I set off again the next day, taking a train to Oxford. The one-way trip takes about an hour and a half.



A symbol of the UK: the double-decker sightseeing bus.



Oxford University has an even longer history than Cambridge, dating back over 900 years. Oxford was founded 100 years before Cambridge, which actually split off from Oxford.



However, if you can only choose one, I suggest visiting Cambridge because the scenery is a bit more beautiful.









Christ Church College, Oxford University

Oxford University is the prototype for the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in Harry Potter and served as a filming location. It is a must-visit spot for Harry Potter fans.



You can see all of Oxford on foot in just one day, and you can finish visiting all the popular spots in half a day.







Oxford Museum





Universities were first built to serve the church, so every college has its own chapel. Even though these chapels are now just places for tourists to take photos, the beauty of their religious art is something secular art can never match.





Radcliffe Camera

This area has also become a place where supporters of Palestine set up tents.





It happened to be Oxford's graduation day. Supporters of Gaza handed out flyers where students and teachers walked, and many police officers arrived to prevent any conflict.



The protesters accused Google of being an accomplice.







It was rare to see an East Asian supporter at the scene. She held flyers to hand out to students and teachers, but I did not see anyone take one, and the police did not stop her.





Bridge of Sighs

This is a popular Oxford spot on Xiaohongshu, but I walked past it and did not see anything special.



I was more interested in the flowers in front of people's homes. I noticed they really love planting flowers at their front doors.



Oxford University Museum of Natural History

The Oxford University Museum of Natural History is great fun. You do not need a reservation, and it is free to visit.





Natural science was my favorite subject as a child. I loved these huge ancient creatures, though I did not become a scientist when I grew up.









They put insect specimens of the same color together. I believe every child is interested in these creatures during their childhood.





















Thuluth College, Oxford

Both Oxford and Cambridge have a Thuluth College, but the one in Cambridge is more famous.



My two-day trip to Cambridge and Oxford moved me deeply. I have to admit, this is exactly what a university looks like in my mind.



I walked around Oxford University from morning until noon and basically finished seeing it. Then I went to town for lunch and saw a market here. It opens every Wednesday and Saturday. It turns out British people also go to big markets.



There are several halal stalls at the market. This young man saw me filming him and cooperated by making a gesture.



I also found a halal Northeast Chinese dumpling shop, but I was too full to eat anymore. Otherwise, I would have definitely tried some.



For lunch, I had a standard halal meal at the kebab shop by the market entrance. They really gave a lot of meat.



Back in London, I went to the London Central Mosque and saw this halal Paris Cafe nearby.



They have breakfast, afternoon tea, coffee, and desserts, so I invited my friend from Linxia who lives in London to sit here.





My friend told me that all KFCs in London are now halal. Even if some stores don't have a sign outside, Londoners know it, so you can eat there without worry.



These muffin cakes are also basically all halal, so you can eat them without asking.



We sat by the road and I put my phone on the table. My friend warned me that leaving it there risked it being snatched. Although I wasn't robbed or pickpocketed during this trip to Europe and America, I still couldn't let my guard down because many friends around me have had things stolen or snatched in Europe.



London Central Mosque

This mosque is located in Regent's Park, London. It is one of the most iconic mosques in London and was built in 1978. The land was donated by King George VI of Great Britain in return for King Farouk of Egypt donating land for an Anglican church in Cairo.



As early as the 1920s, Great Britain wanted to build an iconic mosque in London. At that time, British colonies were spread all over the world with large populations. The Churchill government also wanted to use the construction of the mosque to promote British prestige and commemorate the tens of thousands of Muslim soldiers who served under British rule, but it was opposed by many people at the time and construction was delayed.



It wasn't until after World War II, when various colonies gained independence and broke away from Great Britain, that the British government finally decided to start building the mosque to stabilize public sentiment. So, don't be surprised to see so many Muslims in the UK today. This is the immigrant life their ancestors earned through blood and struggle; immigration from colonies to the mother country is an internal family matter.





















