Burying of the Time Capsule on site to be extracted in 20 years. From Right to Left: 1st Row - Sheikh Fazle Abbas Datoo, Kazim Canani, Zain Ali Hooda, Saleha Moledina, Sajad Ahmedi, Nazir Muharis, Salim Canani. 2nd Row – Amir-Mohsin Nouroozi, Adam Dorey, Redha Hooda, Omidullah Arifi , Muhammad Vakil, Ahmed Canani, Ahmed Sarvimeily, Abbas Ali Moledina, Osama Isa.
Bihamdillah by the blessings of Ahlul Bayt a.s. the aspirations of members of the Wessex Jamaat for the New Al Mahdi centre are now drawing to reality.
On Sunday 9th January 2011/ 4th Safar 1432 A.H, at 11:15am in the freezing winter temperature, over 75 members of the community got together at the site of the new AL MAHDI project on Fontley Road to invoke blessings of Allah SWT for the ground breaking prior to the commencement of development. The digging works for the foundation began on Monday 10th January 2011.
Three weeks later, on Saturday 29th January 2011 (24th Safar 1432 AH), the community once again came together in large numbers to now lay the foundation of the Centre.
Prayers were led by Sheikh Fazle Abbas Datoo, the Resident Alim of the Jamaat. The invocation began with recitation of verses from Suratul Fath followed with duas for beginning new projects as set out by the Holy Prophet SAWW, Imam Ali AS and Imam J'afar Sadiq AS. Chants of Takbir, the Asmal Husna- "Al Awwalo" and salawat were heard throughout the 5 acre grounds of the new project.
Whilst chanting the recitations, all present- young and old- took part in laying the foundation by throwing fistfuls of mud and stones into the foundation pits. Each member present was given the opportunity to present their areedha to our beloved 12th Imam (May Allah Hasten His Appearance).These were deposited onto the foundation of the main hall.
After recitation of Dua Wahda the young members of the community struggled to lift a Time Capsule and lowered it into a special pit. The capsule, which contains video clips of all members of the Jamaat recording their visions and aspirations for the community, is sealed in a 20 year automated time lock which will unlock on Wednesday 29 January 2031
Sheikh Fazle Abbas said: "Alhamdulillah, certainly this is a milestone in our community. We are embarking on a journey of a new purpose built centre that will enable us to do more tableegh, Insh'Allah, throughout the community. The vision set out by Wessex Jamaat for AL MAHDI will Insh'Allah be realised as the community works hard with unity and sincerity. Ameen.
To date we have collected £1.3m (including the proceeds from the sale of our current centre) and require another £300k to achieve full funding for the Project and clear all our bank borrowings. Development work is well underway with the foundation laid and completion is expected to be around September 2011. Inshallah we hope to be able to perform Salaat al Eid ul Fitr in the Holy confines of our new centre.
The Project Director, Shabbir bhai Walji said: "We have indeed been blessed and supported by momineen throughout the world who have given us their great support in various forms and for this we pray that the thawaab goes to their marhumeen and to the Generous Donors' wellbeing in both Worlds, Insh'Allah."
We request mumineen to remember us in their prayers for the success of this project.
Contributions by Zahra Hasnain Nurmohamed
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