الحمد لله رب العالمين، وصلى الله وسلم على نبينا محمد وعلى آله وأصحابه أجمعين، أما بعد

Our old readers of IslamForGreeks will remember the “Ar Rahman” Masjid which was renamed “Salaf u’s Salih”. It was the first place of worship and Masjid in Athens to open in 1989 and was the first place that actually built up the first Muslim community in Athens

On 29 January 2021 our Masjid was forced to close. Not from our side, but because of coercion. The reasons will be explained at some point and if necessary, but for the moment they are not at hand.

For the past two years we have been without a place of worship for our community. A special community made up of Greeks who converted to Islam and Greek speakers in general.

In all honesty, ever since our Masjid closed, I had told myself that I would never again take action to have a Masjid and that we would focus solely on the dawah part and our website.

But our community, in the two years since our place of worship closed, has grown significantly, in numbers that, to tell you the truth, even I didn’t expect. People are continually asking for a place of worship that features our creed (Ahl Sunnah/Salafi), as well as becoming a focal point for the community.

For this reason and many others like it, the decision has been made to have a Masjid that will characterize our community, our creed and serve as a point of reference.

This decision is not an easy one here in Greece. The difficulties I acknowledge are many. Financial, social, in general I know what is coming. Nevertheless, I put my trust in Allah, the Most High, I put my intention through cleansing and purification, so that it is only and exclusively for the sake of Allah and then for the sake of my brothers and sisters, the Greeks and Greek-speaking Muslims.

A Masjid which will help fill a huge gap regarding Islamic education and training, with classes, lectures, catechism tutorials for Muslim children, learning the Quran and the Arabic language. Learning Greek for non Greeks.  A place of protection for our sisters.  And of course, most importantly, a place of gathering for the observance of our obligatory worship duties such as that of prayer.

The building

For some months now, research has been and is being done to purchase a building where we will house our Masjid and our activities. The purpose and goal is to get away from hole-in-the-wall, warehouse, or basement logics as we are used to seeing. We seek a space with dignity and an image worthy of the history of IslamForGreeks and its dawah efforts.

The main purpose is to buy a building. If we don’t succeed at least rent it until we are in a position to buy. We have found places that allow us to rent initially and then, when the money is raised, buy it. If it is raised from the start then the purchase will be immediate and that would be the best-case scenario.

Cost and location

The cost to purchase is at 400 thousand euros + 50 thousand minimum cost for the interior works. 400 square meters building (ground and first floor) in Peristeri area, Athens.

Works

The space, whether rented or purchased, will need interior works such as: the women’s area, washing areas, classrooms, carpets, facilities related to technology, necessary items such as offices and libraries and the like. And of course with priority in getting a formal license as a place of worship, which also comes at a cost.

Activities

It will be a place where the believers will be happy to be in and spend time in worship, benefit and learning. For young and old, men and women.

A space that will also serve as a nursery for young children. Learning: of religion, Aqeedah, study of the Qur’an, Arabic/Greek language.

A place that will invite Muslim scholars, students of knowledge, from abroad for talks. We had already started this in the previous Masjid, but unfortunately it did not go ahead because the obstacles were too many.

A place where the Greeks who have converted to Islam, the Greek-speaking, can socialize and get close to people of their faith.

A place where the non Greek Muslims can learn how to integrate into the social fabric of the country in a healthy and respectful manner, learning Greek.

Call for financial support

We call all our brothers and sisters in Greece and abroad to support us financially, so that we can have our own Masjid, as we have described it.

Uthman ibn Affan reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Whoever builds a mosque for Allah, Allah will build for him a house like it in Paradise.” Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 450, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 533

This hadith is enough to act as an incentive for us to contribute and strive, each in his own capacity, for a Masjid.

Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen said: “The mosques are from the most excellent of affairs for which wealth is donated, and for which the reward is perpetual, for indeed its reward is continuous, varied and manifold. This is because the Muslims worship Allaah within them (the Mosques) by way of the Salaat and other than that. In it is the worshiper, and the one who recites Quran, and the one who studies knowledge and other than this. The Muslims benefit by way of them by seeking shade from the heat and comfort from the cold.”

How you can support and send your donation:

Deposit to a bank account

Send money to a bank account of the National Bank of Greece.

Account no.: 167/637367-47

IBAN: GR4901101670000016763736747

BANK SWIFT CODE (BIC) ETHNGRAA

Name: ACHMANT ELNTIN

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Bank account PIRAEUS BANK

Account No: 5046 – 040176 – 827

IBAN: GR49 0172 0460 0050 4604 0176 827

BIC : PIRBGRAA

Name: ACHMAD ELDIN

Via PayPal

Click here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=HK4JQP9Q85KVC

By Debit Card

Click here: https://islamforgreeks.org/donate/ 

If you would like to send your donation in a different way or would like further information and clarification, please contact us here.

Read the announcement in Greek here 

Categories: Μουσουλμάνοι

Tags: appeal, Dawah, donate, Greece, IslamForGreeks, Masjid, mosque, Muslims, Support