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Masjid e Ebrahim mosque, Liberia

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).

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Al Madina Islamic Academy

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.

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Madressa Zenatul Islam: The Gambia

Madressa Zenatul Islam, Wharf Town, Kuntaur, Central River Division, The Gambia. Built and funded by Caravan of Mercy. It presently caters for 500 day students as well as 60 boarding. The school needs funding to employ more teachers and to construct more classrooms. Presently we have the younger children (primary) attend school in the morning while the older children (secondary) come in the afternoon. With more facilities, we could have all the children attending school at the same time so please help.
Our other Gambia schools are also located in North Bank region and West Coast. We are looking to open additional schools in Lower River division, Upper River division and West coast division.

Madrassah Ashraful Madaris Hifz is a another COM project located on the site of Madressa Zenatul Islam, Wharf Town, the Gambia.
Kids learn Quran and do Hifdhul Quran (memorise the whole Quran normally within a few years). Two teachers from India have recently been contracted by COM to work here along-side three local teachers. 60 boarding students (boys) are presently doing Hifdhul Quran, of which all are poor and needy while half are orphans.
COM offer student sponsor schemes for those who want to share the rewards for making a child become a Hafidh.

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Eidul Adha 1438/ 2017

Caravan of Mercy donors benefited many poor Muslim families throughout Ghana, India, Cameroon, Bangladesh and Syria this year.

Cameroon:
Central African Republic victims in Borgop refugee camp in Cameroon on Eid day 10 Dhul Haj 1438 Hijra. (1st Sep 2017).
2800 families received fresh Udhiya/ Qurabani meat Alhamdu lillah.

Gambia:
250 families were served with fresh Udhiya meat Alhamdu lillah.
3 Cows and 7 Goats

Ghana:
5 goats, 1 cow
About 92 people received fresh Udhiya meat Alhamdu lillah.

India:
30,000 people received fresh Udhiya meat Alhamdu lillah.

The following photos are from Cameroon. Eid day 10 Dhul Haj 1438 Hijra. (1st Sep 2017)

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Liberia blessed with both food and rain this Ramadhaan

Another successful food distribution took place in Liberia, West Africa. The distribution took place over a few days starting from 11th June 2017 in the month of Ramadhan 1438. Funds were raised in the UK by COM while the distribution was headed by brother Ibrahim of COM Ghana, West Africa.
This humanitarian work was hampered slightly by heavy rain but Ibrahim and his helpers persevered and eventually completed their task. Many food packages were distributed amongst residents in different parts of Monrovia, the capital of Liberia.
Many of the Muslims in Liberia are very poor and deprived. Unemployment is rife and large numbers of families are virtually homeless displaced by years of war. Many of the recipients were widows and orphans who were extremely grateful for the food donations. COM visted some areas where the poor and needy had never experienced aid before and were very glad to receive food to break their fast in Ramadhan.
The situation in Liberia is bad and although many people benefited this Ramadhan, after Ramadhan they will be hungry again, so please continue to give.