السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
It’s Wednesday 13th October 2021/ 7 Rabī’ ul-Awwal 1443 H.
Let me take you to Albania once again.
A Jamā’ah from the UK had visited Albania in 1993 and, upon their return, one traveller from Bolton related his kārguzāri (feedback report) to his brother here in Blackburn, who in turn narrated the story to us. Whilst the report was very interesting, it was also very sad.
A very small country, the size of Wales, situated in Eastern Europe bordering Greece, with a fascinating history. Having been under Islamic rule for over 500 years, it had suffered 40 years of very strict communism. Being the only country in Europe with a Muslim majority, after Turkey, the same country that was home to over 2000 Masjids, was now left with less than 50.
Our first visit was in 1993. It’s been 28 years now since our 3 colleagues stepped foot on Albanian soil. From 50 Masjids in 1993, by the Grace and Mercy of The Almighty, over 650 Masjids dominate the landscape of Albania today, ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّٰهِ. We now need to get these Masjids full (ābād), اِنْ شَاءَ الَّلهُ.
One of our most important projects in Albania is the Islamic Classes Project. We have set up 70 classes all over Albania, مَا شَآءَ الله, paying the salaries of our Albanian Mu’allims and Mu’allimāt, which is £1500 annually, on average.
Exactly a year ago, we made an appeal for our Albania Education Programme on Iqra Channel. We received a tremendous response that night.
One year on, tomorrow (Thursday), we will be providing an update on the fantastic revival of Islām in Albania. Make sure you tune in to Iqra TV (Sky 742) between 8pm and 10pm. Remember, this is not a fundraiser; just an ‘Albania Special’. Feel free to call in to speak to our team regarding our charity work. Please share this message far and wide.
Almighty Allāh make the programme successful and make this work a means of entrance into Jannat ul-Firdaus for all of us, Āmeen.
جَزَاكَ اللَّهُ خَيْرًا
Request for Du’ās
وَالسَّلَامُ Hanif Dudhwala
(CEO, Muslim Welfare Institute, Blackburn, UK)