Description
About Peru
Located in the Western part of South America, is the 3rd largest country in the continent. It is home to the oldest ancient culture in the Americas; the Norte Chico civilisation, dated back to 3500 BC!
The Spanish Empire concurred Peru in the 16th Century and ruled for nearly 300 years. Hence it is not strange that Spanish is the main and official language spoken by >80% Peruvians. Peru proclaimed independence from Spain on 28th July 1821 and was recognized as a nation, 58 years later. It is divided into 25 regions, with Lima as its capital with almost 10 million people (almost a third of Peru’s 32 million total population!). Literacy rate is 93% and average life expentancy is 75 years. According to report published by UNDP, Peru has high level ot human development, with literacy rate of 93%.
Peru is one of the world’s fastest industrial growth rates, according to The World Factbook by CIA published in 2018. The economh is the 48th largest in the world with Income level is classified as upper middle by the World Bank.
Muslims in Peru
There are about 4000 Muslims in Peru today; mostly in Lima. Many are of Arab origins (Lebanese, Syrian, Palestine) who fled from the Arab-Israeli war in 1940s. In 1993, the first mosque in Lima, was opened but sadly it was closed down due to financial difficulties. Today there is only 1 mosque in Peru, Masjid Bab-Ul-Islam, located some 1220 km south of Lima, near to Chile border.
Since its inception in 1990 Asociacion Islamica Del Peru, they have been actively doing a lot of daawah works to introduce Islam to the locals. Operating from a villa with land area 1600 sqm (17,000 sqft) that was donated by a kind Lebanese, the premise is also used as a masjid, where Friday prayers are held that can no longer contain the growing numbers of jamaah . Other activities held here (prior to Covid 19 pandemic) include memorization of Qur’an, teaching of Arabic language, iftar in Ramadhan, eid celebrations, etc.
Due to the structure of the villa, there is not enough space to cater the growing numbers of Muslims in the city of Lima! The 2000 Muslims in Lima (population of >9million) are in dire need to have an identity with a PROPER MOSQUE complete with the distinguished dome and minaret.
It will be a landmark of the city, to attract more non Muslim Peruvians to learn about Islam. It will constructed on the same site where the villa is.
Building plans have been drawn.
The masjid shall have 2 levels with total build up area of 1867 sqm (20,000 sqft);
Ground floor: Main prayer hall for men, office, classrooms, lavatories and wudhu areas
Upper floor: Ladies prayer section
The estimated cost of the masjid is about USD1 million Through our established working relationship forged with Asociacion Islamica Del Peru since 2018, they are seeking PMP Subang Jaya help to raise funds to realise their goal of setting up the first masjid in Lima, Peru.
You need not leave home and take 36 hours flight to do daawah in Peru! But yet you can get involved… by simply DONATE!!! Any amount is accepted.
May Allah reward you every time anyone walks into the masjid to do shahadah and/or ibadah, for generations to come. Aameen.
