A new Islamic centre has opened in the Papatoetoe, South Auckland that will serve as a learning space for the youth, women and children of the area.
A three-bedroom house has been rented on 167 Tui Road in Papatoetoe where five times prayers will be held, and weekly Islamic programmes that were earlier held at a garage of a Muslim community member.
“We used to have a weekly programme hosted by one our brothers from other Masjids at our garage, and this has been happening for over a few years now – so we thought getting one established place dedicated to only prayers and Islamic events and programme will be ideal for the community in Papatoetoe,” Mohammed Jamseer, trustee of Papatoetoe Muslim Youth Trust told The Indian Weekender.
“A place where Muslims can congregate to offer their five times daily salah and where our kids can learn the Quran and Sunnah,” Mr Jamseer said.
The trust formed a formal committee in 2018 registered as a charitable organisation as Papatoetoe Muslim Youth Trust. The trust is currently paying $550 per week as rent for the property excluding power and other utility bills, and it will be rented to single male boarders to cover the expenses for some time and fundraising activities held.
The living and dining rooms will be utilised for five times congregational prayer, Quran classes for the kids and youth programmes.
“We envision to make this a fully-fledged recreational centre for our youths someday,” Mr Jamseer said.
The location of the new Islamic centre is ideal for the community and travellers in the South Auckland region as it is in close proximity to Manukau city, Hunters Plaza, MIT, AUT Manukau Campus, Motorway 1 and other busy routes such as East Tamaki Road, Huia Road and Great South Road.
Currently, the trust is working closely with Aotearoa Muslim Youth (Mangere), Musalla Fatima (Manurewa) and various other organisations with the aim to expand its affiliations to other youth groups both locally and nationally.
“One of our many goals will be to make sure that how every Muslim men, women, youth and child in our locality gets connected to our Islamic centre.
“We envision a future in which thriving and integrated Muslim youths serve both our local community and NZ as a whole in which they are considered as an indispensable component of the country’s political, economic, religious and social fabrics,” Mr Jamseer added.