I flew back home on Tianjin Airlines, which is part of HNA Group. I saw a lady wearing a hijab at the check-in counter and decided to queue at her line.



There are prayer rooms at London Heathrow Airport, one before security and one after. However, I didn't see any halal restaurants in Terminal 3.



This side is for Christians, and the other side is for Muslims.



Although it is shared by six major religions, it is mainly used by Muslims. I haven't seen any other believers use it. After performing my travel namaz, I boarded the flight back home. This 15-day trip to Europe and America took me through Italy, the UK, and Canada. I took a total of 10 flights. It was safe and sound, and I am grateful to Allah. view all
Reposted from the web

Summary: This London, Oxford, and Cambridge Muslim travel guide continues through Cambridge colleges, campus scenes, Palestine support gatherings, historic sites, airport details, Heathrow prayer rooms, and the author's reflections after traveling through Italy, the UK, and Canada.



Cambridge is a city in Cambridgeshire. It is famous for the University of Cambridge and functions like a university town.



The University of Cambridge has produced 88 Nobel Prize winners. While this number is impressive, we do not need to be overly surprised. The Nobel Prize originated in Europe, and academic connections like mentorships and professional networks are closer here, so it is normal for the number of winners to be high.





I happened upon a Malaysian Chinese restaurant in Cambridge. There are a lot of Chinese people in this area.



The Polar Museum

At the Polar Museum in Cambridge, the owner even built a statue for a dog.



Europeans treat their dogs like people. The Christian world likes to keep dogs, while the Muslim world prefers cats.



The Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge was named after its main donor, Sir Paul Judge. It was founded in 1990 and is a place for MBA training.



















Lawns are for people to sit on, not just for decoration. You can walk on them, not just look at them.



The country paths in Cambridge are quiet. The weather was nice, and I took a walk there at sunset.





Corpus Clock

The Corpus Clock, also called the Grasshopper Clock, is a popular spot for photos. It is set into the outer wall of the library at Corpus Christi College, University of Cambridge. It consists of a metallic gold disc and a metal grasshopper sculpture. It is called the Chronophage, which comes from the Greek words for time and eating, meaning the time eater. It reportedly cost 1 million pounds, but it is full of craftsmanship. Stephen Hawking attended the unveiling ceremony.

I do not like Hawking because his comments outside of physics were too shallow and felt like publicity stunts. He was basically an internet celebrity. Besides, many in the field think his physics achievements are overrated. In December 1999, Physics World magazine polled top physicists. Out of 130 people asked, they chose five top physicists. Einstein got the most votes (119), followed by Newton (96), Maxwell (67), Bohr (47), Heisenberg (30), Galileo (27), Feynman (23), Dirac (22), and Schrödinger (22). Only one person out of those 130 mentioned Hawking anywhere on their list.



Supporters of Palestine gathered on campus, with someone speaking in the middle.



It happens to be the graduation ceremony at Cambridge today, and many students are wearing their gowns to attend.









Thuluth College is the most powerful college at Cambridge. Both Newton and Bacon came from here. Russell was there too, but I think his influence is far less than the other two. Even Russell's student, Wittgenstein, had more influence than him.





The apple tree in front of Thuluth College is said to be a transplant of the one that hit Newton, but there is no sign on site to prove it. I recommend reading a biography of Newton called The Last Sorcerer. It talks about the origins of his ideas. Newton studied theology his whole life and was a true theologian. His scientific achievements were just a byproduct of his theological research. It is not like some cheap books claim, where he only turned to religion because he was confused in his old age. Newton was a total heretic who denied the Thuluth and insisted the Bible had been tampered with. Because he held such a high position at the Royal Society, the church did not dare to do anything to him.



A miniature sand table model of Cambridge.









Cambridge still keeps its medieval architectural style. I thought universities abroad were completely open to the public, but at least Cambridge and Oxford are not. You need to book tickets in advance to enter some colleges, and some areas are not open to visitors at all.





The Mathematical Bridge designed by Newton.

This bridge and the monument for Xu Zhimo's poem 'Second Farewell to Cambridge' (Zai Bie Kang Qiao) are both closed. You can only look from a distance. Kang Qiao is just another way to translate Cambridge.







The biological garden at Cambridge.

I said goodbye to Cambridge and returned to London that evening to enjoy the night view of Big Ben.





London nights in June are still a bit chilly, and it is windy by the River Thames.



London Eye





I crossed the bridge from Big Ben to find a restaurant on another street. It was already 11 p.m. and not many places were open, but I found this kebab shop.





Two white brothers were grilling meat inside. They spoke Arabic, and when I asked, they said they were from Algeria.









I had a platter of grilled lamb chops and chicken pieces with a side salad and a cola. It cost nearly 200 yuan, but it was delicious.



I set off again the next day, taking a train to Oxford. The one-way trip takes about an hour and a half.



A symbol of the UK: the double-decker sightseeing bus.



Oxford University has an even longer history than Cambridge, dating back over 900 years. Oxford was founded 100 years before Cambridge, which actually split off from Oxford.



However, if you can only choose one, I suggest visiting Cambridge because the scenery is a bit more beautiful.









Christ Church College, Oxford University

Oxford University is the prototype for the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in Harry Potter and served as a filming location. It is a must-visit spot for Harry Potter fans.



You can see all of Oxford on foot in just one day, and you can finish visiting all the popular spots in half a day.







Oxford Museum





Universities were first built to serve the church, so every college has its own chapel. Even though these chapels are now just places for tourists to take photos, the beauty of their religious art is something secular art can never match.





Radcliffe Camera

This area has also become a place where supporters of Palestine set up tents.





It happened to be Oxford's graduation day. Supporters of Gaza handed out flyers where students and teachers walked, and many police officers arrived to prevent any conflict.



The protesters accused Google of being an accomplice.







It was rare to see an East Asian supporter at the scene. She held flyers to hand out to students and teachers, but I did not see anyone take one, and the police did not stop her.





Bridge of Sighs

This is a popular Oxford spot on Xiaohongshu, but I walked past it and did not see anything special.



I was more interested in the flowers in front of people's homes. I noticed they really love planting flowers at their front doors.



Oxford University Museum of Natural History

The Oxford University Museum of Natural History is great fun. You do not need a reservation, and it is free to visit.





Natural science was my favorite subject as a child. I loved these huge ancient creatures, though I did not become a scientist when I grew up.









They put insect specimens of the same color together. I believe every child is interested in these creatures during their childhood.





















Thuluth College, Oxford

Both Oxford and Cambridge have a Thuluth College, but the one in Cambridge is more famous.



My two-day trip to Cambridge and Oxford moved me deeply. I have to admit, this is exactly what a university looks like in my mind.



I walked around Oxford University from morning until noon and basically finished seeing it. Then I went to town for lunch and saw a market here. It opens every Wednesday and Saturday. It turns out British people also go to big markets.



There are several halal stalls at the market. This young man saw me filming him and cooperated by making a gesture.



I also found a halal Northeast Chinese dumpling shop, but I was too full to eat anymore. Otherwise, I would have definitely tried some.



For lunch, I had a standard halal meal at the kebab shop by the market entrance. They really gave a lot of meat.



Back in London, I went to the London Central Mosque and saw this halal Paris Cafe nearby.



They have breakfast, afternoon tea, coffee, and desserts, so I invited my friend from Linxia who lives in London to sit here.





My friend told me that all KFCs in London are now halal. Even if some stores don't have a sign outside, Londoners know it, so you can eat there without worry.



These muffin cakes are also basically all halal, so you can eat them without asking.



We sat by the road and I put my phone on the table. My friend warned me that leaving it there risked it being snatched. Although I wasn't robbed or pickpocketed during this trip to Europe and America, I still couldn't let my guard down because many friends around me have had things stolen or snatched in Europe.



London Central Mosque

This mosque is located in Regent's Park, London. It is one of the most iconic mosques in London and was built in 1978. The land was donated by King George VI of Great Britain in return for King Farouk of Egypt donating land for an Anglican church in Cairo.



As early as the 1920s, Great Britain wanted to build an iconic mosque in London. At that time, British colonies were spread all over the world with large populations. The Churchill government also wanted to use the construction of the mosque to promote British prestige and commemorate the tens of thousands of Muslim soldiers who served under British rule, but it was opposed by many people at the time and construction was delayed.



It wasn't until after World War II, when various colonies gained independence and broke away from Great Britain, that the British government finally decided to start building the mosque to stabilize public sentiment. So, don't be surprised to see so many Muslims in the UK today. This is the immigrant life their ancestors earned through blood and struggle; immigration from colonies to the mother country is an internal family matter.





















I flew back home on Tianjin Airlines, which is part of HNA Group. I saw a lady wearing a hijab at the check-in counter and decided to queue at her line.



There are prayer rooms at London Heathrow Airport, one before security and one after. However, I didn't see any halal restaurants in Terminal 3.



This side is for Christians, and the other side is for Muslims.



Although it is shared by six major religions, it is mainly used by Muslims. I haven't seen any other believers use it. After performing my travel namaz, I boarded the flight back home. This 15-day trip to Europe and America took me through Italy, the UK, and Canada. I took a total of 10 flights. It was safe and sound, and I am grateful to Allah.
4
Views

Muslim Travel Guide London: Oxford, Cambridge, Islamic Heritage and Heathrow Prayer Rooms

Articlesyusuf908 posted the article • 0 comments • 4 views • 2 hours ago • data from similar tags

Reposted from the web

Summary: This London, Oxford, and Cambridge Muslim travel guide continues through Cambridge colleges, campus scenes, Palestine support gatherings, historic sites, airport details, Heathrow prayer rooms, and the author's reflections after traveling through Italy, the UK, and Canada.



Cambridge is a city in Cambridgeshire. It is famous for the University of Cambridge and functions like a university town.



The University of Cambridge has produced 88 Nobel Prize winners. While this number is impressive, we do not need to be overly surprised. The Nobel Prize originated in Europe, and academic connections like mentorships and professional networks are closer here, so it is normal for the number of winners to be high.





I happened upon a Malaysian Chinese restaurant in Cambridge. There are a lot of Chinese people in this area.



The Polar Museum

At the Polar Museum in Cambridge, the owner even built a statue for a dog.



Europeans treat their dogs like people. The Christian world likes to keep dogs, while the Muslim world prefers cats.



The Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge was named after its main donor, Sir Paul Judge. It was founded in 1990 and is a place for MBA training.



















Lawns are for people to sit on, not just for decoration. You can walk on them, not just look at them.



The country paths in Cambridge are quiet. The weather was nice, and I took a walk there at sunset.





Corpus Clock

The Corpus Clock, also called the Grasshopper Clock, is a popular spot for photos. It is set into the outer wall of the library at Corpus Christi College, University of Cambridge. It consists of a metallic gold disc and a metal grasshopper sculpture. It is called the Chronophage, which comes from the Greek words for time and eating, meaning the time eater. It reportedly cost 1 million pounds, but it is full of craftsmanship. Stephen Hawking attended the unveiling ceremony.

I do not like Hawking because his comments outside of physics were too shallow and felt like publicity stunts. He was basically an internet celebrity. Besides, many in the field think his physics achievements are overrated. In December 1999, Physics World magazine polled top physicists. Out of 130 people asked, they chose five top physicists. Einstein got the most votes (119), followed by Newton (96), Maxwell (67), Bohr (47), Heisenberg (30), Galileo (27), Feynman (23), Dirac (22), and Schrödinger (22). Only one person out of those 130 mentioned Hawking anywhere on their list.



Supporters of Palestine gathered on campus, with someone speaking in the middle.



It happens to be the graduation ceremony at Cambridge today, and many students are wearing their gowns to attend.









Thuluth College is the most powerful college at Cambridge. Both Newton and Bacon came from here. Russell was there too, but I think his influence is far less than the other two. Even Russell's student, Wittgenstein, had more influence than him.





The apple tree in front of Thuluth College is said to be a transplant of the one that hit Newton, but there is no sign on site to prove it. I recommend reading a biography of Newton called The Last Sorcerer. It talks about the origins of his ideas. Newton studied theology his whole life and was a true theologian. His scientific achievements were just a byproduct of his theological research. It is not like some cheap books claim, where he only turned to religion because he was confused in his old age. Newton was a total heretic who denied the Thuluth and insisted the Bible had been tampered with. Because he held such a high position at the Royal Society, the church did not dare to do anything to him.



A miniature sand table model of Cambridge.









Cambridge still keeps its medieval architectural style. I thought universities abroad were completely open to the public, but at least Cambridge and Oxford are not. You need to book tickets in advance to enter some colleges, and some areas are not open to visitors at all.





The Mathematical Bridge designed by Newton.

This bridge and the monument for Xu Zhimo's poem 'Second Farewell to Cambridge' (Zai Bie Kang Qiao) are both closed. You can only look from a distance. Kang Qiao is just another way to translate Cambridge.







The biological garden at Cambridge.

I said goodbye to Cambridge and returned to London that evening to enjoy the night view of Big Ben.





London nights in June are still a bit chilly, and it is windy by the River Thames.



London Eye





I crossed the bridge from Big Ben to find a restaurant on another street. It was already 11 p.m. and not many places were open, but I found this kebab shop.





Two white brothers were grilling meat inside. They spoke Arabic, and when I asked, they said they were from Algeria.









I had a platter of grilled lamb chops and chicken pieces with a side salad and a cola. It cost nearly 200 yuan, but it was delicious.



I set off again the next day, taking a train to Oxford. The one-way trip takes about an hour and a half.



A symbol of the UK: the double-decker sightseeing bus.



Oxford University has an even longer history than Cambridge, dating back over 900 years. Oxford was founded 100 years before Cambridge, which actually split off from Oxford.



However, if you can only choose one, I suggest visiting Cambridge because the scenery is a bit more beautiful.









Christ Church College, Oxford University

Oxford University is the prototype for the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in Harry Potter and served as a filming location. It is a must-visit spot for Harry Potter fans.



You can see all of Oxford on foot in just one day, and you can finish visiting all the popular spots in half a day.







Oxford Museum





Universities were first built to serve the church, so every college has its own chapel. Even though these chapels are now just places for tourists to take photos, the beauty of their religious art is something secular art can never match.





Radcliffe Camera

This area has also become a place where supporters of Palestine set up tents.





It happened to be Oxford's graduation day. Supporters of Gaza handed out flyers where students and teachers walked, and many police officers arrived to prevent any conflict.



The protesters accused Google of being an accomplice.







It was rare to see an East Asian supporter at the scene. She held flyers to hand out to students and teachers, but I did not see anyone take one, and the police did not stop her.





Bridge of Sighs

This is a popular Oxford spot on Xiaohongshu, but I walked past it and did not see anything special.



I was more interested in the flowers in front of people's homes. I noticed they really love planting flowers at their front doors.



Oxford University Museum of Natural History

The Oxford University Museum of Natural History is great fun. You do not need a reservation, and it is free to visit.





Natural science was my favorite subject as a child. I loved these huge ancient creatures, though I did not become a scientist when I grew up.









They put insect specimens of the same color together. I believe every child is interested in these creatures during their childhood.





















Thuluth College, Oxford

Both Oxford and Cambridge have a Thuluth College, but the one in Cambridge is more famous.



My two-day trip to Cambridge and Oxford moved me deeply. I have to admit, this is exactly what a university looks like in my mind.



I walked around Oxford University from morning until noon and basically finished seeing it. Then I went to town for lunch and saw a market here. It opens every Wednesday and Saturday. It turns out British people also go to big markets.



There are several halal stalls at the market. This young man saw me filming him and cooperated by making a gesture.



I also found a halal Northeast Chinese dumpling shop, but I was too full to eat anymore. Otherwise, I would have definitely tried some.



For lunch, I had a standard halal meal at the kebab shop by the market entrance. They really gave a lot of meat.



Back in London, I went to the London Central Mosque and saw this halal Paris Cafe nearby.



They have breakfast, afternoon tea, coffee, and desserts, so I invited my friend from Linxia who lives in London to sit here.





My friend told me that all KFCs in London are now halal. Even if some stores don't have a sign outside, Londoners know it, so you can eat there without worry.



These muffin cakes are also basically all halal, so you can eat them without asking.



We sat by the road and I put my phone on the table. My friend warned me that leaving it there risked it being snatched. Although I wasn't robbed or pickpocketed during this trip to Europe and America, I still couldn't let my guard down because many friends around me have had things stolen or snatched in Europe.



London Central Mosque

This mosque is located in Regent's Park, London. It is one of the most iconic mosques in London and was built in 1978. The land was donated by King George VI of Great Britain in return for King Farouk of Egypt donating land for an Anglican church in Cairo.



As early as the 1920s, Great Britain wanted to build an iconic mosque in London. At that time, British colonies were spread all over the world with large populations. The Churchill government also wanted to use the construction of the mosque to promote British prestige and commemorate the tens of thousands of Muslim soldiers who served under British rule, but it was opposed by many people at the time and construction was delayed.



It wasn't until after World War II, when various colonies gained independence and broke away from Great Britain, that the British government finally decided to start building the mosque to stabilize public sentiment. So, don't be surprised to see so many Muslims in the UK today. This is the immigrant life their ancestors earned through blood and struggle; immigration from colonies to the mother country is an internal family matter.





















I flew back home on Tianjin Airlines, which is part of HNA Group. I saw a lady wearing a hijab at the check-in counter and decided to queue at her line.



There are prayer rooms at London Heathrow Airport, one before security and one after. However, I didn't see any halal restaurants in Terminal 3.



This side is for Christians, and the other side is for Muslims.



Although it is shared by six major religions, it is mainly used by Muslims. I haven't seen any other believers use it. After performing my travel namaz, I boarded the flight back home. This 15-day trip to Europe and America took me through Italy, the UK, and Canada. I took a total of 10 flights. It was safe and sound, and I am grateful to Allah. view all
Reposted from the web

Summary: This London, Oxford, and Cambridge Muslim travel guide continues through Cambridge colleges, campus scenes, Palestine support gatherings, historic sites, airport details, Heathrow prayer rooms, and the author's reflections after traveling through Italy, the UK, and Canada.



Cambridge is a city in Cambridgeshire. It is famous for the University of Cambridge and functions like a university town.



The University of Cambridge has produced 88 Nobel Prize winners. While this number is impressive, we do not need to be overly surprised. The Nobel Prize originated in Europe, and academic connections like mentorships and professional networks are closer here, so it is normal for the number of winners to be high.





I happened upon a Malaysian Chinese restaurant in Cambridge. There are a lot of Chinese people in this area.



The Polar Museum

At the Polar Museum in Cambridge, the owner even built a statue for a dog.



Europeans treat their dogs like people. The Christian world likes to keep dogs, while the Muslim world prefers cats.



The Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge was named after its main donor, Sir Paul Judge. It was founded in 1990 and is a place for MBA training.



















Lawns are for people to sit on, not just for decoration. You can walk on them, not just look at them.



The country paths in Cambridge are quiet. The weather was nice, and I took a walk there at sunset.





Corpus Clock

The Corpus Clock, also called the Grasshopper Clock, is a popular spot for photos. It is set into the outer wall of the library at Corpus Christi College, University of Cambridge. It consists of a metallic gold disc and a metal grasshopper sculpture. It is called the Chronophage, which comes from the Greek words for time and eating, meaning the time eater. It reportedly cost 1 million pounds, but it is full of craftsmanship. Stephen Hawking attended the unveiling ceremony.

I do not like Hawking because his comments outside of physics were too shallow and felt like publicity stunts. He was basically an internet celebrity. Besides, many in the field think his physics achievements are overrated. In December 1999, Physics World magazine polled top physicists. Out of 130 people asked, they chose five top physicists. Einstein got the most votes (119), followed by Newton (96), Maxwell (67), Bohr (47), Heisenberg (30), Galileo (27), Feynman (23), Dirac (22), and Schrödinger (22). Only one person out of those 130 mentioned Hawking anywhere on their list.



Supporters of Palestine gathered on campus, with someone speaking in the middle.



It happens to be the graduation ceremony at Cambridge today, and many students are wearing their gowns to attend.









Thuluth College is the most powerful college at Cambridge. Both Newton and Bacon came from here. Russell was there too, but I think his influence is far less than the other two. Even Russell's student, Wittgenstein, had more influence than him.





The apple tree in front of Thuluth College is said to be a transplant of the one that hit Newton, but there is no sign on site to prove it. I recommend reading a biography of Newton called The Last Sorcerer. It talks about the origins of his ideas. Newton studied theology his whole life and was a true theologian. His scientific achievements were just a byproduct of his theological research. It is not like some cheap books claim, where he only turned to religion because he was confused in his old age. Newton was a total heretic who denied the Thuluth and insisted the Bible had been tampered with. Because he held such a high position at the Royal Society, the church did not dare to do anything to him.



A miniature sand table model of Cambridge.









Cambridge still keeps its medieval architectural style. I thought universities abroad were completely open to the public, but at least Cambridge and Oxford are not. You need to book tickets in advance to enter some colleges, and some areas are not open to visitors at all.





The Mathematical Bridge designed by Newton.

This bridge and the monument for Xu Zhimo's poem 'Second Farewell to Cambridge' (Zai Bie Kang Qiao) are both closed. You can only look from a distance. Kang Qiao is just another way to translate Cambridge.







The biological garden at Cambridge.

I said goodbye to Cambridge and returned to London that evening to enjoy the night view of Big Ben.





London nights in June are still a bit chilly, and it is windy by the River Thames.



London Eye





I crossed the bridge from Big Ben to find a restaurant on another street. It was already 11 p.m. and not many places were open, but I found this kebab shop.





Two white brothers were grilling meat inside. They spoke Arabic, and when I asked, they said they were from Algeria.









I had a platter of grilled lamb chops and chicken pieces with a side salad and a cola. It cost nearly 200 yuan, but it was delicious.



I set off again the next day, taking a train to Oxford. The one-way trip takes about an hour and a half.



A symbol of the UK: the double-decker sightseeing bus.



Oxford University has an even longer history than Cambridge, dating back over 900 years. Oxford was founded 100 years before Cambridge, which actually split off from Oxford.



However, if you can only choose one, I suggest visiting Cambridge because the scenery is a bit more beautiful.









Christ Church College, Oxford University

Oxford University is the prototype for the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in Harry Potter and served as a filming location. It is a must-visit spot for Harry Potter fans.



You can see all of Oxford on foot in just one day, and you can finish visiting all the popular spots in half a day.







