[abdurratln]

PROJECT BENIN

Please join us in creating a foundation of Islam in Benin by building a Masjid





Building a Masjid in such a place that has no resources to build;

Since beginning of the project more than 15 people reverted to Islam;

Come be a part of history by giving to the Children of Benin;

This is a great opportunity to be known to Allah that we built a Masjid in a place of need;

This is the best Sadaqa Jariah. This is Project Benin.

• Date: Saturday, April 12, 2008
• Place: Dar-ul-Islam (West County, 517 Weidman Road, Ballwin, Missouri 63011. Telephone: 636-394-7878)
• Time: After Magrib Salat
• Guest Speaker: Mufti Minhajudeen Ahmed
• Host: MYSTL and Adam Zivkovic
• Refreshments: Will be provided

[Black Lion]

Muslims often refer to the mosque by its Arabic name, masjid, ... The Arabic word masjid means place of worship and is a noun of place from the verb sajada

Why not build houses, wells etc supply them with farming equipment rather than attempt to offer them solace in converting to Islam or hold what good you do against them to the same effect?

This is an Afro-Carribean board.

[astmartins]

^
Same goes for Christians.....Pastor Oshilomolowo is on the quest to build the biggest church in Nigeria in his hometown costing millions same thing happened in Ivory coast a while ago when Humphet Boigny (dead leader of Ivory Coast)erected the biggest cathedral...my question is why??
People are jobless no basic amenities or resources so i ask why do this people think and feel justified that the solution to Africa-Asian and South American problems is converting and building super structures to Islam and Christianity when what we need is Industry-Effective application of Technology and Infrastructure...sad sad!!

[abdurratln]

Originally Posted by Black Lion

Why not build houses, wells etc supply them with farming equipment rather than attempt to offer them solace in converting to Islam or hold what good you do against them to the same effect?

This is an Afro-Carribean board.

Let me attempt to explain. In order to deliver help to poor Africans, it is necesaary to establish an entity, a mechanism, an instituion under our control. In Islam, everything is centered around the Masjid. The Masjid is a Community Center in which all of the things you have mentioned occurs. This is why Islam is different from most other religions: it guides us in every aspect of daily life and long term planning. Eventaully, the oil-rich Arabs of the Gulf will be able to satisfy their Islamic duties by investing money in Projects such as this one. This money will be totally under African control. I know it is hard for non-believers and dis-believers to visualize this. But, the rich pays the poor in Islam. Every Muslim is obligated to give a minimum percdentage of his goods and money ton widows and orphans and poor people. This is why in the poorest Muslim countries in the world, we do not see women and children begging and sleeping on the streets as is seem in every American town and city. And, there is no welfare system other than the Masjid.

I have been working for several months now to establish projects by which non-Muslims may get involved in the Economic Development of Africa (African Finance Facilitation Project, FUDAA | Google Groups and Black Star Management and Development Company, FUDAA | Google Groups) It is very sad to note that few have answered the call. A person could help in the Black Star Project by simply investing $5-10 per month. Or alternatively, one could simply help to facilitate the delivery of micro-loans to African Communities under the Finance Facilitation Project. Or, perhaps a person could help to establish some other project that adresses the problems. But, it is absolutely unacceptable to attack the initiatives of others or to ignore perfectly good and sound projects while doing nothing worthwhile yourself, except shoot off hot air.

Get real! Project Benin is owned and controlled by Africans with the help of our Asians friends and allies who are Muslims. At worse, this will help better relations between the Asians and Africans. The unique thing about this project is that we control it. There are several others that are controlled by Europeans and Asians. But, this one is about Africans helping Africans. You show your slave mentality by not ever compalining about a project controlled by whites. But, as soon as an African develops a project that you cannot possibly sabotage because it is centered around Islam, all you can do is cast asperions and complain. Your compalints speak volumes.

[abdurratln]

Originally Posted by astmartins

^
Same goes for Christians.....Pastor Oshilomolowo is on the quest to build the biggest church in Nigeria in his hometown costing millions same thing happened in Ivory coast a while ago when Humphet Boigny (dead leader of Ivory Coast)erected the biggest cathedral...my question is why??
People are jobless no basic amenities or resources so i ask why do this people think and feel justified that the solution to Africa-Asian and South American problems is converting and building super structures to Islam and Christianity when what we need is Industry-Effective application of Technology and Infrastructure...sad sad!!

Again: in Islam all of these things are handled in the Islamic arena, the Masjid. Project Benin is but one such example. I have another one under development in Saint Louis. Missouri. We will build a $10 million Masjid in our neighborhood, adjacent to property that we own, GOD-willing. (Al-Farooq Muslim Development Community Project, FUDAA | Google Groups) In the first place, this project will buy up land in our neighborhood, vacant and under-developed land that is not being effectively utilized. It will employ local residents to do the work of actaully constructing the facilities which will include at least two Islamic schools. It will involve the Muslim shopkeeprs in the area donatng a portion of their profits, thus returning money to the community. It will be centered around the acqisition of virtuallty all of the vacant properties in the area and developing them for community use and occuapancy. The profits from Preoject Al-Farooq will be invested in various projects in Africa.

If you are not a Muslim, but perhaps a Christian, you may wish to get involved by joining the Believer's Community Development Project, FUDAA (Believers Community Development Project | Google Groups) Here, we will find common ground with Budhists in the neighborhood. At least one Hindu has already gotten involved. My Jewish brother-in-law and his family are involved. There are a few Christians (not Evangelicals unfortunately) who are helping.

I mean really! What else can an African do to try to deal with these problems from the perspectives of as many diverse Africans as possible. You have asolutely no excuse for not helping in one way or another. If you are perhaps a non-believer, I stand ready to work with you on whatever level you are willing to work. Except, gripping and conmplaining and shooting off hot air.