Hadith: Uthman ibn Affan reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Whoever builds a mosque for Allah, then Allah will build for him a house like it in Paradise.” [Bukhari, Muslim]
Caravan of Mercy recognise the immense virtue that Allah has placed on constructing mosques. For this reason, we have been encouraging the public to help us, help poor communities around the world who are themselves in need of a place to worship. After establishing good connections in Liberia, West Africa, we decided to initiate mosque projects there. Our first such construction being Masjid Ebrahim.
Caravan of Mercy were asked by a community in West Africa to help them rebuild their burnt down mosque in a poor suburb of Monrovia, the capital of Liberia. The chairman (of Caravan of Mercy), Molana Ebrahim visited the country and inspected the site. On behalf of Caravan of Mercy UK and its supporters, Molana pledged to initially raise enough funds to complete the first phase.
On the 3rd of May 2018 in Birmingham UK, a young family man by the name of Ebrahim, passed away as a result of a sudden heart failure leaving behind his wife and two daughters.
Ebrahim, who was born with a heart condition, was an inspirational character known for both his charitable attitude and positive manner. His grieving father, established a charity (The Ebrahim Kola Foundation Trust) and thereafter an event to climb on Mount Snowdon in Wales, UK, in August 2018. This fundraising event was organised with Caravan of Mercy and was supported by many family and friends. The foundation was initially set-up to benefit Ebrahim in the next life and for his name to be remembered.
Liberia is one of the smallest countries in West Africa, it has been devastated by a civil war that left the country in ruins. The war ended in 2003, but most of Liberia sadly remains underdeveloped. Ebrahim’s father said that his son would be most enthusiastic about building a centre of learning that would benefit generations to come.
It was hoped that the funding would provide a lasting legacy in his son’s memory and a means of reward for all those who have been involved in making this project happen. The aim was to raise £25,000 to build the Masjid and additional classroom facilities.
Construction for Masjid Ebrahim began 2 years after the fire in September 2019. The mosque is located in Freetown, lower Virginia (a western suburb of Monrovia), Liberia. A charity dinner was further organised in December 2019 in order to cover the final costs of the project. This charity dinner event was so successful that classrooms, toilets, bath and ablution areas have now been added to the mosque project.
In the end, over £25,000 was raised and spent on this venture which will, God willing, continue to benefit Marhoom Ebrahim Kola, his family, friends as well as others who have contributed towards it in some way, for many many years to come.
The mosque is was completed during the first half of 2020 and with additional funds, a water well was added, financed as a separate appeal towards the end of 2020 (see video below).
Ramadan food distribution in Sunamganj, Bangladesh. Volunteers busy making packs out of the lentils, chickpeas, rice, oil, dates and sugar
Caravan of Mercy has used your generous donations to build a school in the West African country; the Gambia. The school is called Al Madina Islamic Academy and is located in a town by the name of Serekundanding. Funds for this project came from the Tour de Gambia fund-raiser which took place earlier this year (January 2019).
At present, the students are using makeshift facilities for a school until the 1st stage is completed. We have purchased 100 square metres of land and building has already begun.
The 1st stage of this project will create 10 classes/ rooms. After Ramadhan, we expect to total 300 pupils at the school. The school teaches a number of Islamic as well as secular subjects.
With added funds, we plan to build a girls boarding orphanage as part of the Al Madina Islamic Academy.