Oxford Museum





Universities were first built to serve the church, so every college has its own chapel. Even though these chapels are now just places for tourists to take photos, the beauty of their religious art is something secular art can never match.





Radcliffe Camera

This area has also become a place where supporters of Palestine set up tents.





It happened to be Oxford's graduation day. Supporters of Gaza handed out flyers where students and teachers walked, and many police officers arrived to prevent any conflict.



The protesters accused Google of being an accomplice.







It was rare to see an East Asian supporter at the scene. She held flyers to hand out to students and teachers, but I did not see anyone take one, and the police did not stop her.





Bridge of Sighs

This is a popular Oxford spot on Xiaohongshu, but I walked past it and did not see anything special.



I was more interested in the flowers in front of people's homes. I noticed they really love planting flowers at their front doors.



Oxford University Museum of Natural History

The Oxford University Museum of Natural History is great fun. You do not need a reservation, and it is free to visit.





Natural science was my favorite subject as a child. I loved these huge ancient creatures, though I did not become a scientist when I grew up.









They put insect specimens of the same color together. I believe every child is interested in these creatures during their childhood.





















Thuluth College, Oxford

Both Oxford and Cambridge have a Thuluth College, but the one in Cambridge is more famous.



My two-day trip to Cambridge and Oxford moved me deeply. I have to admit, this is exactly what a university looks like in my mind.



I walked around Oxford University from morning until noon and basically finished seeing it. Then I went to town for lunch and saw a market here. It opens every Wednesday and Saturday. It turns out British people also go to big markets.



There are several halal stalls at the market. This young man saw me filming him and cooperated by making a gesture.



I also found a halal Northeast Chinese dumpling shop, but I was too full to eat anymore. Otherwise, I would have definitely tried some.



For lunch, I had a standard halal meal at the kebab shop by the market entrance. They really gave a lot of meat.



Back in London, I went to the London Central Mosque and saw this halal Paris Cafe nearby.



They have breakfast, afternoon tea, coffee, and desserts, so I invited my friend from Linxia who lives in London to sit here.





My friend told me that all KFCs in London are now halal. Even if some stores don't have a sign outside, Londoners know it, so you can eat there without worry.



These muffin cakes are also basically all halal, so you can eat them without asking.



We sat by the road and I put my phone on the table. My friend warned me that leaving it there risked it being snatched. Although I wasn't robbed or pickpocketed during this trip to Europe and America, I still couldn't let my guard down because many friends around me have had things stolen or snatched in Europe.



London Central Mosque

This mosque is located in Regent's Park, London. It is one of the most iconic mosques in London and was built in 1978. The land was donated by King George VI of Great Britain in return for King Farouk of Egypt donating land for an Anglican church in Cairo.



As early as the 1920s, Great Britain wanted to build an iconic mosque in London. At that time, British colonies were spread all over the world with large populations. The Churchill government also wanted to use the construction of the mosque to promote British prestige and commemorate the tens of thousands of Muslim soldiers who served under British rule, but it was opposed by many people at the time and construction was delayed.



It wasn't until after World War II, when various colonies gained independence and broke away from Great Britain, that the British government finally decided to start building the mosque to stabilize public sentiment. So, don't be surprised to see so many Muslims in the UK today. This is the immigrant life their ancestors earned through blood and struggle; immigration from colonies to the mother country is an internal family matter.





















I flew back home on Tianjin Airlines, which is part of HNA Group. I saw a lady wearing a hijab at the check-in counter and decided to queue at her line.



There are prayer rooms at London Heathrow Airport, one before security and one after. However, I didn't see any halal restaurants in Terminal 3.



This side is for Christians, and the other side is for Muslims.



Although it is shared by six major religions, it is mainly used by Muslims. I haven't seen any other believers use it. After performing my travel namaz, I boarded the flight back home. This 15-day trip to Europe and America took me through Italy, the UK, and Canada. I took a total of 10 flights. It was safe and sound, and I am grateful to Allah.