Peace From Tanzania

On behalf of Kich. Village, I am mobilizing community members and the Muslim Association of Tanga to raise funds to build a mosque and Islamic school. My role as a community-based Peace Corps Volunteer is to create resources and sustainable environment for youths in this community to develop skills to become the impact of a thriving society.

Background:

This is a Muslim community located in the rural northeastern region of Tanzania. Even though Islam predominates and is widely practiced in the region, this community is underrepresented. The primary source of income is dependent on agriculture. An average family makes less than $2 a day. The current space is very small and during congregational prayers most people pray outside on dirt ground. When I arrived in 2014 to serve as a Peace Corps Health Volunteer, I was saddened by the state of Muslims here. Community members need help overcoming the initial financial barrier to build a space to serve as a Masjid, an Islamic school for children as well as a nursery school for secular subjects such as mathematics, sciences, languages, fiqh and Quran.

The Impact:

The masjid is the heart of any Muslim community. Providing much more than a place of worship.This masjid will offer education and a base from which essential community services are delivered. Building a Masjid will increase education for young Muslim children in Tanzania; encourage young Tanzanian men and women to become involved. Foster brotherhood/sisterhood, promote daw’ah, increase collaboration between the various Muslim communities and aim to improve the living conditions of Muslims in rural communities from health promotion, disease prevention and economic empowerment.

Why Should You Care?

The first and foremost duty performed by the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) entering Madinah was to build a Masjid. He said, “Whosoever builds a house (masjid) for the sake of Allah, whether it be small or large, Allah builds for him a house in Paradise.”– At-Tirmidhi, Ibn Khuzaymah, Ibn Hibban.

As privileged Muslims, we know how wonderful it is to be able to go to the masjid regularly, and with your help you can give your brothers and sisters in rural Tanzania the same experience.

In order to achieve this goal, our future Masjid will have the following facilities:

• Prayer Rooms: a place for daily and congregational prayers
• Classrooms: offering Islamic lessons and working on community development projects
• Nursery School: a day school for young village children to learn secular subjects such as mathematics, sciences,etc.
• Library: youth can cultivate knowledge about Islam through reading material and digital resources.

Your donations are to help overcome the initial financial barrier. To maintain an operation of the masjid and a quality of the programs, the masjid will have the following facilities to become financially sustainable:

• Shops for Rent: to generate funds for facility operations and programs
• Farm: a space near masjid to harvest crops to sell

How Can You Help:

Help us with even $1 if you can or share our campaign with your friends, family and network.You will earn continuous deeds (sadaqa jariya) as duas and prayers made at this masjid will be attributed to all supports. Our community will be truly grateful. You can even donate multiple times if you would like